WOW!

11 months old today! DJ, I can't believe how fast time goes by. You are growing and learning new things everyday. It seems crazy that just 1 year ago we found out about you and the pure happiness we felt of knowing that you were coming. I am so grateful for you, Brie, and Spencer, what an amazing blessings you guys are in our lives!
Dawson, I just want to say how much I love you with all of my heart. I am so thankful to be your mommy. I love the way you look at me and turn to see me when you hear my voice. I will never be able so say thank you enough!

I love you, my little man!

The Zoo

We went to the Hogle Zoo. This was DJ's first time there and he really enjoyed it! He would look and study the animals. I wish I could hear what he was thinking, "That is a strange looking person!" "Why are all these people behind bars?" "Dude, what are we doing?"

We just had to take this picture! "Are you guys kidding me?"
Then I guess he thought he was funny for thinking that.
DJ and Mommy with the elephants in the background.
Since Daddy is crazy like a monkey, he got his picture by the monkeys.
My favorite animals were the giraffes! They were all out and this one liked to lick the side of the building. I think that when they were created they used their sense of humor. I never really realized it, but I think they have always been one of my favorite land animals. I remember always looking forward to seeing the giraffes at the zoo.
All in all it was a great day! It was overcast so not too hot, and we went around feeding time so the animals were more active than usual.
Another great day with family!!!

Arches National Park

The other weekend we went down to Arches National Park. We had a blast, even though part of the time I got to deal with throw-up and other fun things like that. We went on a couple of hikes and had a good time camping. DJ does really well camping, he is a natural! He is really good in his hiking pack also. We hiked to Delicate Arch, Sandy Arch, the Windows Arches, and Broken Arch. We had a good time with our family and friends!Mommy packing around DJ for the first time. The pack wasn't as heavy as I thought it would be. I won't be saying that when he gets bigger, but it was a good workout!

This is Sandy Arch. I think this was my favorite as well as DJ's! I didn't get a picture of the arch, but underneath was filled with soft sand so this is the only good place DJ really got to get down and explore on his own, and he LOVED it!

I love the expression on his face in this one!

"Mommy, this is fun!"

Mommy and DJ with Delicate Arch in the background.

DJ with his new hat. If you look closely you will see that it is a sock monkey hat.

Lately

We have been doing a lot lately. We had my Grandma's 86 birthday. What a fantastic lady! I sure do love my Grammy! We went up to my Aunt's house in Herriman for the party. It was the night of the huge fire. It was amazing to see it so close, but really scary too. My aunt was afraid, but ready to be evacuated that night, but they didn't have to be, but my others aunt's family was. Here are some pictures of the party. Well, actually DJ eating cake at the party.

Getting ready for the cake for his 1st birthday!

He is pretty good at getting messy. And he LoVeS cake!

We went up to Ensign Peak one night, just for a couple of minutes. It was a really windy night, but fun to see the entire valley. Here is a picture of Jason holding up DJ up on the hill.

Geocaching

So we have been going geocaching a lot lately. It has been fun! We also had a family reunion with Jason's family up in the Logan area. It was a long drive but it was good times. We played some volleyball, which is my absolute favorite sport to play, and Jason didn't even know I could really play it. Here are some recent pictures.

Jason, Kimberly, and DJ up at the family reunion.

Dawson Jay, what a cutie!

I LOVE this picture! It looks like Dawson is picking his nose.

What we have been up to

It has been awhile since the last post and a lot has happened! Over Labor Day weekend we went camping with Jason's family for a family reunion. We always go up to East Canyon. We had a blast! We made our own shirts with spray paint, made many s'mores, went 4-wheeling and canoeing. This was DJ's first camping experience and he did great and loved it!

Jason and Kimberly in the woods

Bryndee after dressing herself. She put her shirt on upside-down.

Us at our campsite.

DJ wearing a hat crooked and drinking apple juice.

DJ at his first Utah game.

Daddy and DJ

He did take about a 1/2 hour nap right in the middle of the game.

Mommy and DJ

One day DJ was crawling around on the floor and he ended up going right in the middle of the bar stool chair and standing up. We did not put him there. He was really mad once he noticed he was stuck, so we quickly took a picture and saved him from the trap he crawled into.

Growing (just a little)

DJ went for his 9 month check up earlier this week. His new measurements are: weight - 16.14, height - 27.5, and head circumference 44.5 cm. So he is in the 5th percentile for weight and the 10th for height. Dawson is also pulling himself up to a standing position and cruising. It is so fun watching him learn new things everyday! A tooth finally broke yesterday, which gives me mixed emotions; he is going to be so cute with teeth, but he is growing up so fast. One of his favorite things is to click his tongue. I am so grateful for our little boy everyday and can't say thank you enough!!!
Playing in a dump truck at Grandma's

I got dumped out twice.

Trying to get Buzz kitty.
Just being happy and handsome!
Playing with Daddy's football.