christmas 2013: part 2

After we got our tan on in Hawaii, we jetted back to California on Christmas Eve. The Christmas season is truly my favorite time of year. It is the happiest, most joyful, MAGICAL time of year. I love the lights, treats, decorations, the spirit of giving, being together with family, and remembering the true meaning - our Savior's birth. I can't wait to start traditions with Paxton!

 

^ Christmas Eve. We were a little tired after flying all night the night before. ^

^ You'd never know I fed him based on how much he chomps on his fingers! He's an animal! ^

^ Christmas morning! At just 2.5 months old, Paxton wasn't all that into Christmas this year. BUT, he sure was entertained with the wrapping paper. ^

^ Paxton loves to be held up in the air. He thinks it's the funniest thing! ^

^ This silly baby is always making funny faces ^

 ^ By far the best Christmas present was getting to see my incredible brother Chad. Elder Brooks has been faithfully and valiantly serving the people of Cuernavaca, Mexico since July. It was my first time seeing him since then and his light has been been brighter! ^

 

^ THAT SMILE! I love him!!! ^

^ Christmas dinner with my beautiful sister and her sexy new hair ^

^ Laying in bed, stretching our legs. He loves to stand! What happened to my little cuddly baby?! ^

My Papa (dad's dad) had some health complications and had been in the hospital for a couple of weeks. So we made the four hour drive to see him while we were home. We use to live in Patterson, where they still live, and grew up around them. Unfortunately, we aren't able to spend as much time with them now. It was so nice to see them (and for them to meet Paxton!) and we are happy Papa is out of the hospital and doing great!

 ^ My silly family ^

^ Forgive the tired eyes, but I sure love my stud of a brother ^

New Year's Eve with my baby! We loved celebrating a wonderful year where we were blessed with the best little bundle of joy ever and many more incredible years to come with him by our side! To top it all off, we celebrated Mike's birthday!

^ He loves my kisses :) ^

^ That chunky smile! ^

 ^ My sweetheart ^

^ Paxton has the sweetest laugh ^

What a wonderful Christmas it was!

christmas 2013: part 1

We are so lucky when it comes to Christmas. Mike's family has a long-standing tradition of spending Christmas break in Hawaii. As a result, they celebrate Christmas before leaving. So... we enjoy Christmas with the Weekes and a week stay in Hawaii before venturing back to the mainland to spend Christmas and New Years with my family in California. I feel very fortunate and lucky to share the holiday with both our families! We get the best of both worlds. Even though Paxton had already been to Florida and California, I was still worried about the trip to Hawaii with him (he was 2 1/2 months at the time). But once again, he proved I had nothing to worry about! He traveled great on the way there and back. He slept most of the time and the rest of the time was perfectly content and happy. We lucked out (again) with being able to take his car seat on. We didn't have it when flying to California for Thanksgiving and it was fine, but for the long flight it was definitely a wonderful and welcomed commodity. We always enjoy our time in Hawaii and while this trip was definitely different then years past with a baby in tow, it was just as wonderful. Our favorite thing was just being able to be outside! It was great for Paxton's soul to soak in the warm ocean breeze! Another highlight of the trip - Paxton started (somewhat) sleeping through the night! When we first got there he went to bed around 9 and woke up between 1 - 2 for a bottle. By the end of the trip, he was making it all the way to 5 without one! By the time we got back to Utah (after 10 days in California) the little man was done with his middle of the night bottle. He just keeps impressing us with one thing after another! I'll write more in his monthly update posts, but this little guy makes our life WAY too easy. We're already counting down the days until next year's trip to Hawaii for the sand, sun, and the best food in the world.

