Baldy...

{Ruby bald then ( at about three months)...and still bald now!}

Last night at Hugh's soccer game Ruby was running around with two little kids we hadn't met before. I had a brief conversation with the cute 7-year-old girl that went something like this. Keep in mind her hair was cut into a very short bob.

Cute girl: Hi, I just donated my hair to locks of love.

Me: Oh, that is so kind of you.

Cute girl: (pointing to Ruby) I hope she gets it.

Me: (trying very hard not to laugh) Well, thank you.

I'm still laughing about this.

This Summer's a Thief...

Before I could barely blink, time has disappeared and little Miss Ruby has left her baby days behind and has decided to become a kid. How and when did this happen?

Ruby has become a little hiker, and actually does quite well walking on her own much of the time. She LOVES rocks...especially stepping on the big ones and putting little ones in her pockets.

Ruby is VERY good at applying make-up before we go out for the day. I'm trying to emphasize that less is more...we're working on it. (*she put my mascara on one day while I was at work...Hugh said he suddenly realized it was really quiet and found her hard at work in the bathroom.) Seriously, though, Ruby is teaching me that she is ALWAYS watching...and is quick to mimic what she sees!

Ruby is obsessed with putting on these shoes that were her cousin Astrid's. And not only does she like putting them on herself...she often insists that these are the shoes she wears. "I wan Asis shoes" she says in her cute little voice. I'm impressed that she has become quite good at putting them on by herself...it helps if she sticks her tongue out while doing it (much the same as her dad does while playing soccer).

Ruby is also sleeping in her very own big girl bed! She loves it...especially because she can get out of it and crawl into our bed early in the morning. I love seeing her little bald head, through my groggy morning eyes, waiting to be scooped up and plopped in-between Hugh and I. She doesn't miss her crib one bit, but I do...because it really means Ruby is not a baby anymore. (She does still enjoy a nice bottle of milk...maybe I should tell her big kids don't drink out of bottles?)

All this is giving me growing pains. I thought I was done growing?

Goodbye BYU soccer...

{Ruby and Smee on the field after Drew's last home game}

BYU soccer is a BIG part of the Van Wagenen family. All four of the VW boys played on the team. Drew (Hugh's youngest brother) just finished his last season with the cougars. BYU soccer has been such a fun thing for our family....a time for all of us to be together, watch a little soccer, and cheer on our team. Hugh was even able to do commentating for some of the games broadcasted on BYU TV. I am going to miss going to Provo to watch these games...enjoying the beautiful summer evenings with the mountains as the perfect backdrop. Ruby will miss running underneath the bleachers with her cousins, collecting rocks.

Animation anyone?

Hugh and I have a love for animated films. We find the humor in them very funny, and often find that much of the dialogue is geared for the enjoyment of adults (well, that's what we tell ourselves.) Last night we went to see "Despicable Me" with Steve Carrell as "Gru's" voice....HILARIOUS! We loved it. Sitting next to Hugh, relishing in this fun little film, I realized that seeing these movies without Hugh wouldn't be half as much fun. It's fun laughing together. I've decided that animated films are kind of a hobby to us :). Even Ruby joins in the family fun and likes her own share of recent animated films (Kung Fu panda, The Bee Movie, Up, Cars, Princess and the Frog, Toy Story). Not to mention, she enjoyed munching on popcorn with us as we watched "Despicable Me" last night.

I think we realized how much we love animated films when we borrowed "UP" back in January from Hugh's dad. After watching "UP" as a family one night, all three of us (well four if you count little Hughie in my belly) cuddled up in our bed, we fell in love with it. Ruby was hooked! We proceeded to watch "UP" over and over again...funny thing is, it never got old. We were still on our "UP" kick when Hughie came. A couple weeks ago at work, I walked into my patient's room and she was watching "UP". I hadn't seen it for awhile (we gave the movie back to Hugh's dad) and I was totally caught off guard when I found myself suddenly overcome with emotion. Memories of watching "UP" with Ruby and being pregnant with Hughie rushed into my head. Tears welled in my eyes and all I wanted to do was sit in that room and watch "UP" and pretend I was still pregnant with Hughie, waiting for him to come. Because of this connection, this movie will always have a special place in my heart. If you haven't seen it, rent it....and check out "Despicable Me" you won't be sorry.

Capitol Reef

{Day Two}

Our second night camping, we did an evening hike. Ruby started out asleep. Doesn't she look so comfy?

The setting sun made for some dramatic lighting and shadows. It was beautiful.

We woke up the next morning to this sleeping beauty.

Our last hike before making the drive home, was to the Hickman Bridge. Ruby started out grumpy, and only

wanted to go if Monkey and her blanket could come too. Guess who won that battle?

Enjoying the scenery at the bridge...Ruby was ready to get out and explore.

When we found this little nook, Hugh ordered me to get up there and do a spiderman pose.

Me being the great wife that I am obliged, and while trying to find my footing I realized what a wuss I am.

I was SURE I was going to fall flat on my face. Needless to say, Hugh found my wimpyness comical.

Hugh so patiently let Ruby hike back from the bridge.

Ruby LOVED it!

That's all folks! {Ruby's been on a Looney Toons kick lately, thanks to her dad}

Family Camping...Capitol Reef

{Day One}

Setting up camp and eating. PB&J for lunch...yummy scones {made by dad} for breakfast.

First hike in Capitol Gorge

So beautiful and very hot!

Ruby enjoying the scenery from her backpack. Her cute pink hat was given to her by two darling Belgian kids who were camping right next to us. They really took to Ruby.

Not quite sure why Ruby looks so grumpy in this family photo?

Taking a break for some lunch and exploring.

Cooling off in the Fremont River which ran right next to our campsite.

Ruby loved playing in the River...didn't seem to mind how cold it was.

Hanging out at our campsite and Ruby playing with her Belgian pals. These two kids were so cute and polite. The little boy said he liked Americans because they are so helpful. Glad he has a good impression of us :)

This sums up our first night and day....more fun to come!

This land was made for you and me

{Capitol Reef, UT...I just visited last week for the first time...it was breathtaking!}

I feel fortunate to live among such beautiful landscapes. Happy Birthday America!

On your mark....get set...GO!

Lately, Ruby likes to race. She crouches on the ground and repeats with us...on your mark, get set, go...and then races off. Here Ruby and Hugh are set to go for a little hike we did while in Park City. Ruby likes racing off with those little legs of hers...but surprisingly sat quite content in her carrier while we hiked. Even fell asleep for a bit.

{enjoying the beautiful green mountains and clear blue sky...and eating a little PB&J}

Ruby even got TWO carousel rides out of our little trip. Don't be fooled by her stoic little face...she loved every minute!

Just another summer day

...doing some shopping and running through the fountains at gateway. Gotta love strutting around in your swimsuit and fancy sandals!

It's hard work being 18 months old...

{Ruby in deep concentration drawing her "fishies"}

But someone's got to do it...

{She needs markers these days...crayons just don't get the job done!}

i scream...

you scream...

we all scream...

for ice cream!

{Ruby enjoying a chocolate shake on Memorial Day}

I bought ice cream sandwiches the other day (Hugh came with me, I blame him). It was more economical to buy the 36 pack...less than 10 cents per ice cream goodness. I won't even reveal how many sandwiches I've eaten since the purchase...big mistake. Ruby's making out big though, I always justify eating one if I share it with her....she caught on how to take BIG bites :). So glad its summer!