The Jenkins Take California: Beach Edition

At the end of last July we skipped school and headed to California as a family. We hadn't been to Cali in a few years and wanted to make the best of the trip.

Setting out on a Saturday morning we arrived in Anaheim around dinner time. I'd forgotten what a long drive it is from Phoenix with children.

Sunday we loaded up the family slathered on the sunscreen and headed to the beach.

Bolsa Chica beach was perfection!

Camden was probably the most excited about seeing the ocean and hanging out at the beach for the first time. We played, collected sea shells & sand crabs, dug holes, ate snacks, got super sandy, and had a fun time. I think we'll have to try and do this again next summer.

It was an amazing day spent as a family. These are the memories I want for our children. 

When your toddler doesn't want to nap anymore

When Leonard was born I already knew then that this kid would be something else, and oh boy is he ever. 

Perfectly placed in the line up of kids, the caboose, thank goodness. Just over 2 years with this little engine that never quits. He has recently graduated to a big bed, which was the tragic end of consistent naps. This stage I dread the most in motherhood, but I guess good news is this is the last time I will be going through this phase. 

Precious naps are few and far between now, but they happen usually on days when he decides to wake up between 3-5AM. He's not one to sleep in, unless we have somewhere to be in the morning and since its summer no sleeping in. I would blame the sun but I'm pretty sure he gets up before it peak through his window. 

I cherish the times when he sits on the couch and is quiet for longer than I'm used to, and he's fallen asleep. Everyone in the house needs to immediately not talk, not move a muscle, and even breathe quieter. We just let the tired boy sleep, and so I can remind myself that he is a precious little angel, before he wakes up again. 

Amelia turned 8 and was Baptized

8 years old is a big milestone in our home, Amelia hit that milestone on December 3rd.  Then on Saturday, December 16th was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Mia is something special and has the sweetest personality. She is a light, and a peacemaker. We are so proud of her and the things shes accomplished so far, and how much she has grown in just a short amount of time. 

We are so blessed to have her in our family. 

Family Photos

Remember my last post about me getting ready for family pictures? Well here are some of the pictures.  We got so many good ones back! I didn't want to share them all at once though. 

These were taken at a location just a couple miles from our house next to a different housing development. Since we live out of town a ways, these special spots are close by.  

Seriously, Hunt Highway is about 40 yards to our right in the first photo. 

We absolutely love the photographer, an amazing 17 year old, Jacquelyn. It's so much fun watching her develop a love and talent for photography and that she let us be models for her. 💗

I love the individual shots she got of the kids. Each one portrays them so perfectly. 

We love our photos! 

Leo got a haircut

Leonard got a sweet hair cut last week, and it happened.  

He's a pretty crazy boy as is, but once his hair was buzzed I swear on my life he got a little more naughty.  

My mom told me that would happen with my younger brother.  I guess getting your hair buzzed and becoming even more crazy is a family trait. 😂😂😂

Well whatever it is, Leo is still cute. I'm hopeful his added strength weakens as his hair grows. LOL! 

Cool Kids

They were willing to take a picture together to send to their Great Grandma Crandell to wish her a happy birthday, so of course I'm going to plaster this all over internet land!


Gosh these kids are cool.  I really should be filming my life, cause some of the things that come out of their mouths, the ideas they have, quirks they have can not be fully captured by words and pictures alone. Maybe I should start doing video clip videos, probably not vlog that could be a little ambitious too for me right now, but we'll see. What I do know is these kids are special and I love that they are mine.

💗💗💗

My daughters are growing up

I realized I hadn't posted about the kids back to school. Most importantly I hadn't documented on here the back to school pictures here. My oh my, how much kids grow each year.

The first day of school this year it was raining cats and dogs out side, we attempted good first day of school pic but humidity and rain plus foggy glasses isn't the best combo, but we got them, and made it to school only half soaking. LOL.

I love seeing how much they spring up each year!

Don't worry about the terrible collage pics, it is what it is, and it gets the job done. :)

Sweet Amelia girl. Such a big 2nd grader. It's hilarious to compare her 2nd grade pic with Evelyn's 2nd grade pic. 😂😂😂 These girls are polar opposites in every way possible.

Oh Evelyn. She hates smiling for pictures and I'm so confused by it, but its who she is. 😄 At least she learned what to do with her hands while getting her picture taken. She is growing into a fun smart young lady.

Their individuality is really blossoming especially how different their styles are. They have a love for pattern mixing that makes my heart swell.

Evelyn outfit

Shirt: Target

Leggings: Target

Amelia outfit

Shirt: Walmart clearence

Leggings: Walmart Clearance

Summer by the hour in gifs

5am: When the poking me awake starts. 

me to me: 

6:00 am: me

kids

7:00 am: kids

8:00 am: kids still hungry

9:00 am: kids

10:00 am: kids

11:00 am to 5:00 pm: me

5:00 pm to 7:00 pm(bedtime): kids

  me:

Kids sleeping: me

repeat:

I love my kids, i love my kids, i love my kids, i love my kids, i love me kids....

They were cones

My dad has a soft serve frozen yogurt machine. I know, all the envy. My dad is also an extremely generous human being and invites the families in his ward & neighbors over to his house two times a month on Monday nights for free frozen yogurt cones.

Chairs are set out in their driveway and people come and go as they please. Its pretty fantastic. On occasion we get to make the trek to my parents house to partake of the yummy goodness.

Little Leonard was given his first cone a couple months back and I was able to capture the moment he realized that frozen yogurt was an amazing thing. 😊

He's a fan of the froyo! I'd be sad if he wasn't, cause froyo is life y'all. 

This last pic didn't focus on the messy, froyo covered sticky mess in the front, it got a great shot of my niece Maddie, Bro-in-law Jon & my mom. 

4 Years of Camden

Camden is just one of those boys where when you meet him he just melts your heart.  He is stubborn and learning but he has a heart of gold.  From my squishy 8lb 10oz baby to a full blown 4 year old now. He is a social butterfly and is a friend to everyone he meets and just wants to share all the love he can. Always cracking jokes and laughing about something, his personality just keeps getting better. 

I learn so much from this fast growing little boy every day.  I am so grateful he is mine and bring so much joy to our family. 

I can't wait to see him grow more in this next year. 

Now enjoy random pictures of my sweet Camden through the years.