Saturday, 30 August 2014

Panaca

I have to admit that James' little hometown of Panaca, Nevada, has grown on me a whole lot since my first visit. We spent our first Christmas as a married couple in Panaca. I was already pregnant and sick by that time, and it was too cold to go outside and do any exploring... so I mostly focused on the town being super small and isolated. I have since discovered there is a great deal of beauty in the Lincoln County desert. Panaca is peaceful and charming and we had a wonderful time there this summer.


We were in Panaca in July this year, during the town's much anticipated Sesquicentennial celebration. James' siblings were there as well and our girls loved being surrounded by so many cousins.


 James' beautiful mother was the state of Nevada Centennial Queen in her twenties. She looked as lovely as ever riding on a float in the parade. Addy and Torah thought the parade was the best thing ever.





Looking happy because their bags are already getting full of candy.












 We won a cool bike in a ping pong drop raffle.  Addy was SO excited, even though she doesn't know how to ride without training wheels yet.




I had to take a picture when I saw Addy and Nelson both wearing turquoise, they look so much alike. You can definitely tell they are cousins. These two are so sweet together too, I love their sweet cousin bond and friendship.                                      





Grandma and Grandpa Hill loved spending time holding Andrew. 


Grandma really loved spending time holding TWO babies! Our cute nephew Ashton was born just a couple weeks after Andrew.

Addy is not a fan swimming in cold water, so she thought that swimming in Panaca's warm water spring was so nice! Torah loved it too. :)

Just chill'in on Panaca's main street.


All of the cousins were so excited for the fire hose money grab.




I thought that Addy would probably be too scared of the intense force of the water to participate in the money grab...but I was wrong. She hurried into in the middle of the circle, directly under the spray of water, where she collected an impressive $5.00 in coins. She was pretty proud of her money.



Torah looking a little tired from playing so hard all day.






Andrew with his uncle Stephen whom he was named after. 




Andrew and Ashton were both blessed at church Sunday, the day be before we flew back to Manila.


Don't these sweet babies look cute in their little white suits?

Saturday, 2 August 2014

Back in Manila


We are back in Manila! I have been eager to blog about our last few weeks in America, but since our return life has been busy getting over jetlag and taking care of Addy who caught a stomach bug on our flight home and still isn't better yet. Today Andrew discovered his tongue and he looked so cute.  He is growing up way too fast though. I'll post more pictures from the US soon.  




                      Sweet little Torah is so happy to be back with her toys and dress up clothes.












                                   He melts my heart. I love being a mom.

Monday, 7 July 2014

Living Planet Aquarium




My beautiful niece Maddie turned two last Thursday! To celebrate her special day, we visit the Living Planet Aquarium in Draper. The aquarium is much larger and nicer than I expected, and the kids had such a great time. I wish we could spend birthdays with cousins more often. I thought the ocean themed party was so cute that I may use the same idea for Torah's 4th birthday in December.


























Cute little Maddie with the amazing gluten free cake my mom made.