family feast and a beach trip

Thanksgiving is the big holiday get together for my mom's side of the family. Like huge, make at least 15 pies, huge!
We usually have it in Utah, but this year we had it in Los Angeles! The blue skies, waves, 70 + degree weather, and lots of family made it just the vacation we needed! My wonderful parents flew me, Kevin, and the little one down for a few days to be a part of the get together - I'm still convinced they were motivated mostly to see their granddaughter, but I guess we're part of the package, so I'll take it ;)
This trip was Nora's first flight and she was a champ! We popped her in the front pack and flew through holiday security with more than an hour to spare at our gate! On the plane she slept the whole flight after fighting to stand up against the force of the plane taking off. {comical!}
Even with all the family we have down there, we stayed in my parents camper on the beach! Just the therapy I needed coming from the frozen wasteland of Idaho. It was bliss! Even Nora loved her first sight and experience at the beach!

Our perfect view:

Relaxing with grandma in the waves

Breakfast with Uncle Kevin and Aunt Celinda at the wonderful Martha's restaurant! It's a must go if you are in LA!

 Nora LOVES her Grandma Lissa!

 Our first baby + airport experience was great!

 The lovely view on the bittersweet flight home.

A name and a blessing, and LOTS of family for Nora.

So I know this is WAY late, but little miss Nora Nicole Dill had her baby blessing November 3rd, 2013.

We were thrilled to have a LOT of family come out to visit and be there for her big day! And when I say a lot, I mean 20+ people crammed into our little two bedroom apartment for soup and bread before church, and 3 long benches taken up in our wards chapel. All our parents came, along with aunts, uncles, and cousins, and even her Great Grandma Judy too! We love having family around! There's something about it that makes everything ok and helps you realize what's really important.

Nora was a champ for the blessing because Kevin was actually feeding her a bottle while blessing her! I think that was a first for many people haha. My mom made her beautiful, soft, simple blessing dress and she even waited most of the day to spit up on it! Good girl.

Nora is 4 months already!

Ya I'm still in love!

She's my pride and joy and fixes all my problems with a giggle or a smile.

She's growing so big so fast and we get to see more and more of her personality every day! She loves her toys and "flying" with daddy. Bath time is her favorite (next to meal time) and even though mom puts them on her all the time, she doesn't like bows too much.

At feeding, as soon as she's on mom's lap and knows what's going on, she starts squealing and laughing and yelling while doing all she can to grab for the goods! It's so comical and I get a good laugh every time!

The little one can also roll now, but does it as little as possible - a smart mover I guess - why move if mom or dad will do it for you?

the things those around you can teach you

Just a quick post about what is on my mind, and then if I have time, maybe more later.

So a day or so ago I found myself on one of my best friend's blog that she recently started, and this simple moment reading her blog has not left my mind since.
http://faithintopractice.blogspot.com
You really should read it! Not only did I find that she's a great writer, but that she is exactly the friend I needed, in just the right circumstances, along with the obvious reasons, but also to allow the Lord to speak to me.

See, Ms. Lauren Ashley Bruner (soon-to-be Mrs. Smith ;) is my best friend and very recent convert to the church.

We have been friends for almost as long as I can remember ... probably since first or second grade or so at Breen or Twin Oaks Elementary in Rocklin, California.
She was always one of those friends that I knew was meant to be my sister, and I'm pretty sure she had me convinced she was mormon ... nope!
But now she is :) and I think it's been more of a benefit for me than her.

I guess I take for granted that I have grown up in the church and often overlook the simple gems that are in the Gospel, and now I get to experience them in a whole new light as Lauren comes to appreciate them as well. I only apologize I had not shared my most prized possession with her earlier :)

Her most recent post followed one such theme and really got to me, in best way possible.
So thank you Lolo, I love you and the things you teach me!