I originally began this blog post about two weeks ago and didn't quite get it completed. So YAY finally an updated post. I started back to work this week. Teaching 4 periods of math, so not quite full time. I don't have to leave the house until about 8:30, which gives me some good time with Ayla in the morning. Then I am home with her by 4:00. Brett's mom comes to the house twice a week to care for Ayla. The other three days she goes to a friend of ours' house - they have a nanny that we share. Unfortunately we just got news this week that she got an internship she applied awhile ago for and has to quit. So now we have one week to find childcare for Ayla - back to square one. There are options though, and I am trying to be as optimistic as possible. Going back to work was the toughest thing I have ever had to do. I realize now how much I took for granted my time at home with Ayla. My heart breaks leaving her everyday, but I am happy to be back in the classroom. Getting the childcare situation sorted will ease my worries and hopefully we will all adjust quickly. So, without further ado...our summer:
One of Ayla's favorite activities these days is to crawl back and forth in this fun tube I got her at IKEA. I put one end inside and one end outside. Once the rain returns, I guess I am going to have to be more creative.
This is Ayla's doggy. We have yet to name him anything other than doggy - so sad. I am not sure if I should feel bad or not, but she loves him. But I really don't want to get a dog, our small condo is not dog friendly. But Ayla doesn't seem to care too much, lol
A day at the park, well actually its the elementary school by our house, but hey - its tons of fun for Ayla who gets to crawl, climb, swing, and slide. Plus her aunty scooby was in town most of the summer, so she got to join us on our many park adventures
I am so happy that we got to get together a lot this summer with my cousin Lisa and her daughter Kylie. She is only 2 months younger than Ayla and is catching up fast. They are too sweet when they get together.
AYLA IS ONE!!!
The birthday girl! Her birthday party was a huge success, we had so many family and friends come out to celelbrate with us. She was the center of attention and loved every minute of it - especially the cake. As soon as she knew she got everyone's attention she started playing peek-a-boo with fingers filled with frosting.
I can't believe that Ayla is one years old. This has been the most challenging, rewarding, and exciting year of our lives. Ayla is a fearless, happy, energetic, smart daddy's girl who loves to read (ok, fine - she looks at the pictures, turns the pages and points to the words), crawls in things, on top of things, around things and through things :) She is so close to walking, but the girl knows she can get "there" faster if she just crawls.
AND I AM 30!
A very memorable 30th birthday for me. A trip to Vegas with my mom, sister, and aunt Paty (mom's best friend) AND Brett suprised me with a meal at Benihana in Seattle.
My family has taken my sister and I to Benihana for our birthdays for at least the last 15 years. I thought this year wouldn't work with our busy summer schedule.We drove up there and my mom and sister suprised me with their presence.
After Sake bombs and Mojitos. We had a Sake bomb expert at our table who kept buying us rounds, notice the red cheeks on me, I get those from my dad :)
Las Vegas!!!
Our first night out. This is my first trip to Vegas and I was glad to share it with my sister and mom because they are seasoned veterans. I am proud to say we "did Vegas". Please recall that I am a math teacher and am quite aware why the casinos are filled with slots and a few tables. Although the slots are fun and quite addictive, my sister and I did our work at the craps tables. Let me just say that we made Vegas proud and took home lots of winnings! Love those dice and their odds.
Easting sushi on the strip
Our hotel - Ceasar's Palace. Ummm - WAY too huge for its own good, as is most of Vegas. The first night there my sister and I wanted to go over to the Mirage - its next door. We got lost trying to find an exit out of Ceasar's and ended up taking a cab. WOW.
Having lunch outside on the strip as we people watch and enjoy the largest plate of nachos I had ever seen. Again, Vegas larger than life.
WINTHROP 2009
Brett and I began taking this annual trip 4 years ago. We have gone every August (except last year, because Ayla was just weeks away from making her first appearance) for 5 days. We love swimming, sunning, and relaxing before the chaos of September hits. We braved it this year with an 11 month old who doesn't like grass (loves pavment and dirt though), getting her 1st molars, and requires an excessive amount of sunscreen. We were shooting for 5 days, we made it 3, but those 3 days were worth the hours of packing and setting up our campsite. 
My mom let us use her tent trailer. It was nice because Ayla had her own bed, sort of. We set up a bed rail on one of the beds. We were basically doing all of things they warn you not do when using the bed rail. However, I am a daughter of a man who built skyscrapers, so I can jimmy rig a pretty dang secure bed rail!
Swimming! Ayla did great in the lake. She would get sick of her floaty so then Brett and I would just pass her back and forth. She couldn't get enough of being in the water, especially cause she got watch all of the big kids splash and play around her.
Is there a cuter pose than this one - I don't think so! Just look at those chubby little legs and that chubby little swim diaper butt.
The Third Annual Darrell Bosik Memorial Race at Emerald Downs...
We had another great turnout. It so great to see all the friends and family who want to be part of this day celebrating my dad. We all miss him so much, it is fun to put on a party for us all to talk about and remember him.
Bosik's and Youso's
Me and Scooby after our not so big win - actually I am pretty sure we lost.
Me, Ayla, Kyla, Trena, Aunt Cindy, and Grant - gosh can you tell we are family or what?!
I look at Ayla multiple times a day and think about how much she would have loved my dad and how much he would have loved her. He would put her on his belly and she would grab at his face and giggle while he says "hey you little bugger". Her chubby little legs would waddle next to him as he holds her hand to help her walk. She would play peek-a-boo while cracking up at his silly faces and get so excited to show grandpa all the new things she is learning. She would give him "loves" (that is what we say for hugs and she turns her head and lays it down on you - like the picture below) and I would see in his face how much he adores her. I miss him so much and am so sad that he is not here to be part of Ayla's life. 
We drove out to Darrington in July for Brett's cousin Taylor's wedding. It was one of those ridiculously hot record breaking days, but Ayla was a champ. I love this picture because we kept trying to get her to look at the camera, but she couldn't take her eyes off of the beautiful bride. She is starting to be drawn to "girly" things. She loves when I put a bow in her and I say "pretty" and she gets a huge smile on her face and wants me to pick her up so she can look at herself in the mirror. 
Uncle Scott visits!
Ayla has always warmed up very quickly to family and close friends. She is so responsive to people's reaction to her. She is drawn right away to both my sister and Scott, who she has seen only once since Christmas.
Ayla looking at the snow falling outside...keeping pants on this girl, by the way, is near impossible. We are lucky she has a onesie and a shirt on. Oh, and somedays she loves wearing socks and others she screams while trying to pull them off her feet, go figure.
We went last week to get our family portraits (mostly Ayla, tee hee). We got home and the first thing she did was run into our bedroom and hide in our closet. Love it.
Peek-a-boo during while opening gifts too, she can't get enough, its her new "talent" 
Notice the smile on her face. I already got her swingin while I hold the ball in my hand. Thanks Misty!
