Sending Wishes to Heaven

Our sweet friends, the Nielsons, were involved in a terrible private plane crash in AZ.  We have been praying non-stop for them and their families to feel the loving arms of our Heavenly Father around them.  On Saturday, people all over the world united to send balloons to heaven with our wishes for Stephanie and Christian attached.  How inspiring to connect with a little group of fellow Californians!  The internet is miraculous to say the least!

We love you Christian, Stephanie, Claire, Jane, Ollie and Gigs!!!

Happy Birthday and Other Happenings!

The summer is winding down, so we are trying to have as much fun as possible!!  Here are a few pics to make you all jealous that you don't live in San Diego! ;)

Can you say "DRAMA QUEEN?"  So this is what girls are like...

Do you love the sad little tear?

Jase is pretty excited about conquering the rock!

Huge rope thingey at the new park by our house.  I climbed it in flip flops... aren't you impressed?

Mia's first pig tails.  Requires large amount of gel. 

  

Beach day with Dawne (Jason's sis) and fam!  SO fun to see them!!!

Jarom and Thor have the same DNA- it's spooky.

Happy 39th Mr. McDonald!  I have a feeling we'll be celebrating this one over and over!

I don't think he looks a day over 29 :)

HOTTIE!!

Swinging is Mia's new fav!!  

EARTHQUAKE!!!!!

It's official- we're Californians.  Today we experienced our first thrilling earthquake!  No injuries or catastrophic damage, just really excited kids.  I guess it was a good wake up call- we have no idea what earthquake protocol is.  Luckily, Jarom researched and we have designated the "earthquake hiding spots" in the house.  Yikes!

New Shoes and Ridiculous Cuteness

Mia continues to amaze us with her darling personality!  She is the happiest, most loving baby!  She has learned that the camera means "ham it up" and Jason took these photos of her saying cheese! 

The other scary discovery is that she is quite the shoe lover.  We finally found that crocs will fit on her fat little feet, but the journey of trying on a million pairs of shoes was a total delight to Mia!  

The So Cal Life!!

This picture is supposed to be at the end of the post.  I wish I knew how to get it there- read on...

Since Jason had to be in Orange County for business, we thought we would camp out in his hotel room and see what the L.A. scene had to offer.  The good news: it was a super fun adventure; the bad news: I forgot the camera.  I guess we'll all have to make due with my brief highlights.

Day 1: 

             Hollywood- to stand in Will Smith's footprints and purchase star map!

     Driving ALL OVER Beverly Hills in our rockin' mini van.

     Chili dogs at Pink's (not awesome) and cupcakes at Sprinkle's (awesome)

Day 2:

    Getty Museum; GO THERE!!!! 'nuff said.

    Venice Beach; DON'T GO THERE!!!! 'nuff said

    Fried chicken and waffles at Roscoe's (yes, all on the same plate- and yes, we were     the only white people in the restaurant.)  This was the kid's favorite part of the trip.

Poor Jase spent the trip with a shiner after a little mishap involving the makeshift bed we fixed up in the room.  Here is a picture of the damage.

Kindred Spirits

One of my dearest friends, Anna Lisa, came to the beach from Texas for a family vacation!  We have not seen each other for at least 10 years- what a treat!!!  She is still, of course, completely beautiful (no wonder Mike Zaharis asked her out :)!  I have a feeling this will be one of the perks of living in a vacation destination- woo hoo!!

Pizza on the beach!
Our collective offspring! (Anna has 4 girls, we have begun the matchmaking process)
Jacob as a sea monster!  Scary.  And gross.

Happy Father's Day...and other news!

We are finally reunited!  It was a great Father's Day, complete with filet mignon hot off the grill, and being able to consume it outside on the most beautiful day you have ever seen!

In other exciting news:  Mia is FINALLY walking!!  She's been doing it so long holding onto someone's finger, that she practically took off running!
And she REALLY likes whipped cream!!