Amazing

{Circa June 9, 2009}
Each year our summer gets kick started with a trip from the Tuckers. The highlight of their visit was a trip to Amazing Jake's. The kids (okay...and us kids at heart) had a blast pigging out at the buffet, playing games, riding rides, bowling, playing mini golf, and abusing the advantage of all you can eat ice cream.










A note of remembrance: Alex and Daxton were so sweet with Grace. They played along with her little games (Daxton allowing her to tuck him in and sing to him about 20 times) and giving her gifts (Alex used his own money to buy her a set of lip gloss and stickers). They will make a couple of girls very happy when they grow up!

Happy "B-Naversary"

For our 6th anniversary Jeff planned a weekend getaway to Rocky Point, Mexico. What was intended as a full 2 days of "Bow-Chicka-Bow-Wow" sans Grace, turned out to have a few extra surprises. Who knew that where we stayed would be so awesome? As soon as we got there and realized how spacious and nice the place was, we wished the family was there to share the fun. Call us crazy, but we just HAD to invite Mom and Pop to come along with Grace.

Don't get the wrong idea! Oh, there was definitely some "Bow-Chicka-Bow-Wow" enjoyed. See for yourself...


We also delighted in a delicious dinner and a little night life. Oh, and some CRAZY good beef tacos for a midnight snack.

Things worked out perfectly the next day. We were able to still have alone time before the family arrived. We occupied ourselves with a light breakfast, walk on the beach, downtown shopping, and fresh clams eaten on the oceanfront.






We stopped by the supermarket just before meeting the family at the resort. We all headed back to the downtown area for shopping and fresh oysters on the half shell. When we got back, we hit the hot tub (and met a funny guy from Washington state who was in search of a good time) and then Jeff and I cleaned up and went on a dinner date. As fate would have it, the seafood tacos Jeff had loved a decade ago were just as good as the memory. We wrapped the night up by playing Rook on the patio.


We woke up the next morning and while enjoying the views from the balcony we spotted whale!
We went for a closer look on the beach. Pop was in Heaven! After a while, we went back to the balcony to continue whale watching (more arrived) and Jeff and I prepared some goodies - pina coladas and steamed clams with garlic butter. Both turned out fabulously.








What an incredible weekend! It was so nice to be able to share our happy occasion with loved ones. We had the best of both worlds...time for us and time shared with family. Simply prefect...


P.S. Pop's weakness for busty beauties came out on the trip.

Trick or Treat

We had such a fun night on Halloween. Our new friends Seth and Mandy brought their little girl Lilly over to hit the neighborhood up for some candy. Josh, Jamie, Corbin, Mom, and Pop met up at our house and we all planned our assault. The wagon I got at a yard sale for only $5 was a hit as the girls rode around in style. Following the trick-or-treating, we went back home for some cider, pizza, and caramel apples. I am pretty sure more than one of us gorged ourselves on candy too. It's amazing how children put the magic back into holidays and really make us feel like children all over again.

Golly, has it been forever since my last post or what? SLACKER!!!! Here is my short and sweet recap on what I have been up to:

Grace has had a fun summer and her favorite play place has been in Nana & Papa's pool. She is quite the little dare devil. She has no fear when it comes to jumping in the water. See exhibits A, B, and C.




When taking it easy, she enjoys watching her "show." (Baby Einstein DVDs) See exhibits D & E.



My little sister, Alexis, (or "Secsis" as Grace calls her) moved in with us. I am totally lovin' it! Now that she is all grown up we are the BEST of friends. It doesn't hurt that we can share closets now. She is enjoying being a part of our crazy family and having older brothers. (As evident by exhibit F.)


The MOST exciting news is the arrival of my nephew, Corbin Douglas. Doctor Grace was at the hospital for his big debut. In true Josh and Jamie style, Corbin took his sweet time. He was worth the wait! Grace wasn't about to have her "thunder stolen," so she stepped right up to the loving cousin role. See exhibits G through I.




One night I had the fun idea of playing dress up with Grace. My mom bought the cutest fairy stuff right after Grace was born and I have waited SO long for her to be big enough for it. The trick for getting her to put the stuff on was to call it "pretty." I would say, "Oh, wow Grace! Look how PRETTY!" She got all excited and was eager to wear everything except for the boa and crown. (Enough with the exhibit stuff...here's the pictures!)



I have really been getting my craft on lately. My FAVORITE project has been making this puppet theater as a Christmas present for Grace. Seriously, I had more fun making this than she will have playing with it. I want to make one for every little kid I know. Any birthdays coming up? Thank goodness the boxes are from low fat goodies, or I might gain a million pounds just for materials! Everything I used was lying around the house. (Okay, in my craft area...I'm not THAT messy!)





Finally, this last picture is pretty priceless. Grace hasn't fallen asleep in our arms in FOREVER! Jeff, you lucky dog! I can't believe the flash didn't wake her up.

The 4th of July has to be one of my favorite holidays. First, it represents all that is summer - family, barbecue, warm weather, fun and games, the works! (Fireworks that is.) Secondly, the 4th of July doesn't just signify independence, it also means my birthday is just 2 days away. Let's face it, I am a fan of birthdays! (Independence too!) This weekend was filled with fun and laughter, so what better gift could I ask for?

We kicked things off at Nana & Grandpa's with a little barbecue. Grace was thoroughly entertaining as always. Here she is making faces as she enjoyed "bababerries."

Next, we headed to the bowling alley to hopefully knock down a few pins. Jeff found his game and Josh perfected the "huck fin" method. Kara kicked all of our butts in the second game with a start of 4 strikes, also called a "4 bagger." I bowled a personal best breaking 100 all 3 games and finishing with 149 on the last one. Grace was the princess of the alley, roaming where she pleased. We had such a blast that we missed the fireworks without really missing them. The night ended with a refreshing dip in the pool.




Saturday, we all went to my favorite greek place on Mill Ave. to celebrate my birthday. After church Sunday, we went to the Visitor's Center by the temple to check out the photography exhibit. I was able to snap a few pics of Jeff and Grace, and that wrapped up our fun filled weekend.