Smile Shots

Lexi is a full-blown smiler now!  Of course smiling is one thing, and smiling for the camera is another matter entirely!  So, here are a few weak ones we've managed to capture.  You really just have to see it in person to know how cute those smiles really are!

 There's nothing better than getting all PJed up and ready for bed.

 Ok, if I didn't know this was a picture of Lexi, I would never have guessed it!  This looks nothing like her, but the smile is pretty cute.  She does indeed have a neck, and her cheeks aren't quite THAT huge, I swear!

 This little quirky sideways smile seems to be her favorite.

And I know this one is really similar to the previous one, but I just couldn't resist that double chin shot!

Hooray for smiling, happy babies! ;)

A Fun Visitor

Last Sunday our good friend Brigitte from Heidelberg, Germany came to visit.  She was the German leader that came with the Exchange Students I taught back in 2009 and was here doing the program again in Upland.  She drove down for the day to spend some time with us and we were so glad she did!  It's always fun to see her and we had a great time catching up.  We took her for a walk around the Montage and then had a nice BBQ that my parents and Britt and Mike joined us for. 

 Brigitte and the girls - unfortunately, not a good picture of any of them.  What can you do?!?

The girls were still dressed up in their church dresses, but Brad and I had changed already.  They looked darling together, even if the picture doesn't show it!

4th of July

We had a fun but low-key 4th this year.  We started out the morning at our ward's annual Pancake Breakfast at the park and had a nice time chatting with all of our friends.  Then, the girls both crashed and slept for a VERY long time, so we did too! ;)  Then, it was time for a late start on our bike ride to the beach with my parents.

Libby got a new bike seat and Lexi took over the trailer (Libby let us know it was hers but that she was letting Lexi use it!).  Both seemed to love the set-up and we had a nice ride from our usual spot.

 We ended up at Doheny and it was packed.  And COLD!  No sun all day on the 4th of July - how crazy is that?!?  But Libby still had fun playing in the sand, as always.

(I don't know what this crazy jut-out-the-bottom-jaw smile is all about lately, but she sure loves doing it!)

 Lexi enjoyed the beach from outside of her carseat for once!  There are a few perks to a cloudy day at the beach, I guess.

 LIBBY!

 I loved her cute little "My first 4th of July" outfit my friends at work got for her.  She was a crowd-stopper all day long! 

 That night we watched fireworks with our friends at Mission Viejo Lake.  What a fun night!

Here's the gang - the Changs, the Crocketts, and us.  Adults - 6, kids - 5 1/2.  Only a couple weeks till the kids tie up the score, then who knows what'll happen?!?

Weekend in Big Bear

One of my mom's good friends has a timeshare in Big Bear and wasn't able to use it, so at the last minute we got invited to join my parents for a relaxing weekend of fun.  Believe it or not, this was my first time every going to Big Bear and we all loved it.

 Here are the four of us in the condo.  It was right on the lake and had amazing views!  We loved spending time on the patio.

 We took a really nice boat trip around the lake and had a great guide that told us lots of fun facts about the lake and its famous guests!

 The girls are all suited up and ready for a great time!

 Libby and I enjoyed the ride together - she was a little wild, so I probably didn't get as much info out of the guide as the rest of the group, but quality time with my girl is totally worth it! 

 At one point, Libby even got to drive the boat!  Watch out, world!

 Brad treated us to ice cream that night after walking around the cute little village area for awhile.  Libby was in heaven, of course!

 My dad and his #9 and #10 grandkids - how cute!

 The next day we hiked up to Castle Rock, the best view of the whole lake.  Brad sure got his workout with Libby!

 The guide books all said it was a "moderate to difficult" hike which had us a little worried with two kids, but we made it!  (Only Brad went to the tippy top of the rock, but we all made it to the top of the hike.)  It was gorgeous and we were so glad we did it!

 My parents were total troopers - way to go, Mom and Dad!

 This was mostly how the hike went:  Lexi asleep in the Baby Bjorn (thankfully!) and Libby running wild with her dad - from being in his arms to on his shoulders to holding his hand and getting swung up the rocks.  Like I said, Brad REALLY got a good workout out of it!

 Later that day we walked along the boardwalk bridge over the lake.

 And, if there's a swimming pool and hot tub involved, it's a MUST for Libby.  She sure is her Daddy's girl - hot tub or bust!

And even Lexi got to swim for the first time.  She loved the water and stayed in for a pretty long time.  More pool fun to come, I'm sure! 

What a great last minute get away!

One Month Old

Here are a few pictures of Lexi at one month. 

And a few others because I just can't help myself! ;)

 One month old and loving life!

 This is "Lexi's spot" at my mom's house for her monthly picture.  My mom was worried if she did Lexi's in the same place she took Libby's we wouldn't be able to tell them apart.  So, Lexi gets the wicker chair.

 Sisters!

 Libby looked so darling in her yellow dress from her daddy.  She spent all day twirling for us.

 Lexi in her "Little Sister" outfit.

 What a mature looking little girl!  And quite the show-off, too.  She loves to hold her head up and show off those strong neck muscles! 

 Not always the most comfortable of positions for Lexi when Libby is in charge, but what can you do?!

Giving loves or torturing?  - sometimes it's hard to tell.

 STRETCH!

Our colorful, summer-loving girl.

Summer Fun for Libby

Just a few fun summer days so far...

 Libby sporting her new bathingsuit from Grammy at the pool.  Is she cute, or what?!?

 Our little bathing beauty!

 We also spent a day at a place called Pretend City in Irvine where kids get to play all around in a miniature little city with everything just their size.  Here she is at the firestation - making her daddy proud!

Libby and Ian to the rescue!  Those two sure do love playing together and had a great time running all around the town!

Date Night

For our first Date Night since Lexi was born, we really got spoiled!  For Brad's birthday back in April, my parents got all four of us tickets to go see Les Misrables at the Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa.  My whole family has always loved that play and Brad, not having seen it, wasn't converted yet.  So, it was the perfect gift and we made a believer out of him, too!

 Britt was our babysitter, fulfilling her role as the first babysitter for each of our girls.  Thanks, Britt!  Hope handling the two on your own wasn't too much trouble!  Good birth control, that's for sure! ;)

Here we are outside Segerstrom Hall after the show.  It was incredible!  They've changed it a lot since I first saw it back when I was 12, but it exceeded all expectations and we all loved it.  What a great night!  Thanks so much, Mom and Dad!  (Oh, and Britt survived just fine - the girls were really good! Hooray!)