Final Few Days Before School

Soaked up a little more sun at the splash pad

Tried on and modeled all the back to school clothes (that basically can't be worn for another few months because it's still so got here)

Getting one year check up (75% for height and weight) 

Growing up too fast 

Obsessing over dogs

Relaxing at church... Ever so ladylike

Sporting new dos 

And continually developing a person style 

End of Summer Recap

We finished up summer with a birthday celebration at the pool for Delaney...

Improving our drawing skills...

Starting the first season of soccer...

 Learning to eat on our own... As messy as it is...

And gettingfor frozen yogurt on warm summer nights.

First Day of Kindergarten

This day couldn't have come soon enough. Westin was so ready and so excited to start kindergarten. I think he asked me nearly everyday during August when school was going to start. When the day finally arrived, this boy was ready and so thrilled.

He had no problem going up to a new friend he had just met at soccer the week before...

He had no problem going to the class line and finding a seat...

and he was a complete natural friend when he gave each student an origami boat he had made them.

Pretty sure no one was expecting that, but what a great ice breaker. The boats were completely Westin's idea and they were a big hit. In fact, another mom later told me that her son came home that day and said, "mom, what can we make for the kids in my class?"

The last goodbye and he blew me a kiss. Melt my heart. I love this little boy... correction, big boy.

After school, I got the full rundown, but in short, "it was awesome!."

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

After Westin asked if he could root for the Giants the last time we were at AT&T Park, we decided we needed more time at the A's ballpark. We just can't let our blue blood fade to orange. We just can't. 

Shortly after that, our friends had box seats to the A's game and invited us, along with a big group from our ward, to a game recently. It was a bit chaotic with all the kids, but it was the perfect way to watch the game with them and turned out to be such a fun night.

I love my little family!

Newport Villas

On Tuesday afternoon, we drove down to Newport to meet up with my mom and Garry's family at the Newport Villas. It was a big group and I think we took up four villas. We were in one villa with Kenzie, mom and Garry, Chris and then Trevor and Karla. It was tight but a lot of fun.

Our first night, we did a big s'mores gathering.

The next day, and every day we were there, started with a 6 a.m. wakeup call, which meant that Avery and I would head out for walks until it was a decent time to wake people up. Because our villa was packed, Trevor, Karla and Kenzie slept in the main living room. I tried to wait till 7:30 or 8 before letting Avery loose :)

That next day was spent at the beach for the first half of the day, and then the pool in the afternoon.

Westin loved getting on the boogie board and riding the waves.

And this little one loved splashing around as the waves rolled in.

Couldn't love this picture more.

Shakes seem like the perfect after-beach food, right?

A couple pictures from our early morning walks... this is the main pool at the villas.

A little playground we found.

We also celebrated Avery's first birthday while we were in Newport. The night before her birthday, we decided to go out, just the four of us, to do something special for A. Since she loves dogs, we decided to take her to a pet store. It was a huge success. She loved it! She walked from dog to dog, shouting, "dog, dog, dog!"

The day of her birthday, started with another one of our walks, during which we picked up some donuts. Gotta love that this one is about half the size of her head.

Then we did some presents, where Avery got her first doll and stroller.

She was too cute with the doll. She immediately put the doll against her shoulder and patted her back. Then she walked around the room with the stroller. A total natural!

We did another beach day and then all got together for a BBQ and birthday celebration.

I made Avery her own little cake, which she very delicately took bites from.

On our way out Saturday, we made a pit stop in Santa Monica so we could see the Eltons. It just wouldn't have been a complete trip without seeing these guys. We miss them everyday and I'm still trying to figure out how we can be neighbors.

Our babies are getting so big!