Oregon Trip

We took a summer trip to Oregon to visit Nick's family.  We decided to take the motorhome and bring some friends of ours as well.   They have 2 kids very close in age to ours.  On the way to Oregon we made a stop in Sonoma, so we could watch Jimmy race his dragster.  Then we continued our trip stopping in the Redwoods for a night.  The RV park that we stayed in was absolutley gorgerous.  The girls loved running around.  We had a picnic lunch and a walk throug the redwoods.  The pictures do not really do it justice.  The trees are enormous and breath taking.  While in Oregon we went to the wildlife Safari, swam, went to Reustle Winery, and spent time with family.  Such a fun trip!!

Sonoma Race Track

Brylie and Brookie eating breakfast in their Pj's surrounded by the Redwoods.  So fun to wake up in a new and exciting location.

 I made daisy chain headbands for the girls.  They had fun running around collecting all the flowers.

 Family pic on our walk around the Redwoods.

 The trees are massive.

 The Cushman Family in the Redwoods.

 Gracie and Mommy enjoying our walk.

 "Where did Brylie go??"

 At the Wildlife Safari Park.  The kids loved feeding the goats.  

 Mommy, Daddy and Brylie.

 Great Grandma Joan meeting Graceyn for the 1st time.

 Grandpa pushing Brylie on the swing!

Grandma swinging with Brylie and Kevin swinging with Brookie.

 Mommy and Gracie in the Dump truck.  I was having fun getting it to move.

 Grandma, Gracie, and Great Grandma Betty.

 Some of the cousins.

 Beautiful day for swimming

 The girls learning to play craps

 Grandma watched the girls while the adults and babies went to Reustle winery.  They had so much fun at Wildlife Safari and even rode a camel.

The boys did a fishing trip and caught a ton of fish, so we had fish tacos that night.

Park Day with Gran Brad, Gran B and the Flan Fam

We had such a fun Sunday afternoon at the park with GranBrad and GranB.  They brought sandwiches from one of Dad's favorite italian markets, cantaloupe, and coke out of glass bottles.  They also had lots of activities.  We played frisbee, threw the baseball around, and smash ball.  It was a lot of fun to spend time with them.  We all really loved being outside and playing together as a family.  Great memories!!

  

GranB, Brylie and GranBrad.  

John, Avery and Ally

GranB teaching Brylie how to throw a frisbee

I love this picture because it shows so perfectly Dads ability to tell stories and captivate his audience.  I love the way Ally is listening happily and intently. 

The girls loved eating their own slices of canteloupe.

Austin and Jeff's Wedding Weekend

I had the wonderful honor of officiating Austin and Jeff's wedding.  I wanted them to feel nothing but love and the deep commitment and respect that I place on marriage.  It was an absolutely beautiful wedding weekend.  It truly showed their personalities and was a weekend where many memories were made. You could tell how important family and friends mean to them and I loved being able to share in their special day.  The festivities included dinner at the VHC, rehearsal dinner at Bistro 45, wedding at the O'kanes and the Day of fun after the wedding.  So many creative and fun touches that made their wedding so memorable. I really do love my family.  It is such a wonderful thing when moments in life bring everyone together to share in the love, life and laughter.

 Dinner at the VHC a few days before the wedding.

 Uncle Michael and Mom at the VHC.

 Gracie slept through most of dinner.

 Avery and John

 The wedding party having pictures taken at the Langham

 The flower girls, Avery and Brylie watching from above. 

 The stunning bride and her sister, Shelden carrying her train. The dress was flawless and Austin was the picture perfect bride.  

 Mom and I at the wedding.

 Daddy and Gracie

Mommy and Gracie

 Ally, John and Gracie

Brylie the flower girl

 Brylie and Auntie Daffy painting at one of the stations at the day of fun. There were also food trucks, swimming, snow cones, volleyball, and so many other fun things.

A Day in the Life

Here are some snapshots of a day in the life with these two beautiful girls.  On Fridays we like to go to Starbucks (Brylie is a big fan of their popcorn) and then to the playground that they have within walking distance.  Brylie loves to play on the playground and I can enjoy a cup of coffee. After playing we go to the library for storytime.  They do a wonderful job at our local library.  It is free and they have singing, multiple stories read, lots of things to learn, and often times they have a craft.  If we are feeling adventurous we will walk through the outdoor Farmer's Market after storytime. We really enjoy the fresh hummus from one of the vendors.  On this particular day it was pretty hot, so we decided to go to the Food court instead.  We enjoyed some lunch and Brylie, Graceyn and I rode the small merry go round.  It was Gracie's 1st time  and Brylie was so cute with her.  She kept checking on her to make sure she was ok.  Gracie loved looking at all the lights.  There are lots of fun things to do in our area.  It can make for lots of fun adventures.

Hollywood Bowl

We had the pleasure of going to the Hollywood Bowl for the Bugs Bunny summer concert series.  Going to the Hollywood Bowl is one of our favorite things to do and is such a treat.  We love taking a picnic and listening to the beautiful music from the LA philharmonic.  This year we took Gran Brad and Gran B and the girls.  We were unsure as to how the girls would do as it is a late night with lots of sitting but they were both simply captivated by the performance.  Brylie loved being able to use binoculars, or googles as she called them.  It was a wonderful evening.

 

 Family photo at the Hollywood Bowl

 Gran Brad and Gran B

 Gran Brad having fun with Brylie and showing her his tickle finger

 More fun at the Bowl

 Brylie on Daddy's lap watching the show.  So fun to get bundled up in blankets when it gets dark and chilly.

4 Months Old

           

4 months and this little girl's personality in continuing to blossom.  She is happy, full of smiles and is starting to have fun hearing her own voice.

At 4 Months Graceyn weighs 17.2 lbs and is the 94th percentile for weight and is 25 1/2 inches long and 79th percentile for height.

Likes: Gracie likes to nap in Mommy and daddy's bed during the day.  Brylie did the same thing until 8 months and little Gracie is following suit.  I don't mind this because it means that I get a few extra snuggles in during Brylie's quiet time.

Dislikes: Gracie likes to know that there are people are around her.  She isn't fond of being left alone and is always much more agreeable when there is someone around to keep her entertained and company.     

Tender Moments: Watching Gracie during bath time as she kicks her little feet and arms to splash in the water and squeals in delight.  It is so much fun to watch her get so excited.  We put her bath tub in the big bath with Brylie and they laugh at each other.  Brylie thinks it is hilarious that Gracie can splash her.  It is a great time of the day.