Memorial Day

Memorial Day has always been a day that we have gone to the graves with my family and then gone to the park to play, but this year it has become very different. It hasn't become any easier since Daxton died, but we have all learned a lot and are hopefully becoming better friends, parents, siblings, and kids because of him and all he taught us. After going to the graves Sunday we went to a park and had a nice picnic and then had fun playing on the playground and playing sand volleyball. On Monday we visited graves again and then had a party with my dad's family. We are very grateful for our family!



Aunt Mandy holding the four boys (number 4 makes his debut next Thursday!).
The boys had a great time climbing the tree.

Card Work-out

I found this work-out on the internet that I like to do on days like today that are windy and rainy and I can't go running with the boys. It's also nice for vacation or somewhere you might be staying that you can't go to a gym or don't want to because all you need is a deck of cards.

Here is the way it works:
Draw 5 cards.
Add up the numbers on the cards.
Do that many jumping jacks, crunches and push-ups.
Rest for that many seconds.
Draw 5 more cards.
Repeat the process until you work through the whole deck.

Caution: You may not be able to do your hair or lift your kids for a couple of days after. Do at your own risk.

Let me know if any of you try this and what you think. I also didn't think it sounded that bad when I first heard it, but you will be amazed at how good it works you!

Pool Cleaning

Yesterday we had our annual pool cleaning at my parent's. We start off by draining the whole pool and then scrub it clean.


Then the fun begins! As the pool is refilling with water we have our own water slide or dancing for some that prefer that. :) I had planned on bringing swimsuits for the boys, but Aaron talked me out of it because he said the boys wouldn't want to get into it and it would be too cold for them. Last time I listen to him, they had a blast! :)


The clothes came off soon after this because they were getting soaked.



Austin was so funny he would just crawl all over and wasn't at all fazed by the coldness. Zack loved it, just not quite as much.


Cousin Neal wasn't a fan like my boys were, but isn't he cute! He was excited because they he had just splashed Zack.


There is a reason why they have swim diapers! Austin's just fell off because it was so heavy. Here is Zack's after exploding all over Grandpa.


While we were sliding and having a blast Grandpa and Grandma were entertaining the boys and took them for wagon rides all over the yard. Even though they might not look like they are having fun they loved it. I didn't get any pictures of the sliding because I was having too much fun!

Newport Coast

We got home last Friday night from a week long vacation to Newport Coast, California. It was beautiful there and we had a great time with all of my family. I've been to the ocean quite a few times, but I totally fell in love with it this time, when I have a few million we are definitely moving to a beach house. We found the most perfect beach on Saturday with beautiful soft sand, great waves, not very many people, and dolphins and whales! Yes, you heard me right as we were getting ready to leave we saw 3 dolphins swimming and 2 whales. It was the coolest thing I have ever seen! Here is some video of it:

Austin got sick the day before we left, then Zack got sick the day after we got there so all they wanted to do was be held. Aaron had a great time body surfing and I enjoyed watching him, Angie, and Dave and listening to the ocean.




It was my parent's 29th anniversary while we there and they wanted to spend it with us. We were glad and had a great time with them!


Steve and Dave playing/wrestling with all of the boys.


Austin and Zack were so funny and they climbed in to these drawers with Neal and had a blast playing in there.


We went to an Angels game and watched them beat the Orioles. It was tons of fun, especially since my parents volunteered to watch the boys. Do you think Matt and Aaron look alike?


On Monday we rode across a ferry to Balboa Island which is man-made. We walked around the island and looked in some of the stores. We also had frozen bananas because that is where they originated from. They were pretty good, but overrated!


On Tuesday we went to an Aquarium in Long Beach. It was fun to see all of the fish, sea lions, and other marine animals. The boys loved watching the fish and the sharks swim around.




Then Tuesday night we went and saw Wicked and Steve and Mandy were awesome and volunteered to watch our boys. That play is amazing! If you haven't seen it yet you should go! Both me and Aaron are already planning when we are going to go see it again, I've been wanting to see it for years and it was even better than I thought it would be.


Unfortunately the boys passed some of their germ love on and me and Neal got sick on Wednesday, but we still managed to have a good time. We went to a Farmer's Market and then went on a walk to Crystal Cove beach that was less than 1/2 mile from where we were staying. I got to go for a run on the beach (that is a serious calf workout!) and we had fun watching the birds and being by the ocean.



On Thursday Angie watched all of the boys while the rest of us went and did a session at the Newport Temple. The temple was of course beautiful and gave us all a lot of comfort. I'm so grateful for eternal families and the knowledge I will see Daxton again and that Michelle and Matt will have their baby!


We went back to Laguna Beach after and Zack and Austin finally decided they liked the sand and had a ball playing and getting covered from head to toe in sand. It was great watching the ocean throw the guys all around and they a great time playing in the waves. As we were leaving we saw at least 5 dolphins again, it was so funny they were teasing the birds and kept chasing after them. That beach was awesome!!


We had a great time and we really miss the ocean. Thanks Mom, Dad, and everyone for a ton of fun! BTW I read The Host by Stephenie Meyer on the way home, for all of you Twilight fans and everyone else it is so good! You should all go buy a copy right away, thanks Steve, Mandy, and Neal for the great birthday present!