Cause people like to say “Salsa”

Just like her Dad! Lia loves her chips and salsa snack break.

For those of you who haven’t seen her walking yet…here is some footage of her busy little steps:

4 Years

September 1, we celebrated our 4 year Anniversary. Josh arranged a weekend away at Lake Grandby, the perfect setting to soak up the sun and celebrate the family, friendships, and adventures we’ve experienced along the way. Lia is a huge fan the the boat. She added “boat” to her rapidly growing vocabulary list.

Words:  “Hot”  “Hat”  “Doggy”  “More”  “Up” “Ball”        “Duck” '”Water” “Boat” “Crack” (short for cracker) “Birdie” “Moose” “Elk” “Milk” “Mommy”            “Daddy” “Bop” (Her word for Flip Flops) and many more.        

Now that Lia can say and identify her “Hat” she is much mire excited to wear it!

The perfect way to start our mornings!

  

  

Lia protecting her lips from the dry CO air

 

Thank you, Josh, for loving both of your girls so well! We are two very fortunate girls. Can’t wait for many more years of marriage and family memories.

Jackson Hole

Nana celebrated her 90th birthday in true Reitsema fashion, surrounded by her entire family in Jackson Hole, WY. Lia was a road trip champion enduring the 10 hour drive with little to no breakdowns. What a fantastic memory J and I will cherish forever. We treasure the moments we can be together with family and experience the gift and legacy that Nana made possible. Happy Bday Nana!

 

Baby Tegan and Lia ready to explore Jenny Lake with the Ladies.

 

Our picnic spot. Lindsey, Lauren, Lia, Lexi, Holly, Nana, Pam, and Debbie.

Lia running around Grand Teton Park on our way into Yellowstone.

 

Stopped for a picture on trail toward Taggart Lake

 

A shot in front of the Grand Tetons

Lia loves uncle Larry

Bringing a little TX BBQ into the kitchen. Go team bandana.

Goodbye Jackson Hole. We can’t wait to visit you in the winter to make some memories skiing your chutes!

Backpacking

I am married to the most wonderful man who knows my heart and the things that make it come alive. Recently, when an opportunity came up for me to guide a group of YL girls on a backpacking trip, Josh helped to arrange all things Lia so I could make the experience happen. It was such a refreshing treat to be on trail and reflect on this past year as a new mom. Even after 28 miles of hiking and very few hours of sleep, I returned feeling like I spent a week at the spa. Below is a link of the pictures we took. The joy of returning home to J and Lia was oh so sweet, especially considering that Lia perfected walking while I was gone.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.535991263768.2031681.171700865&type=1

Here’s to knowing the things that bring life to the people you love and helping to provide opportunities to make them happen!

Fun on the 4th!

This year’s 4th of July was full of hometown favorites: A mountain hike, Lia’s first trip to the zoo, and BBQ and fireworks on the lawn with cousin Ella. It was really special to watch the girls hug on each other and giggle as the colors lit up the night sky. Watching our little girls grow up together is so very special and something we will never take for granted.

Thank you, uncle Kevin, for this new way to travel on Mom’s back!

The zoo made Lia VERY happy as you can see.

Yard games with the munchkins

Hugs for cousin Ella!!

Under the Sea

We just returned from a diving adventure exploring the shore diving landscape of Bonaire. Our dear friends, the Goods, experienced the trip with us and helped to create lifelong memories capturing views of the underwater world.

Josh and I headed for the reef

Lia was our champion traveler making it through multiple legs of plane rides.

Thrilled to be in the pool with Daddy!

…and loving the view for her morning bottle

 

Josh and I entering the water for a night dive. We saw a sleeping turtle, lots of Tarpon using our flashlights to hunt for fish, and a blue parrot fish that was 4 feet long.

Excited to explore with our flashlights!

I had hoped Lia’s first hairstyle would be pig-tails, but we’ll settle for a mohawk!

Taylor and Nicole finished their open water certification in Bonaire. This was the Goods’ first family dive together. They picked a great setting!

Josh, Lia, and Lauren before diving Angel City Reef

One of the most remarkable things we saw was a giant bait ball composed of hundreds of thousands of small silver fish. We’d swim through it and the fish would circle around us in formation. This was the most fascinating image of teamwork we have ever seen. From the surface, this mass of fish looked like its own coral reef; the sheer number of fish will amaze you. Enjoy this underwater footage!

All Smiles!

Father’s Day sunset

The Goods

Dinner with Daddy on the pier

 

The view from our porch

Taylor, Lauren, and Nicole after a dive on Andrea II

Our whole crew!

Lia sporting her very own wetsuit. Baby in training :)

Goodbye to the sea turtles, lion fish, sting rays, shrimp, eels, and countless creatures of Bonaire’s coral reefs ! Thanks for letting us peek into your world through our masks. Lia’s hat says it all!