park family time

Last Tuesday, John and I went out to the San Bernadino area to say goodbye to his grandma.  She had suffered a stroke several years ago and had been living in a nursing home since.  After years of being bed ridden, God called her home.  We were grateful for the chance we had to talk with her, encourage her, pray for her, and say goodbye.

She went to be home with the Lord last Thursday, April 26th.

But with every dark cloud, there is a silver lining. With her passing, the Park family was able to spend some rare quality time together.

Let me introduce you to some of the next generation of this family that I so lucky to be a part of...

Meet Emma. She is John's older bro's daughter. We just die when we see her. She is one smart cookie, has the cutest trick, and seriously the cutest FOB you will ever meet.

Showing off one of her many tricks with her Uncle.  This guy is putty in his little nieces hand.

Have you met Jamie? This is John's cousin's youngest son.  Since their family of 5 lives in Virginia, we do not get to see them often as we would like.  Though we did get to visit them last year when we vacationed out in the East Coast. So while they were here, we hogged up their time here and hung out with them as much as we could.

I DIE! They are so cute!  

Being part of this family is pretty dang awesome.

family lunch with the parks

Ever since we left Grace Fellowship Church, we don't get to see the Parks (my in-laws) very often. I know many don't get along with their in-laws, or don't feel comfortable around their in-laws, but I'm super blessed to have an amazing MIL! It kind of, sort of, helps that my mom and John's mom have been bff's for years. Growing up, the moms would hang out while John, his bro, me and my sisters would be forced to hang out. So annoying. Just kidding!

Two Sundays ago, the family got together for lunch! John was most excited about seeing our niece, Emma. John is obsessed with Emma. Seriously. Obsessed. He loves his niece like crazy! But who wouldn't love her?! She's adorable!

A family meal time turned into an Emma photo session!

First off, anyone love Spongebob? These kids sure do. HAHA!

Isn't she the cutest thing you ever did see? We can't wait to meet her lil bro or lil sister in February... it'll give John someone else to smother! :)

mountain time!

Growing up, everyone called John, "Mountain Boy." His family lived in the mountains and he kind of looks like Smokey the Bear, no? Well, when he had hair, he sure did!

For years I've passed by the Smokey the Bear sign and never got to stop to take a picture of it. When we took our engagement pictures in the mountains, I wanted one with the Bear, but I totally forgot! This past weekend, we headed up the mountain to visit his parents, and I finally got a picture of it!

It's nice to go up there once in a while, get away from all the noise and enjoy the fresh air and nature. It's nice to visit, but I know how hard it is to live up there. John moved back up there while we were dating and I remember him going crazy! No cell phone reception, no internet access, no TV... rough stuff.

But it's so pretty up there! I have no idea what this thing is. It looks like a giant asparagus! I wish I stood next to it to show how tall it was.

Our favorite part about going up to see family? Hanging out with our niece EMMA! Ah! I just wanna eat her up!

She knows so many "tricks" and it's so fun to watch her do all these cute things my bro-in-law and sis-in-law taught her. This is her showing a heart so her uncle John would release her from his trap!

We saw her again later that evening, after her hair cut. She has bangs! Gah! So cute!

Had a great time with the mountain family. It's great being Mrs. Mountain Boy!