Weekend in Palm Desert

The last weekend in June, we took a vacation to Palm Desert and stayed at the JW Marriott. It was a beautiful resort with lots to do. The kids had a blast and we took a babysitter so there was even some restful moments for us!

Here are the girls studying a fish tank outside one of the hotel restaurants.

Everyone enjoyed riding the hotel boat that gave us a tour of the grounds and took us to a restaurant unreachable by foot.

Jace's first boat ride

Here are the girls wearing one of their many art projects...paper princess dresses and crowns!

It seems that almost everyday, we are making some sort of elaborate and creative art project. Ashlyn is usually the "ring leader." First she searches through our recycling bin. Whatever she finds, sparks an idea for a project. Just this week, we made a jeep for her stuffed animals out of a recycled strawberry container. We made a treasure box, a magic key and jewelry out of a plastic muffin box. We've made princesses, dresses, a zoo, an animal hospital, and many more, just out of things we find around the house.

Life is so exciting living with a 4-year-old who has the most extraordinary imagination!!

Storytime with Grandmommy

and Granddaddy

Granddaddy & Grandmommy took the girls to the Los Angeles Zoo for a very fun adventure

May 2011

Emily's parents came into town and we got to celebrate Mother's Day together. Here we are enjoying brunch at Marie Calendars after church.

Ashlyn's First Dance Recital

She was dressed as a butterfly and danced to a song called the "Ugly Bug Ball"...it was very cute and she did a great job!

She was so precious as she watched the other dancers

...and danced along in the audience with her Best Friend Riley

She also performed at the El Segundo Hometown Fair

Mr. Blue Eyes

All three together having their morning movie time

Easter 2011

Ashlyn & Kailey made an Easter tree for all to enjoy:)

Jace at 6 1/2 months old

Easter Sunday at church

The girls in the family were "Pretty in Pink"

Ashlyn performing in an Easter presentation at church

The Easter Bunny left some fun treats

Ashlyn loved the disney princess band-aids from the Easter Bunny. She apparently had more "boo-boos" than ever because she used up half the box in one sitting!

April Adventures

Ashlyn is such a big girl now. She can pull Kailey and Jace all by herself!

Our smiley little guy

One Sunday after church, we were all sitting on the front porch steps enjoying some smoothies and family time together. I just had to snap a photo.

Here's Jace hanging out with his buddy Braydon, who is 4 months older. Jace had just learned to sit up and was still a little unstable, as you can see in this next photo.

This cracks me up because it looks like Braydon pushed him over and is crawling away with a mischievous smile:)

Here are the girls with their friend's Dylan and Sadie, enjoying an ice cream treat!

How many kids can we fit on a bean bag?

Kailey at her weekly storytime at our local library

She was the youngest in the class and was so well-behaved. She followed instructions and answered questions. She was so excited to go each week. It was sweet for me to observe her learn and grow and have her own activity separate from Ashlyn.

Here's Jace's first time in the swing...that's Kailey on the other side. They both thought it was pretty cool.

Kailey trying out a display bike at Toys R Us