Family Pictures

We had our family pictures taken by my cousin and her husband. They always do such a fantastic job we have a hard time going to anyone else. They've done pictures of my dancers when I taught at the high school, our engagement pictures, and past years of family pictures. And they pulled through for us again. Enjoy!

       
                                      

                                              

Oh how I love them!

National Adoption Month

So in case you weren't aware, November is National Adoption Month. It is so amazing for us to be a part of adoption in this way. We have learned so much about so many people and their roads to a family through adoption. We have been touched how many people have reached out to help us--kind words, handing out our pass-along cards, sharing our story on Facebook, etc. We are one of many who are waiting and wanting and hoping to adopt. Today we wanted to share our friends information on their journey.

Dave knew Dylan and Emily from high school. They were good friends. As often happens, after graduation they never saw much of each other except at some reunions. When we attended our first meeting at LDS Family Services we were surprised and excited to see Dylan and Emily there.  Since our reconnection at the original meeting we have seen them multiple times at Adoption Chat nights, Emily helped us make our pass-along cards, and they have shared out story on Facebook.  They have been approved to adopt for just over a month now and we wanted to help get the word out.

Here is their blog:
http://dylanandemilyhope2adopt.blogspot.com/

and their video:
Emily & Dylan are Hoping to Adopt from Scarlet Oak Studio on Vimeo.

Dylan and Emily are truly genuine and selfless.  We have learned a lot from them through their examples and are so grateful we can share this road towards adoption with them.  They have been a tremendous support, and we hope to show them how much we are grateful for their friendship.

When We Can...

...we like to:

play with friends at the park...

 ...run in the rain...

...draw pictures on our chalk board...

(the first time I have seen Aliyah draw a person-she is an ARTIST!)

...go to BYU to visit friends and cousins...

...and, of course, eat ice cream!...

...tie up our toys...

...and go to the library with Daddy!

(Dave looks so natural on that little kid couch!)

These definitely are a few of my favorite things!

Family Home Evening...in the Mountains

We were in Provo one Monday night meeting with Dave's uncle. We had a wonderful talk that lasted longer than we had expected so we decided to grab some food and go up the canyon for FHE. It was beautiful! The weather was perfect, the leaves were changing, and the view was awesome. 

We took time to enjoy the nature and being together and...

eating food. Aliyah is really good at eating:

 Note to Self: have wipes in the car