It's Great to Be Eight!

Clever title, eh? I think I may have heard it once or twice. ;)

In all reality, my boy is eight and is about to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He's my oldest, so every milestone seems incredibly monumental... and makes me feel OLD!

A couple days ago we went to the Reno Temple with Cayben dressed in his best to snap a few photos in hopes to get an invitation created and sent out BEFORE the actual baptism. (I kinda procrastinated this one.)

I'm not a photographer of any sort, but the subject matter was pretty cute, so some of the pictures actually turned out.

He's excited!

I like to look for rainbows...

After a lot of time spent searching the World Wide Web, I found an Etsy listing for an invitation. Here it is in all it's glory! (And here's a link if you want one of your own.)

The gray rectangle is just to block out the juicy details.

Now I just need to make a program, plan lunch, and get my family to Idaho. Can't wait!

Half-Time Show

Embrie's dance company had a half-time performance at the Reno Bighorns basketball game. The best part of the night, watching Embrie dance. The second best part, free MacDo chicken nuggets and sunglasses to follow the game!

Embrie said that one of the "big girls" put her on the wrong side before going on. You can see the confusion, followed by a little shrug. Haha! She then proceeded to do her best anyway. I love watching her perform!

Lompoc, We're Back!

When we left Lompoc over a year ago, I wasn't sure we would ever get back there, to the birthplace of my youngest.

A few weeks ago, Shay was asked to come and work in Lompoc for a couple weeks. It was very last minute, but you bet your butts I was going to tag along on that business trip!

Although Shay had to work, it still felt like a total vacation! We got to see so many people we care about in Lompoc. I know I've said it before, but Lompoc has some of the most amazing people I've ever met.

Are you ready for the highlight real?

Erika and Grayson's Birthday Party

Solee & Birthday Boy

Embrie Smacking the Pinata

 

 

Halloween Party with The Lompoc Ward

Primary Kids Dancing The Monster Mash

Solee & Sanea

 

Embrie, Cayben, & Sakai

Sanea, Solee, & Braden

Decorating Pumpkins

"Solee! Look at me and say, 'Cheese'."

Finally...kinda

Avila Beach

Me & Solee

Followed by a worn out baby!

 La Purisima Mission

Erika, Cayben, & Reagan

Cayben

Reagan

Beautiful Lompoc Sunset

This Jack Ass Bites!

Grayson

Many Hours Spent Swimming

Embrie & Cayben

Shay & Solee

Arcade Fun

Solee

Embrie & Reagan

We also enjoyed a pizza-pool party and a park play date with our faves, The Cheneys and The Keisers, and had many enjoyable dinners with, The Cheneys.

It was so much fun to go back to a place I love! I'm crossing my fingers that Shay gets more business trips to Lompoc!

What We Love to Do Most

We recently had plans to travel to the Bay Area to attend the Oakland Temple with my niece, Bailee. (She's getting married in November!)

Plans changed, so that didn't happen. What did happen was a bunch of awesome, chill family time. Shay still had the time off, so we made the most of it!

On Monday we headed up Dog Valley, it's just outside of Reno, to go camping for Family Home Evening. I guess it was more of a Family Out Evening, but who's keeping track.

We had a wonderful time. I had a FHE lesson planned about tithing that I found HERE. (You should check it out. It involves Skittles and was a total hit.) We did lots of singing and dancing. Mostly we just enjoyed each other in the beautiful outdoors.

Cayben & Embrie

Solee

Embrie Giving Me a Big Squish!

Puppies, Parties, & Puke

Solee turned two, woo-hoo!

I had planned a puppy themed party and had invited a few family friends over to celebrate with us, but the kids had other plans for the party day. They woke up vomiting.

We called all the invitees and cancelled the party because, you know, I'm not a big fan of sharing the pukies.

 I still wanted it to be a special day for the sick two-year-old so we had a little family party.

Embrie

Cayben & Solee