Alex's Wedding June 13th

So this is actually the day before Alex's wedding, but Katie was in such a cute dress, given to us by a neighbor, that I had to include this picture.

And here is the lucky man himself before the wedding. I didn't get any pictures of Alex with his bride Hannah, but I will tell you that she was beautiful, and seems like a lot of fun. As the ceremony was starting, Alex was getting choked up. It was very sweet.

Here is the Boyle Family--Katie 5 weeks old today.

We were so happy to see Danny and his family, Jacob, Laura, and Sam!  Jackson loved playing with Jacob who is quite the model citizen.

Here is Steve with Chase and Justin, it was so fun to catch up!

We put Katie in the "little black dress" that Aunt Jenna gave her.

There was a live Karaoke band and Jackson LOVED dancing with the other little kids (and his mom).

Here is Jackson admiring the decor as the evening went on. 

Thank you Alex for giving us a reason to celebrate and meet up with old friends!

The night before Father's Day, Steve was with the Scouts at a Dodger's game, and Katie smiled her first real smile! Here Jackson and I are trying to capture the moment. She wouldn't smile for the camera, but trust me, it happened! And she has been smiling a few times every day since. Can't wait to have full time smiles!

Loving this little girl and our little human Jackson!

LOVE AT HOME

Steve has a "special" habit of bringing home bags (plural) of cheesy-poofs (cheetos) because they seem to always be on sale. Tonight he walked in from school with a few more and teasingly I said something like "STEVE! YOU DIDN'T! NO MORE CHEETOS! (Loud voice) As he walked in the kitched with his booty, I (laughingly) pushed him back out the door and saying something like "You are grounded from buying cheetos, we still have a few bags in the cupboard!" At this point Jackson walks in and says "Mommy, No say that!" He repeated himself a few times and then got this really sad pouty face and then staarted to cry! I apologized for talking so un-nicely to daddy, and tried to explain that I was teasing daddy and I was not mad, but that didn't help- he was so sad! It was one of those special parent moments that was humorous and sweet, and leaves a memorable lesson. What a good little guy he is!

Other Memorable Moments

Jackson really is good with Katie- I think he will be a very sweet and fun big brother for her. He tries to play with her occasionally and loves when "His eyes is open!"  (Everyone is "that guy" or "him" or "his". I hope the women we encounter are getting a complex from it thinking they look manly!)  He is also the crying radar- "Katie is crying!!"

Some rare "awake time".

When Grandma Boyle was in town we went to the new Los Angeles Temple Visitor's Center. There is such a beautiful, powerful, and peaceful feeling there. It motivates me to be a better person. I love everytime we go.  One of the sisters shared a thought with us. She said that she has found on her mission when she has been "self-focused"- fretting about her weaknesses and focusing on herself she is less effective than when she forgets herself and just works hard doing what she knows she needs to do. I thought that was a good reminder- a lot of times Old Scratch knows he isn't going to get us to leave our spouse or party on Friday night, but if he can use our desire to be better against us, it can become disabling if we focus too much on our own weaknesses.

 I love this picture of Steve and Katie, here she is streching out at the visitor's center.  Thanks Aunt Kristen for the cute dress!!

I think Katie looks like she is giving a disinterested Jackson a piece of her mind!

Last weekened we had some neighbors over for a movie and SODA POP ICE CREAM. Steve was the mastermind behind the occasion and bought some rock salt to put in this bucket. He put Soda, Sweet & Condensed Milk, and some fruit in old Gatoraid bottles and we had some yummy and oh so sweet frozen treats. He did have to roll the bucket for ten minutes or so, what a champ.  Fun idea Steve!

Glamour shots by Deb. 

I'm sorry Katie, but your Dad caught a "poop-face"! 

When Grandma Boyle was visiting, Jackson wanted to read her scriptures and started by clearing his throat and saying "And it came to pass". That day we gave him is own Book of Mormon and he frequently wants us to turn it to the right page so he can... follow along (Nevermind that the book is upside down). And sometimes he will even "read" himself by repeating the words we tell him to say.  

Katie is a fan of bath time. I love putting her in the tub and watching her look around. Although she is frequently attacked by all the animals Jackson keeps in the tub. He likes to get in with her, but he declined to pose for a picture this time...

Due to the "June Gloom" here is Los Angeles, Jackson is looking a little pale. We definitely need to get him out in the sun!  (I'm pretty proud of my frog... look closely- if you need someone to draw you a frog, I think I'm your woman!)

Katie is 1 Month!!

To celebrate Katie turning one month old, we took a trip to the huntington with our good friend Teresa. It was a beautiful overcast day.  Here is the little star herself:

Katie really is a sweet, beautiful little baby. She is a great sleeper and a little cuddle-bug. She loves to be held and doesn't make much of a fuss.

Even the children's garden at the huntington is so beautiful. Here is Jackson all a mess from the water fountains and dirt.





We were in the Chinese Garden during feeding time and we got to see all the coy fish going crazy. Jackson loved it.

When we stopped for lunch there was this cute little blue bird that was trying to get some lunch from Jackson... who was very willing to share. Here is the bird en route to take some sandwich from Jackson's hand.





Soaking wet Jackson playing with some magnet dust in the children's garden. And mom trying to get used to doing everything one-handed!