Fourth of July

We spent the Fourth of July with the Clarks in Santa Monica. We loved walking to the beach and playing in the sand! Harrison and Riley wore coordinating outfits to celebrate the holiday.

The Waggoners Leave

Amber and Ryan Waggoner left for Indiana. Amber is going to be a first grade teacher at a prestigious private school and Ryan will be a law associate at a big law firm in Indianapolis. I don't think Jonny and I would have survived law school without these dear dear friends. We love them and miss them already. Ain't nobody got time for them to move across the country. Come back!

Classic Waggoner/Smith quotes:

"Bev or Bust!"

"Ain't nobody got time for that."

"That condo is really booshy."

"Tweet me!"

"We go to marriage counseling."

"Mimi"

"I think it's a good idea to find a hobby when your husband goes to law school. So, that's why I got my masters."

"Preach"

"E: Ryan, did you get your grade in Evidence? R: Oh, I'm not talking about that." 

"Okay, so I might have given Harrison a cookie."

21 Months Old

Little man is just 21 months old now!

1. For a long while, Harrison did not have any words and so I taught him how to sign "more", "please",  and "thank you." Now he can "moh" and "peeeese!" He can also say: baby, mama, dada, Nona, Mimi, Grandpa, Chase, bye, ball, and car.

2. Little man has learned how to pray. He kneels down, folds his arms, bows his head, and closes his eyes. If we are lucky, we get all of these things combined, but usually he is doing just one or two of them. 

3. Harrison likes to tell secrets! He comes up to you and whispers into your ear a couple of nonsensical words and then pulls back with his mouth open as if to say, "Can you believe that?"

4. This kid loves bodies of water, whatever the size. He loves to go from jacuzzi to pool and back again. He loves to play at the beach. He loves to jump in puddles. 

5. He is testing boundaries right now and so timeouts happen daily. 

6. He just learned how to pretend a few weeks ago. I'll tell him that I have yummy food in my hands and we'll pretend to eat it!

7. Despite my best efforts, Harrison's diet consists of peanut butter, whole wheat crackers, raisins, bread, soy milk, and an occasional string cheese. 

8. This kid loves dogs. Anytime we see one while walking around the neighborhood, he perks right up and says "doggie!" He loves his big doggie and little doggie that he snuggle with as night. Here he is petting the dog at Old Navy.

9. He likes to play in his crib with his doggies and pretend he is asleep. He really likes it when dada or I get in with him and play.

10.The splash fountain is open for the summer! We were not aware it was open and Harrison went right in. Hence, the stripped down baby. He loves the water.

Catching some rays.

11. He loves to play with his toys! Current favorites are: the farm, pirate ship, balls, blocks, and cars.

12. He loves babies. Loves loves loves babies! Here he is with his betrothed Molly Mooring.

We watched Baby Trevor for a few hours and Harrison was in heaven.

Grandpa Comes to Town

My dad is doing two shifts a month at his old hospital in Newport. We were the beneficiaries of his most recent trip down. He stayed with us in Calabasas for a couple of days. I had him all to myself and loved it! We  spent our time hiking in Malibu Creek State Park, playing at the beach, and talking about the Gospel. I love this father of mine.

Onto Utah!

The fact that my parents have moved to Utah hasn't really settled in yet. I'm pretty sure I'm in denial. My parents moved to Newport a few months before I was born. I have such beautiful memories riding my bike to the beach; eating hot dogs at beach bonfires; going to dozens upon dozens of Newport Harbor basketball, football, volleyball, and track and field events; climbing the tall pine trees at the Windward Lane house; having my older sisters take me, their much younger sister, to the beach on 48th street; working to build the Newport Beach Temple; learning to play the piano from Merle Valdez on Redlands Drive; having Sunday Clayton cousin dinners; and watching my parents preside over their family with faith and inspiration. It was a wonderful place to grow up. 

Harrison and I have gone back and forth helping Nona and Grandpa pack up in Newport over the last few weeks. If anything, we were just entertainment as I chased Harrison around the boxes and kept him out of the way! 

The Wally's came over to help pack up. To say Harrison likes his cousin Eliza is an understatement. 

He LOVES his cousin Eliza. 

The biggest truck I've ever seen pulled up to 1607 Port Abbey Place

While the movers came in to load boxes to the truck, we made ourselves scarce to avoid injury. 

First stop, Corona Del Mar State Beach. 

The rock where we took many family Christmas pictures over the years. 

Next stop, South Coast Plaza where we road the carousel twice. Harrison was in heaven. I have vivid memories of my mom taking me on this carousel when I was a little girl. 

  

Last stop, the Wally's! Here is our crazy crew all together. M.E., Riley, Harrison, and I slept over at their house after the Port Abbey house was emptied. 

We enjoyed our last minutes at the house together.

My mom has been the heroine during this whole saga. Within six months time, she put her house on the market, she sold the house, was released as Relief Society president, finished her coursework, finished her thesis, graduated with her masters, created a semester-long curriculum for her LDS institute class in Utah, packed up the house, scrubbed the house, and gave the keys away. Leaving the golden state where 30 years of good life have been led is really hard and she has done it with grace, faith, and fortitude. 

Dare Devil

Father's Day 2013

Father's Day french toast

I sure lucked out marrying this guy. Harrison is sure a lucky boy to have him as a father. Thank you my dear Jonny for being the father our son needs and the husband I am over the moon grateful for and in love with.