"I want to walk" says Amy

These photos speak for themselves. Amy is also trying to talk. She is currently stuck in a rut with "this" and "that." She also knows "look."

Look at me! No hands.


I've got to get away from Emily. This is supposed to be faster but sure doesn't seem like it.


I am so smart. I can take 2-3 steps before crashing back to earth.

Swimming lessons

Becca, Hannah, Peter Gordon, and Emily all took swimming lessons at the Veteran's Pool in Provo this year. They went several times during the last two weeks of July and had a blast. Their favorite part was the last day when they all got to go down the hydrotubes.

Hannah working on the backstroke. She is getting to be a pretty good swimmer and almost has all of the strokes figured out. She still needs to work on her breaststroke coordination. She also needs to get more comfortable in the middle of the pool.

Another backstroker. Becca is getting really good with all of her strokes and is really proud of finally figuring out the butterfly. She and Hannah about died the last day of lessons because they had to swim so many laps but they survived and it was, apparently, worth it because they are both addicted to the hydrotube.


Peter Gordon is becoming more confident in the water. He is an expert diver and loves to retrieve things off of the bottom of the pool. If he could only channel that enthusiasm for actually swimming he might eventually give Michael Phelps a run for his money! =)


Proof that Emily actually does know how to stick her head in the water--especially if it happens while jumping into the pool. She learned a few things when she wasn't busy playing in the water and is much more comfortable in the pool.

Amy, the yearling

Amy celebrated her first birthday late last month. She is now our final yearling. It seems odd that our baby is now one.

We went swimming for Amy's birthday and she enjoyed splashing around in the little kids pool. The big kids had great fun going down the hydrotubes and playing with Amy.


Amy wasn't sure what to make of the fire coming out of her cupcake. It didn't help that she was super tired after spending half the day at the pool.

Our one picture of Amy with the birthday hat still on her head. Most of the other shots she is holding the hat or in the process of removing it.


It is amazing how much little people like Little People toys. Amy's plane was a definite hit and she kept having to pull it away from her siblings.

Yellowstone Trip

We spent a long weekend in Yellowstone National Park and had a great time. Chantel's uncle has a cabin in Island Park, Idaho and graciously allowed us to stay there. The kids thought it was a great hangout. We hiked around the rim of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and other locations in the park. We saw tons of animals--elk, bison, bears, eagles, ospreys, mule deer, etc. We also enjoyed the wonderful scenery and the awesome waterfalls. Enjoy the pictures.

Firehole Canyon Waterfall

Elk

Eagle

Mother bear and cub. Do you see the bear hiding in the grass?

Bison

Upper Brink Falls

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Either Emily and Amy are a lot smarter than the rest of us or they missed a great hike!!

Hannah gets baptized

Hannah celebrated her 8th birthday while we were in Seattle and we had a party for her at Uncle Bubba's and Aunt Carly's. We had strawberry shortcake and Hannah had extra help blowing out the candles. We were lucky enough to be able to baptize her in Seattle. Her uncles provided the music, prayers, and moral support. Grandpa was a witness and Grandma spoke. Aunt Carly prayed and Chantel gave another talk. I performed the ordinances. It was a really nice baptism and Hannah will always remember her baptismal date because it is the same as her birthday.
A large chunk of the Daines' clan (only missing Riley, Sophie, Lucy and Natalie--thanks for loaning us Uncle Mike).

Dressed in white and ready to go.

Pacific Northwest fun

We recently returned from a fabulous trip to the Pacific Northwest. We got to see friends and family and play on the beach. We also attended Uncle Brad's graduation from medical school. I thoroughly relaxed and completely enjoyed myself. The Northwest is beautiful country and I hope to make it my home sooner or later.


We had a blast hanging out with Ross and Dixie Kolditz and their kids. They treated us royally and have a lovely home. Our kids thought their kids were the best and we all enjoyed the fantastic view from their deck. We enjoyed the Primary activity, their small branch and celebrating Erick's birthday. It is great to have good friends.


From the Kolditz home we headed to Nehalem Bay for a couple of days of playing at the beach and sleeping in the yurts. We all thought that the yurt was way cool. We visited Tillamook (great cheese and ice cream), Cape Meares lighthouse, Mo's, and had fish and chips at the Pacific Oyster Company. We also roamed the state park trails and trekked through the sand dunes--not to mention building sandcastles.


After our Oregon adventure it was time to head to Seattle. We got to see all of my brothers--Mike flew in from England. We went to the beach, took a ferry ride to Orcas island, returned to our old haunts in Bellingham and Ferndale, went to a baseball game and the zoo, and enjoyed being with family.

The "Original Six" Daines.

After Seattle we headed back to Idaho. We stayed a night at Mom and Dad's and then headed to Twin Falls. We enjoyed the Lundgren's hospitality and they came with us on our trek to see the City of Rocks. We had a fun picnic and the kids enjoyed scampering through the rocks.

We were glad to get home but are already missing the freedom to explore that we had on our trip. We'll be back soon.

Emily turns 3

Emily turned 3 on Thursday. We are so happy that she is with us. It is hard to believe that she had such a struggle with her health as a baby. She loves being in charge and likes to tell people what to do. She also gives the best hugs. She had a great birthday. I think her favorite part was opening presents. She got a swimming suit and tea party set from Grandma and Grandpa, a lightsaber from her siblings (purple no less), polly pockets, and a book.


Look at me I am three!! I got to have a butterfly cake.


Emily in action. Look at her rip through that paper.


I am a Jedi and love my purple lightsaber. I also love my Tinkerbell doll.

Happy birthday, Emily!!!