Grandma's Zoo Birthday!

For mom's birthday in June, we spent the day with the grandkids at the zoo.  They've done some amazing improvements at the Hogle Zoo.  It was great to see all of the new exhibits and we look forward to other new exhibits to be completed this year.  If we only had the climate we did in Southern CA year round.  We all had a great time. 

Cousins

Last week it was our turn to host the monthly "Vest Family Home Evening." We had a great lesson on testimony given by Scott and Annette and their kids. It was great visiting with my siblings and watching our children play together. I was a little stressed that night because of the busy week I had ahead and some other things I was working through, but it was a great time.

Cousins

We've had lots of fun with cousins since we've moved to Utah. It's been fun to watch the kids become familiar with each other and to have more interaction that just once, twice or a few times per year. I feel like I was happy wherever we've lived, but I think the only way to put it now is that my joy is full. I feel really happy to be where we are right now. I know that if we ever have to live somewhere far away again, we will and can do it, but I am so happy to be here for this season of our lives. The other day while Casey and Melissa were over, I went downstairs to put something away and I found Isaac and Annabelle sitting next to each other watching television. They told me they were the "King and Queen." I'm so happy that they are able to develop these friendships.


I think we may need to add to our boy dress-up collection, but I must admit Isaac made a pretty cute Care Bear. I promise we feed the kids, but it was cute to watch them fend for themselves and find a snack while they chatted in the pantry. :)

Swimming Lessons~Aaron and Boston

During Aaron's third session of swimming lessons, he and his cousin Boston got to swim together. This was definitely the easiest session to get Aaron to go to because Boston was there.

Aaron has come along way since the beginning of swimming lessons. I had to drop him off the board at the beginning, and now he jumps off alone. He still has a little more to learn before he can swim, but he's made so much progress and we are very proud of him.

Vest Family Reunion~Slip-n-Slide

Legoland

Jack and Adam came for a visit in September. They flew in on a Thursday night and on Friday Joseph and Adam took Aaron and Jack to Legoland. The boys were in heaven. They loved it! After a full day at Legoland, they had dinner and then headed to see the Padres play. On Saturday, we had our Primary Program Practice in the morning, and then we all headed to Torrey Pines State Beach to play. We played with our body boards, swam and visited Aaron's "pirate ship" to see the sea anemones. When the kids were done, I took them for pizza while Joseph and Adam tried to find some bigger waves to use the body boards on.

On the way home in the car, it was fun for my kids to get time with Jack. Usually when we're with cousins, especially on Joseph's side, we are in a large group and the kids play with certain cousins. Everyone was able to get to know Jack better. They all got along so well. He said a couple of cute things that made me smile. The girls told him that it doesn't snow where we live and he asked if Santa Claus still visits. It was fun to get to know him better, and Joseph loved being with Adam for the weekend.