Mexico Part 1: Soraya

So let me preface the following post with saying that, I LOVE being an aunt. You might find that this is evidenced by the amount of photos I took of my new little niece. (And I chose to do the post on her first since I know there are a few anxious Grandpas and Grandmas out there!)

And now ladies and gentlemen...onto our featured presentation: Ms. Soraya Grace! 

She is such a beautiful baby! I wish my camera would have done better at capturing her LOVELY eyes!!! What a keeper!

 Hi, my name's Soraya and I look like my uncle David!

 Now, I interrupt this presentation for a quick mini-series. "Uncle Dan and Niece Soraya".

Turns out, Soraya is kind of fond of her uncle.

This face captures her admiration of him.

  But then, who wouldn't look at someone with a face like that...

Or that....

 

 I'll admit, she liked him more than me...

 Yep, Still with Uncle Dan!

 Sorry Joel and Kristi, he might have taught her a few things...

Now, back to our featured presentation!

Sleeping Beauty!

 She is already turning out to be mommy's helper!

 That or she likes staring at cupboards!

 I love watching the bond between mother and child...its precious!

 All prettied up for our date night! Just Joel & Kristi, Dan & I.....plus the princess!

 The boys really do a great job with her...

 ...Except when this little guy bumps things into her head!

 

 Crossing the border via foot. She was SO good while we stood in line!

 Long feet, long toes!

 

AND...in conclusion, my personal favorite....I think it captures her best!

So pretty!

 

Thanks for humoring your camera-friendly auntie little one! I sure loved being with you!!!

I pray you will grow up to realize that you really ARE a princess! Just like your names means! I know that your mommy and daddy are sure excited to tell you all about it!

Camping...just the two of us

 But, before I begin, a couple of other things....

Had to say goodbye to this little guy AND his momma (and daddy) on the 18th of July. Sad day. Very sad. I'm gonna miss Brady and all the great memories made with his sweet mom, Emily! :(

 Took this picture a while back...it's "Brett's Roses"...they are looking much better thanks to my mother-in-law! (They nearly died...I don't think they liked the climate change very much!)

So onto camping with my man!

First night, we were near Buena Vista in the San Isabel Nat'l forrest. No fires were allowed and since it was already late, we decided to tough it out and only use our camp stove. It POURED that night but we didn't get too cold! 

 The next morning we called around and found that Gunnison Nat'l Forrest were allowing camp fires. Off we went! 

I call it big sky country. :)

 Can you find the fisherman? We stopped to fish along the way...without much success.

 Tincup!

 Just happy enjoying the outdoors and being with each other!

 You can kind of see the beaver house in the pond!

 We attempted Taylor Pass  (near Taylor Reservoir) but turns out, it doesn't go through (due to snow!).

 Second night was spent about ten miles from Taylor Reservoir. That night after we had made supper and cleaned up, Dan and I were sitting by the fire and Dan was playing his mandolin. Suddenly, we saw a HUGE rabbit (a snowshoe hare) hop near our jeep. Then it hopped closer and closer to us. Dan stopped playing his mando and the rabbit hopped away. But, when Dan resumed playing, it came back! There ended up being two hare's that were "charmed" by Dan's music and stayed for quite awhile! It was kind of strange! Guess Snowshoe Hare's like mountain music! 

 I woke up to a note etched in the dirt near the tent door: Me <>< ing (Me fishing) and breakfast slowly cooking by the fire with coffee made! What a dear!

 Making deliciousness!

 Wait! I thought we were in the Rocky Mountains not the Smoky Mountains!

Even though it rained a lot and never got super warm, we really enjoyed our stay in the mountains. As always, it was wonderful to be in God's creation and away from the hustle and bustle of city life!