AtTask Seattle and Victoria B.C. Trip

Last weekend we were fortunate enough to go on a trip with Casey's work that his sales team earned from last year (they just planned it for this summer). Casey's mom came down to watch Chase from Utah and they had lots of fun together. I don't think Chase missed us at all :(

 We flew into Seattle and stayed there a night. We went down to Pike's Market for some chowder (Pike's Place Chowder-the bomb!) and later that night went to a Mariner's baseball game. The next morning we took the ferry to Victoria B.C. where we stayed for two nights in Brentwood Bay. I had been to Victoria once when I was 12 or 13. I forgot how green, clean and beautiful that place is!! It feels like you are in Europe but everyone still speaks English and it's not expensive! We loved it. We ate lots of fish, went kayaking, wandered the city and visited the Butchart Gardens. It was a perfect couples getaway. Thanks Christy for babysitting and thank you AtTask for taking us!

Seattle and Victoria AtTask Trip from ashley kirkland on Vimeo.

Our First Week in San Clemente

We have officially been here for a week! Majority of that time Casey has been in Utah for a work conference. Luckily I have had my sister Kenzie and my mom come stay with me to help unpack and get things situated. I don't think I would have gotten anything done without them. 

So far we love San Clemente. We have no complaints. We really lucked out on where we live. A mile away we have this great shopping center with everything we would ever need (trader joes, ralphs, the habit, wahoos, donuts, wells fargo, movie theatre, thai food, sushi…..and it goes on). It is super convenient. And the freeway is close by too. Our only complaint would be that we don't have much room to store stuff. Now I know why everyone is so good at food storage in Utah--because everyone has a basement! Not having a basement really forces you to get rid of things you don't want to store in your garage. 

Sorry all these pictures are of the beach. We literally go everyday. I almost feel guilty not taking advantage of it. I have never lived this close to the beach and it is seriously amazing. It's like free entertainment for Chase. We already bought our annual beach pass and I think it has almost paid itself off. It's so nice because in the summer it doesn't get dark till around 8 so we can still go in the evenings with Casey when he is done working. I'm sure the winter will be a little bit different. 

The only thing I really miss about Utah right now is the people. All of our friends and family :( I miss having people to just call up and hang out with. Hopefully we can make some new friends soon! 

And my brother got engaged to Rachel Holmes! We are so excited and can't wait till November!!!

4th of July and Our Last Days in Utah :(

I still can't believe we moved! Being in CA has not really felt real quite yet. My mom, dad, sister and brother have been here a lot helping me unpack and get all situated. They left last night, so now it is finally starting to feel real. But I'll be honest, it kind of just feels like I'm on vacation. We are literally 3 miles from the beach. It is kind of a DREAM. 

I don't have a trip to Utah planned yet and it makes me sad! We left during the best time of year! I wasn't the best at documenting our last days in Utah and the 4th of July. I had a lot on my mind with packing up, getting our house ready for our renters, and preparing us for being homeless for three weeks. We were able to spend some time up at Park City and went on some pretty drives in the canyon. For the 4th we went to the balloon launch in Provo (6:30am-but worth it), spent the afternoon swimming, had a big family BBQ at Casey's parents and were able to go to the Stadium of Fire to see Carrie Underwood. 

Our last days in Utah were spent well! It was so sad to say bye to all of our friends and family! Especially all of Casey's family. All of Chase's seven cousins live in Utah and we took him away from them :( He was just finally getting better at playing with them. I hope they come visit a lot! We have a guest room ;)

 AF Canyon

 Sorry for the bad quality- I just love his little hand on his Papa

 Chase and his cousins

 We will miss those mountains!

 Utah Olympic Park- how have I never been here?! We saw the Canadians practicing on this!

 Deer Valley! So pretty 

 Ready for the pool!

 We loved staying at Grammys

 Stadium of Fire!

Saying bye to my sister before we drove to St George!

15 Month Old Chase!

Look at my handsome little man!

Lately I have been calling him a toddler and not my baby anymore. It makes me so sad! They seriously grow up WAY too fast. 

Chase had his 15 month appointment a couple of weeks ago- NO SHOTS! it was wonderful. Just a friendly little checkup. 

-Height & Weight in the 40%s (going strong since 6 months)

-23 lbs!

-Head in the 80%s (we think he is going to be really smart :)

-Can say around 8 words! (mom, dad, ball, dog, apple, bubbles, papa, night night, agua…)

-Walking like a champ with his belly out

-still has his herniated belly button (we probably have to get surgery next year :(

-loves the water especially splash pads

-getting really good at throwing a ball and stacking cups

-loves cars, trucks and dogs

-Favorite foods: cheese, yogurt, raisins, quesadillas, chocolate milk

-Teeth: still has just 8 (4 top, 4 bottom)

-Still taking two two hour naps a day

-Sleeps 11-12 hour at night - it's amazing

He is getting to be such a fun little guy. It makes me sad that we just moved because he was finally getting to an age where he could actually play with his cousins :( This last week in Utah he was really starting to understand who there were. Bad timing. Oh well. Hopefully he can make some new friends in San Clemente!