Lily's Birthday CelebrationS

We went all out this year for Lily's birthday and took the party to California!

I told Lily all she needed for a great birthday was her cousins, and she agreed.
I said I could blog about it and call it Just Add Cousins. She did not agree! ;)

But with traveling and all - we did keep it pretty simple this year. Aunt Emily got some decorations and provided the pool, I made the cake and Lily and Audrey decided to celebrate their birthdays together since they could. Lily drew a pin the flower on the Hawaiian girl to go with their chosen theme and even provided the prize (long coveted candies from Sierra's present to her)

Before the party we met all the cousins at the beach. The last time our whole family went to the beach was for Lily's 2nd birthday! This wasn't officially part of the party, but it sure was fun! We were the first out there because we wanted to stop by one of our favorite donuts shops on the way. They sell out fast they are so good so we got there early! It was kind of misty and empty when we first got to the beach, but got very busy as the day wore on, so we were glad we got there early and staked out a large area with some sheets so our group could all sit together.

Playing at the beach

Lily, Audrey and Auji were so cute boogie boarding together, and Sierra was so busy shell searching and filling buckets for her moat I had to constantly keep my eye on her so she wouldn't lose track of where we were.

The Pool Party

 Hard to get them all looking the same way!

 Sierra modeling the game Lily made

 This was a great gift for Lily, she has plans to turn her charms into a business ;)

Party #2

Lily got a lot of birthday celebrations this year! When we got home from our trip Grandma Elsie surprised her with decorations at the table, her birthday presents from her ready and wrapped up, and a cake in the fridge. We waited to open them until we could have Grandma and Grandpa over for dinner and a party. Lily made another game - pin the party hat on Lily - which we played together, and then even got out her magic set and put on a show. This was the easiest birthday I ever planned ;) I did make her a chocolate cake to fit the little cake stand my mom got for them - so she had even more cakes than she had parties this year! And Mike planned a big friend party at the end of summer to give the girls a chance to play with their friends all together before school started, so though that wasn't a birthday party she really got a lot of partying this year! 

  

The magic show

 Cake Central

 Just what she wanted!

 Sierra posing as a present. She is a wonderful gift!!

Lily enjoying her army men and remote control car from Grandpa Blaine

Fourth of July 2017

This fourth of July we were in California. I'm glad the timing of our trip worked out that way - it was so fun to spend it with family! We started off the day with our church's pancake breakfast. It was good food, and fun to see old friends and neighbors. The kids decorated scooters and bikes and put on a little parade. There is just something about red white and blue! I'm so grateful for our country and those who have gone before us and sacrificed to make things better for us!

We got to see our good friends and their two cute little girls and spend part of the day with them.

Their oldest is a year younger than Sierra and we got to meet their new baby. Lily is so cute with the little girls. I was totally impressed that she didn't drop the baby when she sneezed out a major bogey, the way I might expect her to act since some gross things make her so squeamish - she just laughed! It was pretty funny!

We went downtown to Point Loma to the Cabrillo national monument and the lighthouse and then to the Corvette Diner for lunch.

Lily took these two of us

The Corvette diner was super loud and pricey, not really as enjoyable as we remembered - I think we are getting old! I would not recommend it as a good place to go and talk with friends, better for little kids birthdays.

I miss this backdrop for taking photos of my girls!

Ha ha, who knew bunny ears could cause so much drama!?

To the park for the fireworks!

Coming up are my probably my favorite photos from the whole trip. Waiting to watch the fireworks. I just love all the beautiful faces of my girls and their cousins. They love each other so much and are such amazing kids!

Note to self - get more pictures of ME with my parents next time! And my siblings.

I think we mostly shy away from getting our pictures taken, but they are such treasures!

I love these so much! I'm so glad they smiled and posed for me!

These are so adorable too! 

Sierra and Isaac have had a special connection since she was a baby.

Their smiles look so much alike in this last one!

The girls made a giant glow necklace with all their individual ones and were going all around with it having the time of their lives :)

Evie is a little too grown up for some of their shenanigans now, but we still adore her ;)

Thought these shots of the fireworks that looked like palm trees turned out pretty cool, always better in person.

This was one of the best fireworks displays I have ever seen - we had an awesome spot. The finale was pretty intense! It was beautiful. The best part was being together with all of my family.