Coronado Island and Balboa Park

The day after Sea World, Nate and I recovered by sleeping in. Then we got lunch. Because it was about lunchtime. Oops. After we were ready for the day, we decided to check out Coronado Island . It was absolutely beautiful, but were happy we didn't actually stay at the hotel; we didn't really feel like we fit in. Our decision was solidified when Nate overheard a hotel goer end his story with "I don't even know how much he paid for it, but he only had $1400 in his pocket!!" (ha ha ha).

Our successful-ish self portrait.

In front of the hotel.

Someone had made this all out of sand; we also found a scary looking Easter bunny and Easter egg designs along the same path.

And yes, Nate had the camera most of the time. :)

Walkway in Balboa Park...once we got to the nice part of the park...before this point I found a disgusting invitation written on the bathroom stall and Nate witnessed a man wrapping his toes in twine (later he said it was a resistance band, but I thought his first version had more splash).

Sea World

Nate and I spent Easter weekend with Jim, Alisha and the kids...well, at least we had one day with them, but we made the most of it and went to Sea World!

Group shot.

Jim, Lish and Ethan on Shipwreck something or other...Ethan was in love with this ride. :)

Aunt Liz and Ethan.

Liz squared. (ps-I was way proud because Lizzie actually wanted to be on this ride with me. Silly, but it made me so happy.)

Ethan and the very popular Uncle Nate.

Nate and Afton waiting for the Shamu show to start. Or was it Ramu?

Maybe kind of a bum shot, but I thought all that hand holding was so cute.

Lilly meets a seal.

A statuesque seal.

The kids with their souvenir necklaces that Jim magically purchased in about 15 seconds without the kids noticing.

We had such a good time it was ridiculous; thanks for letting us tag along!

Ethan's belated southern birthday party

In the first phase of the Harrison/Higley extravaganza, we hosted Jim and his family for an evening, so I decided it'd be a good time to have a quick birthday party for Ethan.

Look how happy he is. ;)

Ethan and Lizzie with the dirt cake. (we sang "happy dirt cake" instead of "happy birthday")

Digging in!

The proud maker of said dirt cake.

Harrisons...and a crazy Jim.

Nate helping serve.

Ethan hopefully liking the books we got him. :)

What's a party without a shark puppet wearing a pull-up? ps-Lilly was concerned that he was using her pull-up.

Springtime in Las Vegas

Just a few things we've run across lately here at home:

FOXYGMA is right.

Baby gucks

Baby Kathryn

Bellagio lobby!

We had a lovely visit down to the Strip. We've learned the right time to leave (when people start getting drunk(er) ) and it was perfect.

On our way home on the freeway, we saw a major accident happen right in front of us. The car right in front of us was hit by someone that came out of nowhere across all lanes of traffic. Everyone was all right, but it was crazy to watch and think about how close it was to being our accident. I got scared and cried. Through my sobby voice I reminded Nate we needed to pick up some bread at the store. Last night's blessing was getting bread at Albertson's. :)

Gray's Blessing

A couple of weekends ago, we visited Utah for a special occasion; Gray's blessing! Thankfully, there's a spelling difference, because I am now the aunt of Grey and Gray. :) Ben and Jenn's cute Gray was the man of the hour and it was so fun to be there for it.

Gray and Uncle Nathan

Ben, Jenn and Gray

Liz, Lisa and Ivie

Rhea, Ivie and Mom Lisa

I was as proud to catch this smile as Nate was to have been the reason for it. :)

In other news, Ben and Jenn's cats have had no problem with adjusting to life with a baby. Luckily they've figured out the many benefits of baby gear in the house.

Mom and baby Gray

Clean up party

Usually every year my mom throws a big "party". Growing up, these parties = a trick to get some yard work taken care of. While it was still the same trick, I was excited we'd be home to participate! I can't say I personally got a lot accomplished in the yard, but it was a fun social hour and the yard looked better when we were done, so I'd call the party an overwhelming success.

Nate, Tom and Grey

Most of the girls: Alisha, Stacey, Ruth, Mom

GQ Yard Nate and Braeden

Grey getting things done

Nate with Andrew and Grey

Dad and Braeden

Impromptu birthday party for the twins

Nate and Grey flying.

It was so fun to be all together. It was a perfect morning. :)