last days

Hello friends and family! We are alive and living in Texas. We're still in a mess but things are starting to come together. More posting on that very soon! For now, some pictures of our last days in California. We were able to spend time with both families and we truly loved it.
Down at my parent's house....Owen followed Jeremy around the house and Jeremy was a good sport about it. He never seems annoyed to play with the little kids.
One of Meredith's favorite things when we're around is to get Owen up from his nap. On this particular day she and Jeremy were both asking if they could get him up. Of course!
It was real cute. They both walked him down the staircase. I'm sure he loved the attention.
Around the dinner table that night Eric and Meredith started a staring contest. It was all calm and serious,
until Mere pulled this face. I mean, seriously? She looks like a masked face out of Dick Tracy or maybe the Joker.
and then everyone had to try.
Eventually Eric and Jeremy started another staring contest. But when Jeremy snapped his eyelids, Eric got totally grossed out.
such a great Laughing Eric face.
We sang Happy Birthday to Camille. I love this pic. Beautiful Camille.
and we ate her favorite carrot cake. Ohhhh, so yummy. For my mom's delicious recipe, click here.
The kids got to spend time with Ava:
and baby Leah, both awake and asleep:
Camille and I spent a couple days working on an art project for each of our homes. We built wooden canvases and painted them (still a work in progress). Owen and Jer had great fun sitting on all the paint cans:
and the boys had fun sitting around chatting, while the girls cut wood with the Miter saw, used the power drills, and basically....acted like boys. It's a real treat to work on a project with Camille. She is such an artist and I learn something new from her each time. Thanks Camille!
We said goodbye to Mere, as she headed back up to BYU-Idaho. I'm sure she'll have a great year!
and we also hit up this awesome water park in Ladera Ranch.
There is a HUGE bucket that pounds water down every few minutes. Bryan tried to lay under it with his eyes opened and...didn't last very long.
Our kids would never brave the bucket (nor would I) but they went through the smaller waterfalls with Casey:
The water park had something for everyone. Jeremy loved the water guns and our kids loved wading in the shallow area.
Lucy with her binoculars:
Eric and Leah, Laura, Ava, and Camille:
Bryan, meditating before his big moment under the bucket.
Lucy could have stayed at this place for another two hours. She literally cried when we left.
Owen mostly sat on the chair with his towel. The little guy is funny. He has a new obsession with towels.
Glad we got to play here before leaving town. And glad we got to spend time with our family. We love you all and we'll surely miss you!
On our way back to the house we saw our friends Erik and Jenille, who live in Ladera Ranch, and their 5 week old baby Abella.
Looks like a mini-Jenille to me! Cute cute.
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After the Suman days, we drove up to Simi Valley and spent our last days with Casey's parents. We went to the park one night to feed the ducks and the weather was just beautiful.
Though the geese looked beautiful,
they were mean creatures and scared the kids. I'm chalking Geese up next to Racoons on the list of "animals that cartoons have glamorized"
I mean sure, they are pretty.
But this would scare me too:
They were attacking Casey's shoe (which isn't all that bad. I would be more than happy to replace those things).
Owen however, wanted nothing to do it with it:
Sorry little buddy.

The great thing about taking Lucy to feed the ducks is that she gets a meal out of it too. One bite for the ducks, one bite for Lucy:
We love you Grandma and Grandpa!
We'll miss you tons and see you soon at Christmas time!