Final Day in Beautiful CA

Sunday was our last day in CA. We enjoyed a relaxing and delicious brunch with the Malm family at Newport Harbor Yacht Club then played on the beach next door. Daddy, Jaime, Kai, & Aidan tried out the paddle board in the bay while Mama & Catherine relaxed on the beach in the shade (watching the little ones of course). Jacob enjoyed a nap on the sand under the umbrella, then it was back to the Malms to quickly pack and get to the airport. Auntie Sarah met us at the airport to come back to AZ for some work. She spent a couple days with us (though unfortunately had to work during the day) and is back to CA tonight.

We had a wonderful vacation and are so thankful to all that helped us out :)




Daddy on the paddle board for the 1st time (I think he wants one now)

Jaime & Aidan on the paddle board (Aidan's first time too!)

Jacob & Daddy at John Wayne Airport about to board.
Jacob is beyond excited and has said airplane at least a thousand times already!

Jacob in his own seat now that he is 2!
He loved the pretzels, ate 2 bags on the plane and took 2 bags home to eat the next day.
He is still talking about them!

2nd Birthday Party in Corona Del Mar

We celebrated Jacob's 2nd birthday on Saturday with some friends & family in CA. We were at Irvine Terrace Park in Corona Del Mar (Orange County). The weather was beautiful, with a wonderful view of the ocean, and a cool breeze. Jacob enjoyed playing on the playground, running around with Kai & Aidan (and any other adult he could drag out to the soccer field), opening presents (much more interested in presents this year), and eating cupcakes. Auntie Sarah made some super yummy cupcakes (oreo cookie with m&m's) for Jacob & friends. They were very special :) Here are some pics from the party.



mmm...cupcake! Jacob liked the m&m's most of all :)

Jacob, Grandpa Ron, & Nana Jill

Hello??? Elmo??? Are you there?
Thanks Aunt Libby for the Elmo phone!


Wow, that party tuckered him out! Thanks everyone for coming & making it a special day.

Chillin in Laguna Beach

We spent the end of last week hanging out in Laguna Beach with Nana Jill, Grandpa Ron, & the Malm Family (Jaime, Catherine, Kai, & Aidan). Thank you so much to the Malm Family for your wonderful hospitality for the extended weekend.

CA was having a heat wave, so it was nice to be near the beach. We are used to heat, but the humidity was a bit much. Here are some pics.



In front of the Wyland Gallergy. Jacob loved the dolphins.

Chillin in the pool at Grandpa & Nana's hotel.

Jacob & Aidan (3 yo) sitting by the pool after a swim

Jacob Turns 2 !!!

Jacob turned 2 last Wednesday! Daddy flew in from North Carolina and Nana Jill & Grandpa Ron flew in from Florida. Sarah flew in from AZ and since we were in Long Beach with Grammy & Grandpa Ward we had a yummy dinner at Taco Surf. Jacob loved his burrito! They even brought Jacob a giant bowl of ice cream and sang Happy Birthday!



Dinner at Taco Surf

Jacobs birthday dinner & being fed by Grandpa Ron

His giant bowl of ice cream (next to Nana Jill)

Trip to Long Beach

Mama and Jacob went to Long Beach to visit Grammy & Grandpa Ward beginning Father's Day weekend. Auntie Sarah (better known as Rara) even surprised us by coming down from Mammoth to spend time with us. We had lots of fun walking around the bay, going to the aquarium, and playing at the Tot Lot. We spent a very enjoyable Father's Day at Great Aunt & Uncle Steele's house.

Thanks Grammy and Grandpa for a very fun visit!!!



Grandpa Chuck, Grammy Kathy, & Jacob resting near the bay.
Jacob loved watching the boats race in the bay.

Father's Day at Great Aunt Mary & Uncle Daves house

Grammy & Jacob at the aquarium

looking at the sting rays and sharks



after a fun visit to the aquarium




Jacob loved eating his meals watching the tractor & trucks working on the house across the street!




near the giant turtle at our 2nd visit to the aquarium (grammy got a membership)



gardening while watching the tractor

Picking apricots

The apricots have finally ripened, so Jacob got to help Daddy, Grandma, & Papa pick them before the birds get to them.

Dress up

Papa's shorts with Grandma's shoes

A little pre-father's day festivities

Since Jacob & Mama are going to be in Long Beach for Fathers Day, we planned a special day for Papa & Daddy today. Papa & Daddy were kings for the day! They enjoyed a yummy brunch made by Grandma & Mama, a special outing to the AZ Science Museum, & tonight they will relax & watch the Laker game. Thank you Daddy & Papa for all your love & support!

Next Saturday we are off to CA to visit with Grammy & Grandpa Ward, so will spend the actual father's day with Mama's daddy. The following weekend we will see Grandpa Posner & celebrate a belated fathers day with he & Nana Jill :) We are incredibly blessed to have so many loving grandparents.



The Kings & Prince

The Kings Feasting

Ice Cream at IKEA

Jacob LOVES the ice cream (well, frozen yogurt actually) from IKEA. He got to hand the cashier the dollar & held the cone himself. This was earlier in the weekend, & he is still talking about it. It was the perfect fix for a hot summer day :)

Weekend in Payson

We escaped the heat this past weekend by going up to Payson/Pine area to visit Grandma & Papa. Even though it was a steamy 105 in the valley, it was a very comfortable high 80's in Pine. We checked out the progress on Papa & Grandmas' new house, went for a hike in their surrounding property, & played at a local playground. It was a nice weekend escape.

Here are some pics



Can't believe how fast the house is coming along...already has a roof & windows! Jacob loves running around inside, though it makes mama a little anxious.

Extreme closeup in the RV.

At a local playground in Payson

Playing restaurant with Grandma, we had pasta & beans, & Jacob paid us.