Oceanside, 2011

It's that time of year again...

We took our annual trip to the beach with my family a couple of weeks ago. It was wonderful. And it was an especially big deal because it was this little guys first time ever. I think he liked it...

Here are a few pictures of the kids having the time of their lives beaching it up. I have said this before and will continue to say it...there's nothing more entertaining and stimulating and just plain fun for kids than a day at the beach. (In my opinon.) They can spend hours digging in the sand and playing in the waves and never get tired of it. Just perfectly content. It's really the best thing ever.

This is Eden and my sister's littly boy, Ryder. They are both three. They had such a great time together and got along amazingly. Not one fight in a whole week together. Pretty impressive for a couple of crazy littler toddlers. :)

Here they are doing some unprompted hand-holding. Cute, huh.

More smiley-baby pictures...
(this baby is absolutely delightful, that's all I have to say.)

No trip to Southern California would be complete without a meal at our favorite Mexican place. El Pollo Maria...

Eden in my brother's hoodie with her Aunt Jess and cousin Allie. She was so well taken care of by my family. It was nice to have the help. :)

My neice Abbie and Luke...

The toddlers on a walk with Grandma and Grandpa...

My parents with their grand kids... A family picture.

My hair always goes wacky in California. Darn humidity.

We took a day off from the beach to go to the San Diego Zoo. It was awesome!

First stop, the flamingos...

Emily on the Skyfari (Tram ride)

We got to watch them feed the elephants...seriously amazing animals...

Eden's face while watching...

More animals...

Our favorite animals were the Pandas. They were so cute they hardly seemed real. Seriously, check out this one eating some bamboo...

The kids loved the zoo. There were so many amazing animals to see. Other favorites were the gorillas, orangutans, lions, tigers, rhinos, and koalas. The koalas came in as a close 2nd in cuteness to the pandas. But my darn camera died by the end so I didn't get any pictures of them. I am so glad we were able to go and experience such an amazing place!

Favorites

I'm feeling almost caught up. Here are just a few of my favorite photos from the last few months. Just random moments that I loved.

This picture makes me happy and sad. Happy because it's just so sweet. They're just so sweet. And sad because babies are only this tiny for such a short amount of time. It goes so fast. I never want to forget my precious little newborn--his sweet tiny head, and body, and hands, and legs (and diaper that seems to be falling off). And his hair! He had so much hair! At least I have proof. :)

My Boys watching the NBA playoffs together. I'm so thankful they have eachother.

My two little ones...

Justin is Eden's BBBE. Best Big Brother Ever!

Emily dancing with Luke. He looks just a little freaked out.

Justin is Luke's BBBE too.

Mohawk! And Karate moves!

My boys again...

Sleeping princess...

This moment had to be documented, Eden never naps so I hardly ever have time to myself like this...

Eden loving her brother...

I like how she's squishing his face while she gives him a smooch

I don't know how a picture can be cute and creepy at the same time. But this one kinda is. Luke fell asleep in his carseat so I left him in there and let him finish his nap in the laundry room. When I heard him waking up I went to get him and saw that he had two new friends taking a nap with him. Eden must've put them there. It looked so funny!

That's it!

Still Catching Up...

Here are some other highlights from the last few months! In my normal life some of these moments/occasions would have a post all their own, but I am still in catch up mode. So here goes:

Justin turned 7!!!

Eden turned 3!!!
Birthday Crown...signed by the whole family...a new tradition I wanted to start. :)

Emily danced...

Eden started sleeping in a toddler bed (she was in her crib a LONG time.)

Luke was blessed...

(Justin made these paper hats for him and Luke-

nothing to do with the blessing, but it was too funny not to share.)

Luke swam for the first time...

We went to Logan (here we are at the zoo)

and Bear Lake...

And most recently...the kids started school.
Justin ready for 2nd Grade!

Emily ready for 4th Grade!

That's it for now! More to come soon. (Hopefully.)