Max's first day of full time Preschool!

This is Max and Faith (our neighbor whom we share carpool with) and one of Max's best friends,

They are so cute together... 

Here they are at Mrs. Merlee Mccort's preschool (that's what Max calls her)!

 

The kids all love her...she was also Max's nursery teacher in our ward before the split! We are so happy she is our teacher!

Max and his friend Taliah, she is just the cutest girl. Max was happy to have her in his class, again.

 

Max is  a Super Stars preschooler now as well.

He has really enjoyed the consistency of everyday school and has learned to give new things a chance! 

Lia and Kiri miss their brother when he is gone and spend most of the time asking if it's time to pick Max up yet...however, there are moments of happy Bubble Guppy dancing where they seem to enjoy a little girl time!

Happy 40th with my parents in San Diego!!!

My parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this year and we decided to all rent a beach house together. Here are my parents and my maternal grandparents in their wedding shoot

 

This picture is emblematic of why I get so bugged when beautiful girls say they looked like boys when they were little...some of us actually looked like boys...in fact my hair is shorter than my brother's...though it's a similar cut...I'd say my bangs are a setting shorter. California circa 1984

 

 

Here we are about 15 years later...Peter and I were both in college in this shot...so,

 California circa 1999

 

Here I am with Max, Lia and Kiri on the flight over to my parents' house in the Bay Area

Max had to get some Dim Sum in while we were there

Peter, Parker and Christina at the park

Devon (A.K.A mini Peter)

I can not get this picture to turn....but I love Devon's face as we walked to the beach by my parents' house

Kiri, Max and Lia playing on the beach

Lemur Lia, Kiri and Max in San Diego

I love every one's face in this picture...especially Devon's!!!

 Lia & Kiri LOVED the show at San Diego Zoo!!!

It was spectacular!!!

 

Max loved the Sesame Street and Play area the best...

 

 

Elmo, Zoe, Super Grover & max

My dad will hate this picture...but seriously, how could I document a family vacation without this picture?!?!

The rides were quite fun!!

We also got to see the Pandas at the San Diego Safari

My parents, Peter & Christina watched the kids while we got to go to the San Diego Temple. It was so beautiful and we got to do some work for family members. Someone recently joked about our temple attendance in passing...I was surprised by how offended I was at the jab. I neither think it's anyone's business how often we go to the temple nor is it an appropriate source of pride over anyone else if their attendance or adult to child ratio in their family is higher than anyone else's... and that's all I have to say about that. I, as a matter of principle, try not to broadcast temple attendance, church volunteering or community service...so, there you have it...

We were able to go to a wedding reception while in San Diego

It was at the reception that we realized what amazing dancers our kids are...Max and Lia in particular could not get enough of the dance floor!!! What fun kids we have!!! All in all it was a wonderful trip and a happy reminder of the importance of family and what an amazing legacy we are all building!!!

Meeks 2013

 

 

A rare Phillips family photo

I saved these group ones all in original size so people can down load them at full resolution.

 Group Meeks shot!

 I'm still waiting on a few fishing shots...but other than that, here are most all of my Meeks pictures!

 

This was a great year at Meeks. The girls were a lot more independent than the previous year.

 

Lia is just so full of personality

These two girls are the funniest of friends

 

Kiri, always looks like she's up to something! Cute little tike!

Julia and Audrey, such sweet and well spoken little girls!!! I owe them some money for babysitting!

 

                                              Carli painted all the kids' faces. She is quite talented

..and by kids, I mean Chris

...and Eric

Eric's was awesome!!!

The kids all had a great time playing outside this year...Brooke with a grasshopper...I owe this mom-in-training some babysitting money for all of her care during Meeks!!!!

The girls loved their new found freedom

Super Grady was cute and full of new adventures to share about being a big brother to twins!!!

Incredible Max...

Incredible Max played each night into the wee hours of the morning and would often be the last one in the main cabin!

There were a few bumps and scrapes...

 

but for the most part, laughter beat tears.

an impressive shot of Lonnie...he doesn't just write poetry, people, he chops wood!!!

 

 

We made spray painted shirts after we had taped them. They turned out amazing...we people are very creative!

I was in charge of the adult craft this year and I think it was a success, if I do say so myself, the three F's...Form, Function and Frugal!!! 

Speaking of F's...the Feast was amazing, as always, this year...a family thumb shot

Kale, Jen, Carrie and Chris

Lonnie, Sue, Kristi and kids

Carli and Chuck

Palmer Family

Grandma and Grandpa Phillips! Julie never ceases to amaze me, not only is she so fit, she has way more energy than most 20-year-olds...she never stops going...the energy bunny seems lazy compared to Julie.

These girls love their Grandma!! 

A picture with me and the girls in our spray paint-tape shirts 

Phillips kids' shot 

Lia cutie Pie!!

Jarvis family shot...so cute!!!

Tug at my heart strings shot...

Dancing 'cause they're silly shot!

Posing 'cause they're silly dads shot

Such happy girls shot!!! I think I particularly enjoy this picture because for anyone who has slept in the bunk beds in these cabins, this bar is the bane of their existence. Every morning, it is my goal to wake up remembering NOT to sit up straight and bang my forehead against it...so, for the girls to be so full of optimism and fun that they could turn it into the source of laughter for hours...well, that warms my soul, a little...

...a lot...Giggling shot!!! It was another great year at Meeks...thanks to everyone who put  so much work and effort into the organizing and executing of it! Can't wait to see you all next year!