Birthday/Halloween Extravaganza!

Our hunky cowboy, with his trick-or-treaters

And his foxy Native American Princess with her cherubs

Sweet little "Halle bear" living up to her nick name

Our ward trunk-or-treat

Spiderman showing off his moves

Ryan started a little mantra with the kids. He would yell "hip hip" and the kids would all yell "hooray". This is one of those moments caught on camera. LOVE

My parents went out of town so they let Mary and Ryan and the kids stay at their place. We decided to crash there as well to maximize hangout time. We got to see quite a few of these gorgeous sunsets

With a little moon action in the corner

Trick or treat time!

Amelie and Marley loading up on loot

Tinkerbell and her cowboy

Sweet little Mara snuggling her Dad to keep warm:)

The gang. Tinkerbell, the Pirates, Spiderman, Harry Potter, and Hermione. I love these kids

The last day of the Johnson's visit we spent at treasure island beach and had a perfect day. We felt like we were on our own little island, it was awesome. Here's Mary with little Halle.

Ami checking out the ducks. Check out Laguna, could it be any more picturesque? I'll take one of those houses on the hill please:)

The Johnson brigade in full force. I still don't know how they do three kids so amazingly well. We might need to take a few tips from them

Cash and Ollie being rascalions as usual. These boys were both in tears when we had to say goodbye. SO sweet

At the top of their to-do list was fishing. It kept them busy for at least 2 hours.

Back in the day when this spot was still trailer homes, our family used to stay at treasure island for weeks at a time. Those are some of my best memories. We used to wait for the tide to cross these rocks and walk around the point to where the lighthouse is. And if your a Kelley, you know about the initiation spot. I still remember the panic attack I had when I was peer pressured to jump into the reef. Good times. My family is the best.

Their own little cave

Me and my sweets. Seriously, what would life be without this guy. He took such good care of me on my bday. Love him

Wet diaper, sand wedgie. It doesn't get much worse than that:)

"Donde esta tu nariz?" These days Amelie is speaking as much Spanish as English, maybe more. I literally have to address her in Spanish sometimes to get her to listen to what I'm saying. If I say certain things in English, she looks at me like I'm crazy. That girl is crazy smart.

The boys climbing the rocks (and Ami).

So Ryan Johnson and my Ryan had been scheming this bday/halloween surprise for a few months. I had NO idea the Johnson's were coming for a visit. We were actually headed down to the beach on my bday because Ryan took a half day. He was acting a little bit weird and was texting on his phone a lot which is not Ryan at all. So I started suspecting something. I am very hard to surprise. I didn't push the issue too much cause I didn't want to ruin his surprise. I thought maybe my parents were taking the kids for the night while we went away. I had a moment when I thought,what if the Johnson's were coming because 2 years before they had surprised me then, but I was like no way. I didn't actually think they would come! But sure enough, as I'm laying on my towel reading a book, Mary's face pops in front of me. I was SO excited. I seriously love those guys. They are always so sweet to come visit us. Next year it's our turn for sure. It was so fun to see the kids hang out and even more fun to put them to bed and hang out together at night. My sweet hubby always thinks of the best way to surprise me and does everything he can to make it a special day for me. I am one lucky girl. We also went out to dinner with some good friends on my birthday and it was so fun to be surrounded by all these people we have grown to love so much. It was an epic birthday and Halloween weekend!

G&G Smart visit

What?! Two posts in two days. I must be on a roll or maybe it's the new goal I've made for myself to return to the world of blogging. I have no idea where I've been but I'm back. This last Saturday we drove out to Riverside to hang out with G&G Smart and of course Nana, Papa, Jon, Jill, Dane, Quincy, and Ryan's cousin Stephanie. Ryan's uncle is the mission president out there and they went away for a bit on a trip so G&G came to watch Stephanie while they were gone. I actually brought my camera and remembered to take some pics.

It was a fun visit and it's always special to treasure these moments we have with our "greats". We had a yummy lunch, Nana had crafts for the kids, and we shared our favorite moments from conference.

My Grandpa Coats also came down last week but I didn't take any pictures. We had some fun chatting with him about his 30 years in Hawaii with my grandma and his time serving as the bishop there. He has such a funny sense of humor, I really get a kick out of grandpa.

I AM A CHILD OF GOD

I forgot to post this little beauty when we got back from our trip to Utah. We went for a visit at Temple Square and decided to step in the Tabernacle so Ollie and Amelie could see it. I told Ollie he should sing us a song and then pulled my camera out. He got quite a few comments of how well he did in his song. He is a pretty fearless kid when singing and talking in front of crowds. Definitely not his mama's boy in that aspect; I was always deathly scared of public speaking. We sing this song every night before bed. We sang it every night for bed while Ami was in my tummy. It is a theme around these parts that not only are we children of God, but so is everyone around us.

