Family Pictures!

Karly Zendejas of Karly Kim Photography is a good friend of Neil's from Washington. We were some of the lucky few to get to be a part of her portfolio. Here are a few photos, it so nice to finally get some updated photos, and especially some I like so much.

Of course because we were having family pictures, Eve and Adi were tough to crack even a slight smile.

Setting them loose on the grass did pull a few smiles from them eventually.

And of course Daddy throwing them in the air always results in a big grin.

I was really quite impressed with Karly, the whole experience was laid back and easy. I guess I've been kinda nervous and dreading getting professional pictures taken, but this was easy and enjoyable. Thanks so much Karly, I love them!

www.karlykim.com

Lately

I just thought I do a little miscellaneous post, with pictures from this and that. Below is us at the park with our friends Jason, Ellynn, and their little boy Finn who is just 2 month younger then Eve and Adi.

We had lots of fun, the babies had a blast playing in the grass. Sadly the evening had to be shortened because poor little Finn wasn't feeling well.

Then I mad a trip to Fountain Green this past week, Chavonne brought her little Misty over who is just 2 months older the Eve and Adi. I thought it was pretty cute how the just kinda all met in this corner of the kitchen. It looks like they're having a little pow-wow or something.

And who says a jumperoo can only entertain one baby at a time, not me. It seems they have more fun when another baby has come to join them in their jumperoo fun.

See ya in... 2 years!

Neil's youngest brother Gary went into the MTC last week. He said goodbye to his parents and little sister when they put him on the plane in Washington. Lucky for us, he needed a ride from the Salt Lake Airport to the MTC. Neil picked him up, they went to lunch, and then stopped by the apartment for one last squeeze from him favorite nieces.

I thought it was really fun that Eve and Adi remembered Uncle Gary from our visit in Washington 2 weeks earlier. It was so great to see him before he left and I know he'll be a great missionary.

My Trip to Forks WA

Forks WA is probably close to one of the smallest towns I've even seen. Why, you ask, would I take 2 days of my vacation to be in this little town? Well, if you've ever read the Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyers then you'd understand.

While we were visiting family in Washington we did take a trip to the Olympic Peninsula to see the town of Forks, the rainforest, and the La Push Beach.

The first thing I see as I climb out of the car in the middle of town... a door. Yes, a door, completely devoted to Dr. Carlisle Cullen. And no, it isn't a real doctor's office, its a back door to some souvenir shop.

But who wouldn't try to cash in on the hype Twilight has brought to this tiny town? Even the deli at the local grocery store had Twilight Wraps and more! We also had dinner that night at place that served Bella Burgers, best of all, the came with a set of fangs.

That night we stayed at quaint little B&B. Eve and Adi thoroughly enjoyed time on the floor after spending the majority of the day in their car seats.

The next day we walked the streets of Forks, to see what there was to see and of course get souvenirs. One of the shops had a book for Twilight fans to sign, "part 13" gives you an idea of how much business the books have brought to this town.

And what would be a trip anywhere without Gary and Neil's silly antics about everything. Gary's favorite phrase "Hey, I think this was in the books!" Here they are showing their excitement about finding a light post that was "in the books!"

Behind the hospital they have Dr. Cullen's reserved parking spot. Of course the funny thing is, is that right next to it has a sign that says "No Parking".

And in front of the Visitor's Center was parked Bella's truck. One of the main attractions, we had to wait in line to get a picture.

Parked behind the Forks Police Station, Charlie's police car.

And the off to La Push Beach we went. It was beautiful! It was probably my favorite part of the whole Forks experience. The tide was coming so waves were big and the weather was nice and warm, unlike the water. This was my 2nd time ever being to the ocean.

Eve and Adi loved playing in the water. This picture is just before we left. Adia wants to be in the water, as you can clearly see she's not very happy about be held up for a picture.

And after a nice picnic at the park Evelyn drove us home.

I had lots of fun seeing what there was to see. The town was just as I'd imagined it, small.

Our trip to WA!

We had the opportunity to spend a couple of weeks visiting the Oler side of the family in Washington. It was great, we had so much fun, and I'm sure Grandma and Grandpa Oler thoroughly enjoyed spending time with their 2 grandbabies. WARNING: This is a long post, but it has lots of pictures.

This is a picture of my bed as we were getting packed and ready to take our trip. Adia was taking a nap and Eve wanted to be under my feet. So into the laundry basket she went, I was folding those clothes so every time I'd ruffle the basket to get something out she'd giggle. It made folding and packing much more enjoyable.

Needless to say we instantly took advantage of the excess of babysitters and had some much needed "couple" time. Here we are at the Kirkland Waterfront. It was such a nice little park, right on Lake Washington, I got after Neil for never taking me there before this. But now that I know its there I can request to go. I really enjoyed it, it was so beautiful.

We got there right around sunset. We just walked and talked and enjoyed each other's company.

The weather in Washington and been exceptionally warm, so it made for nice evening stroll by the lake.

