Life on the Outside

It's been 2 years since either of us have been 'outside' (Alaskan slang for leaving Alaska). I was super excited for a few reasons.

1) As big as Alaska is, 663,300 sq miles, it can still be confining and suffocating. I've been itching to travel and be away from the house for more than just a few days. Also, to be somewhere warm! Granted, we had some record breaking temperatures before we left, but I wanted hot!

2) I wanted a break from the same every day activities. It's good to shake things up. When I come back from a long trip, it just feels nice to be home that the never ending chores don't bother me as much.

3) and most importantly, I really wanted Kasila to meet as many people in our family as she could. Pictures and Skype only do so much.

So many pictures.... I'll try to just put the highlights, but that may be easier said than done. I borrowed some pictures from my sis-in-law, Ashley, and I still need to get some pictures off of my phone and iPad.

UTAH

Fun in the Sun

 

Shopping at the Outlets

Dutch Oven Dinner

Logan Temple

Visiting Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa Ezola

This is a bittersweet memory. Only a few days after our visit, Grandma passed away. Scott and I were so thankful that Kasila was able to meet her and that we all were able to see her one last time. I know that Scott was very close to her and loved her very much! We are also thankful that she is now in a better place, not inhibited by her physical body. The Plan of Salvation is a great comfort in times like this. Even so, intellectually, we know that she is in a better place. However, emotionally it is still hard. She passed away after we had left Utah, but were still in Oregon. We made a quick trip back to Logan for her funeral services. Again, we count our blessings. If it had happened sooner, we wouldn't have been able to see her again. Later, we would have have been back in Alaska. Rest in peace, Grandma and we love you. 

 

 Aggie Love 

Random Moments

OREGON

Dyas Family Reunion

Lucian & Kasila

Dallas & Kasila

Scott & Zoe

Random moments...

Scott's helper being oh-so-helpful

Cow train ride!

 Great-Grandma & Great-Grandpa Dickerson

 Hanging at the fire station with Grandpa

Bonnie & Kasila 

Lucian thinking Kasila is being too noisy

Fun at the pool & playground

Us with baby Norah (Kel & Barry's), born July 12. We were able to stop by and see her because of our quick trip back to Cache Valley for Grandma Ezola's funeral.

Aunt Ashley & Uncle Todd outside the hospital

Christie & I had to go and take a picture at the spot "in the middle" between our old houses.

All cute and fancy for Bri's wedding!

Going to church

Headed to the airport

Grandma & Grandpa with the grandkids

Waiting in Boise...

Such a good baby

Landed in Anchorage

Goin' to the Temple

We had the lovely opportunity to attend the sealing of a family friend. Hayden and Holly were glowing and it was very sweet! It's always good to be reminded of the covenants that Scott and I made to each other and our Heavenly Father. I'm so happy that we, and anyone sealed in the temple, have the opportunity to be together as a family for eternity!

Kasila was able to spend some time with Fischer and Maddie outside the temple.  It was her first time being outside of the temple. I couldn't resist getting some pictures of her.

Father's Day

Scott's first Father's day! He was pretty impressed that I tried (keyword: tried) to get some handprints of Kasila. I thought this would be a cute thing that I can do any year and it be a way to document Kasila's growth.

 I had forgot to get a picture while at home, so I had to get it before church started and Kasila was still bright and cheery.

I measured Sila's arm span and cut the ribbon that length. Her left handprint didn't turn out so well but it's ok. It's the though that counts. We also go him a new beach towel. He loves to use a beach towel because of how big they are. The one he's been using is getting kind of ragged.

Sweet Six Months!

Wow! Where has the time gone? My little baby is now 6 months old!! She is crawling, babbling, playing, imitating, and just so darn adorable while doing it all.

Kasila had her 6 month check up a couple of days ago. She is still a tall skinny girl at 14 lbs 14.5 oz and 27" tall. That would be 27th percentile for weight and 87th percentile for height.

Now that Sila is 6 months old, there are a lot of new things we can try with her and see how she does. We put off solid foods until now because there have been studies that show early introduction to other foods can lead to more food allergies. Plus, Scott didn't want to deal with the changes that are now going to happen in her diaper. So, so far we've tried rice cereal. She was very excited about it. I feel like a hawk is watching me when I eat, so when she finally got to eat using a spoon she took it it. She kept trying to grab it from me and shove it in her mouth. The pediatricians are now also recommending introducing a sippy cup after 6 months. This way, when they turn a year old, it's not a new thing just replacing the bottle. We gave her one and she just downed her milk.

Sweet 6 months!

We're in trouble! She crawled over to the diaper bag and got my wallet out.

Yum yum!

Looking so sweet and proper.

Feed me faster!

That was yummy!

The new way to suck on a pacifier. She likes to sucks on the bottom part of the plastic part.

Just a cutie!

Her new toy. She keeps trying to get into the wipes box where we change her diapers, so I thought I'd give her an empty box and put some of her toys in it. She plays with it, but she still tries to get into the other one :)

Daddy Taught Me...

Take a look at what Scott taught Kasila. It took FOREVER to get it on video. She stops doing anything whenever I grab a camera/recorder of any sort. The first part was the last little bit of one time that I was able to catch and the 2nd took like 30 minutes just laying next to her with the iPad ready to go.

Apparently, the video isn't working :( I'll try again sometime because it's soo cute.

OK... so you know how you make some kind of noise and then move your finger across your lips and it makes the noise sound funny. Well, Scott had been doing that to Kasila and she figured out how to do it to herself. Only she uses her whole hand and moves it basically across her whole face. It's pretty dang cute, but the video would be cuter than me just explaining it. :)

Almost Crawling

She's rocking...almost there.

I know she isn't the happiest here but she'll get it and then it'll all be good. :)