New England--Oct 2011

Near the end of last year, I realized that we only had a short time left before we had to pay for Hallie to fly with us. So we took advantage of her free passage to the North East, always hoping that the flight wouldn't be full so we could have a whole row to ourselves. And on some flights our dreams came true. Regardless, she is a great traveler. She fits right in!

We went to 5 state capitols in this order: Boston, Providence, Montpelier, Albany, and Augusta. The weather was perfect. The air smelled "woodsy." It was nice to have a taste of a real fall, where the changing leaves are abundant. Not that I ever really want to move from San Diego, but it was nice to visit.

We spent some time with Ashton's cousin and her family in Boston. It was nice to see them for it has been a few years since we've seen them. We spent some time with my aunt and uncle who live in NH. We are hoping that they will actually move to San Diego some time in the near future. And we spent lots of wonderful time together as our own little family, long car trips, seeing sights, jumping on the hotel bed. Joy and Happiness. Although we did enjoy us some yummy Ben and Jerry's straight from the factory itself, our favorite place was the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial. The spirit there was strong and beautiful. We are grateful for the restoration of the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and for the wonderful man who helped bring that about.

The only tragic incident was that we could not find our original croquet set right before we left (and it is still yet to be found). So we had to buy a new one. The lost croquet set doesn't bother me as much as the fact that our little map that tracks all the states we've been to was in there and is lost forever. It's a good thing we took lots of pictures. I just have to go back through them all to figure out our order. Nevertheless, we only have 4 more capitols to go: Bismarck, Boise, Honolulu, and Juneau!

Pumpkin Patch

I know that it was forever ago, but i just can't get over how cute this little girl is sitting in that pumpkin patch.

In the Corn maze

5 Year Anniversary

To celebrate our 5 year anniversary back in September, we went on a little weekend getaway up to LA. We had a great time just being together and seeing some sights. I can't believe how quickly 5 years go by. And what a blessing it is to still be in love!

We took a tour of some hollywood neighborhoods, mingling with the stars

Walked down the stairs where the stars do for the Oscars (we also took a tour of the theater where they are held)

Had a Romantic dinner right off the Santa Monica Pier

Yo Adrian!

Hung out with the King of Pop

Gromann's Chinese Theatre

We went along the Venice Canals...nothing like the real thing, but still pleasant

We went along the walk of fame

She is just so cute...and getting so big!

Camp Buswell

I love camping. I love being out in the great outdoors, cooking on the camp stove, melting smores over the fire, singing songs, telling stories, hiking, sleeping under the stars (or at least trying to sleep), everything that goes along with camping. We ventured just east of San Deigo to enjoy the great outdoors for a night. It was wonderful. And that little Hallie is a trooper. She was great and she went to bed great and she slept great. And the next day we went for a hike and it was nice to be outside. Unfortunately, a fire had destroyed much of the landscape back in 2003 and the effects were still quite obvious. But it was still nice to be up, up and away.

Good morning Mr Sun!

Mom: "Apple" Hallie: "Cheese"

On our hike

Can you see the charcoal forest?

Don't mind that my eyes are closed

 

 

 

 

After we got home, we were so hot (our car doesn't have AC and we got stuck in traffic on the way back). So we decided to jump in the pool. Hallie LOVES to swim. She could be in her swimming suit all day if I let her hoping that if she is in her swimming suit maybe she will go swimming. She even carries it around the house some days. She loves to splash and kick her legs. She could be in there for hours. That little fishy. I love it when Ashton goes with us because then he is the one who gets in with her. I don't mind getting in the pool, I just wish it was warmer. That is the only time I wish it got hotter here in San Diego. That breeze just makes it so cold when you are all wet.

Say "Cheese"

Hallie loves to ride on Ashton's back like a horsey. The other day I thought that I should take a picture so I get out the camera and I say to Hallie, "Look at mama" and she looks at me and of her own accord says "Cheese." I'm pretty sure she learned that from her cousins who come over and play with our toy camera walking around telling people to say cheese so they can pretend to take a picture.

And then Hallie was being so silly trying to wear her bowl on her head after dinner. I said I should take a picture and there she was again cheezing it.

And they call the thing RODEO

Dancing for the rodeo

Jessie and Woody

Isn't she just so cute?

Rodeos are something that I seek out every summer. And being on the east coast the past few years we haven't enjoyed a good rodeo. So being in the west, although in CA, we found one up in Orange County at the fair. We made the drive north and found this rodeo to be EXTREME. Ashton's favorite thing was that they had 4 cowboys sit at a card table in the middle of the arena and let a bull charge them and the winner was whoever could stay in their chair the longest. I rather enjoyed Hallie and Ashton's reactions to everything. Especially when they would in unison shout "Woah!"

True Happiness and Joy

Waiting for the parade to start

Now THIS is joy and happiness

To say that Ashton LOVES parades is a slight understatement. I believe he has told me before that parades are just pure joy and happiness. In fact, whenever we go to a parade he reminds me to look around and take in the joy and happiness going on all around me. And what would the 4th of July be without a parade? Definitely not joyous or happy. So, in order to make the day the best it could be we ventured to Coronado to watch their annual parade. And it was filled with joy. And happiness. And heat. And people. And horse poop. Just like most other parades. Except they didn't even throw out candy. Somewhat disappointing. But nevertheless we had a great time. We enjoyed a picnic lunch and caught some waves and lots of sun at the beach later. And ended our perfect day with some fireworks. We are grateful for the freedoms we enjoy which also bring joy and happiness.

