Girl's Night Out

For Tracy's birthday we went to dinner at Brio in Tivolli Village.  Dinner was great and we had good conversations and laughs during dinner. Afterwards we went shopping at Charming Charlie's and Downeast Basics.  These girls are so much fun.  After nights like these we wonder why we don't do get together more often!  

California Trip: Zoo

Our last day in California we spent at the Orange County Zoo.  Kensie especially liked the petting zoo and this creepy goat.

The goat was creepy and hilarious all at the same time.  It came right up to us and stared for a long time.   

We had lunch at the park, fed the ducks at the pond, and then headed home.  This trip to California was the funnest family trip we've had together.  Kensie is finally at an age where traveling with her isn't a nightmare.  She slept pretty good at the hotel and was so cute during the trip.  Hopefully lots more family trips to California in the future! 

California Trip: Disneyland

My favorite day in California was at Disneyland.  It was the most memorable and fun day we've had together as a family.  We almost didn't go to Disneyland but I'm so glad we went!  There was much more for Kensie to do than I thought.  The only downside was she was super tired from not getting much sleep during the trip.  The night before Disneyland she was up in the night and woke up really early.  For being a tired girl, she was overall really well behaved during the day.

We woke up early to be there when the park opened.  We jumped on the Disney bus and walked through the park doors at 8:00 a.m. sharp!  It was so fun being there when the park opened.  All of the employees greet and wave to you with their big mickey mouse gloves.

We started at Tomorrow land and did most of the rides there.  We hardly had to wait for any of them. Kensie was excited to go on the carousel.

Kensie's favorite ride was Flying Dumbo.  It's the only ride we went on twice and she would have liked to go more!

Then we met the Princesses!  I was far more excited for this than Kensie was.  I am such a kid when it comes to Disney Princesses.  Belle has always been one of my favorites so I was so thrilled when we were able to meet her!  Kensie acted shy but Belle was so sweet to her and let her touch the diamonds on her dress.

Next we met Tiana and Jasmine.  

After meeting the princesses we went to story time by Snow White.  As we were waiting for it to start Kensie made friends with one of the cast members.  She went up to her and initiated a hug and then let the cast member hold her doggy.  I think Kensie thought she was a princess because she doesn't share her doggy with very many people. It was adorable. 

Next we went to Mickey's Toontown.  She loved playing in Chip and Dale's tree house, riding the cars, touring Mickey's house, and meeting Mickey Mouse.  Pluto made Kensie laugh.  He was really cute with her and she cried when we had to leave him.

After Toontown Kensie fell asleep in her stroller for about 45 minutes and had a breakdown when she was woken up.  That was the hardest part of our day. After a good 20 minute melt down we had lunch and carried on.

We headed over to Critter Country for the Winnie the Pooh ride and to meet the characters.

Eeyore was the cutest character.  He made Kensie laugh so hard.  He interacted and played with her for a few minutes before we got a picture.

By this time of the day it was pretty hot and the park was packed so we jumped on the Disney Railroad and took it around the park for awhile.  After that we climbed around Tarzan's tree house.  Next was 'It's a Small World' which Kensie really liked.  We had dinner and ice cream along the sidewalk while waiting for the parade to start.  Kensie was so excited when the parade started, she was dancing and jumping in the street.

Not long after the parade we were tuckered out from a fun, long day at the park.  We were able to do just about everything we wanted to do.  We bought Kensie a Minnie Mouse stuffed animal and headed home.

I was sad to leave.  It was such a magical day.  I've always loved Disneyland but being there with Kensie seemed even more fun and magical.  Seeing Disneyland through her eyes was the best and I can't wait to do it again.

California Trip: The Beach

We went on our second annual family beach trip in July!  We stopped at Ikea on our way to the hotel in Irvine.  Saturday we went to Newport beach in the morning.   

When Kensie first stepped in the sand and water she didn't like it at all.   She immediately sat down and tried to get the sand off her feet.  It didn't take her long to get used to it though.

That evening we went shopping and had dinner in Costa Mesa. 

By day two at the beach, Kensie was loving playing in the water and sand.

Stopped by to see the Newport Beach temple on our way to church.

We rode our bikes along the beach.  

Fourth of July

Our 4th of July this year was jam-packed with fun.  First, we went to the Summerlin Parade.  Kensie loved it!

Then we headed home for swimming and a BBQ with the Valdez and Porter family.

After naps we went to another BBQ at the Schelin's house followed by a firework show at Knickerbocker park.  It was the first year Providence put on a firework show but it was awesome!  We will be back next year.  

Munchkins

I found these pictures from when Marshall and Amanda visited.  They are too cute not to post!  I love watching Kensie interact and play with friends.  Something about little people interacting is adorable.  Kensie loves making new friends.  She and Brielle are only weeks apart.  Their personalities were similar and I think they even look a little bit alike.  

Washington Trip

Kensie and I took a trip to Washington in June to visit my family.  On the way there she got her own seat and was really well behaved (thanks to my bag full of tricks!).  She was completely amused we were on an airplane and loved looking out the window. 

When we arrived at Grandma and Grandpa's house she was so excited!  She went around running from room to room while shouting with excitement.  It didn't take her long to find the rocking horse.

Kensie liked playing outside in the rocks and dirt and having so much room to run around and play at my paren'ts place.

We went to the Quincy watersides with Kellie and Payten.  Kensie loved the water slides and wanted to go down them over and over.

She went on her first tractor ride with Grandpa.  First she was apprehensive about getting on the tractor but once inside she was completely amused.

She absolutely loved Grandpa.  Every time he came home from work Kensie got really excited.  Anything Grandpa did or said made her laugh. 

We went to the Bird's lake house at Billy Clap Lake.  Before dinner we went on a boat ride.

Lori and Brent's family came to Grandma and Grandpa's house while we were there also.

Kensie, Grandma, and I spent the night at Lori and David's house in Tri-Cities before heading home.  My mom, sister, and I were able to go shopping without kids for a few hours.  It was so fun!  Sunday we went to church with the Bowers and then headed home.  The plane ride home was awful and Kensie screamed for a long time.   

It was such a fun trip!  I always look forward to going home in the summer to visit my family and escape the Vegas heat.