St. George

Jane and I headed down to St. George with my family over fall break. It was a great extension of summer. The first morning we woke up my brother Jake found a tarantula in the window sill of my parents' bedroom. Of course he had to go catch it and convince everyone to hold it.

Jane practicing her smolder.

 And what's a trip to St. George without some Yoshi? Jane was mesmerized.

 Jane went swimming for the first time and loved it.

We spent much of our time boating but didn't take many photos. The water was pretty choppy so we surfed. To make it interesting my brother Matt had the idea to solve the Rubik's cube on the surfboard. He did it in less than two minutes on his first try. It took me many tries but I was finally able to. Boating is the best!

Midway with the Spears

We were beyond excited when we found out we were going to be able to get together with Chad, Randi and Drake. They came up for Lotoja and stayed at Chad's parents cabin in Midway and invited us up for a sleep over.

Cutest children ever

The evening was spent playing none other than hand and foot, of course. We stayed up way past our bedtime laughing and drinking different soda flavors; some delicious and some putrid.

We went on a gorgeous hike in the morning. The leaves were just starting to change colors and it was just lovely.

Capistrano Beach

We had such a great time spending a week at Capistrano Beach with the Kents. We were able to be there over the 4th of July and it was amazing to be able to watch a couple different firework shows over the ocean sitting on the beach right out in front of the house.

It's always so fun introducing Jane to her family members, especially her cousins. Maybelle just loved Jane and was my little shadow the whole trip. She was always wanting to hold Jane and help me change her diaper and put her to bed. It was so sweet.

Gotta love bocce at the beach.

Jane was definitely in a fussy phase when we were in Cali and keeping her happy and getting her to sleep was quite the circus act. Ergo baby, binky and the exercise were key elements, so I spent a lot of time doing this:

Diana had these darling minion hats made for the grandkids. I loved the little baby one she had for Jane. So cute!

We went to California Adventures one day and Diana was kind enough to watch Jane so we could go on a couple big kid rides. Jamie took this picture while they were together and I just love it. Jane is so lucky to have such a wonderful Nana!

Thanks Blair and Diana for such a fun vacation!

Crazy 2014

This year will go down in the books as one of the craziest time in our lives. The beginning of the year consisted of Tyler's very busy 3rd year rotations, me working over time, getting ready for the baby and agonizing over where Tyler should do his away rotations and how to plan out the summer and fall of his 4th year. 

Once Jane came we had six weeks in DC with family visiting intermittently before heading to Utah for vacations. We knew that Tyler would for sure have two weeks off so we planned a couple days in Salt Lake to bless Jane, a week in Lake Powell with my family and a week in Southern California with Tyler's family. Then after a thousand conversations, many tears and stress and back and forth we came up with the following plan for the rest of the year:

After California Tyler went back to Georgetown for two weeks for an orthopedic surgery rotation, followed by four weeks in Albuquerque for another rotation, followed by four weeks in Salt Lake to study for and take Step 2 of board examinations, then four weeks in Tucson for a rotation, then two more weeks in Georgetown, then back to Salt Lake for a four-week rotation at the U, and then from Thanksgiving to New Years off  just spending time with family in Salt Lake. Jane and I decided to stay in Salt Lake the whole time with family and planned to visit Tyler at his rotations in Albuquerque and Tucson.

It's definitely been an adventure and it's terrible being apart from each other but so far so good, and it's been great being able to spend so much time with our families.

Jane's Baby Blessing

Wanted to wait until we got to Salt Lake to bless Jane so that we could have our families there. Because we weren't at our home ward we got to bless Jane at my parents' house. It was so marvelous to be able to have a small gathering in an intimate setting. I'm so grateful to have a husband and so many wonderful men in my life who hold the Priesthood. It is such a blessing to have God's power on the earth today and to see it in action. We sure love our little lady and our families and are so happy that we all get to be together forever.

Four generations

Lake Powell

 Lake Powell is the best. I grew up going every year on my aunt and uncle's house boat and it's one of my favorite vacations. Tyler had never been on a house boat before and he loved it. We had so much fun spending time with family, boating, eating, cliff jumping, etc. Although, I will say that going to Lake Powell with a cranky newborn is a bit stressful. She fared pretty well but it's just so darn hot and sunny down there that keep her shaded and cool was quite the effort, and she wouldn't nap for more than 20 minutes unless someone was holding her. I probably wouldn't do it again, but I'm glad we went. 

The Shields clan is just the best. We always have so much fun together and make such great memories. 

There were lots of fish in the little bay where we were staying and my brother caught several striped bass which they cooked up and ate for dinner. 

Having a baby equals bedroom privileges on the houseboat. I thought this would be a luxury, but it turns out the houseboat gets hotter than hades at night and it's much cooler on top of the houseboat where everyone else sleeps. After a virtually sleepless night and after having a mouse run across my foot (I know, horrifying, right!?!) we decided to sleep on my parents wakeboard boat. It was a great decision and I always love snuggling my sleeping Jane. 

Utah Summer

We were beyond excited to be able to spend some quality time in Utah over the summer and bring Jane to meet the rest of her family. Everyone was just smitten with her of course.

Celebrating Tyler's birthday with chocolate chocolate donuts.

Boating is the absolute best summer activity.

Jane's a beach babe. Though her face doesn't show it, she loves boating. Being outside, changing scenery and motion are her favorite things and boating checks all the boxes. She just hates her life jacket...don't judge me ;)

I stayed at my parents house with Jane for about six weeks and it was so fun to be back and just enjoy the little things like hanging out in the living room. My brother's are both so cute with Jane. I just love it.

If this isn't the sweetest thing ever, I don't know what is.

We went to Hokulia a couple times with Dawson and Missy. Hands down the best shaved ice place ever. Thanks for the recommendation Missy!!!

 

My little brothers (who tower over me) getting their eagles.