Visit to the casa loca

I took Katie up for her first real visit to my parent's house last week. They got back from Guatemala about a month ago. She has been there before but this was the first time since she has developed her independent personality, so this time she was able to become fully immersed in the craziness. It took her about 5 mins of staring at all the kids, mess and dogs (actually they only have two dogs this time but a whole mess of goats) before she jumped down and joined in. During our few days there she got pretty adventurous; she was found a couple of time stuck in the mountain of black plastic bags full of orphanage donations. She also spent quite a bit of time on the trampoline and even rode her bike off the deck once. But her biggest accomplishment of the whole trip is that she knows all of her aunts and uncles names.

One day we went to Tweetsie Railroad with Grandpa and Grandma and their whole gang ,and Sarah, Adam and Tali. Tweetsie is the greatest theme park for little kids; where I made many happy childhood memories. They have a couple of trains and tons of rides. Katie was in heaven because she got to ride a big black train with a real whistle. I let her drive our bumper car which was fun until Emmie and Bethany banged into the back of us and Katie got whiplash. She did prove that she is a little dare devil by riding on the Tilt-a-Whirl with me in the rain and laughing the whole time, we even rode it a second time.

Plugging her ears on Grandma's lap during the train whistle

Riding horses with Talia

Riding the boat with Gabby

Daredevil Katie on the airplane with Gabby

My little monster...

Well, Katie turned TWO yesterday. I really can't believe it. I don't really feel older because of it, it's just weird to think of her being in our lives for two whole years--not that I remember what it was like before she was here. After the crazy big bash from last year we decided on a little party this time. Grammy and Grandpa came out from UT and Sarah and Adam and best-cousin Talia came; and we ate out on our 10th floor patio. It was lots of fun.



Katie is the craziest child I know. We love her because; 1) She is such a little mommy. She loves her Baby and Emma (dolls) and takes good care of them. She got a doll bed from Grandma, so now they can go to bed when she does. She lays their bottles in there with them, hopefully their teeth don't rot out. 2) She also has more energy then me and Mark put together (is that saying much?). When we go for walks she likes to run "like Mama", and wags her little bottom as she does. 3) Every night we have been reading from a children's Book of Mormon or Bible. Now Katie reads it to us. She reads the whole book and points out one thing on each page; "baby Jesus", "liahona", "thunder" (when Christ died). And lastly, 4) we love her because she is more stubborn and independent then me. She can do anything by herself, including crazy twisty ladders at the park, or swimming in the pool (after a few times of going under she lets me help there).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE VIRGINIA!