California Trip (finally!)

We finally made it back to California, Jeff's home state.  I think it's been 4 or 5 years since we were last there, which was for Jeff's grandma's funeral.  

Love the palm trees!

We drove by Pepperdine University in Malibu when we went to the beach.  Madison and Bailee were quite excited because Zoey 101 was filmed there from 2005-2008.  They love to watch the re-runs of it on Nickelodeon.  

A little beach bum!

Apparently we were there during high tide, it was totally freaking me out.  The ocean is so beautiful and amazing, but it scares the heck out of me too.

It was so beautiful there.

We went to Disney Land for 2 days.  It was a lot of fun, but exhausting too.

This was one of the first attractions we walked through, I don't even remember what it was, Tarzan maybe...  

We went to the Haunted Mansion next, we got right onto the ride, it was a lot of fun!! 

We did awesome the first day getting to ride lots of rides.  We didn't have to wait long at all on the rides the first day.  We used the Fast Passes twice which helped a ton with getting onto Splash Mountain and Space Mountain quickly.  

Ashton and the someone, haha!  Perhaps the genie.  I'm not up on all of the Disney characters.

Eating lunch at the Bear Country Cafe.  It was pretty tasty and had nice views.  

Hello Madison and Bailee...and Dumbo!  Jeff has a lot more pics from this trip on his phone.  Maybe one day I will get them put into a post...fingers crossed!

We got to visit Jeff's cousin Branden in the Vans shirt.  We had a good time visiting other relatives and friends as well.  Jeff's has those photos also.

July 4th

We had a super fun 4th of July, packed with activities.  We went up to Dry Fork Canyon for a picnic.  It's amazing that we got this good family picture on the first try!  

It was such a nice day up there!

Bailee complained a bit because she does not like the wind, especially when it's blowing through big, tall trees.

We made 4th of July crafts.

Here's Madison's lantern.

And here's Jeff helping with Bailee's star person.

Madison caught her toasted marshmallows on fire...a time or two...haha!

I love those cutie pies!

We made ice cream in a bag later in the evening.  It was delicious and easy!!

I think Madison found a piece of salt in her ice cream. :-)

Love that smile!  Great memories from the 4th.

Memorial Day

We visited Grandmother and Granddad Litton's graves on Memorial Day.   It's always a bittersweet experience going to the cemetery.

Not sure who took these unique pictures. :)

But I like them, the pictures and the people. ;-)

Look at those lashes.

Madison Lu

Madison turned 11 years old on April 24th.  She's such a wonderful daughter, words can't even express how much we love her.  I brought these flowers to school for her, she was surprised.  Her classmates kept asking to smell them. :)

We went to the Naples Park after school.  It was a beautiful day.  We love going to the park on nice days.

She's my monkey!  She's fearless when it comes to heights too, she didn't inherit that from me!!  She has some pretty tough calluses on her hands from all the climbing she does.  She's a tough cookie!

Grandma Susie sent Bailee some goodies too.

Madison got some b'day money, which she was happy and thankful for.

Ashton was playing with a new soft golf set in the background.  He loves it!!   Best to steer clear when he's swinging though!

I got Madison a label maker.  I had one when I was a kid and quite enjoyed it.  

It's snowing tissue paper!

Posing by her goodies while wearing her new froggie pj's.  Madison loves pajamas!

Jeff was hiding, waiting to surprise/scare Bailee as she came down the hall. :)

Madison requested The Heath Cake, which we all love.  I left a strip without the heath crunch on it for Bailee.  We had a great day celebrating Madison's birthday.  I love dedicating special days to the people I love.

So Egg-citing

Madison, Bailee and Ashton waiting with anticipation to run outside and find treat filled eggs.  Jeff and I had a fun time hiding the eggs.  The weather was beautiful that weekend!!

Must look now!

Grandma and Bailee hunting together.

Yay!  Dad and Ash found an egg.

Time for a trampoline break!

The cheering section.  Grandpa Bobby, Uncle Justin and Aunt Jill and Bailee (this must have been a pre-hunt photo).

Good job Ash! (I'm pretty sure there's an egg there!)

Bailee and Grandma