Saying Goodbye

We said goodbye to Daddy this week. He started his trek back to Iraq, this time, hopefully, for only 6 months. It is very hard for Lily and I to let him go, and if we had any say, I am not sure we would have. Lily asks for her Daddy, and when I tell her that he went bye-bye she responds with "home." I know how much she wants him at home. I believe he is her best friend and most fun playmate. She loves him so much.
I have to say though, that I have the best friends in the world. The day after he left I got an email from a good friend informing me she would be at my house the first wednesday of every month to watch Lily so I can go to mutual. And this is a mom with 3 boys under 5 at home. I am also sitting at home here with the world's best mother-in-law who will watch Lily so I can get work around the house done, as well as do fun things. She had Lily for a whole day so mike and I could make it to the temple before he left, and she took Lily again for a whole day so I could go visit the YW at girls' camp. She is sensitive to how I am feeling and sincerely just wants to make my life easier. So, I ask you, how can you be sad when you are surrounded by so many blessings?

Disneyland!

We have just been having so much fun so far this summer. Mike leaves in a few days, so we have been packing in as much family time as we can get right now. We went to San Diego and visited Disneyland, Sea World, the Zoo, and even spent a day on the Lake wakeboarding.
Lily just enjoyed everything. She was dead exhausted at the end of each day, but very happy.

Daddy and Lily got a visit from Pluto!

Daddy, Grandma and Lily enjoying the view of the water.

Daddy and Lily on the Jungle Boat cruise. Lily was not scared at all.

The Zoo

Lily and Daddy. Lily loves the aviaries.
Lily and Yaya...monkeying around.

Sea World

Lily loved playing in the kids area!

Lily, Luke and Peyton, holding hands!

New Babies????

While we haven't seen the babies yet, we apparently have a good-sized nest in our tree out front. So....yet more wildlife is making it's way into this beautiful world via our yard.

Great Grandparents

Great Grandma and Great Grandpa stopped by on their trek across the country. They wanted to see Lily. Here we are in front of the Cracker Barrel. It was so nice to see them. Lily even warmed up enough to give Great Grandma Eskimo Kisses.

A Balloon Party

We threw Lily a balloon party this year. Daddy and Darren spent all night blowing up 150+ balloons for the big drop. The kids seemed to have a lot of fun. We had pizza and cupcakes, and had a blast playing outside in a pool filled with balls and in Lily's new sand and water table.