Almost every weekend since we've been back from Arizona I've been able to take a morning walk with Hannah.  Sometimes Saturday, sometimes Sunday, sometimes both days.  Audrey loves her sleep- she's the only toddler I've heard of that will sleep in till ten- and weekends are Andrew's days to try sleeping in a bit too.  So since Hannah is an early riser, that means I am too.
The weather is finally turning to that cool breeze time of the year that will slowly roll into cold winds and then snow.  I love this time.  Fall fall fall is coming.  I prefer the cold to the heat any day the week, and I find such joy in being outside with a sweater on breathing in cool, (almost cold) air.  Today Hannalah and I were out before the sun came peaking over the mountains near our apartment so it was very cool and crisp.  We wore coats, and a blanket, and kept each other even warmer with the baby carrier as her mode of transportation.  We walked a little farther today than we have before.  We looked at houses and gardens and I dreamed again about having both of those someday.  I talked to her about herself and Audrey and Daddy, about nature, about my random thoughts, and about how it's funny that right now she is my listener when someday and for most of her life I plan to be her listener more than she will be mine.  My mom has always been a listener for me and that's one of my biggest goals as a mother.  Hannah talked to me as well, babbling and cooing, until she eventually fell asleep.  By the time we were walking back the sun was up higher and it was spreading it's warmth all over little ol Provo.  We came home, made pancakes, and waited for our two other loved ones to wake up.
I love the morning air.  That's one of the reasons I want a front porch or a deck of some kind when we have a house someday- so that right when I wake up I can sit outside in my less-than-flattering morning attire and breath in that cool rejuvenating air all around.  The beauty of the morning.  These walks with Hannah are giving me those beautiful mornings right now.  It's a memory specific to her that I will always cherish, my little morning companion.

i do love coming home to this

she is pure sunshine

Someday I hope look back and think of us as an outdoors-y family.  I hope looking back I'll see that we've gone camping a bunch, hiking, long walking, picnicking, gardening, wading in creeks and waterfalls, sitting around a fire at night, tree climbing, stargazing, etc...all the things that will bring us to SPEND time in nature, not just walk through on our way to the next building.  That's my hope anyway.  (Never mind that we missed all three of our chances to see the Grand Canyon this summer) And every time I get a resurge of that desire I remember that we have to start it now!
So recently we went on a family hike to Battle Creek Falls again in Pleasant Grove.  It was a warm late-summer day and the big accomplishment is that Audrey and I made it in and out without any major melt-downs or 'I give ups.'  It was only about a mile and a half altogether, but believe me it was not easy.  A good chunk of it was uphill and there were some precarious slopes with sliding rocks.  The sun beating down, each of us with a kid strapped to us, and my balance already not being what it used to be definitely made it a test of endurance.  But we made it all the way to the water fall and it was worth it!  It would've been more fun if there weren't hundreds of people there...but that's probably what they were thinking about us being there too.

see them way up there??

hannah and i set up our blanket a ways down and just enjoyed the scenery

snack time

we stopped at two water spots, the waterfall and the creek a little ways down from the falls.  my favorite was the creek.  i love be able to play in the calmer water.

must be nice to be a baby

Ah I just can't stop taking pictures now that I have a smart phone!  So this is great because it makes me blog more so I can keep up with myself!  Being home the last few weeks has been good.  The semester started and we all handled it surprisingly well.  Well the surprising part is really just me.  It's surprising that I handled it well.  Most of the time at the beginning of a semester I am not enthused about anything about life.  Something has turned that around for me though and I am feeling positive.  I have had a re-awakening of why I love being a stay at home mom.  Andrew and I have had time to spend together and we have set goals for ourselves and our family.  I've done a lot of soul searching lately and worked hard on some of my weakest areas and I feel Heavenly Father's guidance, encouragement, and approval in almost all of my endeavors.  I'm feeling like life is wonderful.
I think most of the time when I blog I say something to that effect, about how life is great.  I wonder if I sound like a broken record.  I don't always feel this way...in fact quite often I feel very weighed down.  But one thing my mom has taught me (in word and by example) is that writing can be therapeutic for some people- and I am most definitely one of those people.  Writing and looking at pictures.  Most of the time I hate on technology, but I can't express how grateful I am for this iPhone camera.  I feel so blessed to be able to capture these on-the-spot moments with my darling little girls that I would have no recollection of otherwise.
So here are some of those great moments in my life right now:

little cinderella. pre-ball

these two pictures are to show my family how audrey hair was looking a litle like samanthas when she was a toddler

hannah has a princess dress of her own

and she wears it well

just lounging around.  looking awesome

i love how she gives hugs

found this guy at DI.  its the exact one i had as a kid

pulling an elder scott

my husbands a good sport

my recent little project.  you can't tell but it says 'home sweet home'

getting ready for our swim day with our neighbor friends out on the lawn

audrey and maddie

little bathing beauty

my panorama attempt of our complex bbq.  please excuse that my children are cut in half

audrey doing yoga with mariah and i.  namaste.

downward dog

one day audrey said she was going to work and walked outside like this

and tried to walk down to work (aka the park) by herself.  we got a good video

making use of our double stroller

audreys favorite neighbor mikayla

chloe came over and audrey shared her princess dresses

hannah fell asleep holding the necklace andrew got me for my bday

snail tracks we followed one day.  audrey was scared of them

hannah trying out her crib!