SERENITY IN THE FORM OF WAVES AND SAND

Amen to that! Last year we weren’t able to go to the beach. Why you ask? Well, it had a little to do with selling and moving our of our house, a wedding, a newborn, and a big move to Chapel Hill with Medical School involved. It was a huge bummer because our family LIVES for the beach. We have salt water in our veins. This year we were able to go! We were able to go with Christian’s parents, his 2 youngest brothers, and a visit from Aunt Candice and Aunt Crystal with her two boys. It was a super fun trip and we were all able to get our fix. The older kids loved the waves. Kalea hardly left the water until it was time to leave. She like to see how far out she could go… which terrified me (I’m not a fan of deep, murky ocean water.) Christian liked to see how far he could make me go out too. Alana is a TOTAL beach baby. She loved the sand, the water, the waves. She was in her element. It was so nice that everyone had the time of their lives. I don’t think we could handle living far away from the beach. Guess we’re stuck.

PALMYRA

Christian was able to take “The Girls” (Kalea and Mia) to Palmyra for the Pageant they have up there each Summer. (Actors come together and reenact stories from the Bible and the Book of Mormon.) Christian, Kalea and Mia rode up to New York (a 12 hour car ride) with Grandpa and Grandmother Simpson, Uncle Collin, and Uncle Cayler in the mini-van. I opted out of this one. Call me crazy but Landen was enough to handle in the car on our way to Disney. Landen AND Alana? Not happening. So we stayed back. Christian refused to blog about the trip so here are some of the pictures from their trip. They ended up camping and had a great time. The weather is much cooler in Upstate New York. So it was pleasant for them all. They did end up coming home early (which was a GREAT surprise to me) because they accomplished everything they wanted to do. They watched the Pageant twice and Mia was up for a third time, but I guess the rest of the gang was ready to head back home.

I missed my big girls a ton but I am so thankful for the experiences they had while up there and for them to see the Book of Mormon come to life. I was able to experience the same experiences as a teenager, so I hope to take them up again one day. I am thankful for Christian’s parents who were able to take them at such a tender age. They will have these memories to keep forever and will just add to their ever-growing testimonies. I am thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so blessed to be a member of His church.

{CAMPING TIME!}

{THE HILL CUMORAH}

{THE SACRED GROVE – Where Joseph Smith had the First Vision}

{PETER WHITMER’S HOME, JOSEPH SMITH’S HOME (I think)}

{ONE OF THE HIDING PLACES FOR THE SCRIPTURES – to keep them safe from harm}

{NIAGRA FALLS}

{MIA IS A LITTLE TOO CLOSE FOR MY LIKING. SHE WOULDN’T BE THAT CLOSE IF I WERE THERE}

{THE GIRLS WERE ABLE TO SUCKER THEIR UNCLES INTO CARRYING THEM EVERYWHERE}

{CHRISTIAN BEING CHRISTIAN. GRANDPA BEING GRANDPA}

{MEETING SOME OF THE ACTORS/CHARACTERS}

ALANA IS ONE!

I’m late. I’m late… for a very important date.

Well, we celebrated her birthday on time and it was glorious. However, my blogging skills have been lackluster. I apologize.

Alana turned the big ONE on July 26th. It was so fun to watch her open presents and be surrounded by attention… which is is used to. Alana has become such a big part of our family. This sweet baby is doted upon by every member of our family. She has become the center of everyone’s attention. Alana is sassy and feisty. She fits right in. She knows what she wants and how to get it. Her favorite food is Sharp Cheddar and Monterey Jack Cheez-its. She loves her blanket and passy to the ends of the earth. Her current bedroom is our closet sleeping in a pack-n-play. She loves to help reorganize every drawer and cabinet within her reach. She absolutely loves her big brother’s silly faces and will crack up laughing at him. She adores her big sisters who carry her everywhere even though she is perfectly content with walking. She is a bit of a Daddy’s girl unless she knows I’m trying to leave. She is not to be deceived.

We obviously love and adore our baby and are so blessed to be apart of her life. We can’t wait to see what the next year has in store.

{Our Birthday Baby}

{Laughing At Her New Toy}

{I Am Still The Baby}

{Dancing To Her Birthday Song}

{The Big Kids Helping Her Blow Out Her Candle}

{Time For Cake}

{…And A Bath}

WORST TRIP TO THE ZOO… EVER.

Well, we tried. I think the problem was that we had just gone to Disney World. What tops Disney World?? NOTHING. So Landen was mega bored and cried and complained the WHOLE TIME. It was hot and he was miserable. We almost left him with the animals. We got some cute pictures though and on a brighter note… Alana was an ANGEL. She didn’t make a peep and was the happiest little camper.

Don’t let his cute little grin fool you. He was EVIL!!

I told them to stand in front of the Jeep like they were going to get run over. Mia looks way too happy for someone who is about to be squished.

This picture is a tradition. Whenever we take the kids to the zoo we put them on this baby elephant. It started with 2 little girls and has grown to a whopping 4 kids. I don’t think there is any more room on that elephant.