I Love America

For the 4th of July, the guys planned a huge water fight for the kids while the girls went out to lunch.  Kind of hard to protest, don't you think? 

 Looks like they were doing just fine without us.

 When the sun started to go down, we realized we didn't have to go ANYWHERE to find fireworks.  All we needed was to walk out the back door.  Grandma and Grandpa's house had the best view!!!  We could see every 4th of July celebration for miles!

 And in the middle of them all, we decided to have our own show.  Thanks Uncle Mike for risking your life to give us a good one.  Totally illegal in California, so the kids have never done anything like this before.  They were pumped. 

Our newest addition to the family...Baby Warren!  Lots of prayers were sent to heaven to get this little guy down here.  Couldn't be happier to see that face and here those infant cries.

LOVE them

 Mesmorized

 Front row seats

Grandpa Love

 Happy 4th of July everyone!  It was GREAT being together.

Berryhill's Together in Happy Valley!

I told you we packed it in!  The following day we boarded a plane and headed to Utah for our much anticipated Berryhill Family Reunion.  Fran and Mike decided to move to Provo not long after we moved to Chile.    So, this would be our first time seeing their new place and the whole family would get to be together!  We were so excited!

 

Tora and Kate were so happy to see each other!

 Some of us took a trip up to temple square...

 Kaylynn was doted on by...well... just about everyone :)

 Emily was a champ at calming Luke's tired tantrums (we ran him pretty ragged) with all sorts of games and had him laughing and following her around.  I was so impressed, I was ready to hire her :)

 Checking out what he sees twice a year on TV for General Conference.  I wonder what he's thinking...

 Love our family

 This one's for you, Vicky!

 Not sure why Luke loves to do this to Jake, but it happens all of the time!  Sometimes Jake doesn't even notice and other times (such as this one) it drives him crazy, but thankfully this episode ended in a total giggle fit. 

 We love President Monson.  

Follow the Prophet, boys!  He won't ever lead you astray!!!

 Candid as the elevator doors were closing.  We all couldn't fit in one together :)  Made me laugh.

 This one just took my hand and walked all around the temple grounds with me.  I melted.  I've missed her.  

So very glad we are forever.

 This one's for you, Krista!

Jake is happiest when he's right by his dad's side.  

American Girl

 The store opened right after we moved to Chile.  I never got to take Kate.  So, to give the girls even more to look forward to during our time at home, Jen booked a reservation so we could have lunch and do a little shopping there.  It was extra special, because Momo surprised Kate and took her to pick out her very first American Girl doll ever, for her early birthday present, the week before.

 Now, Kate could go to the store with the real thing.  She was thrilled!!!

We were both in complete awe of this magical place.

Waiting to be seated.

Getting ALL of the girls situated.

 Mom, Jen and I took a table and we let the girls sit at the counter by themselves.  

They were feeling SO grown up.

Watching them peruse the menu and order and talk, literally made my insides light up.  

These girls have MISSED each other! I loved seeing them together.

 After lunch, it was time to do a little shopping.

 There's even a spot to put your doll in the bathroom.  What is this place?!  And why didn't they have one of these when I was little?!!!!

 These girls have MISSED each other too!

 Strike a pose

 I don't think they are having fun.

What an experience!  I don't think we could wipe those grins off if we tried.  

Throw in some Sprinkles Cupcakes afterwards, and it was the PERFECT girls day out. 

 I could use a cupcake right now...

Constant Party in the USA

That's what it's like when we come home.  I love it!  Just keep it coming!  

The next day, Brik turned 6 years old, so we HAD to celebrate ;)  Jake's only wish for his own 6th birthday 3 months earlier, was that he could be with Brik.  He had to be a little patient, and I was called a mean mom a few too many times because I could't snap my fingers and make Brik appear, but it finally came true!

 Subway sandwiches, swimming a trampoline park.  Sounded great to us!  

 Some pretty cool acrobatics

 There was even an intense game of dodge ball--cousins against cousins

 Thanks for turning 6, Brik!  We LOVE you SO MUCH!!!

Joe picked us up from the birthday celebration and we headed out to the Central Valley, so we could see NANA and PAPA Berryhill!  We miss them terribly but not the Bay Area traffic!  Took us a bit longer to get out there than planned.  They looked and sounded GREAT!  We were so happy to see it, because they have bother been struggling with ailments.

   We all had so much fun together getting caught up.  We went out to dinner and then headed back to their apartment for a bit longer.  My favorite comment of the night :  Joe asked Nana, "Is it Ok if we take you out to dinner?"  (It was like 7:30pm)  "I don't know what time you guys go to bed and we don't want to mess up your routine."  

 Nana replied, "We're not dead yet, Joe!  We don't go to bed until 10:30 or so.  Let's go!"  

 I have always loved Nana's spunk.  I aspire to be like her when I'm ninety.  If I start losing it, I made Jen promise a long time ago that she'd tell it to me straight up so I could find a way to bring it back.  

WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH and were SO HAPPY we got to visit!