i haven’t been doing the best job of posting pics up here, i know.  i realize this as the most recent pics are from g’s graduation, now almost 3 months gone.  that said, i have been keeping things updated on flickr, so you can check out the latest pics (sans witticisms) there (presuming you are my “friend”, which you have to be to see pics of us or the kids.  sorry, stalker prevention measures.)  recent sets over there include:

• our overnight camping trip in the uintahs (first ever with samosa, unfortunately, we only got a pair of decent pics out of it)
• hiking trek up city creek canyon
• 4th of july fireworks at sugarhouse (& g-ma & g-pa’s)

to see these pics on flickr, head over to my flickr page and then click on “add jazzs3quence as a contact” under the “jazzs3quence’s photostream” heading (farthest on the right).

good.  now that’s out of the way.

can you believe it’s been 5 years?

it’s so dumbfounding i literally can’t think of anything else to say.  since pictures are supposed to speak a thousand words, here’s a couple thousand to speak in my stead.

Happy 5th birthday, Gavin!

(note: these images have been digitally altered for prettiness.  to see the unaltered versions, and more pics, go to the flickr photoset.)

we took a camping trip to southern utah’s capitol reef last weekend.  i posted some pics to flickr and on my blog, but here’s the kids highlights.  it was great fun, and the campsite had a couple fruit orchards that the kids, especially gavin, loved.  also, the orchards were great for attracting a family of deer who would wander through the campground to the orchard and have breakfast on the fallen apples.  unfortunately, no deer shots here.

then there was lilah’s birthday when we got back…

lilah models her new birthday dress

gavin, of course, wants to pose, too

lilah (and gavin) had a great time with her new tea set from g-ma & g-pa reynolds.

later, lilah presided over the opening of her presents.  she allowed gavin to help, and even rewarded him by giving him a ride her her new baby doll’s stroller.

but then she reclaimed it for her baby doll.

what’s this for, mama?

lilah tests the juice to make sure it’s acceptable for her baby girl.

There was Gavin’s birthday, there was lots of fun with family, there was the kids’ first camping overnight (aside from sleeping in Gma and Gpa McC’s backyard once), there was fun at the beach, a trip to the Exploratorium.  Most of it is undocumented, except in our memories, but we did capture a few moments from our trip.

Here Gavin and Mama are looking at a new book at Gavin’s birthday party.  Gavin was very excited about seeing Button dog, blowing out candles and helping Daddy put together some really fun toys!  He had such a fun time seeing his Grandma and Grandpa Reynolds!

Lilah is celebrating her brother’s birthday.  She enjoyed watching her brother and eating lots of whole strawberries!

Here is a picture of elephant seals we had good close looks at near San Simeon.  They were absolutely huge, made noise of the loudest, strangest kind and very fascinating.

We spent more time at the beach this year, enough for Gavin to fall in love with playing in the water, Lilah to knock over many many sand towers, Chris and I to take a swim… and we all loved it.

Gavin and his Daddy spent quite a bit of time throwing, kicking and chasing the ball into the water and out.

They had so much fun!

Lilah spent most of her time watching and digging in the sand.

Lilah and Grandma looking at the water together.

Gavin enjoying the water with Grandpa.

Gavin is getting a warm-up hug from Grandpa.

Here comes the water! Wheeeeeee!

Gavin digging in the sand on our way back to the trail up.  He really didn’t want to leave the water.

What enthusiasm!

Tired but happy beach pals: Gavin and Grandpa.

here are some pictures of halloween cuties.

and here’s one of mama and lilah from lilah’s first birthday party

and lilah and daddy on her b-day

Remember to click on pictures to view larger.

Gavin had more than one party for his third birthday.  He’s a lucky boy.  Here are a few highlights:

Hey, this looks pretty good!

Meara, do you really think we should open this?

It’s so pretty wrapped up!

Playing with new alphabet and number stickers

Gavin named all of them and started on a second round before we distracted him with cookies shaped like stars.

What Lilah did at Gavin's party...

She’s wondering if she can make it to any wrapping paper bits before Gavin takes them all away.

Lilah and Grandpa McClenahan

Playing catch with Meara

Gavin and Grandma Reynolds looking at a special card

It has cars that move! Big hit with Gavin!

A group shot of most of the Reynolds

Gavin is reaching for the wheelchair handles here. Great Gma and Gpa R. got some wild rides from Gavin.  Everyone involved enjoyed it quite a bit.  Lilah is watching in hopes she can participate in the wheelchair race events next time.

Gavin with Grandma & Grandpa Johnston

Gavin hopped right up to sit with them on the bench here.

Some Johnstons on the way to the beach

Some of the Johnstons at La Selva on the way down to the beach and some Reynolds on their way up met in the middle.

Pictures of us enjoying the beach will be coming next.