Speedy Quick Phone Picture Blitz

I think it's time I realize rounding the corner into late October that I may never catch up from our summer of fun here on the blog...So I'm setting out to do what I always do in this case, a phone photo blitz! OK, Summer, we had cousins to stay, hiked the Y, went to the pioneer village in Provo and generally traveled in a pack around Y town.

I planned a princess party for Audrey's dance school over at the Old Grist Mill. It was a great success and we're hoping to make an annual fundraising event! I was even able to book a horse and carriage!  More princess pictures, time at the pool, sidewalk art chalk festivals, buying flowers ( that I of course killed, hey, I tried) and Audrey gearing up to be our Trekker!  More pictures from hiking the Y and some from father's day chaperoned at the zoo for Elle's class and let Reese play hookie to come along, went to Lagoon, Audrey helped at a friend's birthday party and played the ballerina princess while teaching  basic dance moves = totally adorable, Elle graduating kindergarten, loosing teeth left and right, Reese wrapping up his Comp soccer season with a championship win! Elle eating pizza as big as her head, Audrey's spring ballet performances, Reese's Utah projects at the end of the school year including showcasing his square-dancing! I colored Audrey's hair and it was a big success and I've continued to be on The Daily Dish and Good Things Utah over at ABC 4  The 4th of July was great, we watched the fireworks in Grantsville and they were better than ever! We tried to climb much more this summer, taking different friends along for the ride and our kids are really getting good! And That's just some of the stuff we've been doing over the summer! Fall Photo blitz to follow!  

The Day a Princess Got Married

Whoa.... how does time fly like this? I know with my own kids time goes by way too fast and with my nieces and nephews time seems somehow to whiz by at an even faster pace! This is Jessica - she is the little sister that I didn't have. She was born at the end of my sixth grade year and I've loved her ever since. She got married back in May and I of course am finally getting settled enough from summer to catch up. At any rate, we are all so proud of her and the woman she's become. The dress by the way...is the one she loved from the start - it had to be altered to be right -  but right it was because just look at it!! She looked so lovely.

I felt so lucky to be able to see her in the temple before she came out to greet her adoring crowd...

Lots of family, especially all these cute cousins there to support the newlyweds! It was a great day. As previously posted, my grandma was able to attend before she passed away adding to the store of  memories for each of us to hold dear. Also in attendance was our great-Aunt Gaye, my Grandma Livingston's sister. I always love seeing her especially because she resembles my late grandma so much. On the Sign in table there was a picture of Jessica now and a picture of her when she was 8 or 9 after she caught the bouquet at my wedding! So cute.

Beautiful day, Beautiful shoes!! :)

We're so happy for these two! Mark, her new husbsand is amazing and we couldn't have hoped for anyone better. We know he'll take great care with our sweet girl! Speaking of royalty I feel like I need to add that I too am so grateful for my sweet hubby. He makes me feel like the queen of our house and I'm so thankful to have someone as amazing and loving as he is. 

 

One of the Greats

Recently I wrote a post about my Grandma and also included my Mom and my Sister. If you missed it, you can see my sentiments Here. I'm so glad I had the chance to witness her at my niece Jessica's wedding and I'm forever grateful for her amazing example of optimism, humor, grace and class. The world lost one of the greats. I hope to not offend anyone with my pictures from the day of her funeral but to honor her and her memory and share some of our experience. Of course our entire family gathered to mourn Grandma, and not just mourn but mostly to celebrate her amazing life and legacy. Although there was sadness, there was joy and comfort taken in our belief of God's Plan for us after this life. We love Grandma dearly and can't wait to see her again someday. She was buried at the family plot in Holden UT along with her husband, Parents, Grandparents and GreatGrandparents. It was really neat to be there and see such a family legacy.

Here are many of her great grandchildren. Family was always number one for Grandma. She was always telling each of us how much she "just loved" us and that she was "just thrilled" to see us.

Over the last couple of years, I've had the chance to visit Grandma in her assisted living and nursing care facilities. I liked to help her bust out once in a while to get some fresh air and see the sights. She's always so full of love for life and I really enjoyed every chance I had to be with her. She was absolutely beautiful, always has been and always will be. Not many 94 year olds look that good!

 

We know that you are having a ball up in Heaven with your many sisters, brothers, friends and ancestors. God be with you til we meet again. We love you, Always. Thank you for being our Grandma.

She Had Birthday, Shout Hooray

Although this post is VERY belated... and the blog seems to be increasingly difficult to keep up on - we still need to document the arrival of an official TEENAGER in our house!!! The time is going by so fast I don't even know what to think, other than I'm so proud to have such a beautiful, good, sweet daughter who is growing into such an interesting fun, (and funny) person. Audrey we love you so much!
Elle and Reese were troopers to get up before Audrey had to go to school just to be there when she opened her presents. She's normally gone by 7:15 for the bus so it was bright and early! Sam was out of town in the morning but she got a call from her Daddy to start her day. Also pictured here... the wreckage that follows the presents!

Audrey's birthday also happened to land on the last day of school so her cute friends came home with her to celebrate. Such a good group of girls.

 
There seems to be a fascination with moustaches going on around here. I bought Audrey a big pack full of them so the girls deemed the party "The moustache party"

And continued to wear them to Olive Garden. They got what every teenage girl probably wants - a lot of attention! Haha, plenty of people had a comment for them that day!

 Ah the carefree days of youth! :)
 

Cali-fun-ia!

Oh California.....How I love to think I could live there. In reality, I don't know when the crowds and pollution and all things negative would catch up to me, but for now, I feel like it's almost a perfect place. I think the ocean plays a big part in that feeling. No matter what we have planned for ourselves - we can always be guaranteed that our time at the beach will be the highlight. It's just like no other place.

Everybody's going surfin... surfin USA! In Newport Beach

 

 La Jolla is another one of our favorites

 

  Sam's best friend from his highschool years lives right on the beach in Newport and was nice enough to take us all out and try boogie-boarding or surfing. That water was COLD. But fun we still had! Also, I was tired of asking Sam to take pictures with me in them- so for the beach trips, I decided to just turn the camera on myself and forget the rest - but yes, for futures sake/proof- I was there! :)  We had one night eating out at a gorgeous place near Balboa Island with a friend of Sam's. The kids were on their best behavior (despite the open flame right next to the table, that I half expected Reese to launch his napkin into.., which he didn't - thankfully) They really enjoyed all the adventurous food options and I was super proud. One of those great gems that actually all turns out! Way to go kiddos! It was a beautiful night.

 

Last but never least - The San Diego Temple! My ultimate favorite. Always so amazing to drive up to. I really hope that the amazing spirit there will rub off on my kids and stay with them forever. What a gorgeous place. Till next time!
  

We Heart Sea World!

For Spring Break we took a little jaunt to California and bravely resisted our kids' chanting to go to Disneyland in hopes of avoiding the large Spring break crowds. Our decision to go to Sea World was a great one not just because some of our friends spent 4 hours at Disney only to go on 2 rides but also because Sea World is one of my most favorite places. That and of course the animals which were, as always, completely amazing.

 

 

   

 

Freezing cold after the rapids ride, but they still loved it enough to keep doing it! 

Happy Father's Day to the Best Daddy and Grandpas we could ask for!!