Kessa's 2nd birthday - 2nd celebration!!

It was Kessa's first birthday in Utah, with the Shaw side of the family. It was crazy fun and she loved every minute of it. Her cousins Makenna and Shelby, and Rachel and Cidnee couldn't give her any more attention. We opened presents and had the yummiest cake and rootbeer floats. Then can you believe this, the adults got to visit. I don't think I saw Markessa the rest of the party.

Kessa's 2nd Birthday - 1st celebration!!

Present from mommy and daddy. A Barbie Bakerset. Kessa was at the store with me when I picked it out. Big mistake. When I tried to wrap it she went nuts. I finally got her calmed down and told her she could have it later that night. The second she woke up from her nap, she was asking for it, so when her party got cancelled there was no way we could wait.

Naughty Kessa

Well it was too quite for too long, so you know what that means. Artwork on the wall, and a lot of artwork. At least now when she looks at she says, "Naughty Kessa."

Buzz Buzz Buzz

It was Markessa's first Halloween out and about and she loved buzzing all around. We went to our ward chili bake for dinner and then went trick-or-treating in our neighborhood with cousins Ryker and Ashlyn. The dads took the kids first. It was dramatic, but short-lived (they lost Ashlyn.) Then it was the moms' turn. My favorite part was Markessa's enthusiasm and manners. "Trick or Treat - Please," she would say at every door.

Spooky Fun

We decided to be festive this year and go all out. It wasn't easy finding a costume for a "pregnant biker chic," but we managed. Jesse James was my HOT date, but he failed to show up with a bike - what's up with that? The baby biker was trying to steal all my bling, but she got tired of it eventually (she has a short attention span.) We had a fun time at the party explaining that our tattoos were not real and watching Pirate Pete dance around.

Where are da girls?

The girls were here!! It took them awhile, but we were so glad to see them. Especially Markessa. Every morning she would wake up and ask, "Where are da girls?" She couldn't wait to start the day playing with Cidnee and Rachel. Uncle Glen was sad a first, since he wasn't getting any attention, but soon enough he heard, "Come on Glen." As she'd drag him off to play babies or playdough. Lisa got to go to her first Cubs game even though they didn't win. I stayed home with the girls and we had a "Girl Party." We went to Kierland - one of our favorite entertaining spots and the Zoo. We would have taken more pictures of the fun together, but you know who - wouldn't sit still long enough.

Disneyland

Mickey's House!!

We had a great time at Disneyland, although Markessa would have preferred to chase her cousins around than go on any rides, we managed to get on a few. She rode Buzz Lightyear a few times, the Tea Cups (her and mommy's favorite), Dumbo, It's a Small World, The Carousel (both a few times), and two other spinning rides that did mom in. Oh I almost forgot some animal boat ride and her favorite - Pirates!! (NOT) It was a disaster - both times she cried the entire time. Although her favorite Disney song is now Yo Ho Yo Ho!! She loved Toon Town and getting pictures with the characters. We went to Mickey's House, Donald's Boat, and played at Goofy's playground. All in all a super fun vacation!! Thanks to Grams and Papa for the wonderful trip and all the Aunts, Uncles and cousins for all the fun!!

California "Beach" Dreamin

Markessa and I (mom) got two days at the beach, but I was to big of a wimp to get in the freezing cold water. Since I ran the second the water brushed my feet, Markessa did the same, but she was content to play on the beach and search for sea shells, so mom got off the hook easily. Here we are just as the water catches us. Here is Kessa with Grams and Grandpa Lee and cousin Carter as they entertain her while I probably have a snack.

Beach Day 2 - Houston we have a problem! Mom needed a break from all of the walking so we opted for a beach day. Ryan, Markessa, and I drove down to daddy's old stomping ground - Newport Beach and saw all the old hangouts. It was a whopping 68 degrees, but that didn't stop daddy from trying to get Kessa in the water. Of course, she was content playing in the sand. But we all know how persuasive and determined Ryan can be. Some how he managed to get Kessa in the water. Now we had two favorite things we had to drag her away from. It was a fight, but ultimately the hungry mom one. We had to break our little California girl's heart and leave the beach.

Sea World

We had the wonderful adventure of exposing Markessa to Sea World and the largest scariest fish she'd ever seen (Shamu.) Instead of excitement and wonder we had blood curdling screams and a flood of tears. Ryan had to take her out of the stadium to get her calmed down. Needless to say all she talks about now that we are home is Shamuuu! We enjoyed some of the attractions and sites at the park and here are the pictures.

Lake Powell August 2007

As you can see we didn't rough it this year at Lake Powell, and there were no complaints from me. From the pictures you won't even think I was there, but to spare everyone the horror of my "maroon" hair and a deathly white tan, I decided to keep control of the camera. One of Kessa's favorite things to do was swim in the "Tot Tub." Otherwise we were on the beach or in the water. We did get her behind the boat in the tube with daddy, but of course we forgot the camera. Kessa also caught her first fish with daddy. There were lots of firsts and probably not lasts as we look forward to many years ahead at beautiful Lake Powell.

Our Monsoon

Well Markessa hasn't liked driving in the rain since she was a baby and that hasn't changed, but she does like playing in it and t he puddles left behind. We didn't get much rain this year, but here is what it looks like when we do.(Stylin glasses from OshKosh)

Why would you go to Arizona in June?

Well here are some pictures to show you why. We know how to cool down even when it is blazing hot - swim, swim, get wet, splash, and get wet. My sister Diana and her two kids Jaden and Shay flew in to enjoy hot fun in the sun. We went to two different public pools and two splash parks, besides swimming out back every day. It was so much fun, she will be back next year!! Can you guess which kid came to visit and which one is from Arizona? Maybe their tans will give it away.