Turning 1...

Reflecting on a year gone by can be quite eye opening. My pregnancy with Coco was easy, until the day I stopped by the hospital for a quick test before going to the gym & was admitted 15 minutes later.... I was in labor and was contracting every 2-3 minutes! What! How could I not know... Well, I think somewhere in my subconscious I did know that something was wrong. I was getting nudges from angels to get some help before this little baby was born WAY too early. Too many things fell into place too easily to protect this baby for it to be a coincidence. That week I spent in the hospital, doing all we could to convince this beautiful baby to stay put changed me. I couldn't grasp the seriousness of having a preemie since this was my first baby but now looking back, I know how blessed we are to have dodged that bullet. During that week I felt angels around us, we were being taken care of. My parents had been planning to spend the 4th of July holiday with us in Park City, so I was lucky to have them there while I was in the hospital. My dad was able to give me a blessing, a very special blessing. I knew we would be ok. After a touch and go couple of days I was released 7 days after being admitted and sent home on bed rest.... my worst nightmare! But, I would do anything to have a healthy baby. I was able to carry her full term and she was born on September 4th 2008 in the afternoon. She surprised us in so many ways, wanting to come early then going full term, being a GIRL (Ben and I were convinced we were having a boy but were waiting to find out), those big blue eyes... Reflecting back to that experience makes me realize again how blessed we are to have such a sweet, beautiful, healthy baby and such a great family that loves and supports us.

We LOVE you Coco!! Happy Birthday sweet girl.

We had a fun party for Coco on September 5th at the Hi-Ute Cabin. My Parents, brothers and sister Kami and her kids were able to come down to celebrate with us. We were also so excited to have Ben's sister Sara and her family surprise us by making the drive from their new home in Boise to help us celebrate. Grandma's and Grandpa's, Aunties and lots of cousins along with a few great friends. Thanks for joining us for the fun! Coco loved every minute of all the attention!

The Carlsons

Coco with her Grandpa's and pushing her friend Saylor in her new wagon..

Getting ready for her CAKE!

August Evenings...

Steph's Wedding

My sister Stephanie married Cameron Orr on August 15th. They had a very beautiful wedding at the Rim River Ranch in Teton Valley. The location was ideal, it was only a 15 minute drive from my parents house and the views of the Tetons were amazing. This is a Greg Norman signature golf course and residential community. The wedding and reception were held at the beautiful overlook lodge. The morning and afternoon were cool but sunny and they were able to make it through the entire ceremony before the rain & thunder came in. It was actually really amazing to watch the storm roll in through the ceremony and made for some pretty spectacular pictures. Steph looked Gorgeous! We were just glad she was feeling good since she was in the hospital with a mysterious illness only days before. It was nice to see a lot of people from my childhood and spend time with my family. When we were driving back to my parents that night there was a full rainbow in the sky. I took that was a good omen for the days events :)

Mommys little helper..

Buehners in Utah!!

It was a pretty quick weekend get together but a whirlwind none the less! Lagoon, lake day, time at the ranch, Park City dinners... I only have a couple pictures since I didn't have my camera but here are a few... Always so much fun to spend time together!

Ancestors?

We found this old family photo the other day. It was so fun to see the resemblance in our relatives from the old west...

Schwendiman Family Reunion: July 31-Aug 2

It is definitely a family tradition for us! This year we rented the Squirrel Creek Ranch just outside of Ashton Idaho, on the way to Island Park. It was a lot of fun to see everyone, especially the kids. We did have a pretty good turn out but missed the ones who weren't able to make it this year!
We went a day early and spent the night at the cabin on Henry's. Coco had fun climbing the stairs and exploring new territiory! Ben was able to paddle on the lake and almost got blown away. At one point I was on the deck frantically searching the lake for Ben after I realized the wind had picked up (it was blowing so hard the patio furniture was getting turned over) I was holding Coco and saying "where's daddy" and everytime I said that she would say "ah ohhh" If I wasn't so worried about Ben it would have been pretty funny! He ended up getting to shore and walked back with his board & paddle on his head and bare feet. Crazy guy! Squirrel Creek is really close to the southwest corner of yellowstone and Cave Falls. I went to girls camp just a few miles from her as well. It is a really beautiful area, we were able to hike around Cave Falls and up to Bechler Falls, the trail goes right along the river. It was an easy hike but really cool. We will look forward to getting together next year!

10 months old & full of mischief already!