Trip to California

Towards the end of June,  we were able to make a trip out to California. Jason and I both grew up in the same hometown, so it is fun for both of us to head back there. 

We split the drive out there and stopped for the night in Winnemucca, NV. It is about a 12 hour drive total, so splitting it up was nice for everyone. 

Once we arrived, it was fun for the kids to play and run around Grandma's house. The week was filled with lots of fun activities and we all had so much fun!

The first full day there, we spent up in Sacramento visiting Fairytale Town and then the Railroad Museum. The girls loved both places, and there was so much to see! We were able to visit with my Aunt and Uncle who live up there and have dinner with them at the Old Spaghetti Factory. 

The next day we stayed in town and visited the Jelly Belly Factory. We took the tour and had fun picking out treats in the gift shop. We ate REALLY well that day, and had lunch at Round Table, dinner at Chevy's, then dessert with Pazookies from BJ's. Had to squeeze in some of our favorites! 

Friday we were able to catch up with Jason's brother and visit the California Academy of Sciences where he works. That place was amazing, with so much to see! We were so busy there, I took Zero pictures. Sad! The girls loved getting to visit Uncle Mason. 

Saturday was my favorite day, because we went to a Giants game in San Francisco! I love baseball, and going to Giants games is something I used to do a LOT. This was my first game back in almost six years! It was so much fun to bring the girls for their first game, and they had the best time. They loved all the treats, music, and cheering loudly! Marley was the cutest little fan, and would yell, "GO GIANTS" about every 5 minutes. 

The Giants didn't win, but we got to see a homerun by Brandon Belt and eat lots of yummy ballpark food. So it was still a great day! 

On Sunday we had a great time visiting the ward I grew up in and seeing old friends. Marley was very brave and went to a new primary all by herself without batting an eye. We spent the rest of the day at my parents house. Kenzie was so exhausted from the week of fun, she went to bed before dinner!

The next day we made the trek back to Utah, along with my parents who were coming out for a two week visit. We had a great time in California and enjoyed my parents being here in Utah for a bit. More on those adventures later!    

Kenzie Turns 2

Our sweet Kenzie girl is now 2 years old! I know its cliche, but seriously time has flown by. Wasn't this just yesterday...?

Kenzie is our quiet observer. She has gotten better about smiling for people she doesn't know, or doesn't see very often. When we are at home, she is talking up a storm and VERY happy. She is starting to show a lot more attitude though, especially when she gets caught doing something naughty. (Climbing on the kitchen chairs, stealing the remote, lying in wait for a baby gate to be left open, etc.)

We often joke that Kenzie is a ninja because she is SO quiet. I knock her over all the time because I don't realize she's right behind me. 

For having such a bubbly, talkative sister, Kenzie is actually talking sooner than Marley was at this age. She is constantly surprising us with the words she knows, and has recently started saying phrases like:

"Look at that!"

or

"Man oh man!"

Kenzie is very analytical and studies things before making her move. I feel like she is going to be an engineer like her daddy. She loves to explore, and her favorite thing to do outside is dig in the dirt. Kenzie also loves to read and is always running up to us with a book in hand saying, "Weeeeed?"

Our smart girl knows most of her letters, numbers, and even colors. Counting to ten came quickly because her sister is OBSESSED with playing hide and seek. 

For her birthday we threw her a Trolls party because she loves the movies and even knows the characters by name. We had family come over to enjoy yummy food, open presents, and Kenzie opted for cookies instead of the cake because that is her favorite snack. 

Although we are bracing ourselves for the terrible two's that are starting to make their debut, life with this sweet girl is just the best! We can't imagine life without her. She just needs to stop growing up so fast. 

Read Kenzie's birth story HERE

Marley Turns 4

Better late than never, I'm writing a post about Marley's birthday!

I can't believe that this little girl is four years old now. 

Marley is our spunky, crazy, happy girl! She is quick to make friends, very talkative, and loves to learn. She wears her emotions on her sleeve, and can sometimes lose her temper. (Sorry if she has ever yelled at you...you know who you are!)

Right now she is loving preschool and primary...two VERY grown up things. She is known for belting out songs during primary, making everyone smile. Marley loves going to preschool, and after a rocky start has learned to control her temper and "use her words."

She is a very good big sister, and loves to make Kenzie laugh. 

Marley is also very tenderhearted, and loves to snuggle still. 

The Saturday before her actual birthday, we had an awesome Rapunzel Party. This was the first time we invited friends from church and school, and everyone had so much fun! Marley has the sweetest friends and cousins. 

The each decorated there own crown, ate apples and "princess towers, and were literally showered by candy from a pinata. The party ended with presents and a delicious Rapunzel cupcake cake. 

A few days later Marley had her actual birthday, and loved getting to open more presents. Mommy was feeling super crummy that day so we didn't go out and do anything fun until a few days later. 

Eventually we were able to take Marley bowling for her birthday, and she had a blast! Kenzie stayed with the neighbors, and Marley loved getting some one on one time with Mommy and Daddy.

She was so excited, even when just one pin was knocked down. Marley also was very encouraging and cheered loudly for Mommy and Daddy. 

Four years with this girl have flown by, and I am so thankful she is a part of our family.   

Read Marley's birth story HERE

Christmas 2016

We had a lot of fun with family this Christmas! We bounced from thing to thing, and it makes me tired just thinking about it all. 

First, we got together with my sisters to celebrate the Sunday before Christmas. We gathered at the Ashby's house and had fun decorating cookies, eating yummy food, and playing with cousins. 

Marley and her cousin got matching coats, and someone was extra excited. 

In the week before Christmas, we got to spend some time with Jason's sister Heather who flew in from California. We don't get to see her very often, so it was so much fun having her here!

We spent the night at Jason's parents house Friday night and had a Christmas eve breakfast with his mom's side of the family. Uncle Mason flew in the night before, and we were so happy to spend time with him too! 

We headed back home Christmas Eve, and were able to spend Christmas morning at home with just our little family. It was nice and relaxing, and the girls had so much fun opening presents. We were able to skype with my family in California and visit for a bit. 

We got a TON of snow that day, and Jason went out with Marley to shovel the driveway and have some fun.  

It is such a blessing to spend time with family, especially around the holidays. I am so thankful for my Savior and the opportunity we had to celebrate his birth. Because of Him, I can be with my family forever. 

2016 In Review

A picture is worth a thousand words right? So here's a short and sweet recap of our 2016, with some of my favorite pictures! 

Highlights

Jason: Graduated from the University of Utah, spent the summer working an internship in Logan, finished school in December. He is currently applying for jobs while he continues driving buses at the U.

Jen: Survived a summer with Jason gone Monday-Friday, and a final semester where we saw very little of him. We are so happy he is done!! She is currently recovering from Christmas and counting the days till preschool starts again. 

Marley: Turned 3 in February, started preschool in August, took a dance class, and finally gets to start primary! She gave us a few scares this year as she fractured her collar bone and decided to swallow a screw. (Ask her about it, she will proudly tell you: "I pooped a screw!") She is our wild girl, and keeps us on our toes. 

Kenzie: Turned one in March, learned to walk, started going to nursery, and has learned to say so many words! Right now we joke that Kenzie is at "Peak Cuteness." The terrible two's are coming, but for now she is just the sweetest girl who loves to snuggle. 

We had a great year, and can't wait to see what 2017 will bring. 

Check out our review of last year

HERE