"crash bandicoot"

Bridgette has proven her toddler-self "crash bandicoot" worthy this summer.  When she gets an idea in her head, she goes at it full force with no fear.  She has discovered the joys of climbing on top of the coffee table or kitchen chairs to do a dance, going down stairs/steps full speed like a 5 year old, or spinning in circles so fast that she can only crash to the floor, just to name a few.  She's had two swollen lips, a few goose eggs on her forehead, and a gash on her knee that reopens everyday as she runs/falls/runs/falls, etc.  I feel like people must look at her and think I don't keep my daughter out of danger, but I know it comes with the age and when a child has as much energy as Bridgette does, it's bound to happen.

Mother's Day :)

Who needs a pool when we can just run through the sprinklers?!?

Checking out the new helicopter at the hospital

Next on our list of adventures is going to Michigan in mid-August.  We will be driving out to see family and to finally meet Baby Grodi!!!  In the mean time, we will stay busy with our over-flowing garden and playing on play dates at the park.

we ♥ the outdoors

The best thing about not having grown up in Utah is that every adventure Bridgette experiences for the first time, is my first time too.  In April, Than planned a day trip for us to go trilobite hunting out past Delta.  He hadn't been there since he was a kid and us girls had never been, so we were all pretty excited.

Bridgette is such a good sport with all our crazy ideas, and most times we are the ones trying to keep up with her!  I told Than on our most recent hike up the Price Recreation Camp in Price Canyon, that nothing I grew up doing in Michigan could have prepared me for the adventures I would be going on as an adult.  As much as I miss being within walking distance to a lake, or not being able to see the end of a street because of how many trees line the roads, I can't get over how beautiful Utah is especially when hiking through the mountains.

Princess Tea Party

Each year the high school Drill Team does a Princess Tea Party fundraiser.  While Bridgette didn't quite understand the concept, she got some great souvenirs, ate some cupcakes, and we got some nice pictures.  I'm sure next year she'll have a much more fun experience.  

Rapunzel

Belle

Tinkerbell sprinkled pixie dust on her!

Snow White

Posing with 3 of her cousins

Our princess Bridgette Disney!  She received the tiara and wand as souvenirs.

Tiana

Cinderella

The Fairy Godmother

Walking to Ariel (Bridgette's Aunt Madison)

Prince Charming

Bridgette turned One!

Bridgette celebrated her first birthday with a Minnie Mouse party.  We had lots of family in attendance and Bridgette enjoyed opening her presents and eating her big cupcakes!

BIRTHDAY GIRL!

She loves to "read" and a new book is her favorite thing!

I was so happy with how the cupcakes turned out, so cute!

Happy Birthday to Bridgette!  She is such a ball of energy, she is always on the go and keeps us on our toes.  She is so fun to watch as she learns new things.  Thanks again to all who helped us celebrate this special day!

Happy 2013!!!

We had a great end of the year with Christmas celebrations and a visit from my mom and grandma from Michigan.  Bridgette learned how to walk just a few days before Christmas.  She is still getting the hang of it, but she's determined and I'm sure will have it down in no time!  Now we await Bridgette's birthday next week...I cannot believe she is going to be one already!!!  ( I feel like there is an overload of Bridgette pictures in this post.  This will just prepare you all for my next post which will be of her birthday...expect LOTS of pictures on that one!  haha)

Bridgette in awe meeting Santa at the Norton Family Christmas party

Getting comfortable in her new car seat

 Christmas packages from Michigan!!!

Ugly sweater party

Bridgette loves her farm toy from Santa!

This picture was rather once in a lifetime!  Bridgette with her 5 grandmas... (back) Great Grandma Woodward and Grandma Woodward (middle) Great Grandma Norton (front) Grandma Rittinger, Bridgette, and Great Grandma Jacobs

Getting her excited for her first trip to Disneyland in October 13'

Lounging around...it's not too often that she will just sit still for more than 5 seconds.  haha

Bridgette's Favorite Things

At 9 1/2 months old, Bridgette definitely has some favorite things...

 Bridgette would spend hours standing in front of this mirror if we let her.  She loves talking to the "other baby" and gets so animated that she has managed to break the mirror off the door a few times.

 We try to skype with Grandma and Grandpa Rittinger as often as possible.  Bridgette will show them how she plays with her toys and then crawls to the couch to pull herself up to see them.

We are a little sad with cooler weather coming in because Bridgette LOVES to be outside.  Most days we go for walks and sit in the grass and play.

Some other favorites not shown include:  

Bath time!  Some days I'm tempted to give her 3 baths in one day because I know it is one absolute thing that will make her happier.

Baby Einstein!  We usually let her watch baby einstein when she gets done with lunch and dinner.  She never stops smiling the entire time she watches it.  

Andee dog!  Bridgette is constantly looking for Andee, her toys, or her food.  And when Andee notices she is getting attention, she'll play right into it.  Andee can get her to laugh more than anyone else.

We are so proud of our little girl and can't believe how she's grown!  She has cut 5 teeth in just over a month and has been handling it very well.  She keeps us on our toes by crawling everywhere and getting into everything! 

We ❤ Fall

We've had a lot of fun so far this fall.  It's our favorite time of year, when things start cooling down and slowing down.  

In early October, I was able to quit my job with JCPenney and now I stay home with Bridgette, this has been a nice blessing for our family!  Than is now working during the day at the Parkdale Health and Rehab Center here in Price as the Marketing Director.  He is really enjoying working for Parkdale and his time working with the community to help get Parkdale's name out in the community.  He is still working nights at the sleep lab so we take time to enjoy every minute the three of us have together!

Bridgette's first time playing in the leaves 

   Trick or Treating at Parkdale

Than got another deer this year and we have a freezer full of meat!

We are looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas, being able to decorate our home and have extra time with family.