Enjoy the little things...

I love this saying! As I get closer to my 30th Birthday (in five weeks!), I see this saying as essential for me to remember!

I know life is often recollected on the big events in our lives, but in my life, some of the best moments are things that happened in my day to day moments.  I am extemely lucky in the fact that I was born to two parents that made every effort for my sister and I to have a good childhood.  So some of those little things in life that bring a smile to my face when thought of are as follows:

When my family would go on road trips, my dad would make us leave early in the morning.  I have NEVER been a morning person.  But my dad is!  So we'd get everything packed into the car, buckle our seat belts, and right before we backed out of the drive-way, my dad would flip imaginary switches and make an announcement that we were setting off in the voice of a pilot!  Blair and I, as tired as we were, always got a kick out of it!

My mom has many comforting qualities, but one that was essential for a mother of mine to have was patience.  From day one, I have been too sensitive and worried too much.  I can remember when I was younger my mother would drive Blair and I to school, and on rainy days she always indulged in my quirky faults!  You see, I sometimes made us late for school on rainy days because I was busy trying to save all the worms that I could from dying later from drying up on the sidewalk! I'm sure she had a few laughs at my expense!

And as for Blair, we are two very different people!  But I think one thing we can agree on is our love for the show, "Friends"!  And for some reason, she and I can quote almost any line from that show and know exactly what episode it came from and why we chose to recite it!  Unfortunately, this can be a bit annoying for people around us, but I love that she understands me in that sense.

So here is to 30 wonderful years of memories of the "little things"! ♥

Sunny days with my munchkins!

Ava in her birthday suit! But in her defense...it was quite hot out! :)

I sure love to hear them laugh with each other!

This Thursday my bosses went to the BYU vs. WSU football game, so I got to take advantage of work being a bit slow by going to lunch with my cousins and their kiddos! Oliver was there too, but folks, he was in the game room asking people, and I quote, "Do you have 20 dollars for me to play games?" :)

Oliver and Ava came over one morning before I went to work.
Breakfast is a whole lot funner when they are with me! :)

I love this picture, because it shows my lil Emmy's floppy ears! She is one special best friend!

Oliver spent the night with Grandma some of the nights this summer.  And since Papa was gone in Florida, he told me that he would protect Grandma and Emmy! Melts my heart!

My beautiful mother holding her lovebug, Miss Ava!

Grandpa Bill

I saw this quote on pinterest, and immediately thought of my grandpa Bill.  I was one of the lucky ones, who got a chance to grow up knowing my grandfather.  Other than my parents, Grandpa Bill was one of the most influential family figures I had as a little girl.  He was very active, so he made sure to do all sorts of outdoors stuff with us, like swimming, baseball, or taking walks.  He wouldn't just watch us grandkids swim, he interacted with us, and one of my favorite things to do was when he would let each of  us grandkids wrap around his neck and he would dive down to the bottom of the pool across and back in one breath! There are things about my grandpa that are hard to put into words, like description, but to sum it up, he showed me I was loved.  And his last words that I heard from him in the weeks before he passed away when I was in middle school were "I love my Annie." At that time, talking had become very difficult for him, but he made sure to tell me one last time.  Below, is one of my favorite pics of him, what a great guy he was!  ♥

long post, lots of pics!

Oliver and Ava got their pictures taken by "Precious Moments Photography" this summer, and they turned out great! Thank you Liz Ruiz!! :)

The three musketeers here, Emma, Oliver, and Ava playing in my backyard!! Dana and I tried soooooooooo hard to get them ALL to look at the camera at the same time......lol!!

This kid rocks the hell out of those Batman sweat bands.....just like his papa wears when he works in the garage! Too funny!

Blair turned 27!!! We had a little BBQ to celebrate.   :)

Fourth of July at Nancy and Tom's! Tons of swimming, hot dogs, and family!

Little miss Ali Belle turned 2!!!!  The party turned out great, mostly family and a few friends.  It started to rain, but then went away and was cool enough for us to all enjoy Ali open presents, have some cake, and watch the kiddos interact!  They all have such unique characteristics and yet all played well together. 

I love this pic for some reason.  Dana and Emma at the river this summer.

J.Lo....I mean Ava lol with Emma, just kickin' it at Ali's birthday party!

Oliver and Emma goofin' off in the pool.  I've noticed these two have a special bond, always sticking together.

What a cheeseball!!

Dancing :)

Ta-daaaa!!!

Nikki showing us her new house with her husband Spencer! Can you tell she's great with kids??!

And my angel.....in her new summer dress!! Yes, I'm "that girl" who dresses up her dog!

Oliver, Zoey, and Ava....could they be any cuter??!

I hope all of my friends and family are enjoying their summer...can't believe it's August already! I will write more soon!

LIVE ♥ LAUGH ♥ LOVE