Our Trip to Africa

Our first day in Kenya- outside the church at a zone conference

Bryce and his mom

We went to this giraffe center in Nairobi, and they let you feed the giraffes! It was so much fun

On the upper deck at the giraffe center

Bryce put some food in between his teeth and the giraffe did not hesitate to eat it! It looks like they are kissing-lucky giraffe!

On a balcony by the missionaries apartment

Inside of President Taylor's office- Such a cute couple!

The sister missionaries were so cute and so much fun to be around- this was after the stake conference

Our Safari Trip

to the Masai Mara

Right before we got on our tiny little plane of 12 seats- on our way to the Masai Mara to go on our safari

Outside of our tent at the safari camp

We were really excited and really proud inside of our tent just before we went out on our first ride
Our safari car!!! It was so exciting!
The first animal that we saw on our safari! The giraffes were my favorite- they are so pretty!

This hippo was just trotting so fast to get to the water- he was so big and so scary!
I loved watching the lions! It was always kind of scary being so close to them... but they didn't seem to mind. They are also one of my very favorites! They were so big and just acted like they owned the place!

Bryce by the daddy lion :)

Me by the mommy lion :) So fitting.
EWWW... They were cute! The momma lion and her babies.

The elephants were HUGE!!! They were so much fun to watch

The leopard was also one of my very favorites- I could watch them all day!


At dinner after one of our safari drives!


I couldn't handle the baby cheetahs with their mom! It was so cute I took about 100 pictures :)

Two of the baby cheetahs started playing on the car in front of ours. They were so darling.

OUR TRIP TO MOMBASA

Mombasa is about 8 hours from Nairobi. We went for a zone conference and stayed right on the Indian Ocean! It was absolutely gorgeous!

The Indian Ocean

Right before the zone conference on the balcony of our hotel room

Dinners were always so much fun


Bryce and his mom just outside of the huts where they make carvings to sell

A guy that we met that does his own carvings-

The little kids in Africa were all so cute and so happy! They would just yell and wave to you- it was really fun to see how proud they would get when you would respond and wave back!

Our camel ride on the Indian Ocean- It was so much fun!

KILAGUNI

This was the prettiest safari lodge with the most amazing view!

This was the watering hole at night- they would turn the lights on at night so you could watch the animals come in to drink. It was really fun to be eating dinner and see all of the animals come in for water.

We celebrated Bryce's birthday while we were here- Happy Birthday Bry! This was at breakfast.


We were watching the animals, and they brought Bryce some sparkling grape juice for his birthday- and so we made a toast!


Outside of the lodge just before we left


Our Layover in England

In front of the Buckingham Palace-On our way home, we had a 6 hour layover in London... and so Bryce's sister who lives in Oxford came to the airport at 5:00 a.m to see us- and so we took a train to see the Buckingham Palace! We just wished we could have seen Dallin while we were so close!


Bryce's sister Natalie-and her three kids Sophie, Riley, and Lucy is in the stroller

They had this Ferrari in the London airport- and Bryce could not help but get a picture by his dream car!


Bryce and I had the most amazing time together visiting his parents in Kenya, Africa. They were called to be Mission Presidents over the Nairobi, Kenya Mission- and left in June of '07. So, Bryce and I were able to visit them, and it was an absolute blast! They definitely treated us to a good time, and it was fun being able to see what they have been called to do.... and they are doing a fantastic job!

We decided not to take Bridger with us, and so my mom, dad, Whitney, and Suzanne took turns watching Bridge for us.... and even though it was so hard to leave him, it was comforting to know that he would be in good hands! I knew that they would love him and take such good care of him- which they did, and I could not be more grateful! Thank you so much!

It was so much fun being with Bryce for two weeks straight in Africa and experiencing the most amazing things together! Bill and Genie took us to the Masai Mara on a 3 day safari, and it was SUCH A BLAST! I cannot even begin to explain how amazing it was to see the animals up close and in real life! The whole thing was INCREDIBLE! They also took us with them to Mombasa for a zone conference and we were able to stay at a hotel on the Indian Ocean for 4 nights- it was beautiful! On our way back from Mombasa we stopped at Kilaguni, which is a safari lodge that overlooks a watering hole, so you can see all the animals come in to drink (and they light the watering hole up at night as well). It was gorgeous- the scenery, the animals, the lodge, just everything!

We had such an amazing time with Bryce's parents- they are so much fun to be with and we enjoyed every minute we had with them. It was fun being able to see where they live and experience a little part of their life in Africa! So thank you Bill and Genie- we will never forget it!

Our Summer

Summer in Maryland!!!

