the shore

Cody, Levi, Tanner - peas in a pod.


My angel.


I'm so happy to have this photo. I purchased this dress at a flea market in Uruguay when Justin's parents were on a mission. It has been worn so much it's now a play dress and it probably won't last much longer. But I think it's the perfect dress for Ellie.


Can't wait till those steps grow out.

Thanks Kelly! She took all of these.

the drama begins

This cracked me up so I need to write it down.

We were driving home from the park where Ellie had been playing with her friend Ellie. She was sulky mood (normally she is very vocal if she is mad) and her shoes were soaking wet.

Ellie: Ellie Pie told me to put my feet in a puddle and I didn't know it was so deep so I did and it got my shoes all wet. I'm so mad at her. She is not my best friend anymore.

Me: Well, maybe she didn't know it was so deep either. It will be okay.

Ellie: No it won't. I'm so mad I feel like Lightning McQueen to the Blue Car (the girl Porche, Lightning's love interest in the movie Cars).

Me: How is that?

Ellie: Like when he says to her, "I am so not taking you to dinner."

early saturday morning

Saturday I woke up at 4:00 am. I got up at 5:00 and surfed the web till 6:00. At that point I thought, "What am I doing? I need to DO somthing!" I went in my bedroom to get dressed for a bike ride but there was Ellie on our floor "wide eyed and bushy tailed" as my mom used to say. She was smiling at me so big and whispered, "Where are you going?" I couldn't resist! I put away my bike shorts and asked her if she wanted to sneak out and go the the beach. We took yogurt, granola and berries and ate breakfast, played soccer and pet a fish a guy caught and then watched him take out the hook and throw it back. When we got back home Justin and Cody were still sleeping which was so "CRAZY!" according to Ellie.


The sand cats (what are they called?) finishing up smoothing out the sand.

raspberries

I wish we could pick little Mille berries instead of raspberries.

new cousin!

Little baby Braden makes four grandkids now! He was born to Brittany (Justin's sis) and Brett on July 3. We can't wait to meet him and squish his cheeks!

happy

This summer has been so much fun for Ellie. The beach, pool and endless friends. Most nights she crashes hard after a long day of playing. That's how childhood should be!




Pictures by Kelly Spence, who got a new camera and I think I might be as excited about it as she is - more of her photos to come!

movie night

summer night checklist:
-snuggle
-eat treats
-see friends
-watch movie (kung fu panda)
-be outside
-stay up late
-repeat every other thursday night!

Brittany and Briley, Jake and Giovanni, Aliesha and Aden

gma nonnie gpa nicol trip

A few pics from the rest of my parents visit. Thank you so much for coming out. It meant a lot to us and we know it was a sacrifice of money, time and sleep!









With a beach so close, it seems kind of silly to drive anywhere!

My dad and I did a 25ish mile ride one day. I wish I could capture the pretty water scenes and beautiful neighborhoods on camera better.

View from ride.

Sunday we had a picnic at Hartshorne park, at a neat little secluded grassy area overlooking the river.

We also toured around the Navasink lighthouses and got this view.

Sunday evening.




Singing and dancing performances from Ellie.



This video probably won't interest too many, just grandparents and Tia Lisa. Hi Lis! Lisa is my mom's youngest sister and the kids love her. Cody called my mom Grandma Lisa the entire trip. The octave changes, "Quiet!" when Justin interrupts, and clearing his throat are too funny. He knows he's being funny but he has to stay serious at the same time.

4th

This 4th of July was extra fun because my mom and dad were here! The day started out with a kids parade. There are so many kids this year anything we do together is pure madness. Ellie was so excited for it though and had fun decorating her bike and Cody's scooter the night before with Grandpa. It was cute to see all the kids dressed up in red, white and blue.




I bought this dress from Orem Fest in 2004 when I was pregnant with Ellie but didn't know yet if she was a girl or boy. It was the first "baby" thing I purchased.

Lots of kids missing in these pics, but here are a few:

Payton, Giovanni, Briley, Walker


Dallin, Luke, Kelty, Clara


Conner, Ellie Pie, McKay, Dana.


Cody sported a mullet and steps to celebrate. I wish I had a better picture of the back of his head, it was long. I cut it off yesterday and got in big trouble from Justin.




While Justin worked, we drove to see some neat neighborhoods near Highlands. We stopped to feed some fish,


and ended up at this random little state park with trails and a neat visitors center. The kids loved it. This bird watching is very serious business.




That night, we met up with everyone on the beach and the guys played football.






Jason, Erin, Levi, and Dana. Cute!


Great fireworks (pic from Kelly). Afterwards we walked home and watched the traffic jam begin from our window. I got up around 2:00 am to help Cody and the cars were still jamming the streets.

my new york find

This is pretty much to only thing I bought in New York last Saturday. When I found it I put away all the other clothes I was thinking of buying and determined that I'd rather have this one item than a bunch of cheaper kids clothes. It's Juicy and the fabric feels like butta'. And it goes perfect with Ellie's haircut, so I really had no choice.

girls day in new york

There was no sightseeing on this trip. We came to shop. And eat. And okay so the last time I drank pop was in October 2007 on a shopping trip in St. George because I had a headache. Just to give you an idea of my pop habits. At the end of the day in New York we were running in the rain to get to Penn Station. We huddled under a hot dog vendors umbrella as we waited for the light to change. Jess bought me a hot dog and a diet coke. Holy crap it tasted so good - I truly understand what all the fuss about Diet Coke is about now! Running through the wet streets of New York, hot dog in one hand, DC in the other: I'm telling you I have never been happier. That drink is dangerous. So, ahem, anyway - about the trip:


Outside of Century 21, where I found Ellie's swimsuit. After shopping here I was hungry so I picked up Jess between my thumb and pointer finger and ate her because I am a giant and that's what giants do.


We stopped at the Kitchenette on recommendation of my sis-in-law Brit but it was too crowded and we weren't that hungry. I got in trouble for taking this picture, too.


Cool store called Muji where I purchsed a nifty pencil and notebook.


Purl stores. They have two stores in Soho - one sells fabric and one sells yarns. I'm not a knitter, yet, but I knew these stores would be eye candy.








We waited 20 min in line to get into the Magnolia Bakery. But as you can see, it was so worth it.


Jess, weren't you supposed to take that one home to Matt?


Baby Dana came with us and did so great. Erin is amazing. She runs circles around us out here with a 2 yr old and a 2 month old. Someday I will have to do a post about her.




The quiet little street where we enjoyed our cupcakes.

At the end of the day we tried to make it to the Garment District to load up on ribbons and fabrics but they close early on Saturdays. We made it to one store where we all bought lots of neat ribbon but we left unsatisfied. Good thing we are only a short train ride away!