Like any other kid, Emily LOVES her stuffed animals. They are such fun playmates. Do you see Emily hiding in the back?
Over the 4th of July weekend, we went up to St. George to hang out with Greg's family. It was the perfect vacation: great people, great food, perfect weather, happy baby, and beautiful surroundings. In photo: Jesse, Joel, Aubry, Meric, Mom Burr, Rachel, Blake, Emily, me, and Greg.
P.S. I promise Emily likes Blake even though it looks like she doesn't in the picture...
On the 4th of July we went to a parade, went swimming, had a barbeque, played games, and watched the fireworks. I think the 4th of July is Emily's new favorite holiday.
It was fun to get some quality time in with Grandpa and Grandma Burr. I guess you could say, we made a memory.
It was just great to spend time together.
Emily warmed right up to her cousins, especially Meric who is just 9 months younger than her. Here they are practically holding hands. Pretty cute.
It was fun to watch Emily and Joel interact. I can tell they will be great friends when they're older. Here they are playing in a bumblebee floaty after we got back from swimming.
Here is Emily being cute at the park in St. George. We wish we could go there every day, but we decided we better be responsible and come back to Vegas.
So, here are some highlights of Emily being cute: One of her favorite things to do is sit in our glass pie dish. Usually she has her feet and legs in the dish too...but she was being so cute, I just took the picture.
And then she gave me her crazy face.
Emily still loves reading books and sitting in my rocking chair.
One of her new favorite places to read her books is in her toy wheel barrow. Well, doesn't it look like the perfect spot to read?
Last Saturday, July 20, we went to the Natural History Museum. We loved walking around and looking at everything. Even Emily had a good time. Here we are with the mummies.
Here is Greg with the dinosaurs.
There were even exhibits of creatures underwater. Here's a creature that looks familiar...
It was a lot of fun. When you guys come visit, we'll have to take you there.
This past weekend there was also a flash flood in Vegas. We just happened to be out and about when it hit. At one point the water was up to our car's headlights. It was a little scary. Thankfully we made it home safe and sound, however...
When we got home we found this in front of our apartment building. That's right, there is part of our roof. Thank goodness our entire roof didn't come off!
You know how people ask, "Would your ideal vacation be on the beach or in the mountains?" Well, I think I figured out my answer this last week at the great Flake Family Reunion 2013. We stayed at my brother's house and had a wonderful time. Isn't Horseshoe Bend, Idaho beautiful?
The reunion started on Wednesday, June 19. We had a blast swimming in the pool and hot tub. Have you ever seen that many people in one hot tub?
The best part of the day was when my parents opened their mission call. I had three siblings who were unable to come, so my parents skyped two of them and called my brother who is currently serving a mission. We all cheered when they read they would be serving in "Panama City, Panama". So awesome! My parents will be speaking Spanish!
On Thursday we enjoyed a 'Getting to Know You' video that my sister made. It included every member of the family. I learned some pretty interesting things about my family...
Later that day we rode horses. A Flake reunion wouldn't be complete without them! In this picture I am racing Greg. As you can see, he is just a hair ahead of me but...
Not for long!
Riding horses was definitely a highlight at the reunion.
Even Emily tried getting on a horse. She's a natural!
Later that day we played some volleyball. We played the in-laws against the out-laws. As it turns out, my family isn't very athletic...
On Friday we hiked up a mountain. It was not an easy task, especially with a heavy baby and baby backpack. My sister, Cassidy pulled me up the steepest parts of the mountain. I couldn't have done it without her. It was totally worth it when we got to the top. Just take a look at the beautiful mountains!
That evening we went to an outdoor theater to watch a musical and of course stayed up late. On Saturday afternoon we all headed home, but it sure was an awesome reunion. I sure miss my family, especially my great parents: Elder y Hermana Flake!
It's always hard to get back to "normal life" after a fun vacation. On Monday we went to story time. It was Miss Heather's last day. After a year of faithfully coming to her story time, we took a picture of Emily's favorite (and only) teacher!
It is also fun to visit with friends once you return. Here is a picture of our friends Chris, Wendy, and little Bruce. Such awesome people!
AND I almost forgot, while in Idaho we visited my Grandma Emery. As you can see...Emily LOVED her! We sure love our family. Can't wait to visit again!
On Saturday, May 25 we drove up to Mt. Charleston (about 45 minutes away) and hiked to Mary Jane Falls. The weather was perfect and we loved being in nature!
It was Emily's first hike and she really enjoyed it. Maybe she liked it because Greg was carrying her the whole way...
When we got to the falls, there was hardly any water. It was more like a spring. I guess that's what we get for living in a desert!
We hiked a little further, past the falls and came to a cave. It was pretty awesome.
Now that we know Emily likes hiking, we'll have to go again!
On Memorial Day we went to the Springs Preserve. We saw some cool animals, a cactus garden, a ton of displays, and even got to see the Nevada State Museum at the end. It was over a hundred degrees that day...that is why we are both squinting in the picture!
Emily loved the moving rock. Look at how red her face is! Poor baby.
On Friday, May 31 Rachel came for a quick visit. We had some nice talks and ate some great food...including blizzards! Yum! Emily even warmed up to her before she had to go.
Emily loves 'balancing' on our cookie rack. She is so cute. She thinks she is so far from the ground. We love watching her stand on it. Don't worry, I washed the rack after she lost interest.
Our pretty little princess. Next week Emily will be 13 months old. Time flies!
We are so lucky to have such a cute baby girl in our lives. Her smile brightens up my day. And yes, she is playing with her socks in this picture...
Last fall and spring semesters we attended a young marrieds institute class over at UNLV. It was every Friday night and dinner was provided. We made some awesome friends and had a great time. This picture shows some of our great classmates.
On Saturday, May 4, Eric (Greg's brother) and some of his buddies drove through Vegas on their way back from California. Although they were in pain from being sunburned, we all had a great time!
Emily LOVED seeing her Uncle Eric.
Last week my cousin and his wife asked us to watch their kids for a week while they went to Jerusalem. This is what it would look like if we had five kids all under the age of eight.
My favorite part of the week was when we put the kids to bed and Greg would tell them stories. I loved listening to his stories about "Grey the Penguin". My husband is so cute.
Emily turned 1 on Friday, May 17. We decided to get her a cell phone for her birthday. I know you're all judging us now, but look at how happy she is...
I loved watching her open up presents with one hand. She got some good stuff!
Here is Emily with her cake that says Happy Birthday Little Em! She had a hard time blowing out the candle, because she wanted to touch it, so we helped her out.
Then she ate her very first piece of cake.
Since it was Emily's day, we went to the park. She really liked going down the slides.
She even liked the swings. I guess you could say her first birthday was a success!
My birthday was last Wednesday, but since last week was so busy, we celebrated it on Monday. We had a fabulous dinner and we even got some visitors (Greg's parents!)
Greg made me a cookie cake and put 29 candles on it. That's right, I'm almost 30. All I have to say is 29 has been pretty awesome so far!
