Tonight...

Tonight as we kneeled for family prayers, Jeff asked whose turn it was to say the prayer. To our pleasant surprise, McKay took the initiative and started right in all by himself! (a first)


M: "Heavenly Father, thank you this day (for this day), thank you family (for our family), daddy, mommy, mckay, something, something, something (that we couldn't quite make out)..........(really long    pause)............AMEN!!!"


All by himself! Jeff & I just stared at each other with huge grins in amazement. So sweet. Ah, the simple moments that just make you melt! Love this boy of ours!

Birthday Getaway!

This April I turned 30! What?! Crazy. I still feel like I could never be old enough to be 30. I guess I kind of understand why people say they are 25 at heart forever. But I also feel that 30's will be great. Still young with energy, yet more stable and secure with life. My Grandma always said that her 30's were her best years. So here's to 30! 

I love traveling and am constantly bugging Jeff to take me somewhere. So for my birthday, I wanted nothing more than a fun getaway. Jeff obliged and we decided to explore our own backyard and drive up the beautiful CA coastline.  The plan was to head up to Pismo Beach/Hearst castle and stop in a few fun spots along the way. 

Heading out Thursday night, we stayed in Hollywood to break-up the drive...

We ate an amazing breakfast at the most adorable little French-inspired cafe, the 'Larchmont Bungalow'. 

If you are ever in the area, you MUST go here! Seriously. Get the French Toast, it's unbelievable.

Then we headed up to my favorite spot, Santa Barbara... 
SB is gorgeous! I love the Spanish style architecture, rolling hills, amazing coastline, and beautiful greenery. We went after we first got married and I've been begging Jeff to take me back ever since!

Of course, my favorite, State Street. Shopping!

Had to snap a belly shot while trying on clothes! I've been so bad at taking any belly shots this time around. Here I am, 28 wks. (7 mo's)

Next we headed up to Solvang... 

The drive there is all along Lake Cachuma and it is amazing! So gorgeous!

Solvang is a small little town replicated after Denmark. It was fun to see, especially since my family is all Scandinavian.

Next, Pismo Beach...

Our resort was in Shell Beach. This was the view from our room. Stunning!

Breakfast in Pismo. That hot chocolate was as good as it looks!

Heading up to Hearst Castle...

There are 6 different tours you can take. Our 1 tour alone was an hour and 40 mins. The place is ginourmous.

What a view!

One of the three guest homes on the property. This one alone had 6 bedrooms.

Outdoor Pool. Gorgeous.

The main house.

One of the many courtyards. Doesn't this pic look like a painting?

Movie theatre.

Indoor Pool.

Thanks babe for the amazing trip! and to Jim & Jodie for watching McKay while we were gone. Talk about the cherry on top! It was just amazing being able to have a little break and perfect, relaxing getaway!

Legoland

80's Party!

Swami's Cafe and a family stroll down the pier on a beautiful, sunny day. Perfection.

Keepin it Real

Lately McKay has been completely obsessed with his Thomas the train set, he drags them around everywhere we go. The other day, he was playing in the backyard while I ran upstairs to do a load of laundry. I was probably gone for literally, a whole two minutes, when I came back downstairs stunned to find this lovely mess all over my house...

...dirt everywhere, including himself covered head to toe. At first I couldn't figure out what in the world he was thinking! But, after the initial reaction (and getting it all cleaned up), I thought it was pretty funny he was just making it more 'real'.

The culprit. (after the strip/hose down)

There's not much to get into out back. We have artificial turf, a playslide, furniture, and two pots. Guess he found the one thing of dirt to get into. Oh well, gotta laugh, shrug it off, and sometimes remind myself he really doesn't know any better. ..next time, however... ;)

IT'S A...

We are so excited to have two little buddies! Boys are the best!..but I suppose I'm a little partial since I already have one of my own. :) Really, we couldn't have been more thrilled either way. I'm so excited for McKay to have a little buddy to run around with.

