Father's Day

This Father's day was a fun one- first, because I got to be with MY father AND the father of my children--
The man who started it all - we were budget confined on our father's day gifts this year- and so Dad got a large Dark chocolate fish-- he might have picked that anyways though... I am blessed to have the world's most amazing father- he is tied with Jason- which is really saying something- I honestly am who I am because of my parents- I love my Dad with all of my heart and am so grateful to him for all of the lessons taught, stories told, love shared, time given and fun that we've had through the years.

And then HaPPY FaThEr'S day to Jason- truly the world's best father- I couldn't have chosen a better man to be Emmy and Ellie's Daddy; he is amazing in every way- a righteous father, a great teacher, a fun tickle monster, a silly game player and a loving cuddler-he really is the best. We only got him candy and hair stuff (so sad) but someday I will get him what he deserves~like a trip to Italy or a car for Father's Day- at least, that's what I say to make myself feel better right now as we sink further into debt.

Universal with Auntie Amber!

This was SUCH a fun day- another post will be coming as soon as I get the rest of the pics from Amber's fb- but here is my camera's worth~ the highlight of the day was... you guessed it- the BARNEY show- yes- we got to see his show and then get a great big hug and a kiss from me to you afterwards- Emmy thought she was in heaven ;)
There were a ton of fun water parky spots that I didn't know about (so I didn't bring a suit) but the day was HOT so here is Ems enjoying the fun-
There was Curious George's ball factory- by far Jason's favorite spot- I could just imagine him as a kind in there...
and of course we had to say hello to the characters... I have to say that I enjoy Disney's 1000 more- but Emmy didn't seem to mind.

Amber was sooo excited to have a kid to ride this ride with- Emmy as delighted to get to go twice.
It poured on us- so here we are waiting for the Jaws ride to start again- it never did- but seeing as how it is weirdy Wednesday- I thought I would include that Emmy STILL just lays down on her lovey just about anywhere- love that girl! The day was fabulous and we could not have had more fun~ THANK YOU Auntie Amber for making it possible and for spending such a fun day with us :)

the 4th of July!

What would the Fourth be without a firework burn?- she survived though!
This was Emmy's first REAL 4th of July~
In that, she was in the USA and was old enough to enjoy in the festivities anyways~ we didn't have a TV set up yet- so sadly I missed The Capital Fourth- this is something that I even watched in Dominica- so I really was sad- but- we got to play with fireworks as a family instead--it reminded me of my childhood at the cottage with my grandfather lighting firecrackers over the lake--- ahh those were the good old days.

this time was not quite as charming as my childhood memories of the cottage- as we were in a little bit ghetto of an apartment complex parking lot-- but it was so fun because it was in South Carolina- our temporary home and we were together- and in America- who cares that it was drizzling?
Here are the pyros-- please note that Jason's face is by FAR the most excited- he was delighted about the fireworks laws here in SC- and said that 1/2 of the ones we lit were illegal in Cali. We had a few scares like when J forget that Roman Candles do indeed shoot out and far (not a great plan to angle towards the trees) but it was a VERY fun time- the girls loved it, J loved it and as anyone who is reading this blog knows- I LOVE AMERICA and feel so blessed to be here-God bless it!

Bumbo Baby Girl

I know that I have 1 million posts to catch up on-- but instead I have to gush about this baby!
This face... ah!
When I make dinner Elle Belle helps out...
I like to cook anyways~
but when THIS is what I get to enjoy while cooking- life couldn't be better. She is quite literally the cutest little thing alive and I adore her. She makes my life happy.

An ODE to Grandpa Larry and Grandma Diana.

Ellie Dell got to meet her Grandpa Larry and Grandma Diana- she adored both of them from the start.

It was such a blessing to be able to spend time together.

So cute. Our time with Grandpa was a blast- we all are so excited to be closer and hope to be able to make it up to them more often now that we will be only hours away by car!

Somehow- in all of my picture taking (and I took a LOT of pictures) this is the only picture I got of Diana- I am LIVID right now- but all I can say is that there could not have been a more gracious host, better cook, or kinder Grandmother. We all had the time of our lives and felt very very loved. THANK YOU to our California family for making our trip such a special time! Here are about 10000 posts of what we did in Cali- enjoy!

the Prophet said to plant a garden~

So that's what they did! It now is producing and Jason is VERY proud of that fact.

Some MUCH needed Kaley and Cami time!

Elles got to meet her Aunt KK- hooray for Aunt KK! (and Cami too- she loved him- but threw up on him the first time her held her-- just like Ellie to make the moment memorable!)

Emmy really is in love with "Cami" as she calls him.

"KK is my best friend" was a phrase very often heard on our Cali trip ;)

We had SUCH fun getting some much needed KK and Cami time ;)

Aunt Yo Yo and Stanley Koontz's table...

Jason's Grandfather made this table- I immediately loved it before I even knew that.

Aunt Yo Yo and Uncle Sean- what a fun littlw treat to get to see them in Cali too!

The one of a kind design- I just thought it was so cool that Jason's Grandfather left something so creative behind~ I had to capture in on film ;)

love it.

"The Reel" Deal.

Yes! While In Cali- we FINALLY got to see Uncle Cameron perform with his band The Reel (please look it up- I don't know how to do the cool link thing) they were performing to benefit an incredible cause called Courage House- again- please look up...

Emmy LOVED LOVED when Uncle Cami sang- she danced and sang the whole time and still asks if we can go see Cami sing again- she is his #1 fan.

Elle Belle like it too- I was worried that she would think it was a little loud or that the beat would irritate her- but I should have known- like pretty much everything else- she took it in stride.

So Many Firsts...

first pony!

first piggies! (apparently these made Bells feel mildly confused instead of happy- but what can I say- she was 3 months old...)

The Larry's Childrens' Choir~

I wish I had videoed this-- please imagine twinkle twinkle sung beautifully and directed expertly~

Don't they all just look so delighted! I loved it.

Folsom Zoo-

This is just a sample of the GREAT times had at the zoo- animals- how can you go wrong?

Emmy loved this peacock... until it suddenly terrified her for no reason that I noticed- then, she was outta there~ what's funny is that just a little while later- this guy turned into a crazy Kung Fu Panda 2 style attack peacock as he was trying to kill a fellow suitor to impress a hen- it was awesome.

What the Hail?!

Emmy thought she had died and gone to heaven- she shares my un natural love of ice ;) here she is picking up a slush ball that J and Grandpa Larry were throwing in her direction- she was delighted!

Yes folks- it HAILED while we were in CA-

The weather was weird- but it was still amazing!

The 3 Musketeers...

Emmy got to spend a lot of fun time with Gavin and Griffin (cousins on Diana/Larry's side)- they are the cutest and nicest 3 yr old twin boys on earth- and Emmy fell instantly in love~ with both of them... here she is making that abundantly clear ;)

They were such a good fit together- they sang songs, laughed and played- and then played some some more~

a new favorite picture.

she doesn't play favorites!

Another AMAZING thing to add to the California trip- BEST FRIEND COUSINS! Thanks boys for including Emmy.

look who is 4 months old!

at 4 months Elle Belle is a delight- she weighs in at 14 lbs- eats cereal and breastfeeds like a champ- smiles- laughs- rolls over- kicks- stands while held-pinwheels- grabs toys- LOVES her sister and family and really is PERFECT in every way- she is adorable and such a little sweetheart- what did we ever do without her?!