California in October

Back in August we decided we needed a family vacation to see Grandma and Grandpa in California. Joe happened to have a couple days off for fall break, so we added a few more days on, and went for a week of relaxing family time.

Grandma took us to the mall to shop for some Sunday clothes for Brek. We also got him some REAL shoes. 3 pairs actually - a black church pair, a pair of Sketchers, and a cute pair of cowboy boots. He gets very excited when we put his shoes on.

Grandma also treated Brek to a ride on the carousal. Another kid took the tiger, so Brek hopped on the cool looking dragon. He was very excited about it moving up and down this time around.

 

On Saturday we got to go and watch our nieces Heather and Katie play in their soccer games. I should have taken more pictures, especially since I apparently didn't take a single one of Heather. She plays on a really good team, and the team they were playing was finally some decent competition. It was a lot of fun to cheer her on!

On the sidelines, Brek was hanging out and hugging Annalies and Katie. Grandpa even got lucky and snuck a hug in there too.

Sweet Annalies

Brek hugged Katie over and over again.

Giving loves to Grandpa!

lBetween Heather's and Katie's games, we went and had brunch at IHOP. Here are the 2 little ones drinking their orange juice.

I love this picture of me and Anna!

Monday my nieces came over after school and we hung out and played all afternoon and evening. And then on Tuesdays, my mom watches Anna. I love this picture too!

Cousins!

My mom made Brek his Halloween costume. Here he is trying it on before we packed it away for the plane ride.

He knows he's hot stuff!

Showing off his tail.

Thank goodness Grandma can sew so many awesome things!

 We had an awesome time in California. It was very relaxing and low-key, but filled with what is most important - time with our family! Of course I could have enjoyed another day or 2, but we had to come back to reality and real life. Well, Joe had to come back to work. :) But we'll be back for Christmas, and that isn't too far away.

We love you Grandma and Grandpa!!!

Today

I couldn't let today pass without wishing my little niece Katie a happy 3rd birthday.

I tried to upload some more photos of her, mostly from my wedding, but for some reason blogger wasn't letting me. oh well. This one is cute!

Katie is a little sweetheart, with a firey personality to match her hair. She's got that stubborn streak in her. I claim it's the hair, but my mom claims it is my influence, since her middle name is Renee, like mine. My mom calls her "Cuddle bug," and that is so fitting. She loves to give hugs and loves. It makes me so happy! I sure do wish I saw her more often. She is growing up so fast!

I got to meet Katie for the first time the day I got home from my mission; she was 6 weeks old. Just a couple days later her father, my brother Mark, was able to bless her. It was a very special experience and I was so happy I was able to be home and be a part of it.

I love being an aunt so much! It is a lot of fun. So, a shoutout of loves to my Katie today.

Happy Birthday!