Well, our computer's hard drive crashed a few days after we got home from our epic trip, and it's still getting fixed, so I am just blogging straight from my phone (the joys of all of a sudden having a smartphone!!). We spent two weeks in Irvine with my family after our two awesome family reunions, and by "we" I sadly mean just me and the two boys. Tommy had to head back to Texas to work--imagine! No more unlimited vacations! We are kind of still mourning about that. But it was still well worth it to get to spend some quality time with my siblings, especially Dallin right after he came home from his mission in the Dominican Republic. Don't get me wrong--these pictures are not quite an accurate depiction of my stress levels while we were there. I was not sleeping hardly at all the first week (thanks to Graham) and I was totally, totally frustrated with life taking care of these two kids out of our element by myself (even with my family's awesome help). The day we got back to Texas, I had a dentist appointment and asked him why my teeth had been hurting the last few weeks and he asked if I'd been under any stress lately--and it was probably just that I'd been grinding my teeth with all the stress. And they haven't hurt since we got home! So although our trip was so awesome and we loved seeing family so much, we are starting to learn how much really has to go into it when you have a couple of kids and man! How hard it can be to go places with them!
There were still tons and tons of fun moments this whole time we were in California. It was nice to just relax and not feel like we had to go go go all the time. We spent most of the time just around the house or at the park--or in the driveway eating Popsicles.
Lots of park time--and Dane loved that all the parks there have SAND!
We went to Laguna beach to see the sea lion animal shelter place (I have no idea what it was called now...)
I chopped my hair off while I was there and love it!
Graham and Cora got some good baby bonding time in.
We brought Dane to the Santa Ana zoo to see the monkeys, and of course ride the merry go round too! I love his cute excited face.
This boy was so hard and so cute the whole time we were there. My family all kind of thought he was a tough, screaming baby, and I was thinking he was totally turning into one too. And then the DAY we got home, no kidding, he got so happy and sweet and content to play and snuggle all day long again. I don't know what it was, but seriously something was wrong for him there--maybe his naps, or it was too loud and overwhelming, I don't know. But I'm just glad he's happy back at home!
M n M babies!
One evening we went to balboa, rode the ferry, went to the fun zone, and got balboa bars and tacos for dinner. It was a really fun evening!
Graham could not keep his eyes off the ice cream. Boy after my own heart!
Dane LOVED the Ferris wheel at the fun zone!
Another day, another merry go round... At the great park in Irvine.
We went swimming a few times, and even Graham got in the water!
Lots of walks on the trail. Or wagon rides.
They have an awesome kids museum that Dane just loved! He walked around pulling this mater wagon for maybe 25 minutes.
We had to try to go to the beach while we were there.
Graham really liked watching the waves. It's so cute how aware he's getting these days!
Riding on the train at Irvine regional park.
And having a picnic for lunch afterwards!
Communal laying around.
Such good uncles playing and singing to the babies.
I came out to the garage one day and saw this.
This was the reason I'm so happy we put up with the crazy kiddos and stress. All six siblings in the same place for two weeks! We haven't been together since Austin left for his mission 3 years ago. It was awesome to see everyone together and to get some good time with the whole fam.
And this is the thing I love about pictures... I'm looking at these and already forgetting the bad moments and just feeling grateful we got to have such a good time with my family for a while. Memory is such a good thing! We miss everyone already now that we're home, but it's so good to be home at the same time. That's the best way to end the trip.
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