Addison's 2nd birthday

We celebrated Addison's 2nd birthday this past weekend. Addison insisted on having an "elmo birthday", and has been talking about it for the past few months. So, needless to say we gave in and threw her an "elmo birthday" for her with friends and decorations and all. She knew what a birthday was all about and unwraped present after present without stoping in between. She also knew how to blow out her candles without any prior practice. All in all she had a great birthday, and loved having her friends over to help celebrate it.

Yogurt mess

This is what happens when you leave a toddler alone with yogurt for less than 5 minutes!

Best Friends

Addison and her cousin Aspen, have become great friends. They are 5 months apart, Addison being the eldest. Every time we mention that we are going to Grandma and Grandpa's house she says, "A'pes", which is the way she says Aspen. When the are together they have to hold hands, which is funny, because wiggle their hands around until they find a good hold. We have decided to have a little birthday party for Addison's 2nd birthday, which is coming up this weekend, and when we ask Addison who she wants to come she says, Aspen. We hope that as they get older that they will stay close and become even greater friends.

San Diego for the 4th

While in Arizona we were able to make a special trip over to San Diego for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th. We just spent the days at the beach in Carlsbad, relaxing. Addison wasn't fond of the ocean, but loved playing in the sand. We had a great time!

Visit to Arizona

We recently went to Arizona to visit Brad's family. We had such a great time. Addison loved playing with her cousin Cooper, who is a year younger than she. They got along for the most part, but Addison learned very quickly that he was younger and that she could boss him around and take toys from him without him fighting back. She also loved helping with Cooper, such as making his bottle and feeding him his baby food.

Addison loved her cousin Lexi, who is turning 10 years old. She asked for her at least once a day. Lexi was so great to play with her, that she even agreed to play tea party with her.

Arizona weather in the summer is pretty brutal, especially when it gets in the 100's. While we were there we experienced 112 degrees which was pretty hot. Needless to say we spent some days in the water. Addison learned to "swim" with floaties, and was very proud of herself.

While there, we had a chance to see some friends. We went to Mandy and Kelly's house for dinner. Their daughter, Grace, and Addison played well together. When we were getting ready to eat, we didn't know where the girls were. We found them in Grace's room playing.

And last, but not least, Addison loved her Grandma Nielsen. The minute she woke up in the morning to the minute she fell asleep at night she asked for "dama". Thank you dama and dampa for a great time!

Camping

Table Rock Lake

This past weekend we went camping with my family, to Table Rock Lake which is about an hour from here. It was tons of fun, even though we had rain for the entire 1st night we were there. We have had so much rain this season, that half of the campground we stayed at was under water. Addison was quit a bit scared of the water, so she didn't want to swim. She would just pretty much wade her feet in it.

My brother Brevin and his wife, Kim, brought a wagon for their daughter, Aspen. Needless to say, Addison and Aspen had a ton of fun riding in the wagon through the water.

We did alot of lounging around, which was nice just to relax. My sister, Trudy, brought a hamock that was a hit with the kids and my 20 year old brother, Andrew.

My family has been camping once a year, and have been doing it for a couple of years now. Unfortunately, we haven't been going up until this year. My mom has a tradition to take a picture of her grandkids each year in the same place at the campground.

Kelsey(9), Keaton(6 1/2), Braxton(4 1/2), Kailey(3 1/2), Addison(23 months), Aspen(18 months), Pagelynn(1)

We had a great time, regardless the rain storm and a few bug bites (which I only managed to get, because bugs don't like Brad's blood and apparently Addison's either). We are looking forward to next years family camp.

Family Reunion

Brad's mom's family had a reunion this past week in Nauvoo. We had a great time spending time with extended family and touring the church historic sites. The first day we were there, we went to Carthage, Illinois, to see the jail.

This picture is of Brad and his cousin, Brian with Addison and Cody (Brian's boy, who was born on the same day as Addison).

The statue of Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith at the Carthage Jail, with Brad's parents.

The next day we toured the historic sites there in Nauvoo. Addison decided she wanted to pose for the camera.

Addison on a wagon

Addison with her 2nd cousin, Kaiden

While we were there the Mississippi River was flooding. This picture is of the "Trail of Hope". The road was suppose to end at the tree line, so you can see how far the water has risen.