a birthday party for Taive

My little nephew,  Taive Jack or "TJ," celebrated birthday number one at the end of June, and his amazing mom and dad threw the cutest party for him out on the Grassy Knoll. The beach theme fits Shandon, Talli, and Taive so well. Talli is a true California surfer girl - the kind the Beach Boys wish they had - and Shandon's sun-bleached hair and bronzed skin definitely helps him look like a genuine surfer dude, even though he is a mountain man at heart. TJ seems destined for a lot California adventures, beginning with this fitting little party. 

The beach cake: Talli's frosting job and Shandon's handwriting. Shandon has always had this crazy knack for making things look really good, even cute. He definitely inherited more arts and crafts skills from Mother Susie than I did. 

The guests: cousins and friends from Wymountland. I love this sequence of pictures - it is way too  characteristic of these kids (except for TJ who hardly ever cries - the tree bark was getting to his little feet). We asked them all to smile and this is what we got, of course!

Little Ellie, Annie's youngest, can be so expressive and so calm within minutes. She is constantly sweet, though. Opposite of her older sister, Lauren, when I asked her to smile I got this...

and a minute later I got this...priceless! She wouldn't even look at me. She is one of the sweetest, loving girls, but she's not a picture girl, which is another unique thing about her that we all adore.

Everyone decorated soft sugar cookies made by Talli. The little party was simple but it was so much fun, just as the very best parties are. 

The master of ceremonies, Talli, and the guest of honor, TJ boy. Isn't Talli such a beautiful mother? I have loved watching her nurture Taive, and I am grateful for her example. I am a lucky girl to have sisters around me that are teaching me how to be a little mom.

Happiest birthday to Taive, and hats off to Shandon and Talli! The party was a perfect success. 

Wymountland

I call our little neighborhood "Wymountland." I figure I should since magical places, like Disneyland, are given such titles. We have almost been here for a year, and we thought our stay would be short, but I don't think it's going to be anymore...we may be here until Ryan finishes! Wymount has turned out to be a perfect fit for us in all ways - the people, the place - we've love being tucked beneath the "Y" during this season of life. 

The "Grassy Knoll" - one of our favorite places to go in the whole complex. My parents lived in the building right in the middle with Annie and Elise. They often talk about how hot their upstairs apartment was when they brought Elise home from the hospital in late June...bless their hearts!

One of our typical smorgasbord-style dinners on the Grassy Knoll. I have loved having my family close for these get-togethers, each of us brining whatever we have to eat. Little Taive is always our head of the table.

 Sha, Ryan, and Corey - funny funny funny boys :)

Elise, me, and Talli. We're glad the A-Team is so close, and we cannot wait for Kimbee to join us up here pretty soon. We miss Elder Nick, too, but we'll hold out for another 1.5 years.

 

Wymount's location is so beautiful. I love walking around the complex and the temple while Ryan is in meetings on Sunday mornings. Being tucked up against the mountain and next to the temple is a combination of two of my favorite places. I'm excited to share our little home with Olivia! I am pretty sure our little girl will love this land as much as we do.