The Padres Present...

I suppose it has been a few months ago now, but let me tell you about Mormon night at the Padres. The San Deigo Mormon choir was to sing the National anthem for the opening of the game and Ashton was dying to do it. We missed the rehearsal because Ashton was at scout camp, but he talked his way into being able to do it. The director emailed us the music and we were in. So the night came and we enjoyed singing our little hearts out right behind second base with the beautiful choir. My favorite thing that Ashton said about this experience: "I have never known anyone who sung the national anthem at a pro baseball game before this. Now I know 2 people: you and myself." And now you all know at least 2 people too.

The Windy City

After we had ran through the windy sand

Good idea: running on the beach in San Diego in the month of May (Ashton and I did this just before Mother's Day and it was simply splendid.)

Bad idea: running on the beach in Chicago in the month of May (Hallie and I did this a few weeks ago and came to find that strong wind blowing over sand = pelting sand + crying baby + mom going too slow because the wind is too strong). Many may not think that there is a beach in Chicago, but sure enough, right off downtown there are small beaches that dot Lake Michigan. Regardless of running through the sand storm, we had a great run (once we got past the beach). There is a trail that runs 18 miles along Lake Michigan right by downtown Chicago. In fact I found the peace of the lake was a nice balance to the rushing cars. 

Needless to say we had a great time while in Chicago. Ashton worked hard (as always) training some people and acquiring a few sales himself. Hallie and I enjoyed catching up with friends and seeing a few sights. And let's just say that little Hallie is quite the trooper. Not only did she endure getting sprayed by sand, but also by rain. We went to a Cubs game and it was cold and rainy and windy. We shared a poncho and blankets so we didn't get too wet. But man, what a time we had.

Out front at Wrigley field

Sharing a poncho

Hallie is learning new things all the time and our favorite one she learned recently is "go go go." While in the halls of our hotel, the minute we put her down on the ground, she would throw her hands back, start running and say "go go go", except it sounds more like "doe doe doe." She definitely keeps me on my toe-toe-toes while she go-go-goes.

Mother's Day 2011

I know Mother's Day seems like quite a long time ago now, but I just couldn't help myself from expressing how grateful I am to be a mother, especially to my sweet little Hallie bear. She is one of my most treasured blessings. We laugh together, go on walks, go to the park, play with bubbles, take naps, read books. She has such a sweet spirit. She gives loves and kisses to all her toys and blankets and mommy and daddy. It is so cute when she sticks her big ol' lips out, puckering up. I am glad she is part of my family.

Egg Hunt

A few weekends ago Hallie and I went to our friends church for an easter egg hunt. It was so much fun. They had different activities that helped tell the story of Jesus and his crucifixion and resurrection. The last activity was the easter egg hunt. At first I was holding the bag and Hallie was sticking them all in. Then, I think she realized that it would be faster of we changed jobs---She held the bag and I put them in. She reaped a lot of treats that day. It was a hot day and all the chocolate candies melted, but luckily were saved in the fridge for me to eat later. I don't even think Ashton got any, poor guy. We had a great time at the pool afterwards cooling off from our hot egg hunt.

This egg did not even stay on the stick for a second

With the parachute

My little bunny

Bzillions of eggs

Reaping the rewards

And the Winner is....

I caught her waving "hi"

Lately Hallie has had this fascination with putting things around her neck. She found a finishing medal from my marathon earlier this year tucked in her toy basket and has been walking around the house with it for the past couple of days: putting it on, taking it off, putting it on, taking it off. She has also tried to put other things on over her head: socks, shirts, shoes, headbands, the camera—some succeed and some don’t. But we like to let her try.

Not Tonight Honey--I'm on The RAGNAR

Before Ashton's last leg

On Solana beach

Don't mind Ashton's silly stance, he's running...fast

Ashton ran the RAGNAR this past weekend with his brother Jordan, cousin Erik and 9 other people. The race started up near LA somewhere and ended down on the silver strand in San Diego. I believe it was just over 200 miles and Ashton ran about 14 of them. Hallie and I woke up early Saturday morning to watch him run one of the most beautiful stretches of the race, right along Solana beach. We had a great time cheering him on as well as the many other runners we came across. Another amusing part of the race was the names people chose for their teams—Not tonight honey, I’m on the RAGNAR; A serious case of the runs, etc. Although the first is slightly crude, I couldn’t help but laugh when Ashton told me some of the names. Creative, very creative. 

Park It

This little Hallie bear LOVES going to the park. Because we have such nice weather we go to the park multiple times a week. We go through lots of sunscreen (and still have farmers tans) and have lots of fun. Hallie's favorite thing is the slide. She climbs up in quite easily and goes down it just so she can climb back up. She also is quite fond of the swings. She rather seems to enjoy "under-dogs" seeing as I disappear, then reappear every time. She just laughs and laughs. We are loving being able to be outside so much. Not many days pass when I don't think of how grateful I am to be in a place where Hallie can play outside so much without having to bundle her up like a tick about to pop.