California

We're going to skip ahead a little bit to the middle of May.  My amazing grandpa Westover was nearing the end of his fight with cancer and mom and dad were very generous and flew Samuel and I out to California so that I could say my goodbyes.  We went to visit grandpa several times while we were there, but I didn't take any pictures.  There was a very sacred feeling in the room and I will have those memories to cherish in my heart.  I got to talk with grandpa a little bit and he told me some things that were very special, mostly whispering,"I love you" over and over.  I am so grateful I was able to spend those moments with him.  He is an incredible man who led an incredible life and impacted countless lives.  I am proud to be a part of his family and carry the "Westover" name.  This was taken last year and is how I'll remember my grandpa.

Samuel was very excited about flying on a plane "up in the sky" and even packed his Elmo backpack by himself the morning we left :)

After recovering from the sad realization that daddy was not coming with us, he could sit back and enjoy the flight!

And the pretzels and orange juice . . .

Once we got to grandma's house, it was straight to the toys!  It was really funny watching him play because he almost didn't know what to do with himself.  There was no Jeremiah or Lily there to have to share toys with.

Another reason that I went out to CA when I did was that Scott and Lauren and adorable baby Clara were visiting!  And Austin and Adriana and Ellie are staying with my parents over the summer.  It was so much fun to get to hang out with my brothers and their totally awesome wives!  And meeting baby Clara for the first time was definitely a highlight!  We went to the redwoods and had a picnic and went on a "hike".  It was beautiful!

Along the way, Austin climbed up in a tree to take some "Senior Pictures".  Here we have the casual "hand on your cheek" pose.

And the "look off in the distance trying to be GQ" pose.  hahaha

Sam didn't quite know what to think about Ellie, but she loved him!  While they were waiting for a minute next to each other, Ellie kept reaching over to touch him, and the look on Sam's face about says how he felt about it!

Cutie Ellie!  She has such a funny personality that keeps everybody laughing!  She is super happy and smiley 99% of the time and is just adorable!

The last day we were there we went to the park and played while mom, dad, Scott, and Austin played an invigorating shall we say? game of tennis :)  Clara loved being outside and decided to take a little snooze.

Sam's favorite thing was playing in the sand, getting dirty :)

Check mom out! This was a fierce game and we all know how mom feels about losing . . .

Sam spent some time picking "flowers".

And Clara woke up!  She is such a cute baby!  She looks like a little doll!  And she is absolutely as sweet as can be!

That evening, grandpa called and told us he wanted to take us out to Chinese food!  None of us put up an argument!

It was DElicious!  Sam's favorite was the chicken and then the cookie and chocolates :)

Had to get a couple shots of these cute girls!  The lighting is pretty bad, and the first one is blurry, but they're so cute!

Then it was back to the airport to go home and see daddy!  Sam was a little more adventurous this time and sat in his own seat the whole flight.

While Samuel and I were off in California, Jana was her usual super awesome mother in law/grandma and flew here, picked up Jeremiah and Lily, drove back to Las Vegas and spoiled them rotten!  Okay, they're not really rotten, but they sure got spoiled!  Then she drove them back down here and flew back to Vegas.  Jeremiah was very sad and cried and cried when she left!  My kids are super blessed to have 2 sets of grandparents who love them so much!  And I can't say enough about the parents and parents in law I have been blessed with.  Their kindness, generosity, and support do not go unnoticed.  Love my moms and can't wait to see them when baby James makes his appearance!