California

Last week, we drove down to California for my Grandpa's funeral. Ryan, Emry, and I left Wednesday night and drove to St George. We got up the next morning and drove the rest of the way. Emry did great in the car and we actually ended up making great time. We had a good day just hanging out at my Grandma's house, preparing for my Grandpa's funeral. We had a viewing that night. It was a great time to all gather together as a family and remember my Grandpa. He has so many people who love him and miss him so much. 

On Friday, we had my Grandpa's funeral almost all day. It was a wonderful funeral service that highlighted what an amazing man my Grandpa was. My cousin, Missy, gave the eulogy and she did such a good job capturing who my Grandpa really was. One thing that is actually wonderful about funerals is that it is such a good opportunity to feel the spirit testify of the truthfulness of the plan of salvation. I am so grateful for eternal families. The graveside service was next, which was done beautifully. Representatives from the US Navy came, which was really touching. It made me feel very patriotic and so grateful for all those who serve our country. They presented my Grandma with the flag with Owen on her lap and so Owen now thought it was his. It was adorable and I just loved it! The services were followed by the luncheon. Lynne put together a wonderful DVD of pictures with my Grandpa with all his Great Grand kids. It was wonderful because my Grandpa loved his kids, grandkids, and his great grand kids. He found such joy in spending time with them. It was a wonderful day to remember my Grandpa. 

Saturday, we spent the day all together going to the aquarium. It was a fun little aquarium where the kids could touch animals in the "tide pools." All the kids (and adults) had a blast! Here are some pictures from the day.

Emry riding along in her stroller

 Us at the "tide pools" (Kelli, Owen, Cameron, Cadence, Gabby, Me, Emry, Maddie)

Grandma with Emry

Emry and me in the shark's mouth! Happy Girl!!

Grandma, Emry, and Cam by the giant whale!

Saturday night, Ryan and I went out for a fun dinner date since we had so many babysitters. Everyone else went to the Stake Roadshow. On this trip, Emry decided to get stranger anxiety. All she wanted was me. She also got sick (yes, again) and so sleeping was not the best on this trip. So when we met everyone at Roadshow to pick her up, she was a sad sad baby. So we didn't get to see much of the Roadshows.

Sunday morning, Ryan, Jeff, and Jason drove home to get back to work. Lynne, my mom, and I went to Cypress 2nd Ward to see a friend from my ward growing up who was having her homecoming. Also, my Dad was talking, so it was fun to see him speak too. We had a big family dinner that night. I just love having all the cousins together. It's so fun to watch them together and becoming such great friends! I wish we all lived closer so we could see each other more!

Emry and I enjoying the sunshine at my Grandma's house!

Hanging out in the CA sun!! (ok, it was a little chilly in the shade, hence the jacket!)

Cute girls taking a bath in Grandma's great big tub!!

Emry learned to walk using this cute shopping cart. She is getting too big!!

Post bath snuggles are the BEST!!

Monday became our shopping day. Nothing too exciting to report except for the first time in forever, Emry actually fell asleep in her stroller for a nap while we were out at the mall. (She is a really good napper in her own bed, but a terrible napper anywhere else!) She must have been exhausted! She wasn't sleeping well at all at night because of her runny nose, so that must have been a part of it. On Monday night, my  mom pulled out all our old FHE stuff. It was fun remembering all the fun felt stories we used to use when we were little. The kids loved to play with them too and tell all the stories.

So funny! Cam was having a blast pushing Emry around the food court!! Hilarious! And it was good for Emry because she was fussy and wanted to be pushed around! What a good little helper!

Emry sleeping at the mall

The kids and Grandma on the train at the mall. They loved it!

All the cousins gathered together! Love this!

Gabby loved picking Emry up! It was totally comical! She is such a little mommy! Too cute!

Tuesday we had such a fun day at Disneyland. (Actually we only went to California Adventure.) Scott signed my Mom, Lynne, and Me in with all the kids and my Grandma Nancy came too! It was so much fun, but it was pretty crowded so we only went on 2 rides. The new Cars Land is awesome and so is the new Cars ride. Emry surprised me again when she fell asleep in her stroller again! It was beautiful! We had a great time in the park and ate lunch just before we were going to leave. However, I didn't pay close attention to what I was eating and happened to have pesto, which has pine nuts in it. Which means I got to visit the first aid clinic in the park. After some barfing and some Benadryl, we all left and spent the rest of the day at home (me, recovering!).

Me on the new car's ride.                                        These are the cool cars you ride in!

Cute Minnie ears

Best friends! (Emry also learned to say Lila on this trip. It sounds more like "yiya!" but it's adorable. One morning Ryan had Emry and she heard Lila's voice and said, "yiya!" Adorable!! They really are best friends already!)

Sleeping at Disneyland! Wonderful!!!

 Waiting to go on the kiddie ride!

On the ride with Grandma. It was in the Bug's Life land. Kind of like the swings but much slower. Emry actually wasn't scared, which I was surprised about. She did well!

Lynne and I drove home with the 3 babies on Wednesday. We went the full 11 hours and honestly, all the kids did relatively well considering the long drive. The last 3 hours were a little rough because one baby would try to fall asleep and then another one would scream and wake everyone up. It was fun! :D But we all made it home safely and just in time for the snow to return :D


We had such a good time with all our family and only wish we could all get together more often!