Quite the Summer

Just a few pictures from our crazy summer... living away, you never really do stop packing or unpacking your bags.  I should just leave them always packed.

We blessed Maxwell in Salt Lake when we were there, and it was so nice to have our family at it.  I loved it.  We also went to Teasdale.  Elliot's family has a house down by Capitol Reef/Lake Powell and we went down there with them.  It was so much fun.  We hadn't been there forever, so it was a fabulous get away.

Can you see all those grand kids my parents have.  Isn't that crazy?  They're getting so big!  I love it.

We also went to San Diego for a get away while in Arizona.  We love it there.  Maxwell loved being able to be outside.  We went on our favorite hikes, ate at our favorite restaurants, went to Coronado, laid by the pool and just enjoyed having Elliot around!  Do you think it's bad that I'm already taking my 2 month old to the pool, beach and on hikes...  Start him off early, right?

 It was so much fun to spend the night with you Rach, even if it was a random night.  And thanks to 

Miss Lauren, I loved snuggling you all night!  Can you tell it was windy...

When we were in Salt Lake, Kate and I had our kiddos photographed.  They're just 2 months apart, and it has been the best thing ever!  Having babies close in age to your siblings could be my favorite thing yet.  Don't you agree Maddie and Laura.  So much fun!  

 But there aren't two people who are more happy to be home, than Maxwell and I.  We LOVE Tulsa.  Who would have thought?  After 5 flights, 4 states, 3 different cribs, in Maxwell's first 2 months of life, we are so excited to be home.  Can't you tell?!  We just can't wait for El to join us.  It's been a long 3 weeks apart!

We missed you Danielle

It was so much fun to get together for Cafe Rio take out one afternoon.  I love being with you guys, and this day was no exception.  We could talk for hours.  I love it!  Can't wait to see you all again soon.

Love you!

Love you all!

Fayetteville

El and I went to Fayetteville, Arkansas a couple of weekends ago.  We wanted to go before the babe comes, and this was our last little hoorrah!  It is a quick 2 hour drive, through the country.  It is beautiful in the south this time of year, with all of the spring flowers and trees blooming, and it was just as gorgeous if not more beautiful in Arkansas.  It's in the Ozark Mountains, so it actually had hills, and I loved it.  (Oklahoma doesn't have one hill!  Just trees.)

There was a Farmer's Market on the Saturday after we got there, and it was so much fun to walk around, and check out the little town.  

This is President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton's first home.  It was actually really cute.  They were law professors (Danielle and Whit, does that tell you anything about them... Don't Brad and James tell you the most random stories?) at the University of Arkansas when they first began, so this is about a mile from campus.  They were also married in the front room.

This is the University that Chi O originated, and was founded at.  I've always wanted to go here, so it was neat to see.  Their house is HUGE!  It doesn't look that big, but it goes back for an entire block.  Allie, I bet they don't have any mice they have to catch themselves in this house!  It's too nice...  :)  They also have the big Chi Omega Amphitheater on campus, that Chi O dedicated.  Do you remember learning about that?  I had totally forgot.

This is the cute bed and breakfast that we stayed in.  It was the cutest little Inn, right on the main street in town.  I thought I was in a movie.  Everything was so charming.  It was the cutest town.  I can't wait to go back. (don't mind how pregnant I look in these...)

Missouri: Kansas City, Independence and Liberty

Elliot and I drove to Kansas City, MO for the weekend a few weekends ago.  We've been wanting to see the church sites while we're here, and so we drove to Liberty and Independence which are just outside of Kansas City.  We had to make a detour on the way there to get Noodles & Co... I've been wanting that so badly. :)  It was such a fun drive, just the two of us, and a great weekend.  

 Saturday we went to Liberty Jail.  It was so neat to be there and learn about the prophet and his time in the jail.  It was so small, especially for 5 gown men, and they said it was so cold.  The cold here is different than Salt Lake, because it's so humid, so it really gets to you.  I can only imagine being there through the long winter months.  

You can see the rope and the men inside.  It struck a cord with me, as Joseph's brother had a baby while he was in jail.  The wife came to bring the baby to see him one time (from Nauvoo which must have taken them days of travel).  When they arrived they wouldn't let him come up to see his son, so the baby had to be lowered down to him in the jail.  Can you imagine taking your brand new baby to see their daddy in jail, and having him lowered down?  They also used the rope to get in and out of the jail when the guards would let them out to talk to their lawyers.

