My hero!

On Friday my sister Juli ran the Salt Lake Deseret News Marathon. Here she is at about mile 23 - looking good I have to say and still running!

Her pace picked up and a smile plastered her face as she realized she was going to finish her first marathon. She did really well finishing at 4 hours 8 min.

We had a great time watching and cheering Juli on - we are proud of her for accomplishing something so incredible!

Preston and Alayna celebrating Juli's finish with a little dance!

And sharing a Fat Boy that was meant for Juli....

For the 24th we roasted hot dogs and marshmallows on my dad's firepit in their backyard - Alayna loves "a hot dog on the fire" and is always asking Grandpa for it.

We had a monumental day last week - when Alayna actually pooped in the potty for the first time - here she is showing off her two gummy worms. Don't let this fool you though - we are not that successful on a daily basis in potty training - she has gone a few times but really has no desire to do it all the time. So we wait....

Saturday at Strawberry

On Saturday after a very busy week for Coby, we took the day off to spend with Coby's family up at Strawberry Resevoir. Here is Wyatt, Brynnli, Joey, and Alayna getting ready to go for a a little swim in the cold, murky water.

Playing in the water with her cousins - Alayna had a great time and lasted a lot longer than anybody in the freezing cold water.

Uncle Eric being a good sport and swimming with Alayna.

I nominated Coby as the lucky parent to go in with Alayna...he can get in a lot deeper than I can and not get as wet.

Coby, Brynnli, and Alayna getting out of the water.

Alayna showing off her tattoo - she got this last Friday night while Aunt Kali was babysitting and Coby and I were at Harry Potter. It isn't going to come off easily....thanks Kali!

Grandpa Lloyd took us for a ride on his boat - Alayna was so excited!

But an eventful day took its toll and she was out by the time we started to head back on the boat.

Alayna leaning in to give Bella a little love - Bella was so good to let Alayna chase her and maul her. We had a great time with the Kitchens on Saturday and enjoyed time together in memory of Dustin - his birthday was Sunday and he would have been 38. Happy Birthday Dustin!

Floating Along!

Alayna and I had a fun week this last week while Coby "worked" insane hours at the hospital. Coby started his neurosurgery rotation this last week and has been getting up at 4:00am and getting home around 10:00pm - and falling into bed completely exhausted. So Alayna and I kept ourselves busy playing with Brynnli and Wyatt and even going to the 3-D movie with them and Grandma Linda! Alayna kept her glasses on for about 15 min - then enjoyed the rest of the movie by gorging on popcorn.

As you can see we also went swimming - it was a ton of fun. We bought Alayna some floaties and after about an hour she finally figured them out and loved them!! She loved this little slide too! In the picture above - she has her knees up and is floating along.

Figuring out all the ways to float - legs up!

And on her belly! So cute - she just couldn't get enough floating.

And who doesn't love a little brownie batter?!

Certainly not this innocent face!

Speaking of innocence - I found Alayna the other day - with all four of her binkies - "hiding" on her dirty laundry. She just needed a little "me" time. She is only supposed to have her binkies at naptime and bedtime - but I often find her taking one and just having a quick fix and putting it back before mom sees and takes it away.

I am finally caught up!!

I came back from Girls' Camp last Friday to find these beautiful roses, my house all clean and Alayna's hair was even done. Then Coby even fixed me dinner and washed and vacuumed the car while I took a nap. What a guy and he is all mine! Thanks for taking care of everything while I was gone - Coby!

We tried to get a family picture this weekend - this is how most of them turned out - or blurry because Alayna was moving around. I love this picture - it is pretty classic!

Is there anything sweeter in the whole wide world?

We enjoyed gourmet hot dogs and smores on my dad's new firepit to celebrate the 4th of July. Alayna couldn't decide whether she liked the marshmallows better roasted or not.

Yeah - we are burning 2 by 4's - pretty funny huh!

Juli - showing her enthusiasm for the 4th - after running 14 miles - she is training for a marathon - awesome huh!

We Love Summer!

Showing off mom's sunglasses (upside down - of course)

We took Alayna took go play in the water fountains at the Gateway. She loved it - most of the time. It did take a litttle getting used to and I got pretty wet in the process too.

All wet!

Here is the Stewart clan at the Strawberry Days Rodeo in Pleasant Grove - we were lucky the storm cleared just in time to enjoy the rodeo! We laughed so hard at the mutton bustin', bull riding, and the best was the wild cow milking (?) - it was so muddy so everyone was covered in mud. Alayna is convinced she is the next mutton bustin' champ - she kept saying "Layna do it too!"

Sneaking a drink of Dad's Pepsi - she is already hopelessly addicted - thanks Dad!

Enjoying time in her new swimming pool - Alayna loves the zebra that you hook up the hose to and it sprays.

Tinkerbell dress and hairdo - Alayna's hair is a little bit too short for one bun - so we did two. Sometimes I can't get her to take this dress off - she loves being pretty like Tinkerbell.

The Birthday Girl!

Sneaking in a bite of cake - right off the corner - delicious!

Alayna loved her Cinderella cake - when we went to pick it out it we had to look at every picture and it took us - or should I say her - forever to decide!

We were lucky enough to get everyone (my family and Coby's) together for a birthday bash! Alayna loved all of the presents she got - a trike, Tinkerbell dress and movie, a swimming pool, books and clothes. I have to say the food was excellent - we had a Panini party - which I saw on TV a while back and was dying to do.

Alayna enjoying a cupcake on her actual birthday - right after we got caught outside in a downpour at a youth service project. Alayna is obssessed with birthdays right now - she always talks about hers and thinks we should have a birthday party everyday. I guess when you are the center of attention - there is nothing better (Alayna thrives on it)!

Lovin' Lagoon!

Alayna and I went to Lagoon earlier this month with my mom, dad, Kali, and her friend Courtney (Poor Coby had to stay home and study - at least it was quiet). It rained off and on all day - but we stuck it out and had a great time. Alayna loved all the little kid rides - but most of all the carousel - she picked the kitty out right away and had to ride it - we even had to wait an extra time - so she could have it.

After being at Disneyland a few weeks earlier - she had to have "Dumbo". She had him going up and down like crazy. I couldn't even believe it.

It was really tricky to ring the bell and drive your boat - but Alayna finally got it - right before the ride was over.

Pure joy! She loved being big enough to ride all by herself - I wasn't so sure it was a good idea - but she was so brave - and always the youngest kid on the rides.

Courtney, Alayna, and Kali -soaking wet after running back from riding "Terror Ride" - which Alayna thought was funny!

Am I sure I am big enough do this all by myself?

The classic little whales - Alayna wasn't sure about these guys because it was her first ride by herself - but she quickly warmed up and was an unstoppable force the rest of the day. I remember riding the little whales at a young age and Tifani crying until they stopped it so she could get off. We still give Tifani a hard time about the little whales.