And Baby Makes 3!

So I know it's been over a year since I sat down to blog, but in the hiatus I've since acquired 2 new additions to my life that have encouraged me to blog again. Number 1 being an oh-so-cute baby girl, and Number 2 being an iPhone with a Blogger app, which allows me to blog during 3am feedings. So here goes another shot at this blog... Hopefully it becomes an easy way to keep our loved ones updated on Corianne and our adventures as parents!

To catch everyone up, we found out we were pregnant around Thanksgiving last year and told our family the big news as we drove from Florida to California. Shaun started his new assignment at Los Angeles Air Force Base in January, and because I knew I could only work for 6 months, I nannied part time as we anxiously went to doctor appointments awaiting our baby! We found out it was a girl on Valentines Day, but had to wait until July 17th to meet her! That evening we welcomed Corianne Gayle into our family and have been growing in love with her ever since!

I still can't get over the fact that she's over 5 months old already; I'm sure she'll be starting school and driving a car before I can blink, so I'm trying to savor every kiss and cuddle I can get!

Sunny Beaches ... Fresh Oysters

During Ryan's last week in Florida, my dad and mom flew out from Colorado, making it a family affair! We had so much fun together -- going out to eat, church worship night, a canoe trip, movie night, lots of card games and Liar's Dice, and of course a couple days out at the beach!

Considering sand dollars are my favorite finds on the beach, I was pumped to see the boys' spoils from snorkeling.

After the beach we went to a Panama City staple: Hunt's Oyster Bar. It's been in business since the '60s and has some of the best Apalachicola oysters you can find, and at only $4.95 a dozen, we ordered 4 dozen to share!

It's sad to think that this was our last time to have family visit in Florida, but I guess next time we'll just have to show them around SoCal! Love you guys, and thanks again for coming to visit us; we had a blast! :)

PS- Please forgive all the photo editing. Someone just discovered PicNik.com. :)

Brotherly Love

My brother Ryan came out to visit for three weeks in July. This was his first visit to our Florida home, and will be the last since we're moving in December. Unfortunately many of his days were filled with Floridian thunderstorms, which allowed for lots of sleeping in, Netflix, and reading. Occasionally the sun would reappear, leaving us with the chance to go to the pool or beach. Here's some snippets from his trip:

The boys grillin' out on the playground next to our house.

We decided to try something new while Ryan was out with us -- renting jet skis for a 2-hour dolphin tour!

We got the jet skis up to 83 mph (which freaked me out as a passenger, helplessly hitting wakes and being thrown into my driver's back) and most importantly, spent time swimming alongside a mommy dolphin and her young baby. Shaun dove down and touched the mom, regretting that we left our snorkel masks in the car. We didn't have a camera with us either, but this picture I found on trip advisor gives a good idea of what our experience was like.

This photo of Sunshine Watersports of P.C. is courtesy of TripAdvisor

After a hot afternoon in the southern sun and water, one must regain energy through calories. And if those calories come in rib-and-pulled-pork form from a local hot spot (namely Sea Breeze BBQ's food truck on Tyndall Parkway), then all the better!

Brothers-in-law out for dinner on Panama City Beach before a worship night.

Shaun was happy to have a playmate at the beach. Though I will occasionally get in the water to cool off, I prefer the sand. With Ryan, however, Shaun had a partner in snorkeling!

Ryan came out during his 23rd birthday, which we filled with sushi at our favorite sushi place (note: raw conch is chewier than you'd think) and lots of ice cream!

We were honored that you chose to celebrate with us, Ryan, and that you took the time to come spend some time with your nerdy big sister ("Ryan, go stand next to the open sign!") and brother-in-law. We love you!

Oh, and when we move to LA, you better not wait 2 years before coming to visit! :)

America's Last Frontier

Beware, this post has an abundance of pictures... It's going to be a long one! :)

Shaun's parents, Shaun and I all drove down to Seward, AK for a night. We hiked near a glacier and went on a glacier cruise before meeting up with Josh and Kelli in Cooper Landing, AK for two nights. This picture is from the drive out:

Photo ops from the drive out

In Seward, Shaun and I stayed in a yurt, which is basically a little tent set up with a sturdier frame. This is us in front of it and Shaun inside of it.

We went on the Exit Glacier hiking trail while in Seward. It was my favorite hike of the trip -- shady for most of the walking, waterfalls, and a glacier to cool you down when you're done! The trail started off with a convenient commentary on wildlife you might run into:

All packed up and ready to hike!

This plant is so lush and tropical-looking, not to mention TALL! All the plants in Alaska get huge because the sun is out for 22 hours a day.

Exit Glacier

Exit Glacier with the sunshine

The O'Bryants next to the glacier

Dinner post-hike, look at that view!

A little otter friend to entertain us from the window

The next day it was off to Cooper Landing, AK. We rented this house for two nights and took some time to see the area by land and by river!

Kelli found the rocking duck on the porch! :)

Josh caught it; Kelli cooked it; we loved it! Such a good salmon dinner!!

This wood-burning stove was in the middle of the cabin. Did someone say s'mores?

Kelli's idea of adding strawberries to the s'more was genius!

O'Bryant ladies

O'Bryant men

[Josh is O'Bryant by proxy] :)

On a hunt to find bears (and other wildlife), we took a river floating trip. Unfortunately, we didn't see a bear, but we saw lots of other animals, especially eagles!

On the raft with our guide Brad

Count the eagles that you see -- I see 3!

And what's an Alaska trip without some more wildlife encounters? Here's a couple of random shots:

This moose was practically on the side of the highway!

We saw them often from our cars, and even from our bedroom windows!

And to top this (extremely long) post off... a video of the salmon run!!