Happy Birthday, GG!

Chris' Grandma, Sabina, turned 75 last year. Her husband and children made the entire year a celebration for her - each month they would get together and do something with just the 6 of them. It was so sweet! One month they went out to get pedicures, and even Grandpa and Uncle Lynn got their toes done. They're a fun bunch :)

The crowning glory though, was a get together with the entire family (with the exception of Samantha and her hubby who got stuck in Germany at the last minute! We missed them!) We took family photos, had a big dinner, and celebrated this amazing woman. She is such a firecracker, but you'd never expect it from her calm voice and demure appearance. When she challenges you to a game of strip poker or talks about "needing a good murder" (murder mystery style, she hasn't actually killed anyone...I think) it totally takes you by surprise. At least until you know her better ;) Sleepovers with Grandma involved learning how to gamble with pennies, and Chris was forever scared out of bedwetting because she once told him offhand, "Big boys don't wet the bed, especially not at Grandma's house". I am especially grateful for that last one ;) We love you, GG!

Here are just a couple of the photos I have copies of. They turned out beautifully!

Del and Sabina :)

Sally and her parents

Our family (duh) - Hunter's even in there too! I felt super pregnant but obviously didn't look it. Haha.

Sally+Matt and family :)

Del, Sabina, and (all but one) of their grandkids!

Rydalch Family Campout 2014

We flew in to SLC late Wednesday night, drove up to Roy, and then went up to Malad, ID the next day! We spent 3 full days soaking in the sun (and a surprising amount of rain), eating delicious food (seriously, my in-laws know how to cook in the wild), and laughing with family. Daisy was about 16mos and was in heaven. She loved having so much open space to explore, we worried we'd never be able to reign her in again. Our yard-less California home seemed a bit cruel after seeing how much this kid loves the outdoors.

getting ready to drive up to Idaho!

There was some ultra-manly reason for taking this picture, that neither Chris or myself can remember now. I know he whittled the stick himself and then something happened with it burning???

SERIOUSLY. This place is so beautiful! Idaho, you surprised me!

This is kind of a funky picture, it's taken through a window. But Daisy and Papa Rydalch (Matt) both fell asleep in the same position during naptime.

My first time on an ATV!

family ATV selfie!

Daisy and the dogs became BFFs

Daisy learned how to kick, thanks to Uncle Brett! 

SARAH'S WEDDING!

So, on May 11th, my sister got hitched!!!

First, we took a plane to Salt Lake City. DAISY'S FIRST PLANE RIDE. She was a champ.

 snoozin' in the airport while Mom horked down some Burger King and a large amount of Dr. Pepper [don't judge, that bacon cheeseburger was delicious]

 after ten minutes of hollering for no discernible reason just before takeoff, she chilled out and didn't make a peep the rest of the flight

 I was trying to be artistic, and I was drinking an additional complimentary Dr. Pepper [I may have consumed entirely too much DP on this trip and gone through caffeine withdrawals the other day...]

the sling is probably the most adorable thing ever. she loves looking out at everything, and just the top of her head peeks over while she's looking around...yeah, it's precious.

And the next morning, it was off to the temple!

 cuties. sealed in the Mt. Timpanogos temple.

my brothas are snazzy.

Anyway, that was a completely gorgeous and lovely and wonderful day, and we all love Adam so much and are stoked to have him as part of our family! And it was a blast to see old-friends-that-are-practically-family at the reception. I'm sure I'll have more photos to share soon :)

As luck would have it, some funky schedule-shifting occurred at Dreamworks, and Chris was able to take some time off of work, and we spent an entire additional week in Utah and Idaho with family [and a couple friends!] it. was. awesome. here are a few random snippets to prove the awesomeness to you:

 kind of blurry....but Daisy ADORES Aunt Michelle :)

Oh, and Grandpappy too ;)

We went up to Idaho Falls for a day to see Grandma Annie [and quite a few of the Rydalch cousins/aunts/uncles! Forgot to take pictures though, boo!]

And the day before we left we met up with the Utah Rydalches for some delicious burgers and shakes! This is Chris' youngest cousin, Dylan. Chris and Tori had to help him figure out how to hold Daisy, but it was adorable.

And no trip to my husbands' childhood home is complete without cleaning out some boxes and finding gems like these...

there are so many drawings akin to this one in all of his childhood notebooks and journals...I am so excited to have sons someday.

 

he worked at a Scout camp when he was 16

yep...he met Elder Holland while on his mission. Some local church member stood by and took pictures, even though you weren't really supposed to...hahaha :)

and someday, eventually, I will be better about remembering to take photos while we are on trips. there was so much we did this week that I didn't document, that filled my soul with joy!! and I just can't find the words to paint a mental picture for you at the moment. Maybe after I eat some lunch or something. I'm pretty hungry. We'll see how I feel after that ;)

Blessing Day!

Daisy's baby blessing was on the first Sunday in May!
...which also happened to be Cinco de Mayo...totally did that on purpose.
[jk we didn't even realize that until like two days before it happened].

It was a beautiful day - my immediate family was all there [including Sarah's fiance HUSBAND], along with two of my dearest friends [hi Jon and Sariah!], and we were so happy that Chris' parents and one set of Grandparents could make it too! It was so much fun having everyone together. We even managed to fit all 16 people into our tiny little house for dinner. WIN.

Here are some photos from that morning before church, courtesy of Grandpa Vernal. We're so lucky to have him and his camera to document moments like this.

 snuggles with Grandma Sally :)

 Great-Grandma Annie!

 Chris + Daisy + Grandma and Grandpa Rydalch

 Our familia :)

 the *newest* Grandma and Grandpappy Rydalch + family!

All the men....and Daisy. Four generations of Rydalches :)

Unfortunately, we didn't get any pictures with my side of the family :( but here are some pictures from the dinner later that day [courtesy of my Mom's iPhone, Orion]:

better photo of just Daisy and her blessing dress [the same dress that Sarah and I wore for our blessings. too!]

myself, Sariah, Jon, and Chris

Matt, Rebekah, Joseph [somewhere in there], Jacob, Mike

Mike, Adam+Sarah, DAD! [Steve]

...and that is how we fit tons of people into our home. 

[not pictured: the kitchen, also filled with people. and food. and Daisy was over there somewhere with one of her Grandmothers]

Anyway. It was a beautiful day. And a beautiful blessing. Life is so wonderful, and I love my family, and I'm extremely grateful for my husband who holds the Priesthood and uses it to bless our family :)