Standing on My Own Two Feet

HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Today during therapy, Michelle's wonderful PT had her standing at the side of the couch to play with some toys. I was supposed to support Michelle at the hips so she would not fall. I started to notice that she really didn't seem to be leaning too much into my hands so I pulled them back to see if she would immediately fall (like she usually does). NO, she just kept standing.

In the picture right above she actually pulled one had away from the couch and started waving at Tory since he had the camera, such a camera happy girl.

I will have to admit if it weren't for this cold I have and the fact that the therapist was right there I would probably have started crying. Funny thing though the therapist told me she was going to get teary herself just because this is such a huge step for our little Michelle. It is amazing the developmental leaps and bounds Michelle is making now. What a girl.

Sleeping in My Big Girl Crib

Yes, Yes. I know. Michelle is almost 18 months old. However, until last Monday she had never slept in her crib. We had taken her on adventures into her room and let her sit and play in it. But she had never slept in it. Since she has to sleep in our room with us she had only slept in her pack and play bassinet. Well Tory decided last Monday that since we paid so much for this beautiful crib, we (or should I say Michelle) should use it.

Well here she is after her first night sleep in her crib.

It is actually really nice because as soon as we lay her down at night in the real crib she just rolls over and goes to sleep. Doesn't she look like soooo comfy sleeping in her crib?

These feet were made for walking

Michelle got this walker for Christmas and at first I think she thought it was just another jumparoo of sorts. She loved being in it and would play with the toys and bounce like crazy, but as soon Tory would help her move she would cry. Well the other day we decided to see what she would do if we put her on the kitchen floor. Voila, she scoots. Unfortunately, I think we have watched "Cars" one too many times because she drives Mater style, backwards. I guess we have always known she marched to the beat of a different drummer or I guess drove to the rhythm of a different radio station.

Nothing is as Cuddly as a Buffalo?

While we were visiting family, my cousin Marcie a.k.a. Mimi with her mom Diane a.k.a. Dine gave Michelle this little buffalo from Yellowstone. Michelle likes stuffed animals, but hasn't really had a favorite. Well, this morning I was washing dishes and gave her some toys to play with and that included the buffalo. When I looked over at her a little later she had laid down and was hugging the buffalo. I was in awe. She had picked the buffalo out from all her usual favorite loud toys and was quietly and cutely giving it a hug. Of course as soon as I pull out the camera to document the occurrence she tries to lay it back down but I think I still caught her in time. So I guess we found her favorite animal, the only problem is I am not quite sure what the sign for buffalo is.

There's No Place Like Home

Well, a year and half later we finally made the trip back home. It may only be a four hour drive, but until now it was an impossible trip. Things just started falling into place and working together so that we could travel to visit our family. It was definitely a wonderful vacation.

While we were visiting we did the somewhat courageous adventure of playing in the snow with Michelle and her cousins. We went cross country skiing around a park near my brother's home and then went sledding. Michelle enjoyed being pulled in the sled behind Tory and we enjoyed being outdoors again.


Here's Michelle in the sled that Tory pulled while skiing around the park.

Here's our cute little niece ready for our adventure in the park.



Here's my nephew ready to go, and lead the group around the trail.

Michelle being cute and just enjoying being outside with everyone, enjoying not being left behind.

A picture of us all together, enjoying being in nature.

Here are some pictures of the new Rexburg Temple while walking around campus. This was one of the main reasons we had been planning and trying to work out all the bugs in our equipment, so we could go through the open house. We were completely amazed by the beauty of this building. As soon as we were done with our tour all we could think was, "We have to go see it again."

Michelle with Grandma and Grandpa Thornton.



Here is a picture of four generations of McCrackens.

Here is picture of the Temple at night. Again I will say, it was so incredibly beautiful. Even though this trip took lots of planning, fixing, planning, and more planning, it was worth it. We don't have ruby red slippers that magically take us home when we become home sick, but we found out that it is not impossible either. There's no place like home.