A Visit to Portland

Aaron had a conference in San Antonio last week, so rather than sit at home alone, Hannah and I took a trip to Portland.  I've been dying to see my sister Lisa and her new baby, and the rest of my family was conveniently visiting at the same time (minus the Kimballs), so it was perfect.  

I can't describe in words how fun this trip was, so this will be mostly a picture post (with only a few of the millions I took).  My favorite things were just talking, playing games, and being together.

Lisa and me with our babes.

Could he be any cuter?!?  (The answer is no.)

Holding Baby Grey for the first time.

Hannah meeting her newest cousin.

Hanging out with the uncles.

Playing the piano with Uncle Steven.

My favorite little sister.  Look at her long hair!

Lisa made us delicious pizza.  Matt is the grill master.

One of the nights we went out to the Rose Gardens.  We explored the gardens and played a little tennis among the roses.

At the Rose Garden.

My mama and me.

The tennis players.

On Thursday, we drove out to Cannon Beach.  I love the quaint town and all of the little shops.  We shopped around for a bit, got some lunch at Mo's, and took a stroll on the beach.

Our message to Aaron.  It was so windy and cold!

Hannah loved the tide pools.

Haystack Rock

Trying to keep from freezing.

Later we went to Lake Oswego, which is just a few minutes from Matt and Lisa's house.  It was so beautiful and clear and it was the perfect night.  We took a picnic, let Hannah play at the park, and the boys played ping pong.

Hannah and me by the lake.  She was trying her best to jump in.

Hannah loved the playground.

Picnic by the lake.

Playing at the park with Uncle Nath.

Friday was our last day there.  It was so hard to say goodbye.  I'm so grateful to be part of such a wonderful family.  My parents and siblings are my very best friends.  We really missed Aaron and Dave and Heidi and their girls and I can't wait for all of us to be together again.

Thanks for having us Lisa!  You are an amazing mom and you, Matt, and Grey are the cutest family!

The Chicago Caper

Last week, we got together with some friends for a murder mystery dinner.  We dressed up like mobsters, ate delicious food,  drank "booze" aka sparkling cider, and tried to figure out who was the murderer. It was one of the funnest things we've ever done.

Ernie and Molly

Harrow and Silky

Socks and Torchy

Billy and Scoop

Melissa made the best bruschetta.

Studying out their parts.

The gun fight.

We feel so blessed to have such wonderful friends!

I am a Mormon

Today I had a doctor's appointment, my first one here in California.  I'm not sure if it's a California thing or it was just my doctor, but she asked me about 7,000 questions ranging from the ages of my parents to how many children I plan on having.  Our interview went something like this...

Dr:  Do you or have you ever smoked?
Me:  No.
Dr:  Do you drink?
Me:  No.
Dr:  Drugs?
Me:  No.
Dr:  How many siblings do you have?
Me:  Five.
Dr:  Wow!  That is a HUGE family!
Me:  Yeah...
Dr:  Do you want a big family?
Me:  I do.
Dr:  How many kids do you want?
Me:  Uh...I don't know....four or five?
Dr:  Really?!?  That is a BIG family in today's day and age!
Me:  Yeah...
Dr:  How many kids do you have?
Me:  Just one so far.
Dr:  Are you married?
Me:  Yes!
Dr:  How long have you been married?
Me:  Two and half years.
Dr:  REALLY??  You're only 24 right?
Me:  Yeah....

....and our interview went on like this for quite some time.  I was trying really hard not to laugh.  Finally she said, "I'm not quite sure how to ask this, but are you a Mormon?"

I was proud to say that I am and asked how she could tell.  She said I seemed really happy and put together and that all of the Mormons she knew seemed that way.  I wish I had said, "And you can be one too!  Here's a Book of Mormon!"

But I didn't.

But I did tell her that I love being a Mormon and that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings me so much peace and happiness.

I'm so proud to be a Mormon.  Being here in California has helped me realize just how blessed I am to have the gospel in my life.  I know that God lives and that He loves us.  I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior.  I know that we have a living prophet on the earth today.  I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God.  I know that I can be with my family forever if I keep my covenants.  I am a Mormon and I love it!

Our Fourth of July

I love the Fourth of July!  I love the patriotism and the way it brings us together as Americans.  And I love that it reminds us to be grateful for the freedoms and opportunities we enjoy.  I am proud to be an American!

We started our day off with a pancake breakfast with our ward, where Hannah showed off her patriotic garb.

It was such a nice day, we couldn't resist a swim.  Hannah's starting to like the pool a little more now.  The bath toys help I think.

After naps, we went up to Steve and Melissa's for a delicious barbecue.  Tasha and Andy and Jeff and Maria were there, along with Maria's cute mama.  It was so fun to finally meet her.  We ahd a great time eating, talking, and playing bocce ball.

 Our contribution to the barbecue - Flag Fruit Pizza

 She is super mom!

Cute Allie!

After the barbecue, Aaron and I hung out on the patio, watching fireworks and eating s'mores.  Hope you all had a wonderful Independence Day!

Visitors!

A few weeks ago, we had visitors!  Sid, Trish, and Brooke flew in and their visit was perfectly timed with Hannah's birthday.  It was so good to have them here!  Sometimes you don't realize how much you really miss family until you are with them again and you see what you've been missing.

The day they arrived, we took a tour of Valero, where Aaron is working.  It was fun to see the refinery up close.

(It was really bright, if you can't tell.)

We also went to dinner at Sailor Jack's, our favorite local restaurant.  We love the food and the view.

On Hannah's birthday, Trish and Brooke came over for the day, while Sid and Aaron worked.  We talked, got ready for the party, and looked at pictures and videos from when Hannah was a tiny newborn.  They were such good sports to help me and didn't even mind when I got all teary about my baby growing up.  Ben and Alicia came over for the party and then after Hannah went to bed, we all played Nertz and watched videos on the computer, in traditional Bytheway fashion.

Sid and Aaron had to work on Friday, so we took a trip to the city.  We visited Boudin's, ate delicious food at the wharf, shopped, and started counting all the guys that hit on Brooke.

The lady at Boudin's thought Hannah was so cute

that she gave her (and us) free turtle bread!

 The gold man also gave Hannah a piece of candy, which I promptly threw away.

Testing out the furniture at Crate and Barrel.

On the train.

Helping Grandma push the stroller.

After a fun-filled day, we all went to  Ben and Alicia's.  Alicia made us a wonderful meal and Ben taught us how to play an awesome game called Bang!  It was such a fun night!

Saturday was our last day together (boo), but it was fun.  We took a tour of Adobe, where Ben works, got some Chipotle, and played frisbee.

Thanks for coming guys!  We sure miss you.