Our first Tuesday there we spent the day on Lake Washington, or pretty close to it. Eve and Adi loved the water. Uncle Gary was nice enough to stay with his favorite nieces while Neil and I went out on the jet-ski. It was my first time and I loved it! Even though I did end up in the water a few more times the we planned. Neil's mom Kathy had invested in this handy little fence so we had a nice little play area for the girls and of course Neil... he can be so out of control sometimes :)

Of course I got some cute bath pictures. I think it just delightful how much babies love the water. I love to just sit back and watch them play and splash and have so much fun together.

After studying Grandpa for a good while Evelyn became his little sidekick. It was so sweet to see how her little face would just light up when she caught sight of him and she wouldn't take her eyes off of him until he had her in tow to where ever he was headed.

Monday of the following week we headed up to the Olympic Rainforest. I was absolutely gorgeous! We stopped and had lunch near Lake Crescent which is the lake I'm am up to my knees in. It was so clear and completely breathtaking.

The random set of stairs we found, and if you can't tell those white specks in the picture are rain drops.

Our destination for the evening. Forks WA. Ever heard of the Twilight Series?... another post all about my time in Forks to come :)

We stayed in this quaint little B&B in Forks. Eve and Adi just loved being out of their car seats and on the floor.

The next day we saw all there was to see in Forks and headed to the La Push Beach, probably my favorite part of the whole Forks excursion. It was Adia's and Evelyn's first time in the ocean and only my 2nd time. It was so pretty and the tide was coming in so the waves would get pretty big at times. As you can clearly see all Adia wants is to be down in the sand.

On our trip back from the Olympic peninsula Evelyn drove...

Okay obviously not cause she can't reach the pedals but we had a good long wait before the ferry ride to take us across the Pudget Sound, so we let the girls out of their car seats and had a little fun.

One of the very best parts of this whole vacation was lots and lots of Daddy time. Adia has become quite a little ham and is very social. And just around the time we set out on this trip Eve has come out of her little shell and is just full of these sweet cheesy little grins.

We also had plenty of time to play with some of the things Daddy used to play with, and obviously still does. It was funny when he put these goggles on Adia cause once she realized she could see through them she left them on while we walked through the whole house to show everyone.

We also got to celebrate Neil's 26th birthday while we were there and a few of his aunts and uncles came to help celebrate and to meet the twins.

I'm so grateful we got to take this trip and spend some much needed time with Neil's family. I'm so lucky to have the in-laws that I do and that I get along with them so well.

Nauvoo!

This past week I had the wonderful opportunity to go to Nauvoo with some of my family to visit my Grandma on her mission. What an experience! I loved seeing her hard at work and so happy. Eve and Adi came with me and they did really well traveling and everything. Charity, Felicia, and me and my girls flew out early Saturday morning.

Saturday night my Grandma's group was in the Sunset by the Mississippi, what a treat! We all commented afterward that if that was all we were to see in Nauvoo we would be happy. But the fun had only just begun!

This is the gravestone of Seymour Brunson, he is mention in D&C 124:132. Grandma informed us as we pulled up to the cemetery that he is her great great grandfather.

Sunday afternoon we went over to Carthage Jail. Grandma was nice enough to watch Eve and Adi while we went through the tour.

In the room where Hyrum and Joseph Smith were killed, after the tour was over.

Carthage Jail. The upper story window is the one Joseph fell out of.

Eve and Adi were so good for great Grandma May.

Monday we went through the Visitor's Center, and the Relief Society Gardens.

We also went for a couple of wagon rides, one pulled by horses. Eve loved meeting Rambo the horse.

And one pulled by oxen, I had to keep Adia from putting her mouth on Duke the ox.

We also took the time to go through lots of the Old Nauvoo shops. We got to see how they made shoes, printed newspapers, built guns, how the post office worked, and the blacksmith shop. It was really interesting and educating.

Adia fell asleep on Grandpa at one of the shows. I really can't believe how good they were for this trip.

Getting ready to go to the Nauvoo Pageant. We were hoping the rain and mist would let up so me and the girls could go but it never did so we just had a nice, quiet, dry evening at the motel.

The Nauvoo Temple is gorgeous! I was so glad we had the opportunity to go to a session while we were there. I can't even begin to describe the spirit that I felt there. This picture is taken from the "Trail of Hope" on Parley St. The same street the saints used to cross the Mississippi and leave Nauvoo and their beautiful temple behind, never to see it again in their lifetime. Its absolutely mind boggling to think of this little Nauvoo town once had the population of Chicago today.

The end of Parley St. takes you right up the banks of the Mississippi River where the saints crossed into Iowa.

Before we left Nauvoo we made one final stop at the grave sights of Hyrum Smith, Joseph Smith Jr., and Emma Hale Smith. This sight is now owned by the RLDS or Community of Christ Church, along with Joseph Smith's home, and The Red Brick Store, but hopefully one day the will finally sell them to the LDS Church.

On our way to Kansas City where we would catch our flights home the next day we stopped at Adam-ondi-Ahman and Liberty Jail.

I am so happy I got to have this experience and to learn so much about myself and the the early saints. I feel like my testimony has been strengthened and I know that experiences like these are few and far between.