Salt Lake City

August 7-9

We took a quick trip to SLC to go to one of Craig's best friend's wedding.

Bronson decided to get married on Eliza's Birthday- so we planned on taking her to the 

Zoo the following day.

It was also a good excuse to see the Leggs.

Walking around Gateway. 

When we got there Sunday night things weren't looking very good for baby Legg.  (who is still in the NICU at The University Hospital).  They sent Kendall home to St. George, gearing up for a rough week.  Thank goodness while we were there they got some good news and things started looking up again!  Eliza couldn't figure out why "Kendo" wasn't with Adam and Cassidy- but she did have fun playing with all of Kendall's toys.

Craig went to a bachelor party and Eliza and I grabbed some food and headed up to the hospital to visit baby Jordan- who had doubled in size since we had last seen him.  He is starting to look like a miniature chubby babe.  So cute.

Monday morning we went to Bronson's sealing.  Jason and Whitney Shurtz were there with their little boy Bodi and new baby girl.  Bodi and Eliza quickly fell in love.

Please tell me they are the cutest things ever made.

Really though... the cutest.

They were completely entertained by each other the entire day.  It was so nice.

Tuesday we got up early and were at the zoo when the gates opened.  

(I wanted to be in and out before the heat)

She had such a blast.  She was dumbfounded at every animal.  At first she wouldn't even talk- but after awhile she was able to actually acknowledge what she was looking at.  So funny.

The first stop were the Gorillas.

She didn't want to get too close to the glass.

And yes.. that is a gorilla bum.  

She started warming up at the Tigers.  She was completely amazed.

Literally wouldn't take her eyes off them.

She still hasn't stopped talking about the Tigers.

This little monkey loved Eliza.  She wanted to touch her so bad!

We beat the crowds and the heat- it was so nice.

After the zoo we drove down to Cabella's (saw more animals), grabbed lunch with Uncle Jeff, then headed back to St. George.

Laguna Beach

July 24-29

We planned a big trip to California with the Leggs a couple months ago.  We were going to do Disneyland for Eliza's Birthday with her BFF.  But things didn't really work out like we planned. Cassidy had her baby unexpectedly at 26 weeks- obviously they couldn't make it.  We were sooo bummed but sooo glad things were looking good for little Jordan.  We contemplated not going without them.  Eliza wouldn't have as much fun at Disneyland without Kendall, and lets be honest- neither would I!

We decided to still make the trip- but make it a relaxing family vacay.

It was amazing!

Day 1

After a long drive, two potty accidents, Gina's, a trip to Costco, Mission Viejo Mall, Cheesecake Factory, and The grocery store- we decided to take a walk on the beach.

This always happens on our first walk on the beach...

Day 2

Los Angeles

Out of all of our trips to California, Craig and I have never managed to make it up to LA together.

I love LA!  And since my brother Corby and his family moved to Studio City this summer- it gives us a good excuse to drive up there.

We had a smooth drive until the last 5 minutes when we heard this come out of the back seat:  "Mom- I wet.  I peed."  Only the second accident in her carseat this trip. So frustrating.  We got to Corby's and cleaned her up, changed her, and headed down to Hollywood.



Stopping to see Craig's Great Grandpa's Star

(which he had never seen!)

We walked around Hollywood for awhile and got our fill of crazies.

It was my nephew Kyson's Birthday- so we were meeting Rebecca and Jada for dinner in Santa Monica.

We headed to 3rd street prominade to do some shopping before dinner.

The only group shot of the night.

 Happy 13th Birthday Kyson!!!

I have to say- Eliza was such a little trooper!  It was so late by the time we got in our car.  Before we even pulled out of the parking garage she was asleep.

Have I ever told you she's amazing?

Day 3

Beach Day

We needed a day of relaxing after 2 days of craziness.

We headed to the surf beach so Craig could skim board and we could be entertained by all the surfers.

We picked up some Gina's and ate it on the beach.

Carlsbad

We called Craig's Aunt and Uncle who live in Carlsbad- to see if we could come visit them.

They took us to a great little Mexican Restuarant for dinner.  The server spilled a beer down my back- so I got a free dessert.  Lovely.

There is a Hilton Hotel right next to Mike and Kathy's house- so aunt Kathy made sure Eliza got her bag of cookies.  The receptionist even gave her a stuffed Seal (which is her new favorite that we have to take everywhere).

We walked across the street to get a picture as the sun was going down.

How we didn't get a group shot of us- I have no idea.

I am so fired.

Day 4

We woke up early and took a walk down to the neighborhood park.

We then drove to The Irvine Spectrum to do a little shopping.  Of course Eliza fell asleep on the way!  We shopped a little, had lunch, then headed home for a "real nap".

But not before we rode the ferris wheel.  Eliza's highlight of the week.

That evening we headed to dinner at Houston's. 

Delicious as always.

On the way home we drove through Newport so we could stop at Fashion Island and do a little shopping.

The fish were a hit.

Day 5

Our last day we spent down at Main Beach in Laguna.  We walked around town and shopped until the clouds lifted.  It ended up being a perfect day.

Sleezy time!!!!

I was so happy that Lisa could come down from Huntington and eat dinner with us!

I miss her so much.

This time I had a lemonade spilled all over the front of me, and no free dessert.

Obviously we weren't going to leave the beach without doing a jumping picture.

I figured now was a good time to start a tradition with Eliza on the beach too.

It went really well...

Thanks for coming Lisa-

We love you!!!



Day 6

The depressing day of cleaning and leaving.

Our relaxing vacation is over.

Back to reality!