Hallies 1st Birthday!

We had a Polka Dot Palooza to celebrate our little girl turning one! Hallie loved her smash cake and getting to play with her cousins that came to her party.

We had both sets of grandparents, Ryan, Josh, Katie, Todd, Angie, Aaron, Elle, Abby, Ethan, Annabel, and Clara all come to celebrate. We ended up throwing the party at our house. I am glad we did because that is where so many memories were created this last year.

At 12 months Hallie is crawling everywhere, taking about 5-10 steps on her own, and cruising furniture. She can say mama, dada, baby, wow, and woah. She learned how to clap this month as well. She weighed 18 pounds 15 ounces at her 12 month appointment. She was 29 inches tall and head size was in the 11th% (she gets that from her dad). Still wearing 9 month and 12 month clothes. Favorite foods currently are blueberries, cheese, chicken, strawberries, and eggs.

On a personal note I was surprisingly emotional thinking back to a year ago to the time in hospital bringing this little girl into the world. She made me a mom and that by far is the greatest gift God has given to me.

Hallies 1st Birthday! 

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY HALLIE!!!

Iceland - The Land of Fire and Ice

About three months ago Matt and I decided we were ready for an adventure. We did a lot of research and determined Iceland was the perfect place. It is a beautiful country. Summer is its main busy tourist season, but we didn't let the colder time of year stop us. It ended up being beautiful weather — out of the five days we were there, only one day was windy and snowing. The rest of the time was around 40 degrees. We had plenty of layers on and stayed warmed.

Day 1-2

Gulfoss waterfall, snorkeling, Thingvellir National Park, Kerid crater, downtown Reykjavik and the northern lights

Day 3

Seljalandsfoss waterfall, Skogafoss waterfall, Skogar turf house museum, and the south coast

Day 4

Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, beach and glacier/ice cave hike

Day 5

Beach, south coast countryside and hot springs

We had such a great time. We would love the chance to go back one day. If anyone is looking for something a little different and off the grid, then this is the place to go.