Happy Father's Day!

We had a wonderful Father's Day this year. Jason is so wonderful with his little girl and I am so glad we could have such a nice day to celebrate him as a father.

I asked Jason what he wanted for Father's Day and he said, "Honestly, to sleep in." Something parents of children probably all need! This was an easy task. When he woke up we had waffles and sausage and gave Dad his card that Aspen made him and a little gift. We then headed to the pool for some swimming and came home and enjoyed lunch. When Aspen woke up we went to a couple of open houses and Aspen had a blast running through the homes and making friends with the realtors. We came home had some dinner and finished the night off in our backyard pool (our daughter is basically a fish lately!).

Of course Bella wanted to join in on the Father's

Day celebration. Although she apparently did

not like the bow I had put in Aspen's hair. I love

Aspen's expression in this picture!

I can't believe how much has changed in the past year. Jason continues to become a better father everday to Aspen. She loves him so much. Tonight she even "kicked" me out of the pool so she and daddy could just play together. It makes me so happy they have such a wonderful relationship with one another.

Jason and Aspen; August 5, 2009

Last year on Father's Day.

 

We hope you had a wonderful Father's Day Jason. We love you so much and hope you feel like we celebrate what a great dad you are everyday!

Jason and I also have to give a quick Happy Father's Day to our dads!

 

Dad--you have been a great father and I hope every father's year you feel the love!--Jules

 

Dad, Happy Father's Day! I hope you had a great day and know that you have been an amazing father. --Jason

Some Summer Fun!

We had a birthday party to go to on Friday morning, so we pulled out a cute summer dress and I brought my camera with me. It's so hard to take pictures anymore because Aspen is running from one place to the next. She had a blast at the party of course--and I love a morning b-day party because that means a great nap :)

Playing in the pool. One of Aspen's favorite activities!

 

They had a trampoline and Aspen was rocking it out. We didn't get pictures of when I got on after all the kids were off and did some fun jumping. Ah, to be a kid again!

Playing with her party favor from the party. Anything that sprays water is a win in our house!

Sometimes Aspen just wants to grab the camera from my hands. So instead I ask her if she wants to take a picture with me---usually that solves the problem. This one came out pretty cute :)

Updates from the past month

I often use this blog to mark different milestones in Aspen's life. I figure when/if we have another child it might be nice to be able to go back and reference the blog for different events. I know my memory will not serve me well as there are days I can't remember what I had for lunch!

On May 24th Aspen shocked me completely by climbing out of her crib. Jason and I had been going back and forth about when to move her out of her crib. He was very excited about doing it, but I wasn't as keen on the idea. I had talked to some friends and they all said that's when naps started to become harder--when they weren't confined to their crib. Well, Aspen ended that debate when she scared the living .... out of me and appeared in the kitchen one afternoon when I was fairly certain I had laid her down in her crib!

Jason took the front portion of her crib and converted into a "toddler bed". If I had known how much this kid was going to love having a bed , I would have done it months ago. I have never seen a child so excited about going to take a nap or going to bed at night. All you have to say is, "Aspen, you ready to go to bed?". She drops whatever she is doing and RUNS into her room, propels herself onto her bed and snuggles in. It's definitely been a nice and easy transition for us!

The other big milestone over the course of the past month is her develop in language. She of course has been saying words for months, but now we are getting into two, three, four word phrases. My personal favorite: "I love you Mommy!". When we are in the car she loves to list off all the people she knows and then say what she thinks they are doing. Example: Daddy work; Bella nap; Eliza (one of her friends) home; Poppy, Grandma, Papa, Nanny, and Matt (her Uncle) are always working. I love listening to her and seeing her become her own little person.

In two weeks we are driving to Minnesota for my brother's wedding. It will be the longest car trip that Aspen has taken. There will be many songs, games, snacks, and whatever other entertaining things we can come up with on that trip! Wish us luck :)

Next milestone--potty training! We have introduced the potty and she has gone a handful of times, but when we get back from our trip it's serious training mode. No more diapers, no more diapers, no more diapers!!