Happy 80th to Grandpa Reid!

The family threw grandpa a 50s themed party for his 80th birthday!  It turned out so cute!  Loved that we got to see all the family!

I miss Utah.

It's something I never thought I would say.  EVER.  Since I moved to Utah I knew it was temporary.  That one day I would be able to move back home, Arizona.  The first year I lived there I found a great job, worked for great people and loved it.  Then I started making friends while I was there that  I miss so much!  I miss the leaves that change color in the fall and the flowers that pop up everywhere in the spring.  I miss the HUGE mountains and the canyon drives Russ and I frequently took.  I miss the "college" schedule, a little flexible with some summer and winter breaks when we could play!  I miss the nicklecade and the dollar movie (cheap fun) and the beautiful GREEN summers!  However I do NOT miss the snow and digging my car out of it and sliding around in the ice!  But it's weird that I do miss so many things about Utah because while I was there sometimes I just could not wait to get back to AZ.  But it did become a home to me and a place were Russ and I shared SO MANY fun memories!  (Before Brynn memories).

Soooo because of this weird homesickness for Utah I decided to make a trip back up to see all my friends and family!  I was not about to attempt to drive 10 hours by myself with a 7 month old so I brought my sister Lacey along for the ride.  Brynn did surprisingly well.  We took a few stops on the way up to let her stretch her legs.  When she got fussy, Lacey fed her and stuck her hand back there and Brynn seemed to like that. It was Brynn's longest road trip and she did pretty good!  

Here are a few highlights from the trip.

Ruthie gave Paul and I a birthday celebration!

 I miss all my FRIENDS!!!!

Brynn is making lots of new friends.

Lola and Ruby thought Brynn was a doll they could dress up...

She apparently is a bride.

Adding som lipstick.

Dont forget to curl her hair.

And then teach her how to hold a gun.  All important things.

Brynn is ready for her nap!

Auntie Lacey to the rescue!

Got to see Crystalee!!  She is the cutest!!!  Miss her!

Lola was showin me all her latest "poses"

This one has got to be my favorite.

Cousins!!!!!

Ruby took this picture.....not too shabby....

Brynn pulls herself up for the FIRST TIME EVER!!!!!

Such a big girl!

 Here are the poses again!

Ruby cracks me up!

My Brynn was so happy to play with her cousins all day long!

Vi and the old highlite gang!  Miss you guys so much!

Brynn apparently LOVED Mindy!!!!  

Jen and Dave!  You guys rock!  We miss our Sunday evening with yoU!

   BFFS

The blairs are the best!  I miss YOU TOOOOOO!

Having fun at Orem summer fest (and it was actually a little chilly?!  can you believe it!!??!  The great Utah summers!

Oh marcus....

Sisters!

The weeks!  Such a great family!  So glad I got to see everyone while I as therE!

Cute Brynn playing and dancing with elmo!

Happy Anniversary to US.

US means without Brynn.  haha.  I feel like this little monster (the cutest monster I have ever seen) has taken control of our lives, the house, our schedules, and even the TV.  I used to take so many pictures of Russ and I but with Brynn dominating the house I have SOOOOO many pictures of her and like ZERO pictures of Russ and I!  I want to try and be better about documenting our family....that means Russ and I too.  Even though Brynn is number one around here, and Russ and I don't do anything worth taking pictures of it makes me sad that we don't have any photos so that is my new goal.  Take pictures of Russ and I!  With that said I do have pictures of our anniversary (yes it was in June) but I am bloggin it anyways.  Seems like I have so much CATCH up to do with EVERYTHING!! ( Photography, Cleaning, Blogging, Laundry.....and the list goes on and on...)

Well for our anniversary we needed a mini vacation.  We didn't have the time nor the money for a long amazing vacation so we decided to make it a quick but fun little gettaway.  We stayed at a hotel up in Sedona and let Dan and Alicia (Russell's brother who lives in Cottonwood) to watch Brynn.  I'm sure she was in heaven with there 5 kids and worn out everyday from playing!  We went to dinner at this small (but delishish) little place and decided to catch a movie (Brave) since we never really get to see movie much anymore.  Then we went back to the hotel to RELAX.  No baby to bath, feed or put down.....AMAZING.  The next day we did a little shopping with lunch and called it a day.  I was a nice break but next time we need a day or to more.  Here are a few pics from our weekend!