Maybe it's because Billy and I recently watched the movie "The Impossible" (a true story about a family vacationing in Thailand when that horrific tsunami hit in 2004), but lately I feel like my heart could not be any fuller. In case you were wondering, I highly recommend the movie, but make sure that your family is nearby because you'll want to hold them a little bit longer and love them a little bit stronger. I think Billy and I kissed the girls 10 times each that night and told each other we loved each other at least 5 times before falling asleep.
It may also be that it is still wonderful, glorious summer - when the days are stretched, we're outside more, and the sun warms you from the inside out. I've just been appreciating things more. Like the fact that Ryann can write her name in chalk on our porch, or that Jane is starting to show us her first words and work on those precious first steps. Or maybe it's the fact that we can drive to visit our family in Fort Collins, and see family that isn't a drive away with technologies like FaceTime. How great was it that I got to watch my sister open up her birthday gifts and see the look on her face when she saw what we got her. And don't forget about my love for Instagram. Although so many of my friends have moved, I feel like I'm experiencing their adventures with them from miles away.
Whatever it is, Billy and I have both been feeling extremely blessed these days. That darn movie has made me all mushy, but I can't help but notice how amazingly, crazy lucky we are. Like I said, life is good.
So that brings me to one other thing I am so appreciative of.... travel! We have had quite the summer so far. Of course we continued our annual tradition of a trip to Nebraska for the 4th of July. Unfortunately, I forgot my Canon and my phone died on me about a week and a half later, so the pictures I have from our visit are limited. Nevertheless, it was such a memorable trip and we're always so glad we do it. I especially loved this year because we had the opportunity to go jet-skiing. There's a fantastic lake just minutes away from Nona and Gpa Dale's house, and being back on the water transported me back to all those summers taking our family boat out. You literally couldn't wipe the smirk off my face that day. I took Ry out on the jet-ski for the first time and it was the cutest thing. I asked her what she thought of it mid-ride and she yelled "THIS THING'S AWESOME! WE GOTTA GET ONE OF THESE!!!" I agree, kid. So much fun.
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| On the kiddie rides at Cody Park |
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| Playing in the sand at the lake. |
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| We always love our 4-wheeling adventures. |
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| Even Janie got to try it out. |
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| At the 4th of July parade in Sutherland. |
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| Our watermelon-eating loveys. |
Not long after we got back from Nebraska we went to Sacramento to see Mimi and Papa, hang out with some extended family, and meet my new "nephew", adorable baby Owen. I got to spend so much quality time with Katrina, see Jenny, who is halfway done with her first pregnancy and absolutely glowing,
and it just so happened to work out that the cousins were there visiting their Grammy so we got to swim with them too. I mean, what are the odds? So lucky!
We went to the zoo, swam, and ate at all my favorite local restaurants. I even took Ryann to her very first drive-in movie with Katrina, Derrick and Makenna. In fact, it was probably at the very same place I experienced my first drive-in. I forgot how much fun they can be. Ryann had so much fun with Makenna, who was a couple months shy of 2 when I moved to Kansas City. Now she's a gorgeous 8-year old, who soars up to my shoulders and looks more like her mom every day. She was so sweet with Ry and is already the best big sis to Owen.
We also got to spend some time with Pant Pam, Uncle Den, Doug and Lisa. They are all looking fantastic and Doug and Lisa's house is simply beautiful. It was great to catch up and made me wish we lived closer. Love them all. Here are some of the limited photos from our time in CA.
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| At Grammy's pool in Placerville. We are so grateful they invited us over. |
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| Wish we could see these guys more. |
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| The Italians vs. The SPF'ers. |
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| Two of my favorites at the zoo. |
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| A rare, and adorable species. |
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| Gorgeous girl |
And that brings me to New Jersey. Ryann and Billy took their first ever father/daughter trip together. I hope that Ry remembers this forever. They are so much alike and I can only imagine the fun they had together. Thank goodness for Uncle Bobby, who kept the pictures coming and I'm sure snuck some fruit and vegetables into my little one's diet. It sounds like they had the perfect time... built castles in the sand, ate lots of fresh seafood, went into the city, checked out the Central Park Zoo, caught multiple toads, and played at our friends' summer camp. You really can't beat Jersey in the summertime!
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| Toad #1, |
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| Toad #2, |
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| Toad #3, |
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| At the river, |
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At the beach.
She loves the ocean every bit as much as her parents do, |
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And a huge double scoop from Hoffman's.
Did I mention these were all taken on the first day? |
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At Mr. Shrimp.
Our favorite seafood eatery, owned by some of Billy's friends. |
Two peas in a pod. Or should I say lobsters in a tank. ha. ha. ha.
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| Facetiming with sissy. Can you tell how much these two missed each other? |
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| On the train to NYC. |
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| Times Square. |
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| On the Ferris Wheel inside Toys R Us. |
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| Even dad and Uncle Bobby loved the ride. |
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| With Crazy Meggie, our favorite NYC tour guide. |
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| More beach time. |
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| Ryann with our friends' kiddos - Olivia and Bella. |
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| At Summer Camp with Bella. |
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The Doris Duke Estate.
From what I hear, a must-see in Jersey. |
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Lunch that day - a piece of cake from an Italian deli.
That's my girl! |
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| Toad #4 - a late night catch in her pj's. |
I'd say it's been a pretty successful summer. We hope you all are enjoying yours as much as we have!
And I hope you are enjoying all the little moments that
make life so good.