Happy New Year 2011

New Year's Eve: {Elizabeth, Elke, Lori, Anna, Me}

Ringing in the New Year with friends, what could be better? McKay literally fell asleep at about 12:03, without even realizing he made it to count-down. Haha. That's 2 for 3 for little guy. Happy New Year everyone! Cheers to 2011! PS: New Year's Resolution: Organization! ...I thought perhaps if I posted it, I'd hold myself more accountable. :) We'll see. Resolutions for anyone else out there?

Christmas in Utah

The first day, the boys took McKay sledding.

Of course, he loved every minute of it.

Christmas Eve, we went over to my Aunt & Uncle's house for a delicious dinner. Following dinner, the kiddos put on our traditional Nativity production. McKay wanted nothing to do with the dressing up part; but, despite his lack of participation, he was really excited about it.  

Here's the cast. It's so fun being on the other side of it after all these years, getting to watch our own kids.

Our entire trip McKay was completely obsessed, as usual, with his Uncle Britt.  From morning until night, all he wanted was to play with 'Bit'. He followed and pulled him around everywhere he went. For the first time ever, my little mama's boy wanted nothing to do with me..and let me tell you, I didn't mind one bit! It was rather refreshing. Btw, Britt, will you please come live with me! ;)

Christmas morning at the hotel and some stocking action.

Opening presents, McKay was in heaven.

Being goofy.

We also wondered around campus and the BYU bookstore. Chocolate covered cinnamon bears anyone?

    

How cute are they?!

A picture to remember Grandma's house. Home away from home.

'The Fudge Lady' floral arrangement.

Perhaps a strange shot to take but, c'mon, who else has a blue & white casket with a BYU logo on it?! Unique. Just like her. After the services, the entire extended family got out sharpies and signed it with love, covered from top to bottom. So Grandma. She would have loved it.

Grandma Glamour Derelys Lovely and Grandpa.

Derelys Dana Anthony

Grandma and me.

Christmas this year was rather bittersweet for me. Last minute, we headed up to Utah in order to attend my grandma's funeral. The service was one of a kind. In attendance, former BYU coach- LaVel Edwards, a professional MBA player- Mark Eaton, conducted by one of the 70's, a breathtaking musical number by a Mormon Tabernacle member, 7 children, 30+ grandchildren, 30+ great grandchildren, friends and loved ones. In closing, grandma's fudge and the BYU fight song. What a full life she led. I'm not going to lie, it's been extremely tough to part with her...and I suppose it doesn't help feeling overly emotionally pregnant either; although tough regardless. For anyone who knows me, they also know how special this lady was and always will be to me. Growing up living across the street as well as living in her basement between moves, during college, and my first year of marriage, she was more like a mother to me and really, also became one of my best friends. When Jeff proposed, he went straight to Grandma first to ask for my hand in marriage. She became friends with all of my friends. I always felt of her love and knew she was there for me, rooting me on and guiding me along the way. Full of life and energy, quick, witty, eccentric, strong, inspirational, and one of the most influential persons in my life. She taught me so much and has been my rock throughout my life. I am so grateful for the wonderful relationship I have had with this amazing woman. She will truly be missed and how sweet the day will be when I will get to see her again. I know you are up there partying in heaven, Grandma! I am so happy for you to be reunited with your Mama and your Mr. Wonderful. Love you forever, like you for always, forever and ever my grandma, my mother, my friend you will be.

JOY.

This year, Jeff insisted that we have Pipe as the backdrop for our Christmas photo. 'Insisted' just might be an understatement. And not just any Pipe, but a 'going off' Pipe. Ok, fine. Makes no difference to me. Well, I guess easier said than done. Sorry babe, but next year, you are so banned from all Christmas card involvement! After sifting through photos, hours of creating dozens of different sample cards, and finally Jeff just plain blaming McKay and I for ruining the Christmas card opportunity...(yes, it was a breaking point and well, to be perfectly honest, McKay does sort of look like a velociraptor here), we've FINALLY finished! A bit comically ridiculous if you ask me, over a measly Christmas card. So, good riddance to that and to all a good night! ...and um, with cheer and merry and bright?!?..I don't want to sound like a total bah humbug, after all. Ha ha. But seriously, so happy to be DONE with that silly thing and more importantly, we wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! :)