BeachyBirthdayBash

We just wrapped up another crazy string of Birthdays. Now that it's after midnight, Presley's birthday is over. We decided this year for the birthdays we would save presents from us and give them to each kid the morning of their actual birthday. Then that day we would do something special like a movie or a sleep over. We had one big party for all three kids again this year. 

Since Presley had been showing interest in reptiles, I was thinking of having a snake and reptile party with real snakes and reptiles, but it had been so super hot, I thought we really needed a water-centered activity. I decided on a beach theme since that has been what the kids really have loved about this summer. We rented a bounce house water slide and that took care of entertainment. 

Here are the invites I designed:

Josh wanted to keep it simple so for decor, I printed out a bunch of my favorite beach photos of the kids from this summer. I made a clothesline/bunting out of the pics and some scrapbook paper.It really had a nautical feel to it.

I had to make some birthday notes on my chalk boards of course.

Sadly, my iphone didn't do these scenes justice.The food and decor were really pretty.

Especially when it came to my sister's amazing cakes:

Noah requested chocolate, Presley got the frilly cake with a cherry chip center, and Charlie got the ombre cake with nutella and strawberries in the center! 

The grownups couldn't keep their hands off the cupcakes.

The bounce house was about 30 min. late. I was sweating bullets over that. Noah would have been mortified if I had to go to plan B, a sprinkler party!! The bounce house fit all age groups with a bball hoop inside and a waterslide out the front. I almost cried when I saw it arrive. Not even sure how many kids we had, but I know it was more than 20!!

We had a lot of excitement at the candle blowing! One of the little flags caught fire during the singing so Charlie blew it all out a little early. The faces kill me!

Another special treat was that Bob and Brittany Turley were in town visiting family. They brought their kids and it was so great to visit with them. Presley gave Ella the biggest squeeze when she saw her. She was ecstatic!

Check out the line for the cake! This gives you an idea of the amount of kids we had. I wish we could have had more. I hate having to leave anyone out. We had to draw the line somewhere, though. 

The cake tasted as good as it looked.

 The girls did a lot of chatting and giggling in the house. You wouldn't think there was a world of fun OUTSIDE. haha! There's Ella!!! 

 I have to say, the day was a hit. all the kids had fun and things worked out in the end. Our house was even finished enough for us not to have to explain what we plan to do with such and such space ever few minutes! Haha!

I have to give the kids props for working so hard to help us clean the house. I can totally rely on Presley to do a fab job with the vacuum. Noah is a master organizer and Charlie is quite the helper in the lawn care department. 

Next on the agenda: a baptism and a baby. I have the option to get induced any time after today. Not sure yet what to do....

35 Weeks

Presley helped me get this photo that I always wanted. I got the idea from Pinterest. I think we came pretty darn close.

Coronado Trip

We are were fortunate enough to get to go on a second summer trip to California. Josh had to do work in San Diego for four days and after quite a bit of traveling, really wanted the kids and I to come along. We needed to reconnect. the company Josh was working with put him up in a gorgeous Hotel called the Glorietta Bay Inn on Coronado Island. 

The trip was tricky because Josh had a flight booked for himself and plane fares were just too high for the rest of us. I was trying to recruit someone to come with me, but in the end, I drove the three kids by myself. It worked out well actually. We all got along great and the kids had plenty of room in the car to spread out. I had the radio keep me company while the kids slept and we made it there and back in one piece!!! Very very much worth the trip.

Look how cute these guys are walking down the main drag, Orange Ave. in Coronado. We were looking for dinner in one of the cute restaurants.

Being together made us all reconnect. the kids became best buddies again with each other. It felt like something we really needed.

While Josh worked in the day, the kids and I got to hang out with friends. It was so so fun!!

We even saw a celebrity on the Del Mar Beach! Drew Brees. I totally took a paprazzi pic!!

Oceanside Potraits

Here are some of our family portraits we took on our Oceanside trip. We had such a wonderful time. I'm glad we were able to capture it in photos.

Here is the whole group

 Then Josh's parents and siblings with their kids and spouses

 Then just us. 

Not the baby anymore

When you are about to have a new baby, it seems like most moms get a little sad that their current youngest won't be the baby anymore. I think when a child needs you a lot, you get this unique type of attachment to them. It's like you worry more when you are not with them because they rely on you more. I'm feeling that with little Charlie right now. Man does he ever test my boundaries, but he loves giving me hugs and definitely kisses!! He's so funny about those "smoosh your face kisses!" I know Charlie appreciates me reading to him every night. It is a treat he will just run and climb into bed for.

 I look back at the past year and how I worked to help support us when we moved to Utah. Then we were blessed with Josh's new job where I was able to quit my full time job and get to spend the days at home with Charlie. I'm so grateful for that blessing. Now my baby is growing up and having a sleepover with cousins. I can't wait to see him and Noah and Presley in the morning. I am lucky to be their mom!

Happy Father's Day to the AWESOME Dads in my life!!

Oceanside Beach House Vacay

So we had been planning for over a year and a half to do a big fun family vacation to a beach house in California. I think we started planning this before we even moved to Utah. In the beginning of May we left for the trip after so much anticipation. I don't know who was more excited, the adults or kids. We all were in huge need of a get away. We took three cars, Ours, Jason and Jennie's van, and GRANDMA'S CONVERTABLE!! That caused some debate since the convertable couldn't hold much luggage. I thought bringing the convertable was sooo worth it. Grandma fought for it and won! That is something I love about Al, he knew TK was so excited about taking her grandkids for rides in it, that he didn't fight it. Here are some car pics:

 When we finally got to the beach house we could not believe our eyes! It was an incredible place. Those with kids stayed on the beach level, the older people stayed on the upper levels. We each had our own bathrooms and plenty of space to relax, run around, make noise, or have privacy. It was ideal. Then there was the ocean view. Holy cow. It was amazing!!

Here is Charlie standingin front of the Beach level window. We were right on the beach!!

 The beach had hardly any people on it where we were too. So fabulous!

Josh and the kids instantly fell in love with boogie boarding and body surfing. I was beaming! I didn't want to risk getting too jostled by the waves so I stuck to life guarding and sand crab hunting. I was glad Josh had Bubba to keep him company, though.

Beach belly at 26 weeks. Josh said that I popped out on this trip. I think I agree!! 

 It was sooo convenient too that the beach house had two hot tubs. One at the beach level, perfect for little ones to warm up in, and one on the roof for older kids to avoid getting splashed.

(I am not really all the way in the tub, just my legs)

The weather was cooler on our first few days. It was still so refreshing and relaxing. Charlie never noticed how hard he was shivering after he got wet!!

I thought it was so fun how we took turns being in charge of meals. Josh and I had a beach day lunch and the departing breakfast. We went low key and set out sandwich fixins and chips and then cereals on our last day. Mike and Ruth were in charge of dinner on Cinco de Mayo. they made us a Mexican Fiesta. Pinata and all!

 More to come, stay tuned!