First Birthday for the littlest Valadez

Last Saturday we went to Hidden Canyon Ranch to see some friends. Jesse and Erin's little girl T`ea was celebrating the big 1. The bigger kids were eager to help open her birthday presents.

One of her favorite toys was this doll. Before long, she rocked it, patted its back, and we swear she said "doll!" It was surprising to everyone there :)

Then, it was time for the big event: cake eating!

Oh, the temptations! Happy Birthday adorable T`ea!

Drew and Ava goofin' around :P

The kids had such a busy day - we weren't 10 minutes in the car when I looked back and saw Ava and Isaac crashed in their seats. LOL

The following day, we met up for a picnic and a small hike.

The big boys: Xander, Drew, and JJ

Another good weekend come and gone......... makes you wanna take advantage of every day!

Hiking

It's finally feeling like summer now with the appropriate temperatures of this season. We did quite a bit of hiking the last week. This activity is always more fun with friends. Ava and Matthew both have that competitive drive and they both wanted to "lead the way." This drove them to practically run up the trail at times trying to be first (what a nice way to expel energy)...... lol

Gretchen gives the kids a lesson on flowers :)

The kids were good sports to pose for a photo......cute. However, the greatest pictures are usually the ones where the subject doesn't realize he/she is being photographed. For example, Isaac and Emma sharing a moment in the meadow............

This day was actually an eventful one! Later that evening we bummed a ride from the Bakers and enjoyed a rodeo in Delta, UT. Gretchen posted photos on her blog: http://desertsurvivor.blogspot.com/2011/06/rodeo-fun.html

F.Y.I - you'll have to be patient with my blogs. I try to post things as life happens - but our internet fails more than it works since the trees have gotten their leaves. Now the signal doesn't reach the tower as smoothly as it used to......
I am trying!

Bird Photography

Warning: bird overload

I've been having a lot of fun with my new camera experimenting with different lenses. Most of these photographs were taken in my yard during a long, cold, and windy week. The birds seem to stay close to the food during that time..........


This photo (raven in her nest) is the only one NOT taken at my house........

I soon realized why I had to refill the hummingbird feeders every couple of days. I had a couple of pairs of both male and female Orioles taking possession of it.

Feeling overloaded yet with colors of red, black, and yellow? lol

How about we throw some color blue into the mix?.............. while I'm on the subject of birds.

Here is the newest member of the family (this is no joke).....................................................

Ta-Da!

In the beginning he wasn't sure what to think of his new home - he explored the town of Baker (visiting many people's houses) for a few days. Honestly, I was afraid he wouldn't come back home - but alas one day I looked out the window and there he was in the yard again! Since his little adventure I think he's realized and decided this is his house. He's gotten so used to me working in the yard and having the kids run around (not running after him) that I think he's grown fond of us. Now, he takes hand-outs from and even likes to sit at our sliding glass door & windows and peer in. It's entertaining to see him looking through the window in curiosity. You gotta admit - he's a handsome peacock ;)