California Love...

Family statue at the LA Temple

The view from our condo

Santa Monica Pier

Venice BeaceSunset over Indio

Pictures are in no particular order

This past week my husband did something that NEVER happens. He took me on a vacation for our 3rd anniversary. It was great and something we needed. I love spending time with my husband and as much as I missed Broc back home, I am so so glad we went. We own vacation property with WorldMark so we got a condo in Indio, California. For those that don't know, its by Palm Springs. We flew out on Wednesday the 22 (our anniversary) to LAX. We landed, went and got our rental car and went to lunch at In and Out. (on a side not, In and Out lost it's luster after seeing one EVERYWHERE) It was then off to the beach. We went to Venice beach and walked the boardwalk. Everyone smokes weed there. There was this one random lady that would just stop and dance and give people seductive looks. It was special. We then walked down to the Santa Monica Pier. It looked and felt like the loooongest walk ever but it was nice. After that we headed to Indio to check in to our condo. I went to Indio a couple of years ago right before we had Broc and wow has it changed. It was so so nice. The pool was amazing. There was a lazy river that I spent a lot of my time in. The resort has a Dominos Pizza on sight. It saved our life Wednesday night. By the time we dealt with traffic and everything it was 9. Justin had a headache and we were starving.
Thursday we spent the day at the condo, went grocery shopping and bummed at the pool. Friday we drove back into LA. We went to the LA Temple, then headed to the beach. Justin swam in the ocean and I chilled on the beach. After the beach we hit Hollywood Blvd. and were just tourists. It was fun. I have driven it before but never walked it and looked at everything. I got my picture taken with Mr. Incredible, Zorro and Yoda. Yea me!! After we did the tourist thing, we hooked up with my friend Christina and her friend Tod for some all you can eat sushi in Studio City. We ate at a place called Midori. It was yummy. Does anyone remember Andy Dick? He was there. I saw a celebrity. That was a highlight of the trip.
Saturday we shopped the outlets (stores I CAN NEVER afford) ate at the Cheesecake Factory and went home and swam some more and made dinner. We then turned in somewhat early since we needed to leave at 2:00am to make a hopeful 6:00am flight. We flew stand by which when it came down to it, stressed me out. The 6:00am flight was full so there was little chance Justin and I were getting on. Our friend Christina scored a seat but we were still playing the waiting game. We finally thought that we were going to be the next flight. The stars aligned however and I was the VERY LAST PASSENGER on the flight. I had to leave Justin hoping he was able to get on the next flight. Luckily he did.
I am so grateful for my husband and all that he did to make this trip possible. I love him so so much and I am one of the luckiest gals in the world. Thanks babe for 3 awesome years and I am looking forward to an eternity more.

Summer Lovin's Had Me a Blast

Summer time is a time to have fun and hang out with friends and family and we have been trying to do that to the best of our ability. It is such a good time having a 2 year old in the summer. Last year Broc didn't walk yet so playing at the park seemed out because he didn't quite climb yet and camping was stressful cause he would be crawling in the dirt and yes I was one of those parents who didn't want their child to get dirty. I am still one of those parents but there are days that it just isn't worth the hassle some days. That is why you pack a change of clothes and come prepared with bum wipes. Anyway, we have had a lot of family time in. A couple of weeks ago we had a family reunion on the Critchlow side of the family. It was a lot of fun to see family that I haven't seen in quite some time and family that I don't get to spend enough time with anymore since I live down south. My grandpa's brother Dale was in the movie Napoleon Dynamite. Anyone remember Lyle that shot the cow? Yeah, that's my grandpa's brother. That same weekend was also my parents 28th wedding anniversary. Happy anniversary mom and dad. Here's to many more. I hope everyone is having as fun of a summer as we are. I can't believe summer is almost over. It's so sad but it has been great while it has lasted.

Broc thought he would hang and swing.
It freaks me out how daring he is getting.

My beautiful planter on my porch.
The only green thumb I have got.
My grandma would be so disappointed.
(Random I know, but it's part of my summer.)

Broc and Wyatt ( pronunciation on the t).

My cute parents

Justin, king of the playground.

Uncle Dale

Summer Luvin

Oh to be 2 again and not have to worry about work or responsibilities. Broc is loving that he gets to live outside these days. Here are some things that Broc does all day while I work.

Chillaxin in the bouncer

Thursday we had a play date with Abby and her brother Neal. We were supposed to have Evan as well but he was a little scared so he went back home. Abby was one of my Sunbeams when we first became Primary teachers 2 years ago. We played in the water, baked some cookies and a cake and then watched a movie. Play dates are my favorite and Broc loves it when he gets to have visitors. Oh how I love summertime!!

