Science Museum

Pete and Laura and their kids came down for a visit.  We thought it would be fun to go to see the Endeavor Space Shuttle at the California Science Center in Los Angeles.  We had a great group who decided to join us on the outing.  Dad and Barbara, Tom and Bonnie, Richard, Tony and Michelle all came to check out the massive shuttle.  The science museum is a great place to go with kids even without the space shuttle exhibit, but it added to the excitement.  We were all amazed at the size, expense, and information available about the shuttle.  It was a fun day.

 Gracie, Brylie and I standing in front of a sign of them transporting the Endeavor through Los Angeles.

 Brylie and Daddy in front of the shuttle.

 Some of the group learning about the space shuttle.

 Bo, Layla and Amy in a Hurricane Simulator

Brylie trying out the job as a news anchor

Cousins at Yard House for dinner in LA Live after the museum

After dinner we went to see the movie Planes.  This was Brylie's and Gracie's 1st time at a movie theater.  Everyone had a great time.  So much fun spending time with all of them.

Graceyn's 1st Time in the Merry Muscles

We brought out the Merry Muscles jumper for Gracie to try since Brylie was such a big fan of it as a baby.  Graceyn was a little unsure of it at first, but she loved being able to be at eye level to her sister.  Brylie loved watching her and was a big help teaching her how to use her legs to jump.   I love being able to use things again and see how each child responds to it.  

Brylie's 1st Day of Preschool

I can't even believe that our little girl is now off to preschool.  I am so happy for the adventures that are ahead and can only hope that the school that we have chose for her will continue to help her develop personally, academically and spiritually.  Nick and I spent a great deal of time and prayer thinking about which school would be best for Brylie.  It was a far more difficult decision than I had ever imagined. I know that so much of a child's emotional wellbeing is created from birth to 5, so we wanted to think about how the people we bring into her life will help to be a positive addition.  Ultimately we liked this school for many reasons, but we love that it will encourage a relationship with Jesus Christ.  We know that academically she is challenged at home and want to make sure that we make every attempt to secure a spiritual foundation at a young age.  She is going twice a week for half a day.  Her 1st day Nick came with me to drop her off to school.  It is so nice that he shares in these special memories. It seemed like such a huge milestone as we walked her in and took many pictures to commemorate her 1st day at school.  Nick and I played with her on the playground and stayed until she went into her classroom. Brylie did have some hesitation about us leaving, but I think we may have overextended our stay.  When we left I held back the tears.  It was a very strange feeling to be without her, needless to say I was the 1st parent in the parking lot for pickup.  The smile she had as I walked into her classroom reassured me that she is in a good place. I am loving all the projects she comes home with and the fun things that she shares with me. In her 1st week she learned the pledge of allegiance and her language and relational skills are developing quickly.  I think we made a good decision with her school.  I am so excited to continue to watch her learn and see the person that she is growing into.

 The night before her 1st day of preschool I took a few pictures.  As i looked at her I had one of those moments where I couldn't believe how quickly she is growing up and how proud I am of her.  I am so lucky to be her mother and think that she is such a blessing to our family.

 

Growing so fast.

After putting her to bed I decorated her chalkboard to help her celebrate her 1st day of school.  It included some of the things that she loves as well as what she wants to be when she grows up.  

She was so proud to take a picture with her backpack on in front of her sign.

Holding up a sign in front of her school.

Checking out her new classroom with Daddy.

This is a look of pure excitement to start her day at school.

Cautiously exploring her new playground.

After picking her up we decided to go to our favorite frozen yogurt place as a special treat.  It was so much fun to have her back with me.  I love my girls!!

5 Months Old

5 Months old!!

Likes: Gracie likes to spend time in her exersaucer and loves to giggle.  It is the cutest thing to hear her laugh as she is playing with or watching her big sister. She has also found her feet and loves to grab and play with them.  She always seems so amazed by her feet and her hands.

Dislikes: Gracie is not a fan of these hot summer days and driving in her carseat.  You would think that they would have figured out a way to cool the car seat without comprising any of the safety features.  She is just a sweaty little mess after a few minutes in the hot carseat.

Tender Moments: I love how when laying in bed with Nick and I Gracie will turn to check to make sure we are both there.  She is usually in the middle of us and she will look over smile and sometime reach for one of us and then turn the other parent.  It is so cute how she goes back and forth and is so happy.

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.