Here you go Danielle, you wanted a baby bump shot.  Although, this isn't just a bump anymore....

This is the front of the jail.  When Joseph arrived he'd been in jail I think already for a month, at another location.  But when he arrived at Liberty, many men were standing out front and the guards, and he sweetly said "Good afternoon gentlemen".  A sweet attitude even when going to jail.

We drove to Independence on Sunday and went to the visitors center.  It was neat to see the how the saints lived and survived.  Amazing.  This is Elliot's sister who is expecting 2 days before me.  We met them there since they are in Iowa for her husband Jordan's schooling.  You can see their little boy on the left, Walker.  Her second is also a boy.

This is the plot of land, not owned by our church anymore, but it was dedicated as the plot where the temple will be built.  We don't own it yet, another church does, but this is the plot of land.

This is the crazy temple that the Community of Church calls their temple.  Anyone can go inside, but it was closed on Sunday.  BUMMER!  I wanted to see it so bad.  Isn't it crazy.  Not the prettiest thing I've ever seen.

It was a very neat trip.  I was talking with El, have any of you ever been to any of these sites?  I couldn't remember talking about them ever with you guys.  I really want to go to Nauvoo before we move too!  That must be incredible.  Have any of you been there?  

San Diego and Balboa

El and I went to San Diego over Labor Day, for a little trip before we met up with my family for the annual Balboa Island vacation. It was so much fun to be in San Diego. We were able to go to all of our favorite restaurants, go to Coronado, meet up with some of our good friends, and just enjoy being together. It was perfect!

At the Hotel Del!

On our 'usual' Friday date night in La Jolla. 

We loved going to La Jolla to dinner and to walk around the galleries at night.  It was the perfect weather for a gallery stroll.  Remember Miss... we took you one Friday night?  SO much fun!!

Of course we had to go to the Crab Cooker... multiple times!

And In-N-Out, for those of us who don't live in California, Vegas and now Salt Lake.

Just the girls hanging out on Balboa Island.  

Some day we're all going to have to meet here... someday!  (Or anywhere.  I'll meet wherever!)  When?  Next year?  2 years?  3?  When all the hubby's are out of school?  Let me know, I'll be there!

Chicago

We took a little trip to Chicago for a weekend get away, to see my sister and her family before they moved to San Francisco.  Elliot hadn't seen where they lived, so we spent a few days seeing their life.  Chicago is such a fun city, and we were able to do so much!  We went to the Sear's tower, and rode bikes along the lake one day.  I felt like I was at the beach.  It was heavenly!!!  It was such a beautiful, fun, busy weekend!

Then, to make a long story short... we missed our flight home.  We both had to be home for work the next day, and we weren't going to be able to get on a plane for 2 days, due to so many canceled flights.  So at 12:30a.m. we rented a car and began driving from the top of the country... to the bottom!  We drove all night, through St. Louis, and on home.  It was a long drive, but actually turned out to be so much fun!  St. Louis... The gateway to the west.

A weekend with the old peeps..

So this weekend my family and I went to Palm Springs for my Dad's 50th Birthday! So fitting since there isn't anyone there under the age of 70... But it did bring back great memories of our adventures there!

Lauren, Adam, and me at the front of our hotel. We stayed at the Marriott Villas and I could live there for the rest of my life! Such a DREAM!!

(the picture doesn't do it justice)

Jake and his lady friend at the pool

Adam, My Dad and I met Ben Stein at Borders book store!! So funny. This was the only picture we got. He was really nice and introduced himself and wanted to know where we went to school, but then he booked it out of the store! Apparently we brought too much attention to him... I did spot him and take full credit since I never recognize anyone famous!!

Love you all and wish you were there with me!

AL

OOOOOprah!

The other weekend my sisters, mom and I took a girls trip and we went to Oprah! I don't know if you remember, but I LOVE Oprah! It was the most awesome experience...and guess who the guest was? TAYLOR SWIFT! The minute Oprah walked out, I felt like a 13 year old girl. It was such an adrenaline rush. And then to have Taylor there too, it couldn't have been better.

I'll post some pictures of the trip soon, but until then, tune in Wednesday!!