Newport Beach!!

We had a great time at the beach when we took the kids on Tuesday and so we decided to go back again on Thursday. Madilyn's top priority was finding shells. She was so determined to find a whole sand dollar and on the last day, we found a whole one for her. She was thrilled!!

Ethan loved playing in the sand and having freedom to play around. He did a few face plants in the sand and he didn't even care.

Drew is our beach guy and fit right in with the beach scene. He loved the water and pushed Chris to go further and further. We were lucky to see dolphins out in the ocean jumping out of the water and having a good time. We were able to get out pretty far in the water because of a sand bar that had built up. Literally not more than 50 yards away, we watched dolphins surfing in the waves. I lived in Cali for 25 years and never had seen them that close before.

All you beach goers...what's the one thing you don't want to do? Feed the seagulls! Do not feed the seagulls! Ethan on the other hand thought it was fun to have the seagulls and pigeons around and fed them cookie the second day. The first day we were out in the water and a bird took off with some cookies and another took off with a diaper. Before you get too grossed out, it was a clean one. It was kinda gross to have so many dirty birds around but at the same time it was funny. Ethan enjoyed it.

We also went to Balboa pier and had lunch at Ruby's. As Madilyn puts it "some Mexican guy" caught a starfish while we were watching from inside. It was the biggest starfish I've ever seen, not that I've seen many. Just another fun beach experience.

I wish I could be a California girl...again

This was probably the first trip back to California where I really felt like I was missing my home. When we first moved here to Utah, sorry to those who have always lived here, but I hated it. I went home every chance I got. Those visits got to be fewer and farther in between and I got used to Utah. I would even go as far as to say that I liked living here. But after visiting this last time....I miss California, which I still consider to be home. Could a move be in the future for us? Eventually, I would like to move back, but the time is not now. Hopefully sooner than later! Madilyn and I were talking and she was excited I wanted to move back. She also threw in that she knew we'd be moving back to California because mom always gets what she wants. I just had to laugh!!!

The Wedding

So I don't have many pictures of the wedding but thought I'd make a post of a few of them now and then some more when I get more pictures. I believe girls started getting ready around 10:30 and the wedding didn't start until 6 and even then it felt rushed towards the end. It was a busy day. Madilyn was the flower girl and loved every second of it. She was all ready to go and then decided she was hungry. Room service to the rescue. Not exactly a gourmet meal for her first room service...more like a hot dog and french fries but it hit the spot, wasn't messy, and kept her content until dinner.

Madilyn looked so precious and ate up the fact that people kept telling her how beautiful and sweet she was.

Michelle was a beautiful bride and remained pretty calm throughout the day. We really like Brad and know that they will be so happy together.
I'll post more pictures on another post. There are stories to tell.:)

My little sisters wedding

My little sister Michelle got married on Sept. 20th at the Marriott in Marina Del Rey in Southern California. It was the most beautiful wedding and so much fun. It was the first time in many years that all my brothers and sisters and I were together. Her rehearsal dinner was at a restaurant across the street. Michelle looked so cute and you couldn't even tell how nervous she was for the day to come.

Drew was tired but was such a trooper. He just finally laid across 2 chairs and fell asleep.

I love my little sisters!

I can hardly believe that Summer is over!

Where has the Summer gone? You may have particularly been wondering that as my last post was sometime in July, I think. We have been busy with 2 kids on soccer teams (one of which Chris coaches), riding scooters at classic fun center a few times a week, doing the bounce house and the jungle, splash parks, going to the pool, playing with friends and so many other fun things. Madilyn is back in school but off track already and Drew started preschool. We have very busy days at the Sparks house. That's a wrap up of our summer though. The months have flown by and I am so not looking forward to winter.