August and September 2014

Since it seems like I'm not getting a chance to upload pictures as often as I used to I guess dual month posting might be the new norm. September 2014 . . . has been a nice month of mostly warm temps with sunny days and recently the start of fall weather, clouds and rain. We haven't been doing a whole lot because we have been recuperating from all of our fun activities/travel in August in addition to adjusting to the start of the school year.   

Sept 1st, having fun at the Swap and Play! Thank you G.G. and Baba for the great gift for Mariela's birthday :)

Cooking with her friend Evelyn at the Swap and Play.

Snuggling up wither her cute new teddy bear form her Great Aunt Anne. Mariela loves him and the piano pop-up toy you gave her!! Thank you :) 

Sept 6th, talking on her calculator phone to her Aunt Emily and Uncle Greg

Belated trip to the beach in celebration of Mariela's 2nd birthday!

Trying to catch the birds on the beach :)

Talking to G.G. and Baba on her multiple credit card phones. This girl loves to "talk" on the phone! I think we might be in trouble when she's 13 ;)

Sept 13th, having fun on her new "big girl" bed Anma and Pop-pop gave her for her 2nd birthday. Thank you so much Anma and Pop-pop, Mariela has loved her new bed from the first moment she laid down :)

"Writing" people's names. I can't make out everything she says but from what I can tell she's writing, "Emily, baby Graham, Pop-pop, Lela, ?, ?"

Sept 27th, enjoying a fall hike. Too bad we only made it a few feet before Mariela said it was snack time. Hopefully we'll get a little further down the path next time ;)

Sept 28th, Mariela has been singing songs on her own for a little while now but every time I take out my camera and she sees it she stops. I wish you could see her face as she sings but this was the only way I could get her rendition of the "A, B, C" song on video.

August 2014 - We had a very busy and fun month as you will be able to tell from all of the pictures and videos I took. We made a trip to St. Louis to visit both sets of Grandparents and Mariela's Aunt, Uncle, and Cousins. Mariela also turned 2 at the end of the month so there was a lot to celebrate!

August 1st, wearing Dada's shirt

August 3rd, having fun "washing" dishes at G.G. and Baba's house

August 4th, drawing with Baba! Baba showed her how to color her hands and make hand prints on the paper which is still one of her favorite things to do when she uses markers ;)

Saying hi to Azura, who is a VERY tolerant cat!

Playing with a ball in the back yard with Baba just like I used to do

Taking a spin in my old wagon that Baba spruced up just for Mariela. Too bad it doesn't have a longer handle for Baba's back :( 

Mariela was SO excited to visit G.G. and Baba in order to play in their pool!!

Checking out the neighbors lawn "art"

August 5th, more dishes with Baba

Having so much fun at the children's garden at the Missouri Botanical Garden

 G.G. and Baba have their own tree house at the children's garden!

August 6th, playdate with Callum! It was so fun to see you Susan and Callum, thank you for coming over to play with us :)

Helping G.G. with yard work

August 7th, getting into mischief first thing in the morning 

Getting a ride from Baba at the grocery store 

August 8th, showing off her color knowledge with Bab ;)

And Baba thought he could actually do the dishes by himself, ha!

Post-nap book with G.G. and Baba

August 9th, fun at the park! 

She can't get enough of the slide :)

August 10th, having fun learning how to jump with her cousin Susannah

Playing with her cousin, Suz, on the "big girl" bed

August 11th, having fun making homemade play-do with Anma (but not liking that Mama was taking photos, again!)

Pretending to make her own play-do using Anma's bowls and spoons. Sorry Mariela broke your mixing bowl Anma :(

August 12th, meeting Lukas for the first time. Thank you Luke and Kate for making it a priority to meet up with us even though it meant you got stuck in bad rush hour traffic!

So proud of the fact that she helped herself to snacks in Anma and Pop-pop's kitchen.

Having fun looking at pictures with Pop-pop

August 14th, in the car on the way to the St. Louis Science Center!

Loving being able to hold hands with her big cousin Suz

Telling Anma, "ready, set, go" in order to start to car race

Looking at all the balls going down the ball ramps in the entryway of the Science Center

August 15th, checking out the pond and fish at Tower Grove park where her Mom and Dad got married

Second trip to Ted Drewes (her first trip was when she was 7 months old) but still nothing but water. Man, this little girl does NOT know what she's missing!

August 16th, early celebration for Mariela's 2nd birthday. Good thing Ben picked out the ice cream and cake flavors because Mariela refused to try any

Saying hi to her new baby cousin, Graham!!

Mariela with her second cousin, Clarissa. Thanks for coming over Clarissa! It's always great to see you :)

August 20th, back in Portland and showing off the new skill she learned, blowing bubbles!

August 23rd, on a hike celebrating Mariela's 2nd birthday!

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Learning how to toss rocks with her Dada

August 24th, helping Mama make birthday pancakes since she's not a fan of cake and ice cream (but we think she would be if she would try it)

Excited for birthday pancakes

August 25th, showing off the stylish outfit her Dada helped her put on ;)

August 29th, ready to go with ALL of her things

Watching the fish at the Japanese Garden

Checking out the sand garden

August 31st, birthday pancake celebration #2 due to the fun letter candles G.G. and Baba sent. It didn't seem like anyone in the house had a problem with having another reason to make pancakes. Thanks G.G. and Baba!

Showing off her new jumping skills!