Memorial Day

One of the reasons I wanted to come to California was the church was hosting an open house for the newly remodeled Oakland Temple. This is the temple I attended as a youth and it is where I took out my endowments. I was excited to go back. Ben's kids have also never been to a temple open house and so I wanted to go with them.

The temple was beautiful. the tour was a silent walking tour. That means it was very short and fast. I don't love that but it allows a lot of people to see the temple before it is dedicated. The grounds are absolutely stunning. It is such a beautiful building in a beautiful place.

A group shot!

 Ben and Katie's family

 I got an individual picture of each of the kids. Katelyn was still not really in the mood.

I am in love with these pictures of Braxton! The licorice I had in my purse was the perfect bribe:)

Sweet Katelyn.

 Me with the kids!

 My mom and the kids.

The temple was great. After we spent some time on the grounds we headed back to Lodi. We stopped and got some Chinese food on our way. Katelyn needed a nap because she was cranky.

After her nap we took the kids to the park. Olivia biked there and I ran. it was great to get some exercise. Then I took Olivia to the store and we got her a new bike that fits her a little better. When we went back to her house we cleaned it up and had her practice riding it. She had to learn to use the hand brakes. She is a great biker though. I hung out with the kids outside until it was time for me to go to the airport. My mom dropped me off at the airport and then headed home. I didn't get to bed until 1am. That was rough but it was worth it. i had a fabulous weekend in California.

Day of rest

Sundays are the best. It was nice to sleep in a little later and not have to rush in the morning. We took our time because Ben and Katie have later church. I snapped some cute pictures of the kids before leaving for church.

Katelyn still wasn't feeling well so she didn't have the patience for me to get a good picture. She is such a little beauty though.

 Braxton is a stud. His freckles are the best. I could not believe how skinny he is right now. He must of just had a growth spurt.

And sweet Olivia. This little girl will never know how much I adore her. She is growing up way too fast.

I sure love these kiddos.

 After church we made a yummy Sunday dinner. We hung out at the house. In the evening Olivia and I went on a three mile bike ride. She looks like she is dying in every picture . . . . oops! I promise I wasn't trying to kill her:)

It was a nice sabbath day.

Memorial Day Weekend

I have been itching to see my cute California nieces and nephew. In order to make it happen I bought a plane ticket to California for Memorial Day weekend. Yay! It has been too long since I have seen those peeps.

I got in late Friday night. My mom picked me up from the airport and we headed to Lodi. Ben and Katie were gracious enough to host us for the weekend. It was nice to not have to drive back and forth to Oroville. The kids were already in bed so we visited for awhile and then went to bed.

Saturday we went to the fair. I am not a huge fan of the fair but it turned out being really fun. It was a nice day and the kids had a good time.

In the van ready for an adventure!

The fair.

Ben took Braxton around and so I didn't get any pictures of him. He does not really like the rides so my mom and I had the girls and took them on rides. So Fun!

 We actually looked at all the animals before we went on rides.

We also watched the piglet races and they were the best. So fun. We stayed at the fair until emotional breakdowns were happening. That was a good indicator that it was time to leave:)

Katelyn was such a trooper all weekend because the poor girl did not feel well at all.

After the fair Ben, my mom and I went grocery shopping and ordered pizza. We spent the evening hanging out and visiting. I was also able to sneak in a little run. It was an exhausting but fun day.

May!

I feel like May is always a hard month. School is winding down, I am always exhausted and then to top it off this year it rained like CRAZY! While the month felt long the days went fast. I felt like I had a great school year which is such a great feeling. It wasn't perfect but overall it was one of the better years I have had as a teacher. i really enjoyed my classes. I loved all the kids I coached this year. It was just a great year.

I loved these basketball girls. They were the best!!!! I am sad my other assistant coach Brittani Pugmire isn't in the picture. I am so lucky to also have two great coaches to help me out!

Andrew and I had a sleepover one weekend. It was so fun to have some one on one time. We picked out a new and bigger bike for him and then biked five miles. He was a champion. We biked on the Provo River Trail down by the lake.

 Then we headed back to his house, grabbed Emerson and went swimming. I love swimming with these boys. It makes them so happy and so it is so fun!

Moki and I hiking up Slate Canyon

On a Saturday when I was doing a long ride with Amber I busted my chain. Seriously so annoying. Thankfully Caleb came to the rescue. I was bummed my ride had to end way early.

He brought Moki to come pick me up!

I have been so lucky to have the best morning workout companions. On Tuesdays and Thursday I run or hike the Y with Jacqui Carter and then on Monday, Wednesday and Friday I walk with Amy Davis. It has made it so much easier to wake up in the morning. It also means Moki always gets her exercise, which she needs. It's been fun to watch the morning gt lighter and lighter.

Jacqui and I at the top of the Y!

Sunday dinner with these three crazies.

  Boys are seriously hilarious!

 School ended May 30th. The last day of school and the next day I played so hard. I fit in all my favorite activities: biking, hiking, walking, basketball and hot tubbing. It was a fun little start to summer.

I only have a picture of Anthony and I hiking Horsetail falls. It is a fun little hike in Alpine. 5 miles round trip. 

 My favorite new hairstyle. Sleep with french braids in my hair and then let them out, brush through it and go about my day. Easiest hairdo ever!

The Rest of April

April flew by I enjoyed finally not coaching a sport and being able to be outside more. I was able to fit in long bike rides or hikes on the weekend which felt amazing after such a long winter.

Katie gave me some cute earrings when I was in Vegas and I had to document that I wore them!

I did some hiking with Anthony.

 Moki and I ran/walked the shoreline trail a lot. It was the perfect after school activity. I love that she can be off leash and get lots of exercise.

Hannah and I walked the Provo River Trail a few times. Moki loves chasing the ducks!

My favorite little kids came and play at my house one Friday night after work.

They hiked the Y with their parents, then we made dinner and went swimming. Super fun!

Easter happened.

 Loralie's backyard was perfect for an Easter egg hunt.

 Ben and Katie's family in California all dressed up for Easter.

A few pictures of little miss Audrey . . . . . because she is the cutest!

 April was a great month. The weather was warming up and it was looking like a promising spring. That didn't really pan out as May was the rainiest month I have ever had in Utah. I know we need water but it was rough. I am glad I got in some long hikes and bike rides because the month of May was a real struggle due to the weather.