Home to Calgary in August

Bella and I went back to Calgary for a week to visit family in August.

We first headed to the cabin with Grandma Susie and Grandpa Don. We had wonderful weather and it was so nice to be back up at the cabin again (I hadn't been since last November).

I didn't take many pictures this trip, as my camera's batteries were almost dead. I'm sure Grandma Susie has lots more photos on her camera.

It was great being in Calgary again. No matter where Ben and I live as long as we are moving around in the military... Calgary will always feel like 'home' in a way. And Isabella of course loved being spoiled by Grandpa Don and Grandma Susie.

Bella's grown a lot since the last time she was at the cabin.

Grandma Susie & Bella checking out the deer in the background.

It was great being able to see friends back in Calgary. We were only in Calgary for 3 days... so it was very busy, but we were able to see all our friends and family. Of course they all saw a HUGE difference in Belles, as we haven't been back to Calgary since Christmas (over 6 months).

Claire & Bella

Bella & Mr. William after our walk

Katherine and I took the kiddos to the Glencoe for a swim

A match made in heaven!

Isabella Has a Secret

Isabella has a secret she wants to tell everyone:
I'm going to be a BIG SISTER.

That's right... In February she'll have a little brother OR sister!
We were a little surprised, but are very excited to be welcoming another little miracle into our growing family. I went to the doctors yesterday and heard the heartbeat for the first time.

Stay tuned to watch my belly grow this time around!

Progression of Bella's Teeth!

May 13, 1st tooth, almost 11 months old

June 13, 2 teeth, almost 1 year old

July 11, 4 teeth almost 13 months old

Today, 6 teeth (although you can't see them in this photo... both teeth popped out on either side of her top front teeth, almost 14 months old

Big Sky Country!

Isabella and I were in Billings for a week visiting Grammy Ann, Grampy Steve & Auntie Liz.

It really was a wonderful week. I was really looking forward to the trip and other then missing Ben, I really could have stayed longer. We made homemade jam... cookies... strawberry shortcake... had DQ ice cream and Grampy's Red Velvet cupcakes! Yummy... a great week for our tummies!

Isabella sure loved all the attention that her Grammy, Grampy and Auntie gave her while she was there (especially getting more sugar, ice cream, cupcake and syrup then usual... thanks to Grampy)!

An especially nice thing about heading North, was that we could actually go outside without melting, so Bella took the opportunity to WALK, WALK, WALK and WALK a little more. That girl wanted to walk everywhere! I bet she walked a total of 4 miles while we were there. It was so cute, every chance Bella had, whether it was walking to the mailbox or around Steve & Ann's neighborhood she took it smiling all the way.

We ventured up to Red Lodge on Sunday after Church for a hike in the mountains.

It was so nice being back where there are mountains again. I miss them! There is something about the air in the mountains... it smells so fresh and clean.
We hiked for a little over a hour before turning around, because it looked like there was a storm coming... And the storm definitely came! It started raining, thundering and lightening. It was sorta fun actually. Steve had Belles in the pack on his back and ended up running the last little bit to try and get out of the storm. I think Bella thought it was fun being bounced all around as Steve ran, because she didn't seem to mind.
We were all drenched when we arrived back at the car! Should have gotten a picture of it... But of course didn't!

Here are some other cute pics from the week:

Helping Grammy water her plants




Helping Grampy drive his truck!

Ann, Steve & Liz, Thanks so much for such a great trip. We truly had a wonderful time with all of you. Bella says she misses all of you already. We Love you!