California

My youngest brother, Mike, got married in May so we were able to go to Grandma and Grandpa Warcup's house to support Mike and have one last hurrah in my parent's beautiful home (they are down-sizing, but staying in Merced). We had a relaxing and fun-filled week back home. We swam almost everyday in my parent's pool, went up to the cabin in Twainhart (which the kids loved and still talk about), went down to Fresno to see Mike and Kelsie tie the knot, celebrated Julianne's 2nd birthday, but the best part of the week was being with family.

The kids were great on the airplane

Julianne was cruising around the airport like she owned the place. The backpack she is pulling was actually really heavy yet she would not let anyone else carry it. People all over the airport were getting such a kick out of her.

The first night at my parent's house we had a pool party. I was SHOCKED when Zach had me put on some floaties and then he proceeded to jump right into the deep-end of the pool without me being there to catch him. He is usually very timid in the water so the fact that he was jumping off the diving board, going down the slide and putting his face in the water was a huge step for him. I guess peer pressure can be a good thing sometimes.

That first night, it was SOOOOOOO late for Zach (10pm CA time which is 11pm CO time), but he was having so much fun with his cousins I just had to let him live it up. He felt really cool staying up and getting to watch a movie at night with his cousins. I thought he would fall asleep for sure, since he had been up since 5am, but no, no, not Zach, he was making those eyes stay awake until I dragged him into our room.

The next morning Zach was up bright and early, ready to play with his cousins. He did not get it when his cousins were not up at 6am ready to play with him. Here is a picture of Branyon and Zach having breakfast (so cute! and don't they kind of look like each other?) Zach and Julianne both had about 10 breakfasts every morning. I don't know what was up with them but every 5 mintues they were asking to eat again. When someone new came in the kitchen they wanted to share a bowl of cereal with them. It was cute at first but then it got really annoying.

Here are some of the dudes getting buff before heading out to the pool. My brother Rob was leading the group in a little P90x. They were actually getting a pretty good work-out in until Mike came busting up the scene in a sweet work-out outfit. It all got ugly after that (Justin, Mike and Dan, don't kill me for this next pic.).

Julianne loved swimming just as much as Zach

Alyssa and JuJu

The night before Mike and Kelsie got married we had a dinner at my parent's house with all the close friends and family from both sides.

All the cute girl cousins: Clara, Talia, Julianne and Alyssa.

The big day! Mike and Kelsie got married on May 30th in the Fresno, CA temple. It was a beautiful day and what a BEAUTIFUL couple!

All the cousins wanted to "help" by holding Kelsie's train. So cute!

Another stuggling family picture.

The whole gang went up to Sonora, CA to go to the train museum and our family's cabin. Unfortunately, the real train that gives rides only runs on the weekends so once again Zach was totally bummed out that he couldn't ride on it. We promised him last time that we went that we would go on the train for sure the next time we were up there but that didn't happen. One of these times we'll hit it on the right day.

Up in Twainhart we went to some natural water slides that the kids just loved. Growing up we used to do tons of things like this and we all loved it so much so I was grateful that Zach was able to experience nature like this.

Here is Zach going down the natural waterslide. I love that in the background you can hear everyone cheering for him. Family support is the best!

A few minutes walk away from our cabin there is this little lake that the kids also loved. They would have stayed for hours and hours going up and down that slide in the middle of the lake. Julianne has no fear and literally wanted to keep going down that slide over and over again.

When we got home from the cabin all Julianne wanted to do was put on all her new pretties. Should I be nervous?

Cute Aunt Traci with all the cousins (L to R): Clara, Traci, Alyssa, Zach, Talia, Branyon and Julianne. Thanks everyone for a great trip! We love you and miss you.