"I am a child of God, and he has sent me here. Has given me an earthly home, with parents kind and dear. Lead me. Guide me. Walk beside me. Help me find the way. Teach me all that I must do to live with him someday."

Ami J!

I have to post a little something for my Ami J as well.
I can't believe that she is 2 years old! That little girl has been a long time in the making. I remember growing up and wishing that I had a sister to talk to. I finally found my perfect girl in the form of Becky Kelley. We would talk about everything. We saw things in a way that few other people truly relate with.

Luckily I was able to snatch her up and make her mine forever. Anyone who says they shouldn't marry their best friend is absolutely wrong. Oliver was the second product of me being head-over-heels in love and completely committed to Becky (don't worry Ollie, your turn will come on your birthday); and Ami was the third. I remember before we were even pregnant with Ami I would tell people, "I'm so excited for my little girl to arrive" and people would say, "Dont say that! You don't know if you're going to have a girl" and I would reply, "Oh yes I do know!". Me and H.F. had spoken about this years ago (once my sister never arrived in my immediate family).

I could not have dreamed up a more perfect Amelie Jane! She is my perfect girl from start to finish. It's true what Becky wrote about her; she is a show stopper anywhere we go. She is picking up Spanish like a true Latina (which melts my heart). I love to hear her little words and how she puts them together. I love that when we go on walks she runs up to me with her hand stretched out and says, "Mano, mano!" and holds my hand. The 'I love' list could really start to add up. I'll finish with this: I love Amelie so much that I can't stand to be without her. I don't know what I would do if I didn't know that I could be with the people I love the most for always. God be praised for making this possible and for sending me the beautiful blessing of you Amelie. I love you! Saying I'm glad we will always be together would be an understatement. Having you as a daughter and knowing we'll always be together is what makes life beautiful.

Today is your birthday, shout HOORAY!

Today we got to celebrate our little Amelie's 2nd birthday. The morning started off with an awesome rendition of the happy birthday song by Oliver and I, then Nana and Papa Facer called to sing, then Grandma and Grandpa Kelley called to sing! When I told Ami it was her birthday the first thing she said was "balloons". Of course. So we took Ollie to preschool and then went to the store to get stuff to make a bday cake. Ami wanted a chocolate cake even though Oliver was pushing for a princess cake. He just couldn't understand why a little girl wouldn't want a princess cake! She did pick out some colorful sprinkles and a #2 for her cake. So I let her help me stir and measure and lick everything off every spoon and bowl. We went to get Ollie from school and met Ryan by work to hit Ruby's for a birthday lunch. Ami even got a ice cream sundae with two cherries on top (one to share with Oliver). Then we went home for nap time which totally didn't happen and ended in everyone jumping in my bed to watch Alice in Wonderland. After dinner, we snapped a few pics of Ami with her cake she helped make and then went about eating it. All in all it was a great birthday minus Amelie having a pretty bad cold. But in true Ami Jane fashion, she didn't let it get her down and was still all smiles and full of mischeif today.

Amelie, you are truly such a joy to be around. I love that your such a happy girl. You are the perfect combination of sassy and sweet. I don't think Amelie will ever let anyone push her around:) She has this walk that is so hilarious. She's got swag that girl and she knows it. She was really the happiest baby I had ever seen and so friendly. Her personality has just gotten better and better and it's so much fun watching her turn into this little person. I love her little face and think that I probably smother her with kisses about a hundred times a day until she pushes me away. I just can't help it, she's irresistible. She wins everyone over the minute they meet her and has random strangers smiling in seconds. She's got the charms of her father, what can I say:) I love this little girl of mine so much. Happy birthday sweetheart girl, I love you.

UTAH Sept.3-10

At Buca Di Beppo where we met everyone for dinner after we flew in.

At Sugar House park with cousin Noelle. Ollie was SO excited to see her.

Water babies

Ollie taking a dip in the cold water.

Amelie is always such an adventurer. She had so much fun getting dirty.

It's true

Liberty park rides

Love this face

Pete and Ryan got on these crazy fast swings. Oliver wanted to go so bad (over my dead body). Amelie cried the whole time watching Ryan, she was so worried. They had a great time though.

We celebrated Chelsea's birthday early with sandwiches and cake at the park. Chelsea who has always been perpetually 7 years old is now 21. Where in the world does the time go?! I'm kinda glad she's grown up now cause she gets to be one of my best friends.

