CA 2013 Part 2

Sprinklers, tubbies, poolside and pool-in lounging, childhood toys, pets, and walks on the canal.

Rides in the back of Grandpa's truck, blooming cactus, cottonwood trees, little pool for the littles, and the best Mexican food EVER  makes me a happy lady.

Easter Sunday, towel head fashions, cousin love, egg dyeing, buddies, filed trip to the Parker dam, poolside with pets, and sudden hair growth.

River reunion with friends I've know For-eva.

Visiting some of my favorite people (not all are that were visited are pictured! erin & scott, uncle jimmy!), eating long lost favorites and childhood memories...felix the cat clock!

Riding through the water for 30min straight, playing in the mud, holding chickens, seeing more loved ones, ball game with grandma Linda.

Exploring the world, fishing with Grandpa, blowing dandelions, more animals, riding a quad (aka little boy bliss).

Mountainous glory, fence climbing, Aunt Kathy's house with light show, grandma time, great grandma love and 5 generations (4 represented).

Going home.

CA 2013 Part 1

Two years ago I spent Christmas in the hometown with my side of the family. That was the last time I was here. Two years is too long. BUT...in those two years we've built a house. So there's that.  Being good stewards of our finances, etc. kept us away but then my brother decided to get married. So of course we had to come out.   Obviously I jest. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. He has married someone that is kind, beautiful, fun, smart and she loves Jesus. Granted I've only met her in person twice, but it was enough to see that she lives up to the praises that I've heard about her.  So we came and it was lovely. 

We stayed on the Berkeley Marina and were able to walk to a pier, a park and see the sailboats.

The rehearsal was Thursday evening at their home. This is where I actually got to meet the new sis and her family. Have I mentioned how great she is? Allow me to move on to her family. They are also the cat's meow. I mostly spoke to her mom and sisters but I loved them and wanted to bring them home. I suppose that would be kidnapping.  I'm so happy for my brother and that he not only has a wife that surpasses our hopes but in laws that will be a great support to them as they start their new life together.

Mexican theme as a companion to the carne asada. Always a home run.

Friday evening was the grand finale of our NorCal experience; the wedding. The ceremony took place on the patio of the Brazilian Room and the reception was inside. It was beautiful and I'll let the photos speak for themselves.

Eden was the bubble girl, Jesse escorted Grandma Linda down the aisle.

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Maltby

What February has brought us thus far

Phone Photo Roundup

• Fun times catering with my sis N law 
• Fun food 
• Helped in Van's class on