Birds of a Feather. . .

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Why we love MAY!!

Every year in May we have at least one amazing trip to look forward to, you could say it's close to my favorite month! In fact the second I stop stressing about my training in March, I start counting down the days till the beach! Well this year we had a SUPER crazy March and April but made up for it by planning two amazing vacations in May! First we were able to fly out to California for my cousins wedding. We decided to stop in Utah to see my brother, and meet up with my little sister so we could all fly together to San Jose, and then drive to Monterey in one car! We got to our gate at the SLC airport only to find Auntie Janet and Uncle Gene there too! So fun, they were on our flight!! Our family took up 1/2 the flight(not really but it was a little plane so almost)! Loved that! We met my parents in California and Sunny flew in later that evening! It was so fun to see the extended family! It had been so long since we'd all been able to get together! I loved that it felt like we picked up where we left off 10 years before! We had a blast at my cousin's beautiful wedding! I wish I had more pictures! I keep using my phone! I need to learn how to transfer pictures from my phone to the blog! Anyway we spent 5 amazing days all together! We flew home on Mother's day, and though it was 17hrs of flying we got to be together and that's what mattered! So then we decided to work for a couple of days and then we left for South Carolina! This year was a special treat! My parents came on the Quayle family vacation! It was amazing! We flew this year to cut down on driving time. I wanted to see Charleston, SC so we flew out a day early and my mom and dad met us there for a day of harbor touring, and city site seeing! Loved Charleston! We only stayed a day and a half and then drove Thursday out to our newest favorite beach, Edisto Island, SC. where we rented bikes, walked on the beach, played mini golf, swam, and enjoyed eachother's company all week long! It was wonderful to be together! So fun to see Elliott interact with Nana, Papa, Grandma, and Grandpa. He was in heaven! Here's just a few pictures from both trips! Enjoy!

Mark and Elliott on the plane to ATL, it was a treat for Elliott to get to sit with Mark, he usually travels with alone with Momma!

His favorite airplane of the day.

Backseat of our rental in CA, Elliott looks like he's in pain. We were on the way to the wedding here.

Siblings missing Apey and Reid

This is where the wedding was, it was beautiful!

On to Charleston, SC. Harbor tour with Grandma

Borrowing Momma's hat

Pretty, old church we found in Charleston.

Mark at the plantation we toured.

Mom and I at the plantation.

Grandma's walking to the coolest beach I've ever seen!

Daddy and little man on the way through the marsh to the coolest beach!

Snails on the way to that same beach!

At the beach

I loved this beach it was just beautiful, millions of shells, and trees! The neatest beach I've ever seen!

While we were in town the firemen were having their annal fish fry and fundraisor, so we went. We got to ride on top of a fire truck. I thought it went a little fast. Elliotte LOVED it!

The boys after playing shuffel board. Oh yes we did. It was fun!

Sharing a snow cone :)

LOVED MAY. THE END!

Monday, April 16, 2012

We love to see the Temple!

Our family got to go to the Nashville Temple last Saturday! Elliott was super excited! We were also super excited since we went with our ward so we were actually able to go to a session together! We loved it! I got to do baptisms with the youth first, while Mark helped with the kids. He got to teach a lesson about the temple, and then take the kids out to walk around the temple and get their pictures taken in front! So fun for all the kiddos! Well, after we finished we decided to walk around as a family, and as we were taking pictures we asked Elliott if he wanted to take some. He said, as only he can "well yeah, soure", and so it began. 150 pictures and about 15 min. later we left the temple. We all had a great day here were some of the things little man captured!

Elliott taking a picture of Mark taking a picture.

Elliott's shadow work

Almost all of us.

Improvement!

The people who stopped to ask us a couple questions. Of course we needed a picture of them too!
Well there were quite a few fun shots, too many to share! He took at least one picture of every parked car that we passed on the way to our car. Here's a couple family shots we tried to take!

I know not super appropriate in front of the temple, but Elliott loves silly face pictures!
YAY you're a little updated!

Monday, February 6, 2012

Happy Birthday Desi!!!!!!!!!!

Hey honey, I know you are not home for your birthday and that kinda stinks. Elliott and I miss you tons! Don't we Elliott?

What do you mean you didn't hear what I said? Oh, you were too busy eating the whip cream in your drink. Well, I asked you if we miss Mommy?

Yes we do!!!!!!!

How much do we miss her Elliott?

What do you mean you don't know? Come on, tell Mommy how much we miss her.

Only that much? We can do better than that. That turtle isn't that big. How much do we really miss her?

That's more like it Elliott. I hope you get the idea honey, we miss you a lot!!

I wish you didn't have to spend your birthday working. I hope you are still able to have a good day. Elliott and I will be thinking about you all day long. 31 years ago today you were born way out there in California. What a special day this is.

You are the most amazing woman I have ever met and I feel so blessed to be married to you. I love that I can truly say I married the woman of my dreams. You are also the best mom in the whole world. You are the reason I feel confident Elliott will grow up to be a good man. You are why I can say I know what true joy feels like.

You also have such a positive influence on everyone you come in contact with. I can really see how you inspire those around you.

We will celebrate this weekend when you get home. But since today is really your birthday your two favorite guys wanted to just write to say Happy Birthday!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

We've been gone!

We've been gone...

BUT WE'VE BEEN HAPPY
AND THAT'S WHAT MATTERS!

And we plan on being back more regularly this year!!

We

Monday, February 7, 2011

Happy Birthday to Desi!

It's Desi's Birthday today! What a wonderful day of the year. Instead of buying a card for Desi this year, I though I would come on to her blog and write a few thoughts about how special this day is. Every year February 7th rolls around right after February 6th and right before February 8th. For some people this day may pass without much recognition of anything special. Especially this year since it is on a Monday and most people are already at work as I am writing this. But not for those of us who are so blessed to know Desiree Rinda Quayle. No, for us this is a special day of celebration! On this day in 1981 there was a special girl born out in California (did all of you know that Desi was born in California). She was born out in an area just outside of L.A. That's one reason why I can truthfully sing along with the song "I wish they all could be California girls". I really was able to marry a California girl. And the best one at that.
It's so wonderful to be able to sit down and think how important that event was for me, for my son, and for all the other people who's lives have been blessed because of Desi. I'm assuming that anyone reading this post knows Desi. So you all know exactly what I'm talking about. She truly is a special lady. There is something in the kindness she exudes to not only those close to her but to the stranger whom she comes into contact with on a daily basis. We can be anywhere, you name it, and someone will just gravitate to Desi and she will be able to talk with them as if they have known each other for years. It is a quality I wish I had and one I am thankful to experience on a frequent basis. But that is not all. Desi is just so fun to be around. She is able to bring a smile to my face so easily and she is also able to cheer up Elliott if he is ever having a down day or a sad moment. We can be going anywhere and it will always be fun do be going there with Desi. She does not do this in an over the top manner as some other people would who are sometimes called "the life of the party", but by just being herself in a way that makes me want to spend every moment with her. She just has a cheery countenance.
And I can't even tell you all of the ways in which Elliott is the most blessed little boy in the world because of his mother. I can honestly say that I believe my son has the best mother in the entire world. The way Desi cares for him, plays with him, teaches him, and does everything else is just amazing to me. I often stand in awe at how natural she makes it all look. I strive each day to be as good of a parent as she is. I learn so much from her. And I can see the love she has for Elliott and the love he has for her whenever they are together. Desi is also so patient with him. Just last night Elliott kept waking up after we laid him down for bed and Desi would just sit in there with him and talk it out with him in such a kind and patient manner. She would say a prayer with him to make sure the monsters go away and to make sure Smokey doesn't push the buttons on his cars to get him in trouble. (yes our son is already trying to frame is stuffed animals for some of his actions). And one of the greatest things about all of these wonderful things about Desi, is that I can see her greatest qualities in our son Elliott.
I could go on and on about Desi, but most of you already know how special she is. I just wanted to get some of it down in writing on this special day of the year. So let us celebrate today! All of our lives are truly blessed because of the special little girl that was born 30 years ago on this day. I can personally say this is true. We have been married now for 5 years and have known each other for about 8 years now. Most of the greatest joys in my life in these last 8 years have come because of Desiree. I don't even want to think what my life would be like without Desi. I can honestly say I married the girl of my dreams. A lot of men don't have the opportunity to do that, so I cherish that every day. So Happy Birthday honey! Enjoy today, because I know I will.