Mountain man

Tan little body

We got to stay at grandma and grandpa Smarts house for a few nights. We always love to stay there and are so well taken care of. Ollie and Ami ran around calling for "grandma" and "grandpa" all day long. They settled right in. There is a special spirit in their home and we're grateful to have them as such great examples.

I LOVE this picture. The Logan temple is so gorgeous.

We stopped off at Poco Loco Swim Shop to see grandpa Kelley. We had a fun time chatting with grandpa and the kids had a blast running like crazies throughout the store. Grandpa even gave Ollie a cool swim toy and Amelie some rubber duckies. I love grandpa Kelley and was so happy to give him a big hug.

Ollie and Ami with grandpa Coats.

It was nice to see where grandpa Coats moved and be able to sit and go over memories of grandma. I can tell he really misses her. I love that grandpa always calls me "Beck". He is such a fun guy to be around. He even let the kids eat his jello stash:)

Gorgeous temple

My little miss walking the temple grounds

Daddy and daughter

My little twinner. Aren't we lucky that families are forever

I have to tell this funny story. When we walked up the windy stairs to go up and see the statue of Christ, Amelie excitedly exclaimed "Wall-E!" She was looking at all the stars and planets painted on the walls. We sat and listened to the missionaries talk about Christ's sacrifice for us. Oliver listened very carefully.

Then we headed to BYU campus to see Laura and Chelsea, our little students.

They had a club fair going on and were giving away all sorts of free stuff like cotton candy and popcorn and licorice. The kids were in heaven.

Riding the ferris wheel with Dad.

Of course we had to bowling while we were on campus. You might not know this but Ryan did get his name on the wall for having one of the highest scores.

Ollie had seriously been asking to bowl for the last six months. He was beyond excited to bowl. He ended up taking my turn and Amelie's turn because let's be honest, we just couldn't beat his enthusiasm.

Ahhh, a family of bowlers. Wouldn't have it any other way.

We stopped off at the Provo house to see grandpa and grandma Facer before they headed off to California. Ryan and I always laugh when we think of the time we lived in the basement when we first got married. Life was so simple then:)

We got to spend a few nights at my best friend Brooke's house and hang out with little Penny girl. Oliver and Amelie had such a blast fussing over a baby, well mostly Oliver. They took us up the canyon on our last night and Luke made some awesome foil dinners.

Is this girl made for the outdoors or what. Ears and all.

Getting the fire going. It had just rained that afternoon so it was a little soggy but the smell was to die for.
Our trip to Utah was so much fun. We loved to see so many friends and family that are so important to us. It was strange to realize that this was our first official classic family trip and that maybe one day Ollie will remember that time we went to Utah. I hold those memories so sacred and it's fun to know we're building those for our kids.

Sept. 11th

I remember 10 years ago today, I was a freshman at BYU-Idaho. I woke up in the morning same as always, got in the shower, started to blow dry my hair and Kristen came in and said "Bets, a plane just hit the world trade center in New York". I had to register a moment what she was talking about. It didn't sound real. Immediately I remembered a trip I spent with my Dad and sister Regan where we went to the trade center and walked around. I remember how enormous and vast the buildings were, how many people worked there. New York, it couldn't be true. How does that even happen?

So I went to our tv and started watching everything unfold. I just remember climbing onto the couch, curling my legs up and crying. I can remember the gasp that came out when the second plane hit and I thought the world was coming to an end. I seriously felt this heavy panic set in as the newscasters confirmed that this was not accidental. Who could be capable of this? I don't know why but it didn't hit me immediately that the towers could come down. When it happened, it was like the air was being taken from me, like it was for so many people there who's lives were taken.

I sat all day in front of the tv and watched what evil was capable of. I prayed and prayed all day for those who were taken, for their families. I prayed for those who were trying to help, and those who died helping. I remember going on campus that day and looking around for some kind of reaction from others. It seemed strange that people were going on with their day. I don't know what I expected but it felt like we should all just sit and be still. So that's basically what I did for the days following the attack.

I had a few "why God" moments as I digested what had happened. I had some very real spiritual moments as I was reassured God has a plan for each of us and knows all. I was so comforted to know that families can be together forever. That those who lost the ones they loved would be reunited after this life. I had moments of understanding and even forgiveness for the bad decisions of others. I saw love everywhere. Truly, I have never seen so much compassion and love as our country united itself. All the petty inconveniences of life were put away. Everyone understood for a moment what really matters. We were all given a bit of clarity. I'm glad that I got to re-live some of those moments today as I pondered upon this anniversary. I'm glad to sit in church and know that our Heavenly Father loves each of us and wants more than anything for us to love one another.

I hope I can always remember...