Family Reunion in Oregon

We have just been the traveling family this summer. We went to a family reunion in Oregon with some of my side of the family. This year we went to Oregon. My parents have a beach house on the Oregon coast. We all gathered there along with a neighboring house because there are so many of us. This is the Hotel we stayed at in Bend called the Quality Inn. We had driven for about 11 hours to get here. the kids were great in the car. thank goodness for DVD players and Head phones.Quality Inn-Bend,OR Kids getting ready for bed Once we finally got to the beach house we suited up in our family color coordinated shirts for family pictures
Our family shirts
My adorable mom and I
Andrew and Cousin Austin

The kids piling on Nina

This is a chef (Crystal) from the resteraunt in Newport called La Maison. One of my parents favorite places to go on the coast. We had her come and fix dinner for us adults while the kids were babysat at the other house. It was Sooo good. What a treat. Thank you Nina and Papa!

Craig and the kids playing on the beach

Cali sporting her visor she made with Nina

Playing some old maid

This is the resteraunt La Maison. It is the most delicious place in Newport. Nina and Papa have made friends with Judy (the owner) YUMMM!

Cousins watching movies

Smoores on the beach

Papa and Andrew

Oregon Sunsets

This was a really fun trip. Lot's of things took place including Rebekah and Dustin having there baby boy Lucas. Welcome to the family Luke. Also Jack (cousin)was taken to urgent care for double ear infections and then again to the hospital later that night after cutting his head on a futon. He had two stiches. He is 1 and full of energy. Poor guy. The kids had so much fun seeing cousins. Thank you Nina and Papa for organizing this. I love you all!

Reese, baby girl

Cali Lynn Reese was born at 12:59 p.m. 4 years ago today at sacred Heart Medical Center in Eugene Oregon. It was one of the most amazing days of my life. I was induced at 7:30 in the morning. After the doctor broke my water I started contracting away. I recieved my epidural which didn't go in smoothly. After the third time I was poked it finally started working and I was comfortable. Things seemed to progress so fast. It was a lot of work but after 19 minutes of hard pushing, you were born. You cried so loud but The doctor layed you on my chest and my life was changed forever. I got to hold you for as long as I wanted. It was like the world stopped all around us just for that moment. I had a daughter. A sweet black haired bundle of joy. You were 8 lbs. 8 ounces and 19&3/4 long. When the nurse gave you your bath you really liked the warm water. You were covered in vernix so it took a little while to clean you up. It was a beautiful Friday after noon. It was so sunny and beautiful outside. I was overwhelmed with joy and I was so happy to finally see your face. My dreams came true the day you were born and you have blessed my life everyday since. I love you Cali Lynn and I am so proud you are my daughter. You have been such a joy to watch as you grow. The past 4 years have been so wonderful. We are lucky to have you in our family. I only hope that I can be the mother you have dreamed of. Happy Birthday honey. I love you!

Memories

O.K. I got this game from my friend Julies blog. It is a fun game to play so here's how it goes....

1.As a comment on my blog you must make it a memory that you and I have shared together. It doesn't matter how well you know me... a little/ or alot. It can be anything you remember but please keep it p.g. someimes my family reads this(LOL). If you do this I will assume you are playing and I will do the same, and leave a memory comment on your blog.

2.Next repost instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. You might be surprised.It's fun to see how many people will respond and it's fun to hear the memories. Of course if you do it for me I will assume you are playing and I will leave a memory for you.

Celebrating the 4th...

We started our weekend with celebrating the 4th at Craigs parents house. We swam and we ate and we ate. Then we went over to Laura's(my sister in law) moms house for fireworks. the cousins wanted to be together for the firework show. The kids had a wonderful time with sparklers and watching the fireworks. This time of year is always good for me because it reminds me of all the wonderful things I have to be greatful for being able to live in this country. We are so blessed with freedom and I am proud to be an American girl!

On the fifth we went up to do the Alpine slides in Park City forgetting it would be crowded from the holiday. the line was very long so we decided to go to dinner at my favorite Pizza on Main st called Main Pizza and Noodle Co. The resteraunt was hot but they always have great pizza. Then we decided to take guardsman pass on the way home to see the beautiful view. It was a great Holiday weekend for us.

Update for July......

Our July Begins with swim lessons every year. We are so lucky to have a close friend (Michelle)be able to teach the kids at grandma and grandpa's pool. She is such a great swim teacher and the kids love her. Andrew is really becomming a great swimmer. He has amazing dives and he is just built to be a swimm machine. he can be out there for hours. Cali is also doing really well. She listens to michelle and is even floating on her back, which she wouldn't do at all last summer. She is also jumping off the diving board(with floaties) and just loves the water. I am greatful they get to experience such great swimming. Here are some great shots I got of the lessons...

I normaly would not allow this picture on Here but it was so cute that Cali wanted to put sunscreen on me I had to share it. What a sweet girl. Protecting mommy from a sun burn.

Summer Fun

We have already had tons of fun this summer. It seems like we have been busy everyday doing something. This weekend we went Jet Skiing at Jordonelle. it was Cali's first time going and she had a blast. She would not let you go fast though. Nothing over about 10 mph. Andrew on the other hand wanted me around 35 mph the whole time. he said it was the most fun he has ever had. It was a pretty warm day and we had a wonderful time.


After a full day out at the lake, we went home and packed up the car for camping. we met some friends in American Fork Canyon for hot dogs and smoore's. Two weekends of camping in a row was hard for me but it was really fun. Andrew got to shoot a real gun and he got to ride on his first ATV. It was really fun and the kids had a good time. Man do we know how to have fun or what?