Nine is Fine

Being eight is pretty great, but Maryn opted to turn another year older this weekend.

We had a few cousins show up to celebrate with us…it's always more fun with cousins!!

Since I'm usually the one behind the curtain, I jumped into the picture to prove that I am actually an active participant in my daughter's life.

Deciding what to wish for

Blowing out that candle

Wish: Granted!!

And just because he's cute, I had to throw a picture in of Kannon.

Happy Birthday, Maryn! We love you!!

Storming the Beach

Over Memorial Day weekend we went along with several other families to South Padre.  I think it has become a yearly tradition…it's a good one.

Of course, we had to get our yearly picture out at the sand dunes on the end of the island.  I love Maryn's enthusiasm and Ailee's smile in this picture the best.

Watching the sea gulls hover

Ailee and Abby got a little sandy...

This was the beginning of a pretty sweet beach front community that all the kids pitched in to build.  

Seriously, this is the life.

Little Cora

Sun bathing beauty!

Catching some waves

One of our favorite things about these condos that we stay at is that they have a pool to clean all the sand off in.

All the kids…too bad not many of them are looking at the camera

Another jumping family picture.  It's a thing.

The Ladeez!

Another one of the Ladeez and a photo bomber!

It's pretty clear how much we love going to the beach.  Kids are entertained, I get sunshine, Kade tolerates it.  I'm sure we'll be back here next year, too!

Mowage. Mowage is what bwings us togetha today.

My brother got married in May.  I can't even begin to express how happy/excited I was for him.  And for his fiancé Karolyn--I mean, maybe I just have sister goggles, but I think my big brother is a pretty great, guy!

Just a few (ok, a lot) pictures from the events:

Caught a sweet moment between Kannon and my mom during during the night before the big day.

My mom is a really good grandma.  I will always appreciate that.

The morning of the wedding, friends and family got together for breakfast.

Mike, Marybeth, Jenni, and a family friend from years and years ago, Chapin.

Ryan and Karolyn, probably grateful to have a moment to sit down together to eat.

I never realized just how much I look like my mom until I saw this picture of us.

Since there were so many of us from out of town, they arranged some sweet transportation for us out to the temple in Gilbert:

The party bus.

Little man was looking pretty sweet in his bow tie:

The Gilbert Temple.  

The ceremony was nice.  I love feeling the Spirit in the temple.  It's like a breath of fresh air.  I will always remember the happiness I felt to look around the sealing room and see so many of my favorite people there with me.  I wonder if that's what it will be like in Heaven.

Mr. and Mrs. Corey

Had to get a dorky selfie with my bro.

Off to the reception now.

Erica, Corbet and little Lanie.  Caught Corbet mid-bite.

Jill, Erica and Dad

Marybeth and little Will

Mom and Chapin--two women I admire!

Jenni and Steve

Jill and I

Enjoying the Italian Sodas with Kade

Yeah, this one is totally staged, but I love it:

It was a happy party.

Mom and Ryan

After a nice dinner, we cleaned up the tables and the dancing started, thanks to a 70 year old woman who busted out the Electric Slide.  So much fun!

I was trying to get creative with my picture taking.

Mostly, we are just looking up everyone's noses.  Good times.

It was a weekend filled with happy memories.  I like my family, and I love them.