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.

yes, we do have a birthday here.

I have plenty of complaints about being the oldest.

Guinea Pig, The Example and Second Mother... it's a lot of responsibility. 

There is, however, a perk. You get to see all of your younger siblings grow up.

My birthday was a week ago and my younger sister wrote the sweetest blog post for my birthday.

You can always count on Lauren for a tear-jerking flashback. 

 So to keep the love going, I'm going to do the same for baby sister. 

Her birthday is today! She's ten years younger and I call her "mini me."

What I love about her:

1. Mckell has a huge heart and a sensitive soul.

2. She's a great Volleyball player and has a lovely singing voice.

3. She's got attitude. She has since she was a wittle girl always sticking it to us older siblings.

4. Loyal friend and sister. She was by my side my entire visit home.

5. Brave and ambitious. This girl has been through some difficult things,

 but she's handled it so well.

Hope you have a wonderful birthday Kelly! Wish I could be there to celebrate.

Throwback Thursday

Sometimes my sister writes nice things about me on her blog.
So I'll do the same.
Lauren lives in Wilmington and last month she FINALLY started
her film program. I couldn't be more excited for her!
Not only is she doing that but she's working
and fulfilling her call as Relief Society President.
Basically she's a rock star.

p.s. Lauren, nice hair clips...

Peace, Love, Volleyball.

We spent the weekend in Boise 

watching Mckell dominate in her last 

Volleyball tournament. 

She's been sick for almost a week and still 

played like a champ. 

Maizey came along for the ride and she was 

such a good pup. We hardly knew she was there! 

Their team took third over all and it was a lot of fun to watch.

Hope you all had a good weekend! 

what would Kelsey do?

Happy Birthday to Lauren, my lovely sister!

If I had five words to describe her...

gorgeous. 

stubborn.

feisty.

athletic.

ambitious.

She is nothing like me and I am so thankful for that,

because I learn from her everyday. 

Have a fantastic 21st on the east coast... so jealous.

Please have snow and mistletoe...

 

Made it to Idaho! 

Barely. 

Have I mentioned how much I hate traveling? Because I do. 

 I loath it in every way. 

Car, plane, overnight train... I've done it all.

And life would just be so much easier if I could transport

my body to anywhere I wanted to go.

Wouldn't that be lovely?

Happy Birthday to my name twin. My sister.

She's gorgeous. She's got wicked style, and awesome bangs.

Love you Cordy!

I also love this little babe. 

Her mom and I had a fantastic afternoon introducing

Reagan to her first H&M shopping experience. 

She was a champ.

Twigs and Homemade Caramel

1. Miss Maze fresh from the groomers! Don't worry, that bow lasted about five minutes. 

2. Mckell and I twig hunting for caramel apples.

(that massive part of the tree fell down in the storm last weekend)

3. Twiggy Caramel Apples from Delia Creates, Yum!

greenfield lake

The whole secret of the study of nature

lies in learning how to use one's eyes.

                   -George Sand

Melting Pot

 
Carolina Beach and Melting Pot Chocolate Fondue

Not a bad thirteenth birthday...

Cheerwine and Mosquitos

1. Early Morning Shopping and Tree Hill Stalking

2. Eagle Island... old fashioned sodas and peachy penguins 

3. River Court. No I'm not pregnant... it's a flowy shirt OKAY!?

4. The George, our waiter was adorably southern and the view was lovely.

5. Penne a la Vodka. Mhmmm

Hollywood East

Big Day... it started at 5 AM.

Wilmington is a beautiful place, just as I had imagined.

Definitely more to see here than Oklahoma... we'll have a busy busy week!

My poor macbook swallowed a bit of water today and is having a hard time recovering.

 Please pray for it's safe recovery:) technology hates me.

Jake is doing well at IFS, he has flown a few times now and is catching on!

I can't imagine being in his position... I wish I could be there to cheer him up.

Needless to say he's the most brave and optimistic man I know and
I can not wait to see him. This month, although fun, just seems empty without him. 

Throw Back

A little shout out to my sister Lauren who turned 20 yesterday. My sister. Twenty. That's bizarre. My twentieth was my favorite birthday thus far, and it sounds like hers was pretty good too. I am really proud of her and how she's living her new life in North Carolina. I've managed to make it the last month without really breaking down about her absence. I usually try not to think about it, but it's the random, small things that make my heart hurt because I realize she isn't there anymore. Besides Jake, she really was my best friend in Logan. I know that she is where she is suppose to be, and I'm so glad she has found friends there that treat her like she deserves! She posted this picture on her blog of us when we were little. Yes I am holding a My Twin doll. Yes I am dressed just like her. Man do I miss childhood innocence.

Cookin, cookin

Ohh how I'm grateful for my Kearns sisters. I don't get a whole lot of "girl" time in Logan so coming to Draper and seeing late night chick flicks with the girls and cooking for hours the next day is a breath of fresh air. They are all examples to me in so many ways, so lucky to have married into such a fantastic family. Missed you Julie and A2!

Here are some things I love about them...

Smash: such a fantastic cook and mother, if I ever need advise on anything, I call her. In fact I basically want to be her when I grow up. Hilarious. Soo cute. Witty.

Nancy: raised 7 incredible children, beautiful, strong, card maker, great cooker, swim teacher, wonder woman. Dare I say more?

Courty: the sister with my same name. adorable, always dresses so cute, TP partner, craft music and fashion lover (like myself) best friend.

Melody: my gorgeous cousin. sweetest girl I know, so pretty and talented.

Ames: she has the biggest heart. she makes me laugh harder than anyone, (especially when her and Jake get together). she's always making the most of everything, always wears her heart on her sleeve, always herself no matter what.

Julie: Mother extraordinaire. Such an example of strength. She's lovely in every way, and so much fun to be around. Can't wait to move closer to them!

A2: Beautiful. So kind and sweet. An amazing mother and wife. She is a great example to me (since we basically chose the same life) we have so much in common, I really hope we end up in the same place someday!