9 YEARS

That's how long we have been married as of today.
I'm grateful everyday that somehow I got this guy to marry me.
I love you babe!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!

New Jersey week 2

In the two weeks we have been here I think there has only been 1, maybe 2 days that we haven't stepped foot on the beach. We typically don't stay long, just long enough for the kids to get all wet and sandy.

Ellie is such a poser.
On this picture we were just walking along the beach when she said "Mom, take a picture of me." and struck this pose.

What are their names? Larry, Moe, and Curly!

We brought along our plug and play video game that has about 15 different games on it. Clara likes to think that she is playing it, but really she just sits there and dies over and over again.

We have found a few dead crabs washed up on the beach but this one was the first one that was alive.

Clara showing off her sunburn from the first really nice day. We have learned our lesson. Everyday before we head out I take them out on the patio and spray them down with sunblock. It looks a lot worse than it was.

A group of the Moms got together and took the kids to the park. This park had a great playground and a splashground. We played on both.

McKay loved spraying everyone.

I'm noticing that McKay is not in as many pictures as the girls. I love him as much as the other two he is just getting so old that he doesn't like to hang out by his mom with the camera anymore. He is always walking ahead or off playing. He is becoming so independent.

He did pause for this picture with his sister.

Clara hard at work in the sand at the park.

This was my attempt at trying to entertain the girls at the beach. I still haven't made the garage sale rounds like the other wives to collect beach toys so I get creative.

The other night Clara pooped in the bathtub. So while I was cleaning the tub before the girls could get back in and wash up Clara decided to come finish her pasta.

What do you say about her? I don't know!

Today she was wearing the same swimsuit we were on our way to swimming pool when Ellie said "Dang, I forgot the put on my shorts. They looks so sweet with this swimsuit."

Self portrait

Father and Son on the beach.

It has finally been nice for about 4 days in a row now. I don't know if I've ever spent so much time in a swimsuit. Between the beach and the pool, sometimes it's twice a day. I only have 2 too. I think by the end of the summer they will just need to be thrown away.

Under the hat and towel there lies a sleeping Ellie.

Showing off their letters from Grandma that came in the mail.

Today is Mine and Ryan's anniversary. 9 years!! We decided to go out for a nice, romantic, family breakfast. That's what you do when you only see each other in the mornings.

The happy couple!
Still going strong after all these years.

The kids entertaining themselves by attacking each other.

We are having a good time out here. We just try to keep ourselves busy while Ryan is off. The days for the most part actually go surprisingly fast. I think the summer is going to fly by.

Zoe and Watson

Before we came to New Jersey we lived at my parents for about 6 weeks while our house was rented out. The next door neighbors have two adorable kids, Zoe and Watson, that became McKay and Ellie's favorite playmates. Everyday they would spend hours outside jumping, exploring, and playing. On their last day of playing I got this snapshot just so I could remember. I'm sure from now on every time we are at Grandma's the kids are going to want to go next door to see if Zoe and Watson are home.

To my Father, to the Father of my children, and to all the Fathers out there. You make such a difference in the lives of so many.
We Love You!!

Week 1 in Jersey

Last Sunday the kids and I said goodbye to Utah and boarded a plane to New Jersey. Ryan had already been out there for 2 months. We were excited to go join him but sad to be leaving family. Our plane was delayed an hour so the kids kept busy looking at the planes out the window and playing freeze dance.

They were GREAT on the plane. The hardest part was just getting on and getting all situated. After that the flight was long but good. Luckily I packed sandwiches and snacks because the only food available to buy on the 5 hour fight was some apple and cheese tray, and a weird breakfast sandwich. My kids would have been miserable.

On Monday, our first full day here, it was a nice warm day and we took advantage of that by heading down to the beach with Ryan before he took off for the day. Our apartment is just one building back from the beach so it's a very short walk to get there.

McKay and Ellie love standing out on the rocks and commanding the waves to go higher. They love it when a big one actually comes.

Clara hard at work with her stick.

The next day all the wives and kids got together for a potluck picnic at a park. It was a good chance to meet most of the wives.

I think this was McKay and Ellie's favorite part of the park.

Clara, Ellie, and their new friend Ellie. She is the daughter of Justin and Courtney, really the only people I knew before coming. We have taken to calling their Ellie, Ellie Peach, which is her real middle name, and out Ellie, Ellie Pie. I told Ellie I could call them Peach Pie when they were playing together and she thought that was a great idea.

On Wednesday we headed out with Courtney and her kids to pick our own strawberries.

It was the last day for picking so the strawberries were sparse and a little over ripe but it was still fun. How often can you pick something off a plant and plop it in your mouth, dirt and all.

These are what happen when I am trying to get a picture of Clara. I am in love with this girl!!

Sorry about the double picture. I couldn't get it to erase.

Dana, Cody, Ellie Peach, Ellie, McKay and Levi. Clara was so over the strawberry patch by this point.

Everyone was tired.

Friday, another morning on the beach with dad.

The kids wearing their hats that they got for free. They were being given away on the boardwalk to promote wearing hats in the sun and raise awareness about skin cancer.

The weather has still been cool and it has rained a bit almost everyday but we have still managed to get out everyday but one. This will definitely make for a memorable summer.
OUR SUMMER ON THE BEACH!