Happy Independence Day

Holidays are my absolute favorite mostly because I am paid to not work for a change. This is the first summer of fireworks that Broc actually enjoyed. I love that he is getting so big yet I hate it at the same time. My baby is not so much a baby anymore. We did a pre 4th firework show at my brother and sister in laws (thanks Craig and Nicole for having us over). Broc did his first sparkler and wasn't so impressed with it. One of the sparks got him and that was the end of sparklers for him. Broc enjoyed the fireworks for a little bit but then got bored and started riding bikes. For the actual 4th we slept in. It was very nice. Justin had golf marshaling and then played golf all afternoon with his brothers. Broc and I bummed around and shopped with Holli then it was off to the Lindon Pool with Nicole and the girls. I must say I highly recommend that pool to anyone. It has a lazy river and the fake surfing thing. It was so much fun and we had a blast. Broc had a meltdown at the very end because he missed nap time. I bribed him with a treat to take home from the pool and he chose a snow cone. I laid out a towel on the seat and covered him so as to not a big mess and let's just say it is a good thing that I did. Broc fell asleep yet was still eating his snow cone. It was the funniest thing ever. We then came home and waited for daddy to get home then made a yummy dinner of steak and lobster. Chelsea hung out with us all night also. Her sisters got to go see the Jonas Brothers at the Stadium of Fire. Broc and Chelsea have such a good time together. After dinner, it was off to Matt and Kerrilee's for fireworks. Thanks guys for letting us crash. All in all it was a really good day. I am so thankful for the troops and those that protect us and keep us free so that we can celebrate our independence. I hope everyone had a fun and safe holiday!!

Strawberry Days/Father's Day

This past week was a hectic one for us. I had a store inventory, a meeting, and some other issues at work and it was Justin's all time favorite part of Summer: Pleasant Grove Strawberry Days Rodeo. Every year on the 3rd week of June, you can expect to find us at the rodeo. In years past we have gone all four nights. The past couple of years though has not been that way. Last year Justin had his tonsils taken out that week and this year we were afraid it wouldn't hold Broc's interest all four nights. We went three nights instead. It was fun. Broc loved seeing all of the horses and cows and loved the clown. His name is Keith and he has been the clown for the past 3 years. He does a great job. Broc was flashing Keith his belly and Keith tried to get him to flash the camera so the arena could see but he got shy. It was funny. I never knew my kid was the shy type. Saturday night we tried to get Broc to mutton bust. For any of you that don't know, Mutton busting is the riding of a sheep. They call it the only legalized form of child abuse in Utah County. Justin had him all vested up and on the sheep, but Broc wasn't going to have any of it. Poor kid. I asked him if he was a wuss and he replied yes. Broc did get a cool shirt at least. Oh well. Maybe next year. Bad picture of me. Thats's Jen and Shellie with me.

Sunday for Father's Day, we went to church and then went up to Ogden for dinner at my parents house. My grandparents got back from Arizona for the summer so they came over for dinner as well. It was fun and nice to relax for a minute.
I am so grateful for everything that my dad has taught me and for the example that he sets. I have learned so much from you. I am thankful to my father in law for the lessons he has taught my husband. Justin is a better man because of you. I am most thankful to Justin for the father that he is to Broc. I couldn't have asked for a better husband or father for my child and future children. Thanks babe. We love you!!

Broc's 2 Year Checkup

Thursday. Broc had his 2 year appointment. He usually likes going to the doctors because he can play and he gets a treat. Well, Thursday he was having a rough day. He fell off of Justin's scooter and bonked his nose and then at the doctor's he fell again and smacked his nose and got carpet burn. Not a good time. It was finally his turn and we got to go into the cowboy room which is where we usually end up. At that point, he was done. He is attached to things lately like his clothes and did not want to get undressed. We then went and got him weighed and measured and that took bribery to get it done. Oh my goodness. My child. Anyway to make a long story short he is doing really well. His stats are as follows:
Weight: 31 lbs. 80% Height: 35 inches 70% Head: 52 cm 95%

My child has a HUGE head. Hopefully and luckily it is filled with some knowledge. Broc learns more and more everyday. New words, new silly things to do. He is becoming a little parrot and shadow to everyone. We love having him around.

Broc's Birthday Weekend

So I have decided that the one bonus to living an hour away from my family up north is that birthdays are able to be prolonged. Ask anyone and they will tell you that I think birthdays should last all week. Well ok it should last until you are able to blow out candles. When it is my birthday I try to make that as far past my birthday as possible. Well anyway Broc will always get to have a birthday weekend. It gets too hard to get all of my family down here or to get any of Justin's family to Ogden. So this minor detail plays in his favor.

This year we had a Cowboy party. Broc needed a new outfit for the rodeo anyway, so he wore his Wrangler jeans and shirt and his new cowboy boots, and we wrestled up a good time. The party at our house entailed horse rides and a pinata. Thanks Aunt Kathy for the use of Doc. I have no pictures of any of that though. No one told me when Broc was on him so I missed that. Boo. Anyway the pinata was fun and always a hit. Thanks Kim for getting that made. It was awesome at both parties. Justin decorated Broc's horse cake. He did a pretty good job for not really knowing what he was doing. My husband is the best. Thats all I am saying. The party up north was at a park by my parents house. It was more chillaxed. We ate. the kids played and we busted another pinata. It was so muh fun. I can't believe how fast my little boy is growing up. He is becoming more and more independent everyday. Thanks everyone for coming and celebrating another year with us. We love you all and Happy Birthday Broc!! I love you and am so happy that you are a part of our family.Justin's mad cake decorating skills. Beating the bootMy two favorite boys. Cousin Shannon "trying on" the bootHappy Birthday to Broc Us just being weird.