Los Angeles and HMB

So I got this hairbrained idea to go meet up with Mindy and Rob down at Venice beach before our HMB trip to see Anastasia. I didn't get to have Garrett on the first leg of this one, so I dragged Emily along and we had a great time staying up in the loft of the beach condo. We also had Rob's brother Casey and Vanessa and Cassie with us and we just had a lighthearted good time.

We spent a lot of time just riding up and down the beach on our bikes and wandering up and down Santa Monica Pier. We spent a day at Universal Studios as well. That place was way larger than I remember, and we barely got in everything we wanted to see before closing time. The kids held up well too.

The Harry Potter area is always my favorite.

I really just wanted to surf really bad on this trip, and one morning when Philip and May were feverish and sleepy with Roseola (I didn't know it yet though) I was able to sneak out for a long time and hit the waves. I pushed myself to go out with the swells and try to catch a "real" wave instead of bubble riding.. I actually think I was successful a total of 1 time. I was and still am very proud of that moment. I feel like a longstanding dream was fulfilled.

May and Philip loved the simple sand time despite the Roseola. After we drove up to HMB and met up with dad for some fun time with cousins again. I dream about this bike trail, and it's always a healing ride when we get the right weather and some free time from the kids.

We went to the Sacramento temple for Kyle's first trip, and had a beautiful garden party  in Chelsea's neighbors backyard.

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My Favorite Baby Age

I don't quite know what it is but something about 5 months is just the cutest age of all. Both Philip and May were just unbelievable at this age. Those cheeks with that little thumb in the mouth. May also happens to be at the cutest age here too.

Sometimes they just sit and watch the TV like this and its so nice to get a little rest.

We read at least one book every night. Since Philip goes to bed an hour before May, we usually do his book before nap time and May gets her 2 books before bed.

It was so hard to get May to sit still for this picture.

Another huge perk of 5 months: the Bumbo. It's so nice to finally be able to prop him up so he can watch us and be more quietly entertained while I do things like make dinner.

There is absolutely nothing cuter than naked little bums. Philip is so in love with bath time and books, and May is such a good sister.

Those little round eyes again.

Four generations of Maxfields.

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Easter Camping 2019

It's fun to reminisce on last Easters camping trip because Easter is this week (writing in 2020) and we just had to cancel the trip because of the COVID-19 pandemic. I was really hoping Philip would be able to walk by the trip time this year because his first visit he was only 3 months old. He learned to walk, but now he won't be able to eat the sand this year. These pictures remind me of the fun we're missing.

May went on a few short rides on the razor and with me on the 4 wheeler, but she ran out of patience eventually. She liked sitting in the middle raised seat where she could see, but eventually the shaking was too much for her.

This picture for a second brings back the thrill of seeing the bikes around me at full speed.

I spent more time than normal back at the RV with Philip because he was still breast feeding every 2-3 hours and at this point had decided he was not going to take bottles. I went on one razor ride with him in the car seat which was fun, but I decided no more after that because the bumpiness was just too much for such a small baby. Garrett took me out once on the 4 wheeler to explore the dunes close by and we had a great time.




We did a little Easter egg hunt at Great Grandma's house and May was cuter than I've ever seen her in my old Easter dress from when I was her age.

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All the Family Reunions

We took a trip to California so Garrett could mountain bike Santa Cruz, and to attend Maddie's baptism. The trails ended up being too wet to ride, but we had a great trip visiting family anyways. Driving with the kids was surprisingly simple.
Garrett was interested in seeing Stanford, and it was a nice time to remember Grandpa Phil and the work he did there in the engineering building.

Soren and Philip. Finally cousins close in age!


Maddie's baptism was a good one, and May loves to spend good time with cousins reading books together.

Later in June we went to Spokane with the family to play at the cabin together.

Mindy took some adorable pictures.

I felt like a kid again just spending hours with the siblings surfing endlessly and laughing and listening to our old music. I really forgot all my responsibilities for a while. I can't remember a time I've truly been able to do that for a really long time.

A quick weekend trip to Jackson Hole to visit Mindy and Rob in May. We went to a fun cowboy festival downtown and just walked around the cabin in the mountain. 

This picture just gives me instant relief. The constant stress of keeping 2 kids running without tears on vacation is really hard.

And Bear Lake Berry Days was also a fun year as well.

Philip's first parade.

May loved tubing and didn't want to get off!

We also did the Strong extended family reunion.

This picture is a rerun pic from when we were engaged. We have one just like this in this same spot.

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