L.A. County Fair

Today we got to go to the L.A. County fair... compliments of Aunt Kelsey! SCORE!!! Although reaching temperatures in excess of 102, and drudging along in a worn out prego body pushing 3 kids and a stroller equivalent of 115lbs all afternoon.... It was a fun day!

Brooklyn in the petting zoo.

The coolest eyes on the llama.

Once Aunt Kelsey introduced riding the sheep, she would select other varieties of goats and sheep that she wanted to also ride.

Kamryn concerned that she just witnessed a bowel movement of one of the animals. Ewe Gross!!!

Cute little Urban- trooper with his teething

Best buddy cousin Wyatt, who mostly had to be holding either Morgan or Tyler's hands at all times, or up in their faces suggesting where we needed to go next with full enthusiasm and excitement. The piggy races was his favorite and one he looked forward to all day to share with us, since it didn't start til 1pm and we got there at 9:30. He suggested it several times as we tried to decide where to go next. It wouldn't have been the same experience without his energy. So cute!

Morgan was exceptionally helpful with keeping tabs on Wyatt, Tyler, and Kamryn... which made the trip way more enjoyable for the moms! Love this girl and her patience with the little ones!

Tyler and Wyatt held hands most of the walk out of the fair

Grand Finale

Tyler told me afterwards to please not bring him back to this part of the fair next time. The Jurassic display, although very impressive, also very frightning and in need of much reassurance as we walked through it.This stood at least 10 ft tall. Very scary!

Hopefully no nightmares tonight.

This last weekend we went Beach Camping for the first time with our kids. It was a great first-time experience, and one we plan to start doing annually. We had lots of fun friends we got to joing along with, and scored an awesome campsite and great fun.

The veiw from our campsite

Jared axe-ing his hand with the WORSTE tent stakes into what seriously seemed to be concrete ground... very fun for him. He claimed it killed him, twice. Once going in, and the 2nd time taking them out. One guy we were with broke like 6 stakes in his tent set-up.

Just Us

Brooklyn and her buddy Aiden- and the beloved doggy, riding in the "bucky" -Bucky means buckle, and because the wagon had a seat with a buckle strap... the whole wagon was known as "bucky." She would have rode and rode all day long. When it wasn't her turn she would follow the wagon with tears yelling "bucky... bucky!"

Tent troops and air mattress jumping... most definitely entertaining!

Tyler Signing off.

Nighty night little sleeping bag buddies. Surprisingly enough, Brooklyn went right down in her pack'n play and Morgan and Tyler slept through the night.

Great Sunset

Rise'n shine at 5:45 AM.... Thanks choo choo train!!! (One unfortunate part of the nightime, was a train that went off just below our campsite about every hour.) As you can see Daddy in the background was not interrested in getting up yet.. regardless of the train or the little early birds. Being almost 7 months pregnant, sleeping on the airmatress did me no good. So once the kids were up, no reason for me to keep tossing and turning either. The super killer treck to the beach. This hill was megga steep, and on the way back up, I had the stroller, the cooler, and 2 wimped out kids on top of the cooler. I pushed about 1/2 way, then Jared pushed the 2nd 1/2. We both about had a heart attack, due to the breathlessness of the hike. It was so steep! We laughed so we wouldn't cry how out of shape we were for this. I'm sure we were a sight to see. We got all kinds of laughs and smirks from strangers that passed us both coming and going.

Brooklyn happy to be in the water with Daddy

Splish Splash!

Big wave... muscle mommy to the rescue!

Best of all..... Quality time with Daddy!

Fun with Uncle Dan & Adam

Sack of Potatoes- Morgan is currently having the turn being the potato, and Brooklyn is whining for her turn.

Happy Birthday to Daddy and Uncle Dan

Birthday Banana Cream Pie instead of Cake. YUM YUM!!

Tyler gets the Golfing lesson

Me pretending I'm happy that my picture is being taken.

Brooklyn placing the balls into the hole to "help" the putters.

Brooklyn on the attack, to get the balls, and chuck them across the coarse!

Morgan hitting with all her might!

Grandma helps Brooklyn try to use the putter instead of throwing the balls.

Grandma and Grandpa laughing at brooklyn chasing down the balls.

