Shawn and Courtney's Blogspot: What a Crazy Year

Obviously blogging about a whole year takes longer than the amount of free time I had in one day, so here are the highlights from our summer!

JUNE

I spent the first part of June working on revisions for my master's project. After a few back and forth emails with my committee chair, I finally received approval for all of my changes on Thursday, June 19th.

Shawn's parents arrived in Utah the next day, and my mom flew into town on Saturday. Then we all geared up for the arrival of Parker! I was induced on Monday, June 23rd and 5 hours later we welcomed our sweet Parker into our family. I blogged about his birth story here.

We all came home from the hospital on Wednesday, and then Friday the 27th we did newborn pictures. We called Michelle, the woman who did our family pictures back in October, because she did such an awesome job. And she didn't disappoint this time either! She was so patient with our semi-cranky newborn and got some AWESOME pictures, and made us a super cute baby announcement (which we never got around to sending out ...)! Here are a few of our favorites.

JULY

My mom stayed with us to help out with the boys from the end of June until mid July, my dad flew in for a week to enjoy the boys, and then Shawn's parents stayed with us the rest of the month. We were so grateful to have all of their help! We also did some fun things while they were here.

We celebrated the 4th with my mom, Shawn's parents, and the Kaouks. We had everyone over to our house for a BBQ and fireworks after it got dark. Jackson LOVED the fireworks! We also had an ice cream cake to celebrate my birthday (which was the next day).

Parker was enjoying the sun :)

Shawn and Jackson checking out some of the fireworks in the neighborhood

Sparklers!

Watching daddy light off some fireworks!

My parents spent lots of time with Jackson at the park, the splash pad, and playing in our little inflatable pool in the backyard. They had a blast!

On the 13th, we had Parker's baby blessing at church. My parents, grandfather, Shawn's parents, the Kaouks, and the Stuarts were all able to attend. Afterwards, we had a BBQ in our backyard.

Getting ready!

Grandpa and Grandma Ward

The Kaouks

The Stuarts

Grandma, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa Brown

My parents left shortly after the baby blessing and Shawn's parents came to stay with us. Shawn's brother Scott and his family came to our house from Arizona on 25th, and then we all headed to Oregon for the Ward family vacation on the 27th! It was a two day drive, and Shawn's parents were awesome and drove with Jackson out in their car so we just had to worry about Parker. Almost all of Shawn's siblings were able to make it to the trip, and we all had a blast staying in a couple of houses right on the ocean! It was very windy and kind of chilly, but that didn't stop everyone from spending time at the beach and building sand castles. We also had Shawn's grandma, and aunts and uncles over one evening for a special birthday dinner for Great Grandma Ward! We had a great time!

Jackson had so much fun playing in the sand!

This is how Parker and I spent most of our time on the beach

Jackson loved building sand castles, which really meant flicking sand around with his shovel :)

Jackson also loved the water, and playing with Grandpa and his cousins

Day 1 sand castle

The sunsets were beautiful!

Working on the day 2 sand castle

Scott and Jessica

Grandma playing with Carter and Jackson

There were lots of jellyfish along the beach.
Alix and Kayla showing off their finds!

Trisha even found a crab

Shawn helping the kids build

Waiting for the waves to overtake the castle

Shawn, Efram, and Jackson playing ball in the water

Day 3 sand castle

Parker getting a bath in the little sink

Parker met Great-Grandma Ward for the first time

Taking selfies with Grandma's phone :)

Parker loved cuddling with grandma :)

On our last day, we all went to the tide pools

We spent our last evening together all hanging out on the beach right outside our house!

Dustin and Lisa

The kids (and Uncle Scotty) had a blast playing in the sand

Kayla and Lexi

Trisha and Moroni

Kenzie, Andrea, and Kloe

Jessica, Jackson and Court

The kids got glow sticks. Jackson thought they were pretty awesome!

Grandpa and Grandma cuddling with Parker

AUGUST

We got back from Oregon on August 4th and got our first taste of life with two kids. I got a bit emotional when we drove away from Shawn's parents in Kiwanda Shores, but we made it home in one piece! We thoroughly enjoyed moments like this on the drive home when both boys were sleeping :)

Jackson fell into his role as big brother very well. Right from the start, he loved to read to Parker and "take care of him".

On August 15th, I graduated with my master's degree from BYU! Shawn was awesome and took care of both boys during the ceremony. Our friend Rachel came to help him out.

Looking pretty handsome in his outfit from Aunt Andrea :)

At the end of the month (Labor Day weekend), we took Jackson to his first carnival. We weren't sure how he would like the rides, but we were pleasantly surprised. He was easily the most excited kid on all of the rides he went on!