California 2015

We had such a great time visiting my parents in California in February this year! Lyla and I drove back with my mom who was already in Utah, and Lyla was such a good girl! Thanks to lots of electronic devices, she didn't make one peep the whole car ride there. It was a dream!

We got to do lots of fun things in CA. The first few days were rainy (meanwhile it was 70 degrees back in Utah and we were wondering why the heck we left), but it cleared up and was beautiful for most of our trip. Lyla loved going to the park almost every day and really seemed to enjoy just being at Grandma and Grandpa's house. I loved having a live in maid and part time babysitter in my mom! I could really get used to that!

I got to see my good friends which is always a treat for me, and it was especially fun to get our kids together and make future wedding plans and such. It is always so nice to go home, and so hard to leave. I'm so glad that Lyla had such a great time too this year. Saying goodbye was tough, but we we were of course happy to be reunited with our main man!

Our fist day there it poored (meanwhile it was 70 degrees in Utah!). Lyla loved going on a walk in the rain with Grandpa and her little frog umbrella

We took Lyla to Montgomery Village to pick out a box of Sees and ride the bear. This is always sentimental because my Grandpa used to take the kids in my family to ride this bear when he would come to visit.

My BFF's who were so nice to make the trek up again this year! Can you believe Mary is 36 weeks pregnant??

Lyla was reallly interested in putting Madeline's shoe back on

It was so delightful to have our little ones play together. The next generation!

Lyla and Burke just being cute together.

The three of us with our three (soon to be four) kids. Burke looks just like Mary, but Lyl and Madeline both take after their dads!

I also got to see Kaitlin several times which is always awesome

One of our many park trips with my mom....this time to Strawberry, my old elementary school.

Lyla lounging with my dad. They got along extremely well which I'm sure had nothing to do with my dad giving her many, many chocolate chips every day. Grandpa also took her on a little walk almost every day.

Lyla at church the second week...I think she got a little traumatized by nursery the first week, so we were pulling out all the stops so I could get a little visiting time in after sacrament.

Unfortunately, were away from Todd for Valentines day, but he remembered his girls and sent us some beautiful chocolate covered strawberries! Lyla really enjoyed hers!

We faced timed Todd while she ate hers so that he could be part of the experienced.

We took Lyla to the beach for her first time and she loved it! It was probably the nicest day I have every been there. Warm, sunny, and no wind! Also the most crowded time I have ever been  there.

Me and my pops

I was so amazed that as soon as we got to the beach, Lyla pointed at the water and yelled "ocean". Later she asked to build a "castle". I was totally taken off guard that she knew those things! 

This was right before we put our feet in the water and she got soaked!

One of my mom's "things" with the grandkids is making sugar cookies. I was so glad that Lyla was old enough to make them with her for the first time.

I love this picture of my girl and my mom making cookies

Lyla really loved the whole cookie making process

And especially enjoyed the fruits of her labors!

We had such a great trip, and my heart hurts thinking that we probably won't be back till next year. And next time I go will probably be with another baby....We found out while we were there that I'm expecting baby #2! That's a story for another day, but it will always be a fun memory of this trip.