Christmas Tree Hunt

Since we got married we have talked about going and cutting down a Christmas tree, and for a few different reasons we never have. For one we never had a vehicle that did well in the mountains where there is snow. But this year we decided to go and cut one down and Matt decided that he needed to take advantage of his four wheel drive vehicle that we can actually put a tree on top of. It was a really fun experience and we had a really good time.
Kaiya and Jen all bundled up to go for a hike and pick out the perfect tree! Kaiya was happy and content the whole time in our little backpack carrier we got for her before she was born. This was the first time we used it and it worked out pretty well.

This is Matt cheerfully cutting down our tree.

Matt and his friend Kacy showing off their trees. Kacy came with us to get a tree, his wife couldn't come because she wasn't feeling well but we missed her and Katie, their little girl.

Here we are getting ready to pack our tree on top of the X-terra.

We had to go and get Kaiya a new little suit to keep her warm. She reminded me of the little kid on a Christmas Story (I think that's the name of the show) where he is bundled up like a little snow man and could barely move. She was so cute!

This is Jen and Kaiya decorating the tree while Matt worked on homework. Kaiya felt like she was being neglected or left out so I strapped her in the snuggly and we decorated together. She loved the lights and couldn't stop staring at them. She just keeps staring at the tree whenever the lights are on. When we were putting the tree up in the stand the trunk is very skinny and we almost had a catastrophe while putting on the lights. As I was going around the side of the tree with the lights the tree began to tip over and luckily I caught it before it fell to the floor. I think we got it fixed, at least lets hope.

Here we are, our happy little family in front of our decorated tree.

Halloween

The week before Halloween we went over to our friends Ashley and Kacy's house and carved pumpkins. It was very messy but very fun. Kaiya even had a little baby pumpkin even though she is clueless about the whole thing.

For Halloween we went to Twin Falls and had a party with my sisters and my sister Lisa's boys, Benny and Jack. It was fun, Kaiya and I dressed up as spiders and Matt was who else but Indiana Jones. Some guy at the church asked if he was dressed up as Crocodile Dundee, Matt about freaked out when he heard that. It was pretty funny. We had a lot of fun dressing up.

Kaiya and the boys

Kaiya is the first girl cousin on my side of the family and it was really cute to see the boys coo over her when they were here for her blessing. My sister Andrea kept telling my how Carson (top left) was so excited to play with baby Kaiya, we don't think he understood that she is not much fun to play with yet but he was really cute talking to her and trying to get her attention. You can tell that Benny(top right) is a big brother too because he just bundled her up and held her like a pro. It's pretty cute to see how much they love her already.

laughing kaiya

Kaiya always wakes up in the morning giggling so I guess in that sense she is definitely not like her mom. I am not a morning person as most people know but it always makes me laugh to see her giggle in the morning.

Growing baby

Kaiya had to go in for her two month check up (oh my goodness I cant believe my baby is two months old). Anyway she got her first immunizations and these are her battle wounds. She only cried for a few seconds and then she was fine but she was fussy for the rest of the night after that. She tipped the scales at 11 pounds even, so she is getting pretty chubby as you can tell by her cheeks and thighs. She finally outgrew her newborn diapers.

She is starting to get pretty good control of her head. She'll be rolling over before we know it.

Kaiya's blessing

Matt blessed Kaiya at church last Sunday and both of our families braved the weather to come. It was a fun weekend and we were glad everyone was able to make it safely.

My mom and Kaiya

My mom and dad with Kaiya

Matt's Dad, Cheryl and Kaiya

The blessing dress that Kaiya wore was actually my blessing dress that my grandma made 25 years ago. This is my grandma who made the dress.

This is the first time in over a year that all of my siblings have been all together, we were still missing my two older sisters husbands who weren't able to make it.

Matt with his brothers and sister

Twins

Maybe they look more alike than we all thought!

All tired out

Everyone keeps asking how much sleep we're getting or not getting I should say, and I think that these photos give you an idea of how sleep deprived we really are.

Bath time

These are some pictures of Kiaya's first bath, they are kind of old but our internet hasn't worked very well lately some I'm trying to catch up on some pics. She didn't like the bath very well, she hates to be cold! Once she warmed up she was glad to have it over.

Photo shoot

My friend Jen is trying to get into photography and did some practice with Kaiya a couple weeks ago. It was fun and she did a good job even though Kiaya was kinda grumpy that day because she was so tired. These are a few of our favorite shots.

baby kisses

It's amazing how tiny their hands are and how fast they grow

This one's our favorite

We thought she looked like a little porceline doll with her blue eyes in this one

All Smiles

Kaiya has been smiling a lot more lately so I thought we would share a few cute pictures

Getting a tan

The masked avenger is ready for action.

This is when we had to put Kaiya under the light because of her jaundice.

She would only sleep on her side with her hands tucked up by her face.

Independence Lakes

The greatest place to poop in the woods.

This is looking at the first lake coming back down.

Over my left shoulder you can see Mt. Harrison in the back ground.

In the middle you can see the little spillover of water, that is where our camp is. We hiked straight up the slope you see to the left and hiked over to where we are. We had to hike down in the rain because a storm came through.

This is what happens when you don't hike in your boots for a while.

Welcome to the World

Kaiya Diane Smith
14 August 2008