We had the best time living in Maryland this past summer. It was fun being able to spend so much time together and live so close to D.C. We had a lot of fun shopping, swimming, eating out, touring the amazing monuments and sites in D.C. and spending all of this time together. It was a fun adventure, but we are definitely happy to be home!

Anytime Bridger thought we were leaving to go BYE BYE he would wait by the door for me!

Bridger would wait by the door when it was time for DAD to come home.... and I've never seen anyone more excited then when it was time to open the door to greet Bryce.

Bryce and his best buddy outside of the Arlington Cemetary

Our little family at the National Zoo in D.C.

Here are some more of the fun things that happened during our summer away...

Doug and Rebekah's Surprise Visit!!!

Doug and Rebekah SURPRISED me (Bryce was in on it) and came to visit us in Maryland! They came a day early and I was so excited and SO SURPRISED at the same time! We had a blast together as we ate pizza, drank pop and watched the Olympics... we also went swimming and took them on a tour of D.C. It went by way too fast, but was also way too fun! WE LOVE BEING WITH YOU GUYS! You are so much fun to be with and we are so grateful for you! We always laugh so hard, and of course stay up SO LATE because it's just never long enough! You are so cute with Bridger and he LOVES you- You are going to be the most amazing parents! Thanks again for the FUNNEST weekend- we loved every minute!

We found our STATE and had to get a picture by it!

Uncle Doug showing Bridger the ducks- Bridger LOVES LOVES LOVES Uncle Doug

The Lincoln Memorial (it was so much bigger than I had anticipated)


In front of the Washington Monument




Rebekah and me in front of the White House! It was so much fun being with Rebekah in D.C. She is always so much fun about everything and is always making me laugh- I'm so grateful that she is a part of our family and that we have SO MUCH fun together! I love you.... thanks again for coming!

My Trip to Arizona!!!

I was so excited when I found out that things would work out for me to go see Jenn and meet baby Sophie! I couldn't wait to see that little saucepan, and I knew that she would be the cutest little bug... And I was right! How couldn't she be when she has parents as goodlooking as hers are? It was the sweetest feeling seeing Sophie for the first time, and she instantly melted my heart. She is the sweetest, most beautiful little angel, and I was so glad that I was able to spend time with her- And Jenn OF COURSE- the time always flies by way too fast, and it's always so hard to say goodbye. We are so proud for the whole week, and then we know that we'll just bawl! It was so much fun going shopping and swimming, playing games, watching shows, SONIC SONIC SONIC, talking, and spending time together. It is so fun watching Jenn as a mom because she is such an amazing mother- and her kids adore her! She is so fun, patient, and understanding... and seeing her with Sophie was too much to handle (She's obsessed with her)! I am so grateful for you Jenn and love you so much. Thanks also Matt for letting me take away your wife and come see your saucy bug and spend time with you guys... it was a blast! I love you!

Ewwwwwww.... she's way too cuddly!

My Best Friend from high school lives in Arizona and came to see us for a day! LOVE YOU CHELS

Bridger disappeared for the entire time we were in Arizona.... oh wait, he was just constantly playing with Sadie and Connor (such cute friends)

Remember how I said Jenn was obsessed with her little stink bug? How couldn't she be? I love this picture!

I'm obsessed with her too! :)

Ft. Lauderdale, Here We Come!!!

The very weekend that Bryce got finished selling for the summer.... we jumped on a plane to Ft. Lauderdale, FL to visit Jess and Brod! We had the time of our lives and I don't think it could have been any funner! We went to the Miami and Hollywood beach, went to the funnest restaurants, watched the funniest show at nights, drank pops, talked, laughed, drank Brodie's margaritas, and had an absolute blast. We were also able to celebrate Alexia's birthday while we were there, and she was not only Queen for the day, but the prettiest Queen I've ever seen! Alexia and Audrey are the cutest little friends and were constantly making us laugh... and they took Bridger under their wing and introduced him to the color PINK and all of their fun little toys. The time flew by so fast, but it couldn't have been funner. Thanks for making it SO incredible- we love you guys so much! Thanks Brod for taking time off to be with us and for making everything so much fun, and for the juicy drinks that you would make at night! And Jess, thank you so much for planning the funnest week- your little list was so cute! I'm so grateful for you Jess and for our friendship!!! THANKS AGAIN for everything!

This picture just captures the proudness!


The Miami Beach- it was gorgeous!
Bridger would just lay on Bryce in the ocean.... it was really cute

Bridger's first BEACH experience!


One of our MANY treats- SO many fun ones to choose from!


Happy Birthday to the pretty princess!


And the PROUDNESS continues!



It was really easy for Bryce and Brod to bury such a little thing! Ew she's so cute!
We always have so much fun together- I love you Jess, thanks again for everything!