sandy eggo.

Part Un: Wedding Bells

We went to San Diego for our dear friend Stephen's wedding. Teddy rode on a plane. It made him at first angry and then very sleepy. We planned both flights to be during bed time so after a little fighting he was out like a light. Of course the fighting was loud and raucous and we had that parenting moment where you feel pity for all traveling mothers and fathers everywhere whose children are screaming.

We used priceline for the hotel and I think I'm hooked. Oh the deals the deals people of America! Teddy slept in a pack-and-play and loved the hotel. There were so many new things to look at and he had both parents in close proximity at all times. He likes to keep a hawk-eye on us.

The wedding was on a friday and PG was a handsome groomsman. The weather was one hundred percent perfect that day. The couple was married at the beautiful San Diego Temple. It is so pretty and spindly. It looks like it must be the Snow Queen's house. I didn't find her though... She would melt in San Diego.

We saw so many people we love and got to catch up on all that is new in our lives. The older you get the less you see all of your pals and the sweeter it is when you do. Theodore met his friend Holden for the first time ever! Holden's dad Dallin went to seminary with Phil and me through high school, performed in plays with both of us, and grew up alongside us. How cool to see our babies meet! They loved each other. Teddy had never payed so much attention to any other baby. He patted his head gently and touched his cheek. It was so special.

We are so happy for Stevo who did so well for himself and married a beautiful talented lady. We can't wait to get to know her better and officially welcome her into "the wives club" (that is: the wives of Phil's friends). It's a great club. There are only a few spots left. Auditions welcome.

 I scrolled passed this picture about 300 times on my computer before I realized Elliott was behind us... then I died laughing.

 The Wives Club: Jennica, Aubrey, Victoria, and now Annabel!

 Being a wife is sooooooooo glamorous.

 Anabel and Stephen.

 Holden and Teddy's first introduction.

 When did they become Daddies??! Teddy loves Holden.

The Mommas. Doesn't Sam look amazing? Holden is only 3 mo. old here!

Part Deux: Zoooooooo


On Saturday SIL Val and Alina drove down from LA and met us at the San Diego Safari Park. Val  is two years older than Phil and he tells me often how he couldn't have survived growing up without Val to play with. They're best buds.


Phil and I love a good zoo. (It was our 3rd zoo visit this summer and it did not disappoint!) The highlight was a tram ride through a giant valley where the animals roam at will uncaged. The park has great success with births in captivity so there were lots of baby elephants and giraffes. They also had an incredible bird show where hawks and condors flew right over your head. I held Teddy tight! It was awesome and I am nerdy. We're so glad Val and Alina drove alllllllll the way from LA (and tried to sabotage my Biggest Loser progress with cake balls... didn't work bwahaha!) because driving anywhere in California is a nightmare and we had a blast!


Final Report: The trip was a huge success. We felt like real grownups riding on the plane with tiny T and renting a car for the very first time. We loved celebrating, zooing, and enjoying a little weekend away.

 at the amazing Safari Park. Theodore loves Auntie Val!

 On the Safari Tram.

Oh did I mention Val's teacher friend also came to the park with her 8 mo. old son who Teddy really wanted to kiss?

4th.

Sun, stripes, and swimming. The fourth of July is the peak of summer. We spent our morning at our hometown parade. It was nostalgic and fun but also left a little to be desired this year... read more about it  on my SIL Lenore's blog here. We did spice it up a bit with one of my most favorite traditions. We take pictures with as many costumed people as possible. There were some good photo ops. I especially liked "green bug man." What was he selling? No clue. Was his costume in any way related to the 4th of July? Absolutely not. Did he bounce on his tippy toes as he walked? Why yes he did.

After the parade we had naps then swimming, eating, and baseball. Teddy was a trooper on his first Fourth. I think he liked all of the action. He was born into the right family. We like to party. 

Oh and one of the perks of marrying local... we spent our 4th of July with my fam, Phil's fam, AND my brother in laws fam! What a little mafia we have going on here.

 With an American eagle. Is that guy in the back his body guard?

 Only you can prevent forest fires.

 The Chinese dragon is a highlight every year.

 In America it's OK to be weird. Go green bug guy!

Theodore (named after President and Rough Rider Teddy Roosevelt) was born patriotic.

 patriotic smoooooooooooooch

 Charlotte and Tara. Who is related to who? It's a big jumble of family.

 showing some WOMAN power with Rosie the Riveter

with some cool Indian dancers

little lion cub.

 Teddy and I visited Hap Magee Park yesterday. That's the place where PG and I had our reception 3 years ago. I took some pictures of Mr. T under the big oak tree where we had our ring ceremony. Next we headed from the pretty part of the park to the fun part of the park where there are play structures and water features. Theodore and I hung out in the shade. He contently and intensely watched all of the bipedal children at play. He is dying to run. I can see it in his big dreamy blue eyes. He's working on crawling and getting closer every day. It's so strange to see my little lump of clay in crawling position. He yelled "hi" to the children a few times. He kind of says haaa. I'm not counting it as a first word because he's little, he started saying it months ago, and I want him to say momma... but he sure does say it back to us whenever we say "hi" especially in the morning over and over and over again. Being with my tiny guy in the summer is grand. I am grateful that we live in a country with public parks that are nice and green and pretty (you can count that as my 4th of July thank-America-mony). A lovely park is a poor man's vacation. Theodore and I had a great one. Sometime I'll tell you about our real vacation to San Diego...maybe tomorrow? maybe next month? I'm a fickle blogger.