Eliza's First Bikeride!

One of the best investments that we have ever made, a bike seat for Eliza. It fits between the parent's seat and the handle bars. That way Eliza is up with us and the center of balance is undisturbed.

Though she doesn't look too happy in this picture, she loved it. We took her on a ride on the beach path and she was cooing and laughing the entire time. We also invented a new game. While riding side by side, I would reach my hand out to her and she would respond by reaching and grabbing it. Then we would bike down the beach while holding hands. Amazing how the simplest things in life are the most fun!

Memorial Day Weekend

Shortly after moving to California I called my mom to tell her that she just needed to come down because I had no idea what I was doing and needed her...desperately. I was feeling nervous about the decorating aspect of moving into a new apartment. You see, up until now I have lived in either a place with cinder-block walls and where I hung pictures was predetermined, or in an apartment where I was not allowed to hang anything. So naturally I was feeling overwhelmed looking at all of my pictures wondering which to hang up and where they go.

My mom agreed to come down and arranged to drive down the same time my younger brother was already coming down for his Disneyland trip with is sweet wife, Michelle.


Eliza LOVED having her grandparents play with her day-in and day-out. Papa Smith was very good about walking her around anywhere she wanted to go. They took lots of walks together, both around the house and to the park.

Here is a sweet video of Grandma Smith and Eliza playing.

It was fun to have my parents unwind and relax with Justin and Michelle. I envy my brother sometimes, the way he can get my mom to laugh by doing things that she would roll her eyes at anybody else doing.

Wait a second...Did I just say that it was fun to have my parents unwind a relax??? That can't be right. That is simply not in my mother's nature while visiting any of her children. Dad, yes...Mom, no!
During the 3 days of visiting we successfully accomplished:
A trip to IKEA for lamps
Cleaning my fridge
Buying paint at Sherwin Williams
Stripping my end table
Staining my end table
Sanding the table and stool
Painting a table and stool
Building a garden box
Painting Eliza's mirror
Painting some shelves for Eliza's room
Convincing Jessie to paint Eliza's dressers
Hanging pictures
Fixing lots of yummy food

Several Naps (at least on Dad's part)
A play for Cousin's Camp

Mom was hooked on her books on tape.
Thanks Joel and Justin for setting that up for her.

Despite all of this work we were still able to enjoy a very windy trip to the beach as well as visit the Korean Friendship Bell.

Eliza and Grandma at the beach trying to stay warm.

Human Totem Pole

Dad next to the Friendship bell and the striker that should have been a fish.

Such a cute, cute couple. I'm glad they were able to come stay with us.

My crazy "little" brother.

My crazy husband.

Ryan and I were even able to go on a date up to Malibu for the sunset while my parent babysat.


It was a great weekend that flew by too quickly. I wish they could have all stayed a week or two longer. I have a wonderful family who is willing to come and spend time with me, if only for moral support.

Eliza Learns to Hug and Walk! (Well almost :)

This post is mainly for my mother, who seems to like getting updates on her granddaughter almost as much as we like giving them. I think it is also fun to save this for posterity. I look forward to the day when I can tell Eliza's future boyfriend that he is replaceable because, after all, Eliza hugged a sock monkey long before he came along.

Attached below are videos of Eliza showing of her new found skills of hugging on command and walking while only holding one of Mommy's hands. (She's not confident enough to attempt any steps without holding on to something.)



And the walking:

Month of May; Mostly

Since moving to California, a lot has happened. Ryan has done a fantastic job of writing fun new things, while I have been not so good. I will try to be as brief as possible by using mostly pictures and movies rather than words.

Mothers Day:

Ryan made me the traditional omelet, with sausage and bacon inside, for breakfast. It was AMAZING!!! The Elder's Quorum provided all sorts of goodies for the sisters in our ward for after church. Relief Society was supposed to get out 15 minutes before the end of church so we could enjoy our snacks. While in reality, we got out late and the Primary children were immensely enjoying the treats while waiting for their mothers. So funny!



One of Eliza's new favorite games is to clear off the bookshelves. She sees me clearing off the desk, table, and counters, so she figures she will help.


Eliza outgrew her baby carrier and now has a big girl car seat. Amazon Mom is AMAZING! Thanks to Jennette for the suggestion of which car seat to get.

Ryan's brother Woody and his wife, Jill, came to stay with us for a weekend. Though they weren't here for long we did head up to the Hollywood sign and even got to go to The Queen Mary, one of the most luxurious cruise-liners in her day. Thanks for coming out-laws!




Our city Torrance had an Armed Forces Celebration for a weekend. Eliza got her face painted, a balloon, a dog tag, sat in an Apache helicopter, saw a live hawk and owl, and had a blast looking at all the fun people everywhere.




Since moving here Eliza has:

Been in 10 different States
Lived in 3 different States
Learned to crawl
Learned to pull her self up
Learned to walk along furniture and walls
Has to be holding something in her hand
Learned how to crawl up stairs
Loves playing at the park
Loves swinging
Hates the beach, mostly the waves. She likes the sand. She's fine if she can't see the water.
Gotten 1 (almost 2) tooth/teeth
Has enough hair to do pig-tales
Can give high fives
Can give Mommy and her stuffed monkey hugs
Loves to Skype
Loves chasing kids and being chased.
And is still the sweetest baby girl I could every ask for.

Tricking Eliza into Eating

As many of you may know, we have a petite baby who just finds many things in life more interesting than food. (She obviously did not get this trait from her father.) To keep her interested we have tried various antics, below is a video of one of my favorites.

The Crazy Planter Box Part 2

So here is the planter box as it is completed:


And here is Eliza playing with the fruits of our labor:

The Crazy Planter Box

Jessie really wanted a planter box so that we could take advantage of the year round growing season of Los Angeles. We couldn't find a pre-made planter box that was big enough for what we wanted to do, so we bought wood at Home Depot to make our own.

The trick came when we wanted to transport those long boards back home. As you can see, construction work is fun for the whole family


We eventually made it home safely and we will shortly post pictures of our new garden.