Cousins

So crazy that in just a year these two little girls have gone from this....

To this...

It has been so much fun to watch these two grow and learn together. Sometimes it takes them a minute to remember each other when we get together, but they always end up having so much fun together. Funny that Sophia looks so much like Blake (my brother) and Maycee looks so much like me, and Blake and I look so much alike yet...these two look SO different! Its so fun that Maycee has a cousin SO close in age (2 1/2 months), I hope they stay friends their whole life. I love the mosaic above because it shows both their personalities so well!!

Uncle Austin is always willing to play with the kids. He is so cute with them and you can tell how much they love him.

Cousins with Uncle Austin...Tyson, Sophia & Maycee

The beach

There is a nice little beach with a playground here in Daybreak. Its been fun to take Maycee there and see her love for the beach begin. It took a little bit for her to get used to the sand and the water temp, but once she did...there was no looking back. We first took her with her cousins, Jack and Halle a couple times. Then we took some friends up with their little ones.

Maycee's first swing experience...she giggled the whole time.

These two always want to do what the other is doing...they love each other SO much!!

This is how Maycee started out in the lake...not too happy about it

Then she got a little more comfortable...splashing a bit...

Lovin' life...(as long as she's holding on to Dad)

Went back to hating it once she was in her swimsuit on her own...

Then Halle showed her the ropes and she was lovin it! They could have stayed there for hours playing!

Jack the fish
A different night we stopped by the splash pool, it closed...so we headed to the beach.

She had no problem this time around...headed straight for the toys and the sand.

I love this little girl!!!

Finally...this is when we visited the beach with KC's college roomies and families.

The guys - Jodie, KC, Jeff (we missed you tall Jeff and Natalie!)

The kiddos...Gracie, Maycee & Drayden

Pretty sunset...perfect picture op

The Sandbar

Kenny Chesney came to town a couple weeks ago and I was graciously offered a ticket by my sister-in-law. As we sat in the blistering heat (we were in direct sunlight in 98 degree weather!), we noticed we were possibly as far from the stage as you could get. Then we see my other sister-in-law get taken down to the field and given a wristband...of course we are raging with jealousy! About ten minutes later the same lady that just made Katie the luckiest person, found us and we were upgraded to "The Sandbar". Whats "The Sandbar" you ask? Oh, just the section right next to the stage where everyone stands and Kenny comes by during his songs and grabs your hands. Yep, we were right next to the stage! Thanks for the sweet hook-up Tara, we owe you big time!!

This is the stage from our original seats...with the camera zoomed as far as it could be.

Then we got these magic red wristbands...

And they took us up this close!!

The ladies...Lindsey, Amy, Kristin, Sally, Katie, and Tara

This is how close we were to Kenny...no zoom on the camera now!

There's Kenny right behind us...

Katie got on Jake's shoulders and got to hug Kenny!!

Kenny knows what's up! He came back on stage for his encore with a University of Utah hat on!

Thanks for the great night Kenny!!

5

This is what our family looked like five years ago yesterday...
This is what our family looked like yesterday...
To celebrate five years, we started with a little swimming at the Grand America Hotel with Maycee. (This was after we made a last minute trip to Maycee's doctor, where she was diagnosed with her first ear infection...SO sad!) After A LOT of convincing from KC that Maycee would be fine, we dropped her off for a sleepover at KC's parents (thanks Chuck & Tami), then headed to Provo for a little take-out at the picnic tables where we first met...pretty cheesy, I know. But, it was fun to be back where we both have so many fun memories from working for EFY.

Not too many people around...this was the best we could do with the self-timer.

Standing at the exact spot where we were first introduced to eachother...right by the flagpole.

Then we headed for a little treat. KC had heard about this new ice cream place with a really cool concept....

Start with the cream and the flavors you want mixed in...

then add freezing gas...

mix together and this is what you get!

They freeze the cream right in front of you! The end product was pretty tasty and I'm sure you could come up with some crazy combinations! Then it was back to The Grand America Hotel for a relaxing night and morning. KC had massage appointments booked for us, then we spent a little time by the pool. It was a nice little stay-cation to celebrate our marriage - Thanks babe!

Turn down service...and nice robes!

Yummy chocolates with a little note telling us the temperature for the next day, thanks Beto!!

Pretty crazy how quick the last five years have gone by. I am so lucky to be married to such a crazy, funny, hardworking, loving, happy, amazing man! I am grateful for the man that KC is and all the hard work he does to support our little family. I love watching the relationship between him and Maycee grow, she loves when he comes home at night and runs to meet him when he walks in the door. Thank you KC for being so patient with me and working through everything with me. We have made some amazing memories with all our adventures these last five years! I am SO excited for everything that is to come! Love you!

If you really want it...

Then ask your Uncle! Maycee has learned the trick...If I won't give it to her, she runs to one of her uncles. They pretty much give her whatever she wants. I'm fine with it, I will fill their kids up with sugar one day too!

Freedom

We headed to San Diego to celebrate the 4th of July this year. KC rarely has Saturday's off, so we had to take advantage when has a free day to spend with us. We stayed on Coronado Island, watched the fireworks over San Diego Bay, took a quick trip to the beach, and enjoyed some good mexican food in Old Town. It was fun to hang out just the three of us and enjoy the beautiful weather of San Diego.

Waiting for the fireworks to start...

Sportin' her red, white and blue...I made her skirt.

Downtown San Diego

She LOVED the fireworks...made sure to applaud when they were done.

Love her ruffly bum!!

She actually really enjoyed the pool this time! I think we are turning a corner.

All tuckered out from swimming...she is such a cuddle bug!

She is still a little scared of the waves...notice her little foot in the air, so cute!

I love this little girl, she is so happy with the simplest things!

I am so grateful we have a special day to celebrate the many freedoms we enjoy living in this country. Thank you to all the men and women of the military for the service they provide and their willingness to preserve the freedoms we have.