Sunflower Fields Forever

My baby sister McKell came to stay with us this week. It's been dreamy, really. I've been showing her the lovely place that is Northern California. We went and picked out delicious peaches, strawberries, cherries, and many other things at the local fruit stands. On our way home we pulled over and enjoyed one of many sunflower fields around town. Later that night we made my mom's fresh peach pie and watched Dan in Real Life. One of many great days we've had here! So grateful to have her in my life.

Summer Nights

Family. Fires. Summer. Watermelon. Homemade Hamburgers. Nutella.

It's what dreams are made of.

This night honestly seems surreal... especially now that I'm husband-less and family-less. Sigh...

So glad that we could snag a blissful, damp, Idaho Falls evening with my family. My heart aches for them.

Teton Village

If you ever want to take a ride up a snow capped mountain and eat a warm waffle at the top, go to Teton Village. What a cute place! They have a large tram that takes you to the top to take in some fantastic views of Jackson. The kids even got to throw a snow ball or two :)

Nine Months

My nine month old is...

still breastfeeding, but drinking from a bottle a lot more. He's not biting me as much which makes momma so happy...

growing lots of fluffy hair that mom is trying to tame in a flat gentlemen-like fashion

lengthening out, he's getting the Morrison, no butt, big gutt body.

teething, again! Molars this time... it's been rough, like pull your hair out rough.

loving his dad. Whenever he walks into the room, Graham smiles the biggest smile and makes some sort of funny remark like it's their inside joke.

crawling, although he's not a big fan. He'd rather hold on to something and walk around everywhere.

a big fan of water. Drinking it, splashing it... which is good, because it is so hot! We could sit outside by the water table all day.

sitting in his highchair like a big boy and eating big boy foods! Still working on picking up the pieces of food. Most of the time he grabs them and smashes them into his face with hopes that a little will get into his mouth.

waking up once a night, usually around 4-5 am, which is perfectly fine with me for the moment!

The Fourth

The Fourth has never been my favorite holiday. It's always been stressful and hot. This year was the perfect low key family fourth I've been needing.

After swimming, we had the traditional BBQ then took pictures out back. Jake's friend Travis from VanLadyLove was doing a show in Victor, Idaho down the street so we went and checked them out then did some fireworks in the driveway.

I love this country! Especially Idaho. I love Idaho.

To sneak a peek at last year's San Fran Fourth click HERE

Freedom Swim

I have a new favorite fourth of july tradition.

Swimming.

Rexburg has a fantastic city pool, so we lugged all of our Kearns kiddies and massive cooler full of goodies to the rapids. So much fun. Graham even took a nice long nap in his stroller while I laid in the sun reading People and eating Rainier Cherries. Heaven.

Fast forward to present tense and Jake's deployment has been pushed back a week. I found out Monday and a few hours later I was in the car driving to California. Now I'm at home in a surreal state of marital bliss. Heavenly Father knew I needed this bonus week with my little family. Feeling so so grateful

Snippets from Teton Valley

Snap back to reality.

Well our family reunion came and went. All twenty-two of the Kearns clan came to my dad's house in Driggs, Idaho. It was a fantastic week filled with games, ice cream, water fights and fireworks and I'm very, very sad it's over. It also didn't help that I drove straight from the cabin to the airport to say goodbye to my husband for three months. Cue mental breakdown.

So here I go, trying to keep myself busy by blogging and reading Gone Girl. I desperately hope October comes quickly. Sometimes I feel like I'm not cut out for this military wife thing. The hardest part is seeing my baby grow and learn without his dad by my side. I can't believe he'll be nearly one when Jake returns. I can only hope it will make me a stronger woman and mother, and you know what they say... absence makes the heart grow fonder. I love you and miss you so much Jacob Kearns.