Dana Point Beach

When we got to Cali, we headed to Brad's parents' house to change into our swimsuits. Then we headed to one of Brad's favorite beaches in Dana Point. Kylee wore her new swimsuit that Grandma bought for her...

We buried each other in the SUPER soft sand...

And Nixen & Kylee cuddled with each other...

A nice lifeguard brought Kylee some coloring books. She walked around with them while wearing Daddy's sandals...

Sandy & tired...

That night we went to an Italian restaurant that was featured on Diners, Drive-ins & Dives. Shawn arrived from Utah in time to go with us, which was fun. By the time we made it back to the hotel, Kylee was exhausted...

Road Trip

We've spent quite a bit of time in the car since leaving Mexico. We took a road trip to Cali with my family the morning after Ashley's baby shower. We drove in my parents' car, so we got to just sleep & hang out without having to drive, which was nice.

I got to sit by Kylee...

She had a pretty good attitude about being in her carseat...

And Linc enjoyed playing games on the iPad...

When Kylee did have a hard time, Grandma found ways to entertain her, while Kylee's lazy mom slept. :)  Barbie's dances were a favorite...

We ate lots of junk & looked out the window too...

Gotta love road trips!

Ashley's Dr. Seuss Shower

On Thursday we had Ashley's baby shower. She is due July 28th with a boy, & we couldn't be more excited! Lincoln took Kylee to the cabin for the day so that I could help set up for the shower with no interruptions. While Meg & I were setting up, we decided that it was the perfect opportunity for a little photo shoot. I love having a sister who is almost as weird as I am. :)

You're awesome Meg. :)

We obviously chose a Dr. Seuss theme for the shower, which turned out to be a lot of fun. Here are some of the decorations:

The Cat in the Hat greeting the guests...

The entry table, with a Swedish fish guessing game...

Lots of gift bags & stuffed animals...

(Thanks to my Aunt Carol, who is a librarian and let us borrow all of her Dr. Seuss stuff!)

Dr. Seuss quotes...

The food table...

Linc had the idea to use live goldfish as the centerpiece. It looked great!

Sister pic...

The Allen girls...

It was so fun seeing Ashley's adorable pregnant belly for the first time & celebrating her as a mother! We can't wait for this little boy to join our family soon.

And here is a pic that I got from Lincoln's day at the cabin with Kylee...

He's such a good dad.

Just Hangin' Out

We have, of course, loved spending time with family since we've been here. Our trip to Mesa was packed with fun things to do. We did have some down-time at my parents' house while we were there, during which:

Kylee enjoyed dressing up in her new cowgirl boots...

And showed Grandpa & Nixen her favorite You Tube videos...

Uncle Brad did uplifting things with her, like reading the scriptures. :)

While Lincoln wrestled with Nixen...

By the way..."Bixen" as Kylee calls him, is almost a year younger than Kylee & weighs 5 pounds more than her!

Birth Family Visit

On Wednesday night, we met some of Kylee's birth family at Olive Garden. We had such a great visit with them. We really appreciate the friendship that we have been able to develop & the support that they show us.

They spoil Kylee with way too many gifts! The bracelets that they gave her kept Kylee entertained until our food came...

Kylee's birth cousin Madison is such a sweetheart...

Kylee got another Hello Kitty Build-A-Bear from them as an early birthday gift. Needless to say, she loves it...

She also got this cute pink hat...

And some more jewelry...

Then we went over to the mall & hung out in the play area. Kylee loved driving the bus there...

We finished our visit with Cinnabons and ice cream cones. Kylee enjoyed hers while sitting on her birth aunt Lyndsay's lap...

PF Chang's

Last Monday night we ate out at PF Chang's as a family. It was fun & the food was great!
(FYI-Their shrimp w/ candied walnuts is fabulous!)

Me with my padres...

The kids weren't the best at sitting quietly & eating their food, but that's ok. :)

The cute McNeil family...

We have a joke in our family that Lincoln always looks like an outcast in our family pictures. 

Once again...

We do love you Linc. :)

Happy Birthday To Us!

I mentioned before that my family was going to celebrate the holidays with us when we came to visit. Our first celebration was a birthday party for Nixen (he turned 1 in May), me (I turned 28 in May), Linc (he turns 29 in July) & Kylee (she turns 2 in July). We drove back from the cabin to a birthday dinner (chicken divan!), cake and ice cream, plus gifts for all of us.

My mom put up all of her cute birthday decorations...

Brad & Melissa went all out with a "Viva La Mexico" birthday cake...

Nixen getting ready to party...

Grandma & Kylee with her princess birthday plates...

Kylee got some really fun gifts...

Linc & I got money & movie passes, plus free babysitting, for a night out on the town!!!

Oh, & I forgot to mention that Daisy is here in the U.S. with us. She was VERY excited to see us when we got home from the reunion...