So Much Has Happened...

Holy Smokes! It has been a long time since I have posted anything new. School ended in a flurry with the play, the move, and graduation. I was so honored to have had the opportunity to speak at this year's graduation. I will always have very fond memories of Dugway. It was so challenging at times but I will always love our friends in the community and my students.

We were blessed this summer to live with my sister Kristina. She let us hang out at her house and we helped her with her recovery from heart surgery. The best part of living there was being able to be so close to all of my family.



Over July 4th we went to Colorado for our first Ferriola Reunion of sorts. We had ten days to play and we had a wonderful time! We spent the first few days up near Rocky Mountain National Park and then spent the rest of the time in Denver.

We had a little something in the way of three birthday parties!!! On Monday of Bella's birthday week we went up Santaquin Canyon with my family. We roasted hot dogs and had cupcakes galore. On Tuesday we met with her birth family in the park. Her birth mom gave her a darling little dress and Bella was so good even though we hadn't seen them in a while. Then on Saturday we celebrated her birthday in the mountains with Shawn's family. She was not so enthralled with the cake but she loved (and I loved) her gifts.

A little hike to Angel Falls.

Aunt Gina. Bella doesn't like grass on her legs...can you tell?

Go Rockies! She loved it! Everyone was cheering and yelling and she played right along!

Words That Start with "M"...

March Madness

This is a little glimpse into our life during March Madness. Daddy's eyes are glued to the TV and the girls need to find something else to do. We decided that maybe Daddy would pay attention to us if we began our own game of b-ball.

Monkeys

We now have a crawler/scooter/swimmer who has decided that it would be fun to start pulling herself up. Oooo! She is delightful and busy.

Happy Easter!!!

Massachusetts

(This picture has actually nothing to do with this category. Perhaps it is foreshadowing our future!)

In January we applied to a graduate program at Smith College in Massachusetts. Shawn has been accepted and he will be an assistant coach with the volleyball team. We are completely pumped, and a bit anxious! We think this is an amazing opportunity and we are so excited to jump into this crazy life change!

We're In Love!

On January 25th we were able to go to court to finalize Isabella's adoption. It was less scary and more intimidating than I thought it would be. We are so grateful for her birth parents and their selfless and difficult gift!

Her beautiful dress is a gift from her birth-great-grandmother. We received it in the mail soon after she was born.

We were sealed on Saturday, January 30th in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple.
It was a beautiful day!

Bella was blessed by her dad on Sunday, January 31st. We had an AMAZING week!

Happy Holidays!

I am a slacker. I know, but take a gander at this beautiful girl!

A Turkey? Me???

We had breakfast with Santa. She was exhausted but liked his beard.

Our pseudo-Christmas morning on the 22nd. We tried to incorporate all of the holiday traditions but she needed a snack before we could celebrate.

I loved how her eyes lit up when the toys she received lit up and made noise. Her face is worth the annoyance.

We hope that you all had a wonderful holiday season!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

She is a strawberry. Her top says "Strawberry Kisses"

We hope your day was great!

We struggle with keeping our baby warm! Here are a couple different tries.

This was her first snow storm! She loves it!

She is rolling from her belly to her back, giggling, and chattering. She is so dang fun!

Fall Days

Just this morning, Bella and I relished in the joys of Fall. She was still in her sleeping bag jammies and I slapped on a sweatshirt to go on a morning stroll. As we started in my premeditated destination, her stroller began to roll through the leaves that have scattered all over the road and sidewalk. I couldn't help but smile. I love the sound of crunching leaves. I love it!

I could've...should've taken a picture of us this morning. We were a layered and entirely uncoordinated pair. We loved every minute of it! As we walked, additional leaves fell over us.

Things I love about this time of year:

Bella's sleeping bag jammies. They are amazing.

The brisk chill in the air.

Oranges, Browns, Reds, and Creams

I love the beginning of school. I love new school supplies. I love the opportunity for a new beginning. ("Opportunity" is our family theme this year.) Bella is very loved by our students and our community-so we try to give back by displaying her support and cuteness.



Of all of the sports that I am required to watch, volleyball is my favorite.



We, Bella and I, really love him. We love to watch him in his element.




I love the natural beauty of change. Change is good. Change is welcome.

***Big congrats to The R House!***

12 Weeks

It's not so bad to start the day when this is the face that greets you in the morning!

Her temperment is so sweet.

We like to talk and smile together in the mirror. This was my attempt to catch that! She is incredibly gorgeous and we can't get enough of her.