What a year looks like

I wanted to post these two pics side by side. The first is Haven at 8 weeks old... and a year later, she still loves her bunny seat! Oh, how time flies....

What Haven is up to now...

Haven is really enjoying her books now. When I lay her down for a nap, I always makes sure she can have one of her many board books to "read". I have a video monitor in our bedroom, and often see her read to herself before falling asleep. It is too cute! She is picking up a few more words as well. She has mastered "mama" and "daddy" and knows what to say whenever anything drops... "uh-oh!". However, we have recently started asking her to say, "please" when she wants something. Usually, she starts her demand with a grunt or a "ba" (her universal word for anything desirable). But, we are making progress! It sounds more like "peeez", but I am glad she is picking it up. =0)

The Big Helper

I found Haven "helping" daddy orgainize his medical materials in the office. As you can see from her tongue sticking out on the side of her mouth, she is very focused on her job.

Family Visit... February 16th-19th

We really had a great time with my parents and grandparents here in Missoula for a few days. Nate was in San Diego over the weekend, so I loved having a full house with even more noise and commotion. Great Grandma Fran and Papa Otto loved seeing how much Haven has grown, and of course Haven loved all the attention she received from everyone! Grandpa Mark came home from his Walmart visit with a singing and jumping gorilla (see left). She had an instant bond with the creature, and wouldn't let it out of her sight. I can now bet if there is a three day weekend in the school calendar, my parents will be here knocking on our door around 10 pm. I think it is wonderful that we are merely six hours away from my parents. Family is so important! How rare it is to have a photo with four generations of women... I love that picture.

Of course there was shopping!

The mother of the bride, Mary, the bride to be, Lisa, and I enjoying some retail therapy at the Scottsdale Fashion Square.

Pink Taco

If you were with a bunch of girls on a bachelorette weekend and saw a restaurant/bar called the "Pink Taco", you would just HAVE to check it out - right? Well, we did...

The fun bachelorette weekend

Really, this worked out so perfectly. One of my best friends - Lisa Fryer - is getting married the first weekend in March (I am so excited to be a bridesmaid!). Her maid of honor organized a weekend away at a hotel/spa in Scottsdale for the girls in the wedding. It happened to be the same weekend I was in Tuscon for the jewelry expo, so I hopped a shuttle up to Scottsdale and joined the girls for some fun in the sun, shopping, dining, and pampering at the spa. I was FREE too... Nana Jill took care of Haven for me. What a wonderful blessing it was to have a little time for myself and enjoy our girl-time.

The fam

Great grandma Helen, a preoccupied Haven, Nana Jill and I ready to do some jewelry shopping!

Arizona, here we come!

I have been waiting to attend the all-famous Tuscon jem and jewelry show for a whole year after my mother in law attended last year and brought back some great (not to mention cute) loot! So, I found a way to finagle my way into coming with them this year... there was jewelry to be found!! I did have a great time and brought back some items. However, we are finding a babysitter for Haven next time. =0)

Philip and Kara's Washington Reception

My brother and his new bride, Kara, were married this last June in Branson, Missouri. Since he was in Tacoma, Wa for a six week medical rotation, my parents decided to host a very nice reception for our Washington friends and family that couldn't make it out to the wedding. We all had a great time catching up with everyone that made it at the new Suncadia Resort in Roslyn.

The Canadian Rocky Mountians

Haven and I enjoying the winter scenery and backdrop at the hotel. It was a crisp 20 degrees each day.

The Banff Fairmont Springs Hotel... or should I say, castle?!

The Banff Fairmont Hotel - built in the early 1900's, at the turn of the century.

Makeup already?!

Haven loved going through my makeup bag and playing with all my brushes and compacts while hanging out in our hotel room. I know it will too soon before she asks to wear it all!

YEA! for Starbucks

We just love the fact that you can find a Starbucks anywhere... including Banff, Canada (see the green hanging sign on the right?). This is also a great shot of Banff village. There are a ton of specialty shops and boutiques as well.

Beautiful Banff, Canada

Nate had a medical conference at the Banff Fairmont Springs Resort this weekend. And, I just couldn't pass up on the opportunity to see this amazing mountain village in the Canadian Rockies. We brought Haven and enjoyed some family time between Nate's meetings. The winter scenery was spectacular and I even got to get away to the hotel's spa one afternoon... well worth the trip! During our stay, there was a celebrity ski weekend/fundraising event taking place at the Fairmont hotel. Needless to say, we saw more actors/actresses and other celebrities there than our whole time living in southern California. I sat next Fran Drescher in the spa lounge. Yes, she still talks like she did when she was the Nanny! I can't wait for the next medical conference in Banff... next time we may leave Haven with grandma and grandpa. =0)