Halloween Part(ies)

I remember that been won a gift certificate to a party store from school. Could never decide what to buy, so we settled on Halloween costumes. We had fun picking up material from Walmart and creating our own Viking costumes. We cut pieces of arvest and sewed them together by hand with yarn to give them a rustic touch. I don't know how Cael grew facial hair for Halloween, but he was the cutest little Viking baby we've ever seen. 

Our good friends JT and Leslie hunt sure look cute in their Frankenstein and bride of Frankenstein costumes. We have a lot of fun going to their house, playing games, and hanging out. 

The day after Halloween I really wanted to have a family party with our friends from medical school, so we invited them all to our house. One of the first games we played was eating a doughnut on the string. We had some fierce competitors but only one winner. 

The donut eating champion – medical student Matt!

The McWhorter sure look cute in their cheerleader and football player drag! They have arrived fashionably late from Mesa, so we gave them a hard time. 

Ben and Bryony Wilde-- Friends from university of Wyoming that followed us down to Arizona. Ben was scripture hero Nephi and Bryony was expecting their first baby. 

Matt and Rebecca Okander look cute, although I think Matt needs a haircut-- or to go back to the 60s. 

Scott and laurie robins became their own superheroes, I think.

Mike and Kelly Galbraith, fun friends from medical school, hang out in the kitchen and keep an eye on the food. 

Jen and Kylie Mortensen are looking festive, scary, and brave. Kylie goes to school with Ben.

I was having so much fun, but I remember that Cael was acting pretty hungry. I still wasn't very confident in feeding my baby in front of my friends, so I waited as long as I could – or as long as he could – before he got to eat. 

Most of the friends had left and packed up for the night we sure had a good time letting the kids do a cake walk in the living room and. We had sent them in the garage with snacks and a movie for most of the night. We sure love Halloween, parties, and our friends!

Smiling Baby Cael

Sea World and San Diego

I often look back and consider this trip to San Diego one of our very first family (with children) vacations. From Arizona the drive is about five hours and we wanted to visit our friends Ryan and Heather Jamison as well.

Walking around sea world was beautiful and enjoyable, although a little difficult and tricky at times to figure out going on rides or making it to all of the attractions. But we did our best and baby Cael seemed to enjoy it as well.

I love how Cael has a smile here while we wait for the show to start at the Shamu theater. Been thought we would be extra adventurous and put ourselves in the splash zone, I wasn't quite sure that was a good idea. 

It was so incredible watching the trainers swim in the tank and be launched into the air by the giant orca. Sadly, this type of show is no longer allowed do to recent accidents and trainers getting hurt. We sure enjoyed it when we watched it.

We thought we looked pretty cute going into the 4D movie experience there at sea world. Those type of shows are always fun because you get sprayed, the seats shake and you're seeing things with the three-d glasses, it is quite the production.

i've always wanted to go to the San Diego Temple, it was always one of my favorites growing up. To walk around the grounds and be there with my sweet husband and our new little boy was wonderful. The symbolic and Beautiful structure reminds me of the purpose of our families and that they can be together forever. 

Our first collection of seashells from the beach, soaking in the end of summer sun, and watching Ben tackle the waves made for a perfect end to our trip.

I am always nervous when Ben has Cael balance and hold him with one hand.) I don't know why he thinks it's so fun, it must be a dangerous dad thing.

Beach selfie (this was before the term selfie was even mentioned or said)