June

June was a weird month. We knew at the beginning of the month it was going to be busy. I of course had been thinking and planning out trip to California for months and once June hit I knew I could really start prepping. Jared had a ton of photography work and was gone multiple nights in a row. Then I was really thrown for a loop when a close friend of mine from our ward passed away. She was two years younger than me and had a little girl the same age as Lucy. It was such a shock to our whole ward and community and it's been hard to process. I've never had a close friend pass away, I've never even had to go to a funeral as an adult. The last funeral I attended was back when I was in junior high. It was an emotional month. I was overwhelmed and inspired by the love and support our ward poured out to the family of Meg. It made me that much more grateful for the wonderful community we live in and the amazing ward we are a part of. 

In between all of that we had some fun moments too. We visited the train museum with our friends from St. George, Ellie's little "boyfriend" Cruz. They have become pen pals and so Ellie was excited to have them here to visit for the afternoon.

I got a new phone and I'm overly excited about how good the camera is. As if I didn't take enough photos already.

Just documenting the day we went to the splash pad.

A moment I want to remember. Ellie wearing a tiger costumer that is 3 sizes to small but somehow managed to squeeze in to. Me trying to stay sane after Jared worked late nights for what felt like a week straight. The kids missed him and they get sick of me.

Visiting the poppy field in Mantua. 

Went to visit a new park up the canyon. It might be a new favorite. 

Get together with the old Pleasant Grove crew. Loved seeing all our kids play together, it's hard to believe our first play dates happened as they were crawling around. Now they are a bunch of 5 and 6 year olds.

We acquired some new dress up clothes from some friend who are moving and have older girls. Ellie has been in heaven and changes outfits numerous times a day. 

Father's Day dinner. We missed stake conference, like completely forgot and drove to the church at 11 only to realize there were no cars and that stake conference was just ending. Then Jared had to go to work, yeah on a Sunday, and set up for a convention the coming week. The shrimp fajitas made everything better.

One last photo shoot before we head off for vacation. This time we tagged along with Jared and then met up with an old friend in Salt Lake for lunch. 

Another Visit from Grandma and Papa

We love, love, love when Grandma and Papa come to town. The main purpose for this visit was Ellie's preschool graduation. 

First things first, Ellie had to show off her bike riding skills, showing Grandma how she can ride without training wheels.

Feeding the ducks at Beus Pond and checking out the ducklings

My parents pulled their trailer here once again. There's a pool at the RV park, so we got to go swimming for a few days. The girls love the water, and it's always nice to have an extra pair of hands around the pool.

Ellie's graduation! They had the most adorable cap and gown, they even played the graduation march. Of course we were all teary eyed. Ellie had the best time at St. Jame's Preschool and we loved her teachers so much. Sad it will be a few more years before Lucy will be here. 

Ellie and her Best Friend Isaiah. 

My mom and I had big plans for landscaping while she was here. We frequented the garden center and got a few things planted. I love having a helping hand and her gardening know how. Plus we just have so much fun together. 

My parents dog Annie is always a favorite with the kids.

My sun bunnies. Drying off after an afternoon pool session. 

We visited This is the Place Heritage Park. The girls loved the petting zoo, train rides and playground. We had fun looking at all the old houses. It's always fun to visit a new place with my parents and learn about Utah heritage.

Plowing the dirt in a skirt, you go girl!

Not only did the girls like the full size train, they loved the mini train around the duck pond.

We find lots of fun stuff to do while my parents are in town and I love to make memories while they are here, let my parents experience some of the girls "first" since they live far away. This time we got Ellie's ears pierced. Jared and I had been talking about it for a while and so went for it. Ellie was brave, of course she cried but I had reminded her beforehand that it was going to hurt, she might cry and that's okay, BUT they have to poke the other ear after the first. She is happy to have them, especially since they are sparkly. 

My parents had to leave a day early because someone tried to break into their house back in California.They didn't get all the way in, but the door was broken. We were bummed for them, but happy it didn't happen a day into their visit and happened at the end of it. Until next time.