July 22nd, 2010: Happy Birthday to Addison!

Addison's birthday celebration lasted all day long. Starting with the Beatles singing her Happy Birthday in the morning to the last of the present opening that night. She was so excited to get a rad Spongebob pinata, balloons, and a pink hippo sleeping bag pillow. She had a full day and enjoyed most of it... with the exception of the whole cave claustrophobia. Don't ask me how Dodge ended up in the Hippo bag. He is a goof, and we love him that way. Happy Birthday Addison! We love you very much and are so blessed to have such a sweet girl in our family.

July 22nd, 2010: An Afternoon at the Park

Addi and Maddi

The Birthday Girls

Addi and Niecia enjoying the water

Dodge was in the spring the whole time

We spent the afternoon up at Big Springs Park up Provo Canyon, better known as my mom's park. It was absolutely beautiful up there. The kids enjoyed playing in the water and eating cupcakes, ice cream, and watermelon. My friend Jenna and her daughter Maddy were able to join us. Maddy has this ability to bend right over and drink from a puddle on the ground. Gross, but still cute. Luckily we persuaded the girls to drink from the spigot instead. Dodge and Kaitlynn had a blast playing in the water. After spending a beautiful afternoon at the park, I can see why mom likes it so well. Like they really pay people to be there! Not fair!

July 22nd, 2010: Timpanogos Cave

Dodge checking out a formation

The Watch Dog at the Cave, 

a Saint Bernard Formation

The Heart of Timpanogos

So we started Addison's big day with a hike up to Timpanogos Cave. It has been quite a while since I had been to the caves and I forgot exactly how long of a hike it is up there. I was amazed at Dodge though. He hiked the whole way up and back. He did awesome! Grama Ruth and I switched off carrying Addison since they don't let you take strollers or anything else on the trail. We both were literally dripping sweat. So we made it to the top just in time for our tour (try saying 'for our tour' five times fast!) Come to find out, poor Addison is a bit claustrophobic. She didn't like the cave too much. Dodge thought they were okay. He didn't like being cold. The caves are 45 degrees year round. The best part is when they turn off all the lights. The guide asked us to raise our hands if we wanted the lights back on. Funny lady! After our tour of the caves it was time to make our way back down. Addison enjoyed the hike back down. She slept the whole way in my arms. It's was better than any P90X for sure. It was so beautiful up there. I wish I would have taken some pictures on the way up and down but I was busy carrying the birthday girl. The canyon is amazing. It is so beautiful and smells like pine trees. I am so glad we took the time to enjoy it.

July 21st, 2010: Just another day at the office...

Yes, those are Grama Ruth's glasses, upside down

Dad, you can blame your next computer crash on this!

We got to spend a week up at "Hotel Mooney" and Addison took advantage of the free internet provided there to get some "work" done. She hopped into the big chair, put on the nearest pair of specs, and got to typing away. I hope she didn't do any permanent damage to the system, but she looked so stinking cute "working".

July 18th, 2010: Get the parties started!

Addison tooting her own horn... ha ha ha

She had to put Woody back on her own piece of cake

Raaaawwwwrrrrrrr!

Cutest.Jessie.Ever

Buzz and Woody Cake, cute Jessie Hats in the background.

Addison had plenty of celebrating for her 2nd birthday. We started it off with a party at Grama and Papa Johnson's. She had a full Toy Story themed party. Grama even made some adorable red Jessie hat cookies. Addison absolutely loves the Toy Story movies and she was so excited. She had some broccoli for her birthday dinner. Broccoli is one of her favorite foods (weird, I know). After a good amount of veggies followed by some cake, she jumped right into the present opening. She got even more Toy Story with a set of Andy's Toys and a Jessie dress up. She had to put it on right away. It is too cute. She also got a Cinderella dress up. We got her a cute pink trike that has a handle so we can push and steer for her. For all of you who saw the Jeep driving, you know she needs quite a bit of help with the steering! Thanks for another awesome party Grama and Papa J!

Tuesday July 13th, 2010: Gunlock Reservoir

We originally planned to go hike around Red Cliffs out by Leeds but after the drive out there, we came to find the road was closed. So we headed to Gunlock instead. The kids pretty much love anything we can do outside. Dodge loved finding some wood and an old rope and he tried to make a boat out of all of it. He was a little disappointed to find it didn't float. Addison kept saying 'cah-cah' because of all the mud. She had some fun splashing in the water anyway. I am glad we got out there before this terrible heat set in. It is 110 degrees right now! Like I always say though, I'll take the heat for a little bit of the summer over shoveling snow in the winter. I really love the beautiful area we live in. The Red Rock is amazing. I feel lucky to wake up everyday and be able to see the red hills around us.

July 9th-11th: A Weekend In L.A.

Friday:
We drove down and had some dinner at "GG"(great-grandma) and Papa Cioffi's. Since it was Mindy's birthday we had a HUGE cake and some ice cream. It was so fun to spend some time with the family.Addison got a lot of kisses from GG and Dodge just about rocked that rocking horse to death. The kids always like to blow out everyone's candles. I don't know how that effects the wish situation...

Saturday:
Dodge and Addison went to Universal Studios with Grandma, Aunt Pam, and Carly. While they were have the time of their lives meeting Spongebob and going on the King Kong ride, Ryan, Dan, and I met up with Dennis, Patti, Chelsea, and Cammi. It was picture day at Dodger Stadium so we got to go on the field and see some of the Dodgers.

After the cubs won, we all met back at the Cheesecake Factory for some yummy grub. Addison loved playing in this fountain by the Hotel. She would have jumped right in if we would have let her.

Sunday:
Before we started our drive back home, GG and Papa Cioffi made us some delicious Mormon Wheat Cakes for breakfast. They were absolutely fantastic. We had to get a picture with GG and Papa. I love Dodge's frown in this picture... Classic!

July 8th, 2010

Yes, this is my daughter in a princess dress up eating breakfast with her "Rella" princess barbie. Those of you who know me, know that I am far from being a fan of the "princess" stuff. This just goes to show that you might try and shape your kids into this kind of person or that, but really, they are who they are. I am just happy that she is happy.

This is an awesome scratch on Dodge's forehead. I guess he won't try and mess with Addison as much anymore, she fights back now! I still love those beautiful blue eyes of his. Melt my heart!

Now that Addison is in her toddler bed, she can get in and out as much as she wants. Last night, I guess she was just too tired to actually get back in. She fell asleep on her knees with her blankets tucked underneath. I wish I could fall asleep anywhere.

Video Highlights of Independence Day

Some of the memorable moments on the Fourth...

Addison cruising around in the Jeep. Now, if we can just teach her to steer...

Dodge's radical fireworks dancing! What can I say, this boy was born to shake it!

Addison wasn't into the fireworks. She would rather watch Toy Story... again!

Independence Day 2010

Fourth of July at Grandma and Papa Johnson's. While Dodge enjoyed helping Papa light the fireworks, Addison didn't care for them and watched Toy Story with Grandma instead. We had fun pigging out on some great food and enjoying some great company. Uncle Dennis and Aunt Patti came to visit with their two girls, Chelsea and Cammi. We always enjoy it when they're here.

Extreme Makeover: Blog Edition...

Love, love, love this website right now!

They have adorable fonts and great how to's. The only problem is, I'm totally addicted to changing my blog now! Oh well, It's evolving in it's cuteness right?