Our trip to the duck pond

Yesterday we took advantage of the beautiful Spring- like weather. Aileah loved seeing the ducks and exploring grass1 sure love this little girl!


They were all paired off. Maybe they knew it was Valentine's Day :)

I love this pic! It totally captures her personality.

Just checking out the duck pond!

A gratuitous cute photo of our little doll!

Yummy Shredded Pork Tacos

This recipe is quick, easy and inexpensive. Oh yeah.... and it is super delicious! I found it in a Cooking Light Cookbook.

1/2 C. chopped onion
1/2 C. water
2 Tbsp. tomato paste
1 lb. pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pkg. taco seasoning
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
8 (6 inch) corn tortillas
2 C. shredded lettuce
1/2 C. reduced fat sharp Cheddar cheese
1/4 C. finely chopped onion
1/4 C. reduced fat sour cream

Combine first 6 ingredients in an electric slow cooker. Cover and cook on low 6 hours. Stir in cilantro.
Warm tortillas according to package directions. Spoon 1/4 C. pork mixture with 1/4 C. lettuce, 1 Tbsp.. cheese, 1 1/2 tsp. finely chopped onion, and 1 1/2 tsp. sour cream. Fold tacos in half.
Makes 4 servings (2 tacos each)

The greatest gift I have received

I couldn't find a more recent family photo. Sadly. it's missing the Mercers.

This time of year it is easy to get wrapped up in all the gift giving ( and receiving). Tom, Aileah, and I went to see the lights at Temple Square and I was struck with the feeling of being abundantly blessed! We have had our share of worries and struggles but what a great life I have. I am married to my best friend. I have an adorable, sweet, healthy baby girl. Tom and I have jobs. I have a family who loves and supports me through anything.
I have received so many wonderful gifts throughout my life. But by far the greatest was from my loving elder brother, who gave his life so I could repent of my sins and return to my Father in Heaven. He made it possible for me to be with those I love through eternity. I could not imagine a more wonderful gift!

Lesson from a sunflower

Recently I learned an interesting fact about sunflowers. Why are sunflowers called sunflowers? Is it because they look like the sun? Nope. It is due to the fact that they will follow the sun throughout the day. As the sun moves across the sky the head of the flower will turn to face the light. This little tidbit of info has me thinking. I want to be more like a sunflower!
How do I react to trials, disappointments, and frustrations? Do I dwell on all the negatives or do I look to all the blessings I have been given? Sadly, it is so easy to think about how bad things are or about how you wish things were. But from this day on I will become a sunflower. I will look for and follow the light in my life... because I have been truly blessed by a loving Heavenly Father. And that is what I will choose to search out from here on out, rainy days and all.

The most wonderful time of the year!!!!

I just love this little face... even when she's crying!

Simply adorable!

Sweet tooth, already? Must be half Andes :)

The Skywalker Family Halloween 2009

The adorable Princess Leia

Aileah at 4 months... a little old now :>

Corn Maze at Pumpkinland!

Eating rice cereal for the first time.

No... not Christmas, although that is a pretty great time of the year! I'm talking about the Fall. I absolutely love it!!! This year has been a wonderfully long Autumn. Yay! It really is the most wonderful time of the year.

Aileah is growing so fast! She's 5 months now. She has rolled over a few times... but now refuses to do it anymore. She amazes me everyday with the things she is doing. She loves to play peekaboo, suck on her toes, give cuddles, and look at books. She is usually such a happy, smiley, giggly baby. What a blessing she is in my life.

A bit of happy news to pass on... we are moving!!! Just to Provo... but it is a bigger and newer place. We started looking a couple weeks ago in the hopes of finding a place that will work for a preschool. So I will be starting one up in the fall. Please pray for us that things work out the way we are hoping! I am excited and nervous. But things fell into place so quickly and easily that it must be the Lord's plan for us. My question is... why do we keep moving in December? Our third move that wonderfully warm month.

My baby is 4 months?!

My smiley little girl!

She loves her gym... sometimes :)

My sister, Tiffany, came for a visit from Georgia.
Unfortunately, this was how Aileah was feeling
for most of the time she was visiting. Sorry, Tiff!

Aileah with 5 of her cousins... all the grandkids
on the Andes side. Aren't they super cute?!

Where does the time go? I can't believe Aileah will be turning 4 months on Sunday! I can't believe I haven't blogged since August! I am so grateful to have this cute, happy (yes, guys, she really is happy sometimes) little girl come to our family. Here is a run down on what she's been up to the last little while.

• She hates tummy time and so decided to roll over to her back. She did this 4 times in one day... but not again since.
• She loves, loves, loves blowing raspberries. A very wet, new development.
• She loves to play, grab, and suck on her feet.
• She is sucking her thumb lots. Not a Binky girl anymore.
• She laughs... really laughs. It is adorable.
• She rubs her eyes with the back of her hand when she's falling asleep.
• She usually cries when we go visit someone at their home. Not so fun... but I promise she is a happy girl at home. Sorry not everyone gets to see that :(
  
• She finally fits into "newborn" shoes... but still kicks them off.

Just a few of the things she does that makes me smile everyday. I love being a mom! She was definitely worth the wait!

Hiking= good, clean fun!

On Tuesday my sister, Valerie, invited our little family to go on a "hike" to Devil's Kitchen in the Nebo Loop. It was a nice little stroll down the path to the overlook. It was a beautiful view of red rocked formations. It was a really short walk... but the drive and company were fabulous! Thanks for letting us tag along Mendozas!
Today I decided we needed to hike Donut Falls in Big Cottonwood canyon. Neither Tom nor I have been up to Big Cottonwood. It was so beautiful! We are looking forward to more hiking trips up there! Here are a few pics from our hikes.
Our little sun worshipper!

This is near the Donut Falls trailhead. The

falls are much bigger... and very popular!