For the past week and 1/2 we got to enjoy having my two college brothers here for their summer vacation. We got to have lots of fun especially with Uncle Dan while Adam and his buddy did some extra surfing. Dan was a hit. I had to intervene on occasion to give him some space, otherwise all 3 kids would have dominated his every moment here. Their favorite was "game time," blanket rides, and "sack of potatoes" ( small child buried in a blanket as a sack and a big person carries them and runs around the house, then plops them on the couch)! Excellent way to break a sweat and totally exhaust yourself! We got to go to the beach to watch Dan surf, and then for Dan's 24th B-day, we celebrated with Daddy's and went miniature golfing. Golfing was hilarious and a total joke as far as an actual "game" would be considered, but the kids LOVED IT! Brooklyn was obsessed with the balls and couldn't get to them fast enough. As soon as she could break loose she was on the prowl for the balls and would either chuck them across the course or put them in the holes where she knew they belonged. It was a great memory and I'm so glad that Dan, Grandma, and Grandpa C were there to share in the fun.

Happy Birthday Honey!

Where to begin when I want to think of all the ways and reasons I want to celebrate the man that I love... and the person who is my everything. This is a picture of you on our wedding day and one of my favorite pictures of you. Your smile is electrifying and your expression reminds me of how happy I was then and even more now, happy that you are mine! One thing I have realized about being married to you is that you are a pretty simple guy and with simple acts of love, appreciation, and understanding, you are pretty easy to please. Thank you love, for being this way! Here is a list of the top 25 wonderful things I love about you... and am so grateful that you are alive, in my life, and the Husband and Father in our home!

1. Masculinity- You are a guy through and through and its nice to have a "real" Man in my life!
2. Physical Strenth- You are Big and Strong and my protector... I always feel safe when you are around.
3. Courage- You are never afraid to stick up for truth, virtue, or your views. You are strong when most give in, or tip-toe around being a MAN!
4. Persevering- You never give up, you persist, you keep going, you continue even when life is dificult.
5. Emotional Strength - You are so much better than me at not letting emotions interfere with logic.
6. Ability to see the "whole picture" of life and situations objectively
7. Think Logically
8. Task Master!!!- You are great and making lists and getting things done that are on your list.
9. Honest- You value integrity- and strive to maintain your integrity and other's trust in you.
10. To the Point- You don't mince words, which often can be taken harshly- but I appreciate your candid nature in "calling it how it is."
11. Backbone- Through our years together you have developed quite the backbone to take on situations that may be difficult or uncomfortable.
12. Strength of Character and Opinion- I love that you know who you are and what you think, and hold confidence in that knowledge of yourself.
13. Uncomplicated- You are simple and by simple means you are easy to please.
14. Get over things Fast- You are not a "woman" and you can let things go easily once discussed, you are not petty, catty, or gossipy.
15. Bond Easily- you don't make everything a crisis, you are upfront with anger, and don't overanalyze everthing.
16. Provider for family- You embrace your role of provider and find personal achievement of the responsibility of providing for your family and find happiness in doing so. THANK HEAVEN FOR THIS! Many men fight it, shirk it, or try to push it off on others.
17. Responsible- you take responsibility for your mistakes and for your own success.
18. Driven to fix and help- I love that you want to "fix" things, problem solve, achieve- be it small or large you are a "get it done" type of guy.
19. Leadership and Devotion- You work at being a leader and being devoted to your work and family.
20.Chivalry- you are a gentleman at heart- and you respect women and treat them with tenderness and respect.
21. Willingness to get out there and fight the junk of the world to provide and protect
22. Sacrifice- you are willing to sacrifice any and all to make me happy - even when sometimes unreasonable or unfair (lucky ME!)
23. Put together nicely - Great physique- Tall, Dark, and Handsome
24. Spirituality- You have developed an incredible commitment to truth and the gospel and teaching correct principles to our family.
25. My best friend- you are there for me through and through- the truest and safest place for me to be me, and to work through and overcome that which needs so much work... I love you with all my heart. Happy Birthday Love!!! You are my universe, and I couldn't be more happily married to you.

We love Birthday Parties!

Happy Birthday Avery! Avery is a 2nd cousin and someone we have lots of fun with. Avery's party was a big hit with an Awesome clown. Clowns are not always that "fun" but this clown kept all the kids attention for at least a full hour. I was totally amazed. Some of our favorites were the great bean bag games, balloon sword fights, play ground entertainment, and mommies getting to have chit-chat. I love getting to watch the excitment in the eyes of my kids when they find out we are going to a birthday party. There's something so great about birthday parties and getting to go... it is always a highlight of the week when they happen! At this particular party, the face painting topped it off with excellent treats and goodie bags! Thanks Avery... We love you!