Happy 5th Birthday Morgan!!

Happy 5th Birthday Boo Boo!! We love you so much! We celebrated Morgan's birthday by having pancakes for breakfast and opening a couple of presents. Her favorite is the Jesse doll from Toy Story 3. Only, she is mad that the bottom of the boot says Andy and not Morgan. Morgan was so grateful for everything and gave us big hugs. We went to lunch at Macaroni Grill and she was SO happy for the piece of chocolate cake that the server brought her. She shared with Rylee, but when Taylor asked her for a bite...she said no. It was kinda funny, but after we talked, she shared with both of them of course. After lunch, we went to the theater and saw Shrek then came home and had cake and ice cream with some friends and opened the rest of her presents. At the end of the day, she just said, "Oh thank you mommy for the best day EVER!" I am so happy we could give her that!

Some things about our little Morgan:
Morgan is very independent. She is strong willed and stands her ground. She is very sweet and loving. She is very giving. She loves her big snowman blankie and loves to snuggle and suck her thumb. She keeps saying that she is going to stop, but then changes her mind 5 minutes later. Morgan loves to run and loves to swim. I think she was a fish in her former life. She loves water. Morgan would stay in the shower and bath all day long if I let her. She is my cleanest dirty kid...if that makes any sense at all. Morgan is a homebody. If we go do anything, she is the first to say she is done and ready to go home. Morgan is very strong and has an incredible spirit. People tell me all the time how they feel different around her. I feel the same way. We love our little girl and can't believe she is getting so old and ready to go to Kindergarten. Where is the pause button in this life? One funny thing is that my mom gave Morgan a black zhu zhu pet and our friends gave her a yellow one. The girls were trying to figure out what the yellow one's name was and Taylor said I think it is num nums. Morgan said, "No, it is numb nuts." Taylor said, "Morgan, it is called num nums." Morgan then responded, "Well I like the name numb nut better!" Is she her father's daughter or what! I love that girl!

Dana Point, CA 4th of July

4th of July was FANTASTIC this year! Thanks to my incredible sister-in-law Beth who planned (way in advance!) an amazing "Norton Family Reunion" for us in Dana Point, CA. All the brothers and sisters were there except for one. We camped right on the beach. Every morning and night we would all gather around the campfire to stay warm and we would just talk and laugh, and talk and laugh. I love my family. They really are just cool, laid back people. The days were a perfect temperature when it wasn't windy. It was a nice break from the Arizona heat!!! We went on bike rides and I went running on the beach. Trudy and I did yoga on the beach which was awesome. A lot of my time was spent in the tent with the Kamryn to keep her out of the wind, but I tried to make the most of my time out of the tent. Camping is definitely a lot of work with a baby, but I am glad she is sooooo good. It was fun to bundle her up and snuggle her! We watched fireworks right over the ocean. We couldn't have been in a better spot! On Sunday morning my dad led a devotional around the campfire and then we had a testimony meeting. It was the pinnacle of the weekend. We made memories that we will never forget.

I had to start with my favorite picture EVER!!! Is she not the cutest thing in the universe?!!!

Ok...maybe this is the cutest thing in the universe! :) ha, ha!!

Jason had a blast building this sand castle with the kids. He is such a great dad!

This is where Rylee spent each night around the campfire...snuggling Grandma Trudy

Morgan had a blast! Her two favorite things were having as many fruit snacks as she wanted and sleeping in the tent. She was the first one in bed every night.

Gotta love these two!

This picture portrays Rylee perfectly. Sweet, loving and joyful.

There was so much seaweed where we were at. At least the kids made the most of it!

Here are all the adults on the last day. Aren't we all so cute?!

Corey, Chels and Baby Brinton! Exciting news!!!

Cousins!!

And more cousins!! These guys all turn 16 this year! What?!!!

...and more cousins!!! The great thing is that all the kids are so sweet and get along great!

Here I am with baby Kamryn...trying to stay warm!!

Another perfect picture of Happy Roo Roo! She spent so much time in the freezing cold water. She loved being in her swimsuit, by the ocean, no matter what the weather was like!