Celebrating Our Independence!

I love the 4th of July and everything it stands for.  I Love this country that we live in and all the freedoms that we get to experience.  I am also sooooo thankful for those that have fought and currently fight for our country, and especially those that have given their lives so we can live freely!  If you are reading this and you have served, or currently serve, in the military...Thank you for all you do!!

We spent the evening of the 3rd in Anthem with some people from church.  They had all sorts of inflatable bouncers set up and Leah LOVED them and we enjoyed watching her go crazy!  In the past Leah has been scared of the fireworks, she started off scared this year but after a few big bangs she changed her mind and decided that she likes them now.

For the 4th of July we met some friends in the nearby city of Cave Creek for some more fireworks.  We hung out in a church parking lot waiting for them to start and to our surprise when they started we had the perfect view!

Leah and Travis looking at the stars

Leah and her friend Piper

Leah sharing (stealing) Landri's snacks

Reeves, Piper, and Blake pulling faces for the camera

Tonto Natural Bridge

We decided we wanted to get out and hiking before it gets too hot here in the desert.  We called up our friends Jon and Marti and headed to Tonto Natural Bridge, just outside of Payson, AZ.  It was just a short hike down to the bottom and when we got there it was beautiful!

Waterfall over the opening of the bridge

Leah and Daddy just hanging out

Marti and jon

There were a lot of people there

Leah turned THREE!

3 Years ago today we found out we were going to be parents to a baby girl!!! We waited so long for that day to come, I remember the flood of emotions when we received that phone call as if it were yesterday. That day changed our lives in the best way possible. Happy Birthday to my sweet, yet sometimes crazy, little girl!! Love you Leah! 

This birthday was such a fun one, I just love this age.  Leah is becoming very creative when playing with toys and she is even starting to have a few imaginary friends.  She loves camping, hiking, climbing trees, and just being outside (even if it is 110 degrees!).  She also loves books, puzzles, dressing up, and princesses.

Leah has a friend, Cole, whose birthday is the same week.  We decided to do a combined party and have the Phoenix Zoo bring animals for the kids to see.  It turned out better than I could have imagined.  All 20 kid were captivated for a full hour, that is one talented zoo keeper!  

Blue Beetle

Bull Frog

Turtle

Snake

Hedgehog

Ferret

Acting out different animals

 

We also got together with our friend Kristen and her two boys Jaxon and Talen for cake and ice cream.  About a month before Leah's birthday she informed us that she was getting a bike for her birthday.  We are not sure where that idea came from...but of course we did not want to disappoint her!

Jaxon

Talen