Saturday, June 26, 2010

Father's Day

I'm about a week late with this post, but I couldn't just surpass this one! After getting in from our vaca last Saturday, Mark and I had lots to do to prepare for Father's Day. I say Mark, because he helped me with my dad's gift. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of it before I handed it off to my dad! We made all the letters my dad wrote to me on my mission into a book (acutally into 4 books because there were so many). On top of that, I had to finish writing my talk for Father's Day. It was a great welcoming home task, no wonder I had such a strong desire to stay in California! Also, Mark was put in as the Elder's Quorum President Sunday...and as Mark put it, 'We were hit with a double whammy on Sunday!'

It was wonderful at the same time because I invited my dad (and mom and sisters) to our sacrament meeting...so dad could hear the roast I was giving him and so Mark could have some help while I sat up on the stand. It was also special because our stake president is getting released tomorrow and we have loved him very much, and he was able to set Mark apart in his new calling for the last time (very bittersweet).

Upon coming home from church, we snapped the kids some very cute pictures in their Sunday best, it was a very comical time with Maddox especially!



Maddox is a very funny little boy who likes to tease (and be teased). This is his version of posing (like Bryanna!)

Now here he is trying his best to smile, normal!


Some days I blink and I see my first born growing into a young little lady right before my eyes and I want to reach out and stop the clock that instant. Its just not fair how fast kids grow.

And here's to Mark, the bestest dad in the entire world, who works so hard for our family, so I can stay home with the kids. He's a hero in all 4 of our eyes! We love you daddy!

Friday, June 25, 2010

the beach

Well, another great vacation has come and gone. Here's what our week entailed:
Laying out on the beach
Reading good books
Swimming in the ocean
Catching some waves
Eating ice cream
Going out to our favorite spots for dinner
Relaxing, chilling
or just...chilaxin'
Our first day on the beach, Bryanna got right down to business...

Bryanna's favorite cousins wearing matching hats, what adorable cutie pies!

SSSSHHHH, don't tell anyone how cute these girls are!

Baby Cali's first beach trip! This sweet little baby was so good, she kept to her routine and slept through the night. Cali would agree we all had a fantastic trip!


Bryanna was the popsicle queen...seriously!

And getting some smashball action in too!

Maddox was the chocolate milk King!

And Cali was the smile queen, boy did she give us a good talkin' to, telling us all about baby stuff!

The San Clemente beach was our favorite spot. When the kids weren't playing in the sand, they were swinging. And they did a heck of a lot of swinging!

Thank goodness for the older cousins who didn't mind pushing most of the time!

Me, Jamie and Mom....beach bums we are!

Didn't I say we had a queen of smiles on our hands???

The cutest onesie, and very appropriate, too!

these two cousins have developed into the best babysitters ever!

And these two kids had the time of their life!
(You can't tell, huh!)

Our favorite spot for ice cream....yummo!






The guys givin' us a gun show!!

Beautiful babes...and matching, too!


my Nana with all the grandkids...we are so glad Nana and Grandpa decided to come down afterall. Old age ain't for sissies...it took alot of talking to, to get them packed up and in the car.

Jamie and her girlfriends...and the cousins...it was a rockin' good time!

Daddy with his kidlets...it was so nice to see Mark for a consecutive 7 days!! Now that he is Elder's Quorum President, we won't be seeing so much of him, especially on Sundays!

And my favorite view...daddy playing with the kids...all...the...time!

Best of Buds!


Playing chicken with the waves! Maddox was a giggling fool!


Digging for Sand crabs










Princess Cali and her cute little self...she was the best baby (still is)


Also a favorite thing of mine...doing nothing!

buried alive!



Eating inside at Fisherman's Wharf...Mark and I shared some crab legs...it was delicious!
One last picture in front of our favorite spot on earth (besides home)




And so goes the photo session....





Finally, we got a keeper!
And to end the trip we hit the OC swap meet...my personal favorite place to get the best deals on practically everything!
Dad and Grandpa finishing up some carnitas!!
That's all folks...