Happy 1st Birthday!

Happy birthday, sweetheart. Grandma loves you bunches and bunches. It is so much fun to spend time with you because you are such a happy little girl. You love to be a girly-girl and a daring little romp-em, stomp-em adventurer all in one. You follow your brother around and do all that he does, with the same enthusiasm and energy. Hugs and kisses for you on your special day. ♥ ♥ ♥

Stopped To Visit

We made a quick stop at Jacob's while out and about so I could give Daphne and Davis little stuffed animal toys I'd picked up for them at the airport in San Diego. It was the only place with shopping that I'd been to while in San Diego. Daphne was having a great time climbing around on Grandpa!

Their little cousins were there, too. It has been a long time since I've seen Lara's little ones. They've grown so much!

Davis curled up with a book after the initial excitement of Grandma & Grandpa getting there. That green turtle is one of the stuffed animals I brought back for them.

Maria and two of her sisters were stretched out on the couch watching a movie while we were there. Any guesses what was on the tube?

Ha Ha! The Princess & The Frog! Love it!

Then I got to spend time with Jayden again. Nope, she isn't always in a highchair, just I happened to snap pictures of her in her highchair.  :)

Another Visit

Jacob and Maria stopped in for another visit before actually heading out from the area. Those two little ones are adorable and we all had a nice visit.

Her Unique Crawl

Daphne has the most unique crawl ever! Love this girl. :)

The Retriever

Jacob and Maria came back again the next morning with the kids and it was nice that they were able to go down on the practice fields and interact with Zena as she did her routine.

That is her coach out at the far left and Jacob is walking back with Davis after going out with him to show him how to retrieve Aunt Ogie's club and bring it back to her.

Zena has only the one arm for momentum as she throws. That said, she does a heck of a job. Obviously else she wouldn't be on TeamUSA representing the U. S. In the world championships!

It didn't take long for Davis to get the hang of it. It was so very hot out there but that little guy ran and ran  retrieving that club for Aunt Ogie.

Made her day, too! Zena was loving it that Davis was coming right up to her to hand that club back. He had a smile on his face each time, too. :)

Grandma kept giving him his sippy cup to drink water between runs. Gotta keep that little guy hydrated while he works out. :)

After a nice visit, Jacob and Maria prepared to head out. We said good-byes in the parking area, while scrambling to find a bit of shade.

I am so glad they were able to visit!

Expected Visitors

Zena was ecstatic to learn Jacob and Maria were going to visit with the kids so she would have a chance to spend time with them. This was Davis first ride with Aunt Ogie and he was a bit hesitant to start. That didn't last long!

We were on our way to lunch when they arrived so we all had lunch together.

One of the competitors on the throwing team, Scott Winkler, stopped by to meet the little ones. What a guy!

Look at that, she's all smiles! And what a cutie she is. :)

It was wonderful that they were able to make the trip over! I know it meant a lot to Zena, too.

Goodnight

This little guy is on the verge of getting it all figured out. Jacob and Maria have done well keeping the little ones corraled into certain locations-and out of others-within the house but Davis has figured out he can drag crates around to elevate him about. It will be no time at all before he realizes that little leg of his can stretch up over the top of that gate.

For now, he's content with reaching the light switches and driving everyone else batty with lights flashing on and off. *<8^}

She looks alert for the late hour...she was just fooling with those wide eyes though. She went to bed not too long after this. :)

I love these next two pictures because they give a good perspective of the size of these munchkins on this day, at this time in their lives, compared to the size of their daddy.

They are both so cute and Jacob looks enormous as he plays with the kids and takes care of them. Maria wasn't home this evening. She was doing movies with her cousin Jennifer. :)

Davis is enjoying some night-night giggles with Grandpa. Grandpa looks like he's enjoying the moment, too.

Heading off to get ready for bed. :) These little ones go down so easily at night! I love spending time with them and miss them bunches when we're not together. :)

A Great Day For A Blessing

Today was a special day. Jodie had made plans for Mia to be blessed today and it is so good to know she now has a record in the church. I am so glad Jodie did the planning and follow-thru to make sure Mia was in fact blessed on this day.

TJei was a mouse or something when she greeted us on arrival. :)

Look at all that hair! Mia's hair is so thick.

Mia was having fun with Uncle Quentin. So glad he could come up. :)

Uncle Quentin was having fun with Mia, too~!

Bishop Jackson blessed Mia and after she shook hands all

 around, she hopped down from that chair and ran for hugs. :)

Sweet little Daphne, the first picture I've gotten of her in a long time. :)
Still haven't gotten a picture of Davis lately. He stayed off to himself
with so many people around. Turkey.

Elder Sypher (today's his birthday) and Elder Gunter were there' too. :)

Jodie with both girls. Thanks, Jod. It was a nice get-together and the taco soup was good. :)

I don't remember why TJei was crying but I told her I wanted a picture and couldn't take
one with her crying. She immediately stopped crying and flashed a smile. What a character! :)

Three of the six girls. Sure wish the others could have been here, too.

Missing the others bunches. :(

Early Morning

The sweetest faces to adorn the morning! We stayed the night at Jacob and Maria's and I was able to take advantage of the early morning hours for a bit of   g r a n d   time.

Chris Meets Daphne

When I told Chris that Daphne was Jacob's littlle baby, he immediately scooped her up and crooned over her. Someone mentioned it being too bad there wasn't a camera around, but of course, I had a camera easily within reach. :) Hope I don't get booted for taking a picture in the chapel! The locale hadn't even crossed my thoughts beforehand. Christopher just adored his friend's little baby girl.

In The Morning

Davis was enjoying Grandpa's struggles to get shoes on him...



And sweet little Daphne was dazzling in her yellow shirt and blue jean skirt. I love her flower headband!



Her shoes didn't stay on long though! :P



Grandpa introduced TJei to jumping rope and she has a new fascination now. He had the rope tied onto the back of his pick-up truck parked in Jacob's driveway.



TJei did her lion impersonation to emphasize the fact she didn't want to leave.



Mia wanted to stay, too. She was so sad to leave her little cousins. :(



What a poser! (Love you T)