^ Mike is the best dad. He loves his son so much and it brings me more happiness than I can explain to see them together. Mike was stretching his legs before we departed and sat in the empty exit row seat and insisted on taking his little friend with him. ^

^ The MOST beautiful sunset I've ever seen! I wish it showed up better in the picture. ^ 

^ The view from our room. AMAZING! ^

 ^ nothing better than napping on the beach... ^

^ or napping naked (notice his favorite way to sleep) ^

^ he will nap anywhere! ^

 ^ Paxton loves his aunt Mckenzie! They are our roommates when on vacation and we wouldn't have it any other way! ^

^ The Grand Wailea is one of the most incredible places I have ever been. Everything about it is beautiful. ^

^ He discovered his fingers - his favorite snack! ^

^ the way he looks at me melts my heart ^

^ Paxton's cousin Gwen is the best cousin ever! She always asks me "Can I feed him? Can I babysit him? Does he like this toy?" She was even nice enough to share her balloon with him - by clipping it onto his pacifier :) ^

^ the entrance to the grand wailea - christmas! ^

thanksgiving 2013

^ i have the best family ^

Just a few short weeks after getting back from Florida, we were off again! This time in the opposite direction - California! Paxton traveled coast to coast by 1 1/2 months old. He is a champ! We were planning on staying in Utah but at the last minute couldn't pass up the chance to go home. My cousin Walker had also just gotten home from his mission so we wanted to see him. Call us crazy, but we flew out on Thanksgiving morning (like I said - it was last minute!) and had another great trip. Paxton is the best flier. Every time we get on a plane (and we've been on a few with him now) someone around us makes a comment about the baby and occasionally jokes about him crying during the trip. Little do they know he usually makes less noise then them! (up until recently anyway - now he likes to chat and laugh when he's awake) I was so happy to be home but was definitely missing my brother Chad, who is serving an LDS mission in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Thanksgiving was the first holiday we've had without him. The trip was the first time my dad and brother Steele got to meet Paxton and they were smitten (along with the rest of my family.) He smiles at EVERYONE! He won everyone over instantly - just like he did us!

^ Paxton wasn't too into the flash on the camera ^

merry & bright

After an amazing trip to Maui, we spent Christmas with my family in California. It was perfect to get the best of both worlds this year. I'll say it over and over, there is no place like home, especially during the holidays. This one was bittersweet because it will be the last we spend with my brother Chad before he goes on his mission this summer. [half my pictures were taken on my phone, hence the bad quality!]

thanksgiving

Better late than never for a Thanksgiving post, right? The weather starts to cool down in Provo and that's Mike's sign it's time to pack our bags. Nov. 2 marked our first adventure as we jetted off to... LONDON! It honestly was a dream come true for me. I'll hopefully get around to posting pictures this week. After a short two weeks back in Provo we headed to Palm Springs for Thanksgiving with my family. Two and a half weeks later (this Thursday) we'll be off to Maui before wrapping up Christmas at my house in California. I love all our travels! But January rolls around and it's nice to be in one place :)

For Thanksgiving, we got together with my dad's family for my Papa's (AND his twin sister's) 90th birthday! It was great to see my dad's side because we rarely are able to anymore. It was neat that every member of both families was there to celebrate at the big birthday bash. Happy Birthday Papa!

july fourth

I love 4th of July! I'm such a sucker for fireworks and love the opportunity to remember and reflect of the freedoms that we enjoy in this country. Monday we had a pre-fourth party at Stone Gate. Mike and his friend Drew had too much fun lighting up the sky with fireworks. He's always been a pyro! Gwen was so cute and beyond entranced by the big fireworks. She kept pointing and saying "looook!"

The night before 4th of July is a complete party in Provo. Everyone lines University, staking out spots for the parade in the morning. The streets are crowded and everyone is walking around having a great time. 7-11 is the place to be for college students (and apparently married people too ha) Mike and I, hoped on our scooter with Tanner and Bradon and joined the party. 

The actual holiday was spent BBQing, hanging out at the pool, basketball, and of course friends, family, and fireworks. We didn't go to Stadium of Fire this year (our mistake!) so we watched the fireworks from the Y. It's incredible how big those things are. We could see all the other big fireworks going off, but they're nothing in comparison. Stadium of Fire sure does spoil us with a one-of-a-kind show!

My family had a mini reunion and I was so sad to not be there. But seeing as how we've been gone so much lately, it was nice to have some time at home before we're off on another adventure next week. I can't wait to see my family next week! Lake Powell here we come!