Hiking Joe's Gap

We went hiking and tried out Chad's new purchase... the hiking backpack.

Emily was so excited, she could hardly contain herself!

She loved hiking on her dad's back and being out on the trail!

She had a great time looking around at everything!

Cousin Patrick and Aunt Amy

Uncle Tanner and Aunt Kearis

Beautiful view!

Bear Lake

While in Idaho, we took a trip to Bear Lake with Chad's family. Although beautiful, the lake is usually VERY cold (for a Floridian anyway). Fortunately, the shallow water was a perfect temperature. Emily loved getting in the water and feeling the waves come in against her legs. She also enjoyed playing on the beach... mostly trying to eat the sand!

Emily and Nana

Emily's cousin, Patrick

Checking out the sand

Sitting in the canoe

Uncle Tanner and Aunt Kearis

Just having fun!

Emily is teething and has been sticking out her tongue a lot lately. I think she does it to feel the teeth that are starting to come in. She probably also just thinks that it is fun to do! :-)

Loveable

So...we are in the process of sleep training Emily. We've read tons of ideas about why sleep training is important, but have struggled with how to actually do it effectively. Chad found the The Sleepeasy Solution at the library last week. As I began reading it, I was surprised to find out that they included a step-by-step plan for how to sleep train your child. It promised to improve Emily's sleeping in 5 - 10 days. We were excited to give it a try. The first night was a bit of a struggle but within a couple of days, Emily was sleeping more than she had in weeks. She was working hard and really did very well. She was such a champ! We figured that we had it made...then she started teething!!!!!

Our little angel really has been a good sport about the whole thing, but due to the teething has been understandably cranky and a bit clingy. (Really, we can't complain too much. Even at her worst, Emily is still a pretty amazing baby.) This morning Chad dressed Emily. He humorously pointed out to me that he dressed her in the "loveable" onesie to remind us that although she's a bit cranky, she's still very loveable!!! Ha!

4th of July

Happy 4th of July!

Emily and her new friend Naya.

Emily showing off her "independence" at the fireworks.

Emily liked seeing the fireworks.

But didn't enjoy my hands over her ears!
(We decided to go last minute and I forgot the cotton that I planned to put in her ears!)

Emily's New Ride

Chad's been looking for a hiking backpack for Emily for some time. He finally found one the other day. He is very excited to try it out while we are in Utah. Emily seemed to like her new ride!