Tuesday, July 12, 2011

newport news

as i previously posted, we just returned from our annual reynolds newport beach vacation! there were a few new changes- 2 beach houses instead of 1, and a new location much closer to the beach- and there were many of the same awesome traditions!

we were very pleasantly surprised at how well miss makenzie did this trip! 5+ hours of flying and a 3 hr time difference is never easy to start. but she had a crib and her own room, so she slept like a champ. she also warmed up (its a big loud crowd!) right off the bat and was loving on everyone!

we spent our days at the beach, enjoying the perfectly sunny and warm weather, playing in the waves and building sand sharks! our evenings were filled with delicious food, s'mores, sunsets at the beach, and lots of laughing and reminiscing!

makenzie loved her boys, jer and josh
our little beach babe actually hated the sand. but one day she loved playing in the waves and was content chillin at the beach...and that day i took lots of pictures! :)
2nd annual talent show
not pictured (will never be pictured) is me and jake's lip synch performance to barbie girl :)
fun by the fire!
4th annual 'Dot' cup!
this really deserves an entire post, but the basics are: late night, 4th meal, stupid funny dare, nephew stuck in the freezer for 45 minutes, 2 seconds away from calling fire department, freezer and nephew survived, a few side aches from laughing so hard....
after makenzie's sunscreen spray down :)
adults night out to dinner at crab cooker (a newport staple) and a movie!
the most beautiful sunsets
our little jet-setter :)

Monday, July 11, 2011

4th of July fun!

this year the annual reynolds retreat in newport beach, california was the week of july 4th!

we started the day with newport's 1st annual bike and dog parade! i was pleasantly surprised at how into it the people of newport were! there were so many decorated bikes and dogs dressed in red, white, and blue! it was really cute and festive! scott and the girls even got in on the action and decorated lizey's stroller!
the parade ended at a park with bounce houses, carnival games, music, face painting, etc. it was a fun way to start the holiday!

we spent the afternoon at the beach and then had an awesome bbq put on by the o'neils. we had so much fun hanging out and then watching fireworks on the beach!






















(more to come about our fun trip- too much for one post! )

Sunday, July 10, 2011

house of photos

how on earth will we ever pick??? our house might look like a shrine to ourselves after this...just putting it out there...

a few weekends ago we had family pictures taken at the Jefferson Memorial in DC. i was so very very excited! the morning went pretty well, we had fun, and kenz wasn't too crazy. two week go by...and we saw them....i was like a giddy little girl on christmas morning! i could not stop smiling and looking at them. danelle empey @ MP Photography is so talented and you would never guess that makenzie wasn't really feelin' all the sit and smile stuff. :)

here, take a little peak...






Friday, July 1, 2011

just don't blink!

its crazy the difference one year makes!
August 2010

June 2011

Thursday, June 30, 2011

i just love a quote that makes you literally stop...and think about what you just read.

this morning i read this little excerpt from a talk by one of the leaders of my church and i loved it! it gave me a much needed reminder me that i can do/accomplish/create/achieve/become anything i want....

"The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before.
Everyone can create. You don't need money, position, or influence in order to create something of substance or beauty.
Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty...
...Remember that you are spirit daughters of the most creative Being in the universe. Isn't it remarkable to think that your very spirits are fashioned by an endlessly creative and eternally compassionate God? Think about it-- your spirit body is a masterpiece, created with a beauty, function, and capacity beyond imagination."

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
(Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

the wonderful signs of summer


i mean seriously...does it get any cuter?!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

i'm a tad late, but he knows he's the best

obviously i missed the father's day post....but, we had a really wonderful day being together and spoiling our favorite person.
i always knew jake would be a great dad, but i never could've imagined the joy and love i get from seeing him and makenzie's relationship.
these two are the best of buddies. and she adores him (as do i). when he walks in the door everyday the lit up faces aren't just on the ones greeting him, it's like he hasn't seen her in days and i can't get enough of it.

we are so grateful for him and how hard he works for our little family.
he really is the best and we love him.

"mamma's taking us to the zoo tomorrow"

....Raffi, anyone?? :)

we have been to the national zoo in dc twice in the last 2 weeks. first with friends and then with daddy! both times were so much fun and makenzie was in heaven. she has a serious love for animals. and i love that the zoo is free! there is no pressure to stay all day and see everything because you paid so much to be there! it's quite lovely.
come heeeere donkey...

yikes????
the 'cheeeeese' face is back!

Monday, June 20, 2011

thanks for holding...

wow! sorry about that! may 15th? really? i can't believe how long it has been since my last post...well, yes i can. we have been busy, busy, crazy busy! it's a little overwhelming to look at everything we've done and know where to start so please excuse this hodge-podge of pictures documenting our weekend to new jersey, anniversary trip to florida, and a long indy visit!

in jersey we...
...cheered on our little gymnast Kira...

...relaxed and had fun with the girls!

in indy we...
...visited with friends...

...got lots of hugs...
...had so much fun with cousins!

in florida we...
...woke up (after sleeping in of course) to this every morning...
...climb those...
...to enjoy this...

...and lots of sunshine, pool, beach, amazing dinners, and good movies...