Our trip of "Firsts"

As good as it was to be out of town for a month with no internet and a wacky cell phone… I have a lot of catching up to do.  My dad has always been obsessed with “firsts.” First birthdays, first time let he gave a gift card for Christmas, first time he ate an apple, seriously you name it, he has probably thought about it, and commented on it being a "first".  This past month marked a BUNCH of “firsts"for us! 

First off… My Scarlette Jo started walking on her own! Just three days after her birthday she’s walking like a pro! It’s funny to remember when Serenity started walking she couldn’t even push herself up into sitting position yet, because she was so young. BUT Joey, she is so steady and so cautious right from the get go!

Serenity went on her first trip without Mommy and Daddy! She flew across the country to Utah with my mom (Mimaw) to see Christina off on her mission.  (my dad would say it was the first time my mom has gone on a vacation with one of her grandkids… AND he would say it was the first time my mom had a daughter go on a mission... LOL ... see what I mean)

With Serenity gone maybe 3 hours, Tanner and I figured it would be a good time for me to go out to Utah too, to get away from the stressful situations back home… (What a good guy! ) So Scarlette Jo and I flew out together a few days later and met up with the family in Utah.  (our first mommy daughter trip) 

When we finally arrived the girls were so excited to see each other!

Most of the grandparents got to see both girls while we were there.  It was really nice!  Before my mom flew back to NC, we got a bunch of extended family together to help my sister with her yard.  We literally worked ALL DAY.  It was AWESOME having Granny Kim and Grandpa Damon take Reni for the day so we could focus on the work. (Serenity also had her first sleep over with her Granny Kim that night! Crazy!)

Waiting for her Granny Kim

This kind of flower is called a "Harmony Scarlet" no joke.

After my mom left, Rebecca and I took the girls to the Zoo in Utah for the first time… After being members of the NC ZOO, the Zoo in Salt Lake City is well…. Not that great ha.  BUT they had a tiger, so I guess that was cool… and an Orangutan.

Serenity and Scarlette have been so much fun to watch.  They are really starting to have the cutest relationship.  Serenity even gave her sister her first massage!

Later that week the girls and made the drive to CA to visit my grandparents, and for my good friends wedding.  The girls had fun playing with GiGi and B-Pops and also their cousins.  Rebecca met us there on mother’s day, and the girls met my uncle mike and his family for the first time. The following day we took the girls to Disneyland!  So it was their first trip to D-Land, and my first trip since having kids.  (there will be a whole other post on Disneyland soon though ha)

Cousin Fun

Serenity sharing her games with her cousin

Tanner was able to make it out to Ca for a couple days, and we met up with his sister Kenzie and her husband Richard and their two kids Spencer and Bailey.  They got us a hotel room near D-Land, and we played with them at the parks for a couple of days.  With so many changes happening in our lives right now, it was really nice to just forget about everything and enjoy the “Happiest Place on Earth!” (what "first" you say?  this was our first vacation with Kenzie’s fam!)

Tanner and I drove our fam back to Utah, stopping in St. George a night to see HIS grandparents.  Seriously some of the best people I’ve ever met. 

When we got back to Utah we spent some time with Tanner’s brothers, and also his dad and step-mom Fete.  Serenity had her first sleep over with grandma Fete, and this was the first time our whole family has been together with Tanner’s dad since Scarlette was born.

At the birthday party!

Serenity celebrated her 2^nd birthday in Utah with my brother Jonny and his wife Jenni, Rebecca and Josh, Kenzie, Richard and their kids came, and also my good friends, Ashley, Jared, Beca, Jyllian, Ann, and Jason.

To top off the fun, we had a day date with Ashley and Jason for our first trip to the aquarium and enjoyed a little panda express (tanners fav).  All in all, it was a much-needed holiday, even though it was busy, and not very restful. 

I’ll definitely have a couple more posts coming of our trip in Cali, Disneyland, the Aquarium, and a little more… I know I’ve left something out, BUT this will have to do for now. 

Our family has also making a few big changes that I’ll fill you in on soon enough.  But after much prayer, we know we are finally on the right path.

My Mother's Day locket from my mother in law!

This trip really taught me how important family is, and making family a priority is essential for us to be truly happy!

           Jess