18 Months

Ryan had her 18 month photos today. She was not very good for the sitting, but we ended up catching some really good ones anyway. She is such a beautiful little girl! I can't help but smile every time I see her! Here are some of the shots we got.

Camping

We had a fun little get-away last week. We went up to the Oak Meadow Camp ground... well it was actually just up Leeds canyon. We had a really good time. At one point in the night Ryan was sitting on a camp chair and it collapsed on her and she fell face first on the dirt with her mouth wide open. She was screaming so much. After I grabbed the camera we started to check to see that she was really okay. We could tell that she was! As I started to wipe her face she screamed more and more. Finally I asked her, "Do you want some chocolate?" INSTANTLY she nodded her head yes and went SILENT. That was the end of all the tears! That's MY girl!! Chocolate can fix ANYTHING!

Summer Games

I failed to mention that I played in the summer games. We always try to play a little volleyball with all of the sisters. This year I was able to play again now that we were not doing summer sales. This is a picture of our team with our GOLD medals! There were so many great teams. Much better competition than the first year I played. We are number 1--but more like #7 because we were #1 in the silver bracket. But you would never know it unless I told you. It was a blast.



(From left to right and back to front) BreeAnn, Me, Lindsay, Natalie, Stephanie, and Buffy.

Returned from trip #2

On the ride to Powell the second time around. We left at 4:30 am and she was awake for almost the entire ride! I thought she would sleep for sure... I was wrong.

Ryan wanted to be the flag girl every time we went out on the boat! She loves boating! She loves to watch the skier or boarder get out of the water. When the skier falls she looks at you and asks where did they go? (Where go)

Tubing with Daddy on our first trip. Two weeks later she got on the tube with Natalie, Riley, Dax and Papa. Riley was hilarious, she has a pack of gummies in her hand and was not going to let them go even to tube!



We went to the arch on both trips. Here is a picture of all the parks. I will post one of the Zollingers when I get it. Left to right (Jordan, Steph, Papa Kirby, Nana Lynn, Abbie, Justin, Chase, Jon, Stephen, Lisa, Russ, Mace, Me, Jared, and Ryan.)


We have had a wonderful month. We just got back from our second trip to Lake Powell. We had so much fun with both families. Ryan loved the water and eventually was begging to get in and swim. She loved sitting on the swim deck and kicking her legs. She even let us dunk her all the way under without any tears! Russ taught me how to Sky Ski and Jared was killer on the slalom! I also attempted a few front flips on the wake board--still have never landed one. Close but no luck. It was a great way to spend some time out of Cedar with the families!

Lake Powell

Jared just read me a fact off the computer... the water temp at lake Powell is between 70-74! And that is exactly where I will be tomorrow!! Suckers!! I am going to Powell! I will be sure to post my pictures after I return from a well needed and might I add deserved (gag) vacation! And if Gentri Balwin is able to read this message you failed to invite me to your blog. it's mccall_park@hotmail.com and I hope all is well for you and your family! and for everyone else reading this...

Nana, we love you.
David, we are still conditioning Ryan to love you most.
To all others... We will update again very soon!

Oh yeah, and both my sister BreeAnn and Jared's sister Abbie got engaged last night! CONGRATS to both couples! We are so excited!

In Loving Memory

CHESTER LAWRENCE ZOLLINGER

This week has been hard with the passing of my grandpa! He will be missed, but at the same time we have a lot of peace too! He was a good grandpa and he taught me a lot! He didn't leave us much, but he did leave me his testimony!

I love you grandpa!

TRIALS

Sorry my phone takes bad pictures if you move at all. And Ryan always moves!

Jared and I decided to make a sacrifice and split up for the next month. Jared will be working in Denver and I will be here at home, with Ryan, holding down the fort--it wasn't worth giving up my job. Before he left we all got sick. Ryan threw up one night and I expressed my fear of it happening again while Jared was gone. Jared assured me that it wouldn't happen and things would be fine. Well... He couldn't have been more WRONG!!! Not only have I been sick with a head cold and a stomach bug, but Ryan has too! In addition to Ryan's sickness, she is also getting new teeth in! Needless to say, I have cleaned up more throw up than I ever thought possible in a lifetime! (That's me being dramatic of course but it is a lot!) I have found that Ryan gets car sick, and that some poop smells and looks identical to throw up...at least it stays contained...IF YOU ARE LUCKY!! I think that I needed to be tried so that I could come out on top and know that I am not a bad mom, but rather a GREAT mom! I never thought I would be glad that I had to go through so much puke, poop, boogers, and sleepless nights just to feel confident in myself as a mother! GO ME!

PS. Jared I know you worry but we REALLY are doing just fine! I love you, miss you, and hope you know that when you come back you will have to take care of all diapers and ALL barf for a month. WE LOVE YOU