We're back with a New Years photo shoot!

I know it's been way too long but we're back with a New Years photo shoot. This was not an easy task by any means. Lily was not the perfect little model. I had to chase her and then hope that we could get a good pose eventually. All that said, I think we got a few good ones.

They said it was temporary......

...but as we put her in the bath and attempted to wash off the tattoo, we realized that it would be with her for at least a week. That's exactly what happened. Several baths and scrubbing sessions later it finally came off. No more Thomas on Lily's cheek. Well, it was fun while it lasted.

Day out with Thomas!

On Memorial Day we took Lily to "Day out with Thomas" and she had a blast. The weeks prior to the event, when a commercial would come on the T.V. for it, she would point to the television and with her cute little voice say,"ah? ah?". I knew we had to take her. She wasn't so sure about the train initially, but as soon as it started to move and the music started playing she lit up and had so much fun sticking her head out the window.

A view of scenic Heber Valley.

Kitty-cats and dandelions

Lily tried to play with Joe, the cat, but got distracted by the dandelion. This is her first experience with a dandelion. I love how she flicks it off her hand like it's dirty or something. She loves being outdoors. After being cooped up for the long winter we've had, I can't blame her.

They're goin' back to Cali....

Lenore and Brandon moved back to California just two weeks ago. Brandon got a great job in his field at a firm in Santa Monica. We are so happy for them but sorry to see them leave. It's one of those bitter-sweet things in life that we all experience. We loved having them here to play with the cousins and spend holidays together. We wish them all the best in their new life's journey. Here are some pictures of moving day. Lily didn't have the first clue that it would be a while before she saw Elise and Sean. Oh, to be young again.

The Skinner family on their moving truck!

Not quite the "kissing cousins."

See what I mean?

"YES! I get this thing to myself now!"

Elise with her cousin Liam.

"Don't cry for me Mapleton, Utah!"

Bye, Mapleton house.

Bye, Elise and Sean.

Bye, beautiful mountains of Mapleton.

Lily blowing a final kiss good-bye in front of their massive U-Haul.

Little Lily in action!

Lily had so much fun feeding the little baby animals!

After the baby animals...

After playing with the baby animals at Thanksgiving Point, we went to Mc Donald's for lunch. Lily never eats sugar. She really doesn't like it, but she loves chicken Mcnuggets. I can't complain, because otherwise she's a very healthy eater and loves her fruits and veggies.

Some more play time with the trains at Barnes and Noble.

Lily and the baby animals

It was cold and very windy. Did I mention that it was cold? That didn't matter to little Lily. She loved every minute of being outside and finally seeing in person the animals she loves to watch on her Baby Einstein dvds. It was so cute to watch her get excited when she first saw the baby calf. She smiled and laughed and there was no hesitation. She put her little hand right through the fence and began to pet her. Then she decided to pick the grass and feed her. As the calf nibbled, Lily made a face and laughed out loud. She had a great day and we had so much fun as parents watching her explore and learn with complete joy.

The cold wasn't much fun.

Daddy helped Lily feed the pigs.

"Those pigs were a little icky!"

What a fun day!

A double cousin B-day party!

Last weekend we went to a double cousin birthday party. Kailey and Cole turned 4 and 3 years old. We can't believe how much they've grown!! Lily got them both Melissa and Doug toys, which were a big hit. Kailey loved her dress-up doll and Cole got a tool set with it's own box. We've heard that they haven't put the toys down since the party. Excellent choices Lily!

Happy little working song

So proud of herself!

Lily loves to help mom do just about any chore. She loves to sweep, do laundry, and help load the dishwasher. I hope this continues into her teenage years. Anyway, this reminds me of a scene from her favorite movie "Enchanted", where Giselle cleans up Robert's apartment with all the animals. Too bad I can't call out to the neighborhood animals for some back-up.

Love that little face.

J.T.'s Big Birthday Bash!

J.T. lives across the street and has become Lily's little buddy. He just turned 2 and we had fun at his party. Lily almost ate a whole big bowl of popcorn on her own. A girl after my own heart.