Chalk Art Festival

This year we went to the Chalk Art Festival at the Gateway. I am always amazed at the talent these people have. Each year there is more than 120 artist, ages 12 and up, The event helps create awaress for the need for foster/adoptive families across the state of Utah, and well as raise funds that help Utah Foster Care Foundation find, train and support foster/adoptive families for Utah's 2600 children in foster care.

I tried to get just a few picture of my favorites, however I ended up with over 20 pictures from the event! Last year I forgot my camera and didn't get any pictures (so this year I guess I was trying to make up for my lack of pictures from the year before)! So here are a few of my favorites from this year...








And my ALL TIME FAVORITE!!!!

Nap time

Today we laid Sadie down for a nap, we thought she was fast asleep until we heard little noises coming from here room. Jake went up to check on her and he found an empty box of wipes and an awake Sadie!

I scream, you scream, we all scream...

For ICE CREAM!


This is one of Sadie favorite treats. I think she is in heaven Ü


Hey, give it back! I need more!!!

Inspired

Lately I have been following this blog (click here) about a Lady who has HUGE daily challenges. Something I would consider a "simple task" can be as challenging as climbing a mountain for her. She has become my inspiration. Her outlook and perspective on life is amazing. I really think that she has experienced this trial in life to show and teach all of us more about life and having a positive attitude. Below is a movie about her life and what she has and is going through.

I hope that I will always look for the positive side of any challenges that arise in my life, trying to find the good in all difficult situations.

Shoes

For weeks I have been searching for shoes for Sadie. I never thought that my task would be so hard. I found out...

Sadie's feet are tiny compared to most kids her age, both width and length

The shoes that do fit don't have any traction, therefore Sadie slips and slides everywhere

When I find shoes with traction Sadies feet don't stay on the shoes; either her toes slide out the front, her heels fall off the back or her feet just won't stay in the shoe.

All I wanted was a shoe that would support her heel, have traction, keeps her toes safe, don't have a huge sole, and be lightweight sandle type shoes that would allow her feet to breath. Is that too much to ask?!? (now that I am reading this I realize I have on heck of a list) Ü well I finally found some! They are adorable and they even have soft soles which is supposed to be better for her feet!

Thanks Mom and Britt for shopping everywhere with me!

11 Months

WALKING, WALKING, WALKING this is Sadie's life. A few weeks ago Sadie took off walking and each day she is walking more and more! It is her favorite thing to do right now. Here are a few other things that Sadie is doing since her last "update" post

* Knows how to climb up and down the stairs.
* Knows how to get off of our bed and the couches with out hurting herself.
* Likes to play "catch" with the ball. We roll the ball back and forth and she LOVES it!
* My favorite thing she does is.... everytime she sees a picture of Jesus she points and says, "seesus" it is so darn cute!
* Now has 8 teeth. Poor thing broke 4 teeth all at once. :(

I wanna be a ROCK STAR baby!

Sadie loves Grammy Greats microphone/kareokee machine.

St. George

Two years ago my sweet, hardworking, and dedicated husband completed his bachelors degree. Not only that, but he got his degree, start to finish, in 3 years! Over the past 2 years since he has graduated he has taken 5 BIG tests(Series 7, Series 63, GMAT twice, and Level 1 CFA). Which means that almost every day since graduation Jake has been studying and taking tests to increase his knowledge and increase his job opportunities. I am so thankful for all of his hard work and self discipline. We both agreed that after this last test he needs to take a little break so he can enjoy some down time and so Sadie and I can have some time with him as well.

This last Saturday Jake sat for his CFA test, as soon as he was done we jumped in the car and headed down to St. George for a little get away and family time. It was so nice to relax and know that as soon as we got home Jake wasn't going to have to "hit the books" again =0)






Checking out the water.


Admiring the kids playing in the water.




Not so sure of the water.




Sadie was so tired and snuggly.


Grant Jan finally got Sadie to sleep. Thank you!!!

St. George

Two years ago my sweet, hardworking, and dedicated husband completed his bachelors degree. Not only that, but he got his degree, start to finish, in 3 years! Over the past 2 years since he has graduated he has taken 5 BIG tests(Series 7, Series 63, GMAT twice, and Level 1 CFA). Which means that almost every day since graduation Jake has been studying and taking tests to increase his knowledge and increase his job opportunities. I am so thankful for all of his hard work and self discipline. We both agreed that after this last test he needs to take a little break so he can enjoy some down time and so Sadie and I can have some time with him as well.

This last Saturday Jake sat for his CFA test, as soon as he was done we jumped in the car and headed down to St. George for a little get away and family time. It was so nice to relax and know that as soon as we got home Jake wasn't going to have to "hit the books" again =0)






Checking out the water.


Admiring the kids playing in the water.




Not so sure of the water.




Sadie was so tired and snuggly.


Grant Jan finally got Sadie to sleep. Thank you!!!

Wheeler Farm

We took Sadie to Wheeler Farm, they have a variety of farm animals that you can look at and pet. She was cautious as always, but it was fun to watch her expressions with each new animal she saw. I love her face in this picture, I took this just as we got there and she was looking at the pond with all the birds swimming out on the water.


Driving the tractor.


Petting the sheep.