Laurel's 2nd birthday in Durango.

What a wonderful year we have had. We have been blessed with a year of good health, travel, loving friends and family and experience that will last a life time. We are so happy to celebrate Laurel's birthday and another year of growth and challenges. She is going to be just like me (I'm afraid that is the truth) she is not a big fan of being told how or what she should do. Laurel has always figured it out on her own and she continues to more confidently each and every day. Her vocabulary is flourishing and it is so fun to see her use all her words in context. We were getting ready to travel for Thanksgiving and I asked her if she needed more books to take on the plane and she responded by saying, "I have plenty." Another favorite is "probably not" which you can all imagine is used frequently. There are so many sweet characteristics that make Lolo (her self-given nickname) the most incredible little person in my life. We are so lucky and so in love. Happy 2nd Birthday!!

Laurel's birthday with the Willis'

As part of our trip to FL we made a stop over in Atlanta where our good friends The Willis' live. We were there the day before Laurel's birthday and they were so sweet to have a little celebration for her. There are some pretty cute picture of the kids. Luke Willis, Liliy Willis and Lil Laurel. She REALLY loved the cake...we don't really give her sweet treats like that. She said, she loved the "candy on the cake", meaning the frosting. YUM and happy birthday sweet girl.

Thanksgiving in Florida

Yes, I know we traveled again even though we said we weren't going to once we moved to Durango. We went to see Chris' side of the family in Tampa. It was really nice to see Laurel play with her other set of cousins. We had a lovely Thanksgiving with family and also spent sometime with some dear friends in Atlanta.

more house pictures

Here is the wildlife...and a few other random pictures.

The big move

Well we did it. We left the Navajo reservation and we have moved to Durango, CO. We spent many weekends searching for the perfect house and we found one. We found an amazing end lot with fantastic views of the mountains and lots of windows to enjoy the views. We are about a mile or so from downtown and we have been enjoying life in the big city..not really Durango is only about 17,000 people. Laurel has adjusted very well and she is now sleeping in her big bed. She also loves the public library, enjoys listening to the Durango/Silverton train choo-choo as it goes by near our house and most exciting is the wildlife that she can see right out her window.

The pictures from our flying adventure.

Gosh it has been awhile, but my friend Stacy said, " You must post-blog about this." So I am..here I go. Laurel and I went back to Madison for a surprise visit for Isabella's 10th birthday. We had a terrific time and I have never seen anyone so happy to see us. Laurel walked up to the door and Bella just started crying, tears of joy. We enjoyed a week in Madison playing with cousins, going to the pumpkin patch and having birthday cake. It was an amazing trip until our adventure home. Laurel and I left Madison at 8:00 am (she was also coming down w/ a cold..oh joy) and we boarded the plane in Milwaukee and everything went smooth from there. Until we got to Bush International ( I think that was the problem right there) and we were to land in Albuquerque at 3:45 and then make the 2 and 1/2 hour drive home. This all seemed doable until we landed in Los Alamos, 2 hours from our destination. The pilot told us there was bad weather and that we were going to refuel in Santa Fe and then we would arrive in ABQ. That was not the case.
We were stuck in Los Alalmos without a way to get of the plane nor a way to get to ABQ. The plane could not take off of the run way because it was only 300 ft long. Yes 300 ft long. They had never had a large plane land on there landing strip. WOW. It was a scary landing to say the least. However, when we landed there are no gates and no way for us to get off the plane. Laurel continued to be a doll. Not a single peep; she was amazing. So there in the rainy distance is a firetruck..huh?? Well you see there is no way for us to get off of the airplane. At this point Laurel is sooo excited and I was soooo thankful for the firetruck and safe landing. So that was not the most exciting part...we climbed down the ladder with the assistance of the firefighters. So cool. Then we made into the small (i mean small airport) and we were told it would be 45 minutes or so before the bus comes to pick us up. What bus, yes bus. Ok Laurel is sooo totally psyched to get to ride on a bus. Wow it was an adventure that is for sure. She loved it and feel asleep on the 3 hour bus ride to Albuquerque and then we drove home. It was an adventure, but we were safe and had a great trip to see the family. I wouldn't change it for the world.

Laurel "Little Miss Indpendent"

It has been awhile since I have blogged. We have been busy traveling and trying to figure out the next chapter of our lives. Our time on the Navajo Reservation is coming to a close. Chris has taken a job in Durango, CO and we are looking forward to all it has to offer. This summer was filled with lots of creative play, travel and Laurel becoming more and more independent. Here is a little glimpse: reading magazines, going to the potty by herself, building and playing w/ block by herself and she has become a little runner like her mom. Laurel is my "little running buddy"

No..me ( Laurel )do it.

We have entered a new phase of independence. Laurel wants to do it all....putting on her shoes, cleaning and dusting, pouring her own milk. climbing into her highchair, buckling her own seat belt and just today she put on her own skirt. You name it she is trying to do it. I am amazed by how determined she is to complete any task. Case in point last week I thought I would get out some beads from my days as a Kindergarten teacher. I thought she would think they were pretty and sparkly, but I didn't think she would create her own bracelet. Big surprise for me. She started beading right on to the pipe cleaner. I could see her little hands and eyes working so hard to thread the bead onto the pipe cleaner. I was so impressed with her fine motor skills. Everyday is a new amazing adventure.

Escanaba, MI trip to Grandma and Grandpa's

Another year in the UP of Michigan. Laurel had soo much fun playing with her cousins and of course playing with "Gama and Genka" translated to Grandma and Grandpa. We had a wonderful time playing in the backyard an a few trips to the beach. Laurel played in the sand and helped the big kids build sand castles. The fireworks were a hit. Laurel loved the boom and the bright colors in the sky. Every time they let the fireworks off Laurel would say "wow" and "ooh" "blue" as every color in the sky was blue. No fear for this girl she loved the fireworks and got to stay up until 11:30 with the big kids. We had a lot of fun on the 4th of July.
Escanaba is a wonderful place for our families to get together every year.