Aquarium of the Pacific

There is something so magical about aquariums...

We stopped by one in Long Beach on our way to Disneyland and had the best time. Graham was mesmerized by all of the fish and they liked him too! My favorite part was the jelly fish... they are unreal. If I ever get rich I would love a tank of my own. I could watch them all day.

Happy, happy, happy.

Can't believe how much this little one has grown up in the last three months.

It's been absolutely amazing having my family back together.

Last Wednesday I was in the park near our house chatting with some neighbors when I got a call from Jake. Next thing I know he's walking up to me. Shock. I was indeed in shock. No idea he was anywhere close to coming home. And for the next few hours I thought I was hallucinating, because earlier that day I was so exhausted and done with this deployment that such things could happen. But it's been a few days and he's still here so I think I'm sane. Gosh I can't believe my luck. Or his sneakiness.

In conclusion, I am on top of the world and there are SO many great things ahead. Birthdays, Disneyland, Parties and Halloween! Happy, happy, happy.

Photos taken by Cole Maxfield Photography, she's a dear friend and a fantastic photographer!

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 :)

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