More Family Travels- Virginia and Maryland

We love any excuse to see our families, but a BYU Football game and family is just icing on the cake. When BYU Scheduled to play UVA, we knew we would be at the game and it was such a treat to have (almost*) our whole family together (long story, but Brandon my brother in law's flight was cancelled and we were SO bummed he couldn't make it!!!). It was so fun to spend the weekend with my family and even have a little family rivilry going on (My brother in law Marc goes to UVA).

Hunter and I went a few days early to get some extra time with Grandma and Papa. We went to Baltimore for some American History at Fort McHenry and then went for crabcakes (yum!).

Then we went out for Neapolitan Pizza at il Canale and off to the Nat's game.

Hunter and Papa. 

Luckily we had a whole row to ourselves! 

Then we picked up Ryan from the airport and headed to Virginia for the game. Tarin and Marc were gracious enough to give us their bed for the night... which turned out to be a good thing because Hunter loved sleeping in their bed!

Seriously, I don't know how he didn't wake up when the sun came up and we started getting ready!

We made BYU mint brownies for the tailgating and then headed off to the game!

Hunter and Ryan

Excited for the game! This was before the rain delay.... 

Hunter and I

How we spent most of the game... hiding for cover from the crazy rain storm! Caidence was so tired.... 

That weekend we wanted to celebrate the August birthdays as a family so Tarin made a delicious banana cake for Hunter and Charlotte! Hunter may have been more excited than Charlotte... 

Hunter loved it. 

So good!

Matthew was excited for his own dessert... 

He loves his mama. 

Hunter and I decided to stay a few extra days after the game to squeeze in more Hunter and Daniel time. These two became the best of buds. But only after lots of torturing each other! Its so fun to have cousins around the same age.

At the park. 

Cousins gotta hug. 

Eating all their meals together. 

Sharing toys. 

Exploring the gardens. 

Giving each other rides. 

Checking out the neighbors dogs. 

And then before we knew it, it was time to go home and reunite with Ryan! Traveling solo is always an adventure, but luckily the flight from DC to Chicago is quick and easy and Hunter is a pretty easy going kid. 

Just hanging around. 

We feel so blessed we can travel and see our families as much as we do! Can't wait to see them again soon!

Yellowstone

We had a really great summer full of action-packed family fun!

One of the trips we went on was to Yellowstone National Park -- which is somewhere I've always wanted to go. I took a million pictures but decided to just share a few faves....

Date night!

This is bear country!

The creepy cowboy in Cody Wyoming. 

My morning run. 

pretty wildflowers. 

Yellowstone Lake. 

Old Faithful. Which, learned isn't as faithful as we thought. 

Family photo. 

Buffalo or Bison?

Bison crossing. 

In the wild. (as wild as a national park gets...)

The hike was worth it. 

My little snuggle bums.

Classic family photo. 

A stunning rainbow to end our time in the park. 

I loved Yellowstone! I can't wait to go back and spend more time in the park and hiking the trails. It was a great family vacay and perfect way to unplug!

Hunter's First Birthday {A Celebration}

It was a joyous day!!

My sweet Hunter turned 1 year old! It was such a wonderful and happy day and I loved spending this special day with my two favorite boys. We made new memories and reminisced about the moments a year before when our lives changed forever for the better.

We started the day with a hearty breakfast, Hunter's favorite, banana and cheerios. Then we headed out to go to Thanksgiving Point to the petting zoo. It was a beautiful day in Utah and we soaked it all up.

Sunflower fields.

All Hunter really wanted to do was walk....

Later that day, we had a little BBQ and party for our main squeeze. Joined by close family and friends it was the perfect intimate celebration. My brother, Matthew represented the Hunt family who wasn't in Utah to join us for the party.

Hunter's face when he saw his cake!

Needless to say he loved it.

Like, really loved it.

Hold my drink.

Hunter had his Uncle Cam mesmerized and following him around so he could walk everywhere.

Smally friends!! Hunter's favorite twins just moved to Utah and came to his party!

So this is what two feels like....Hunter and Luke are just a few months apart!

Ryan's good friend Steve and his cute family joined us for the party too!

Things got messy so naturally Cam and Matthew deemed it necessary to go shirt-less.

Opening presents. Thanks Uncle Camsy for the city-friendly Basketball Hoop!

Uncle Matthew was obsessed with Hunter all night. It was the cutest.

This party wouldn't have gone off without the help of my favorite sister in law, Olivia! She's amazing.

Hunter loves his Grandma!

Family pic.

Of course as a mom, I felt it was my duty to spend endless hours custom making decorations. Or maybe it was just cathartic in helping me cope with the fact that my son was turning 1. Either way, it happened and a few friends have asked me for photos so.... here's a few more photos. 

The many faces of Hunter.

Timeline of 'Firsts'

Who doesn't love a summer bbq?

My in-laws have the perfect backyard for hosting parties! It's gorgeous.

It was such a wonderful day and we are so grateful for the family and friends who continue to support us as we have become parents and are navigating this new stage in our life! Hunter is a bundle of joy and we love every second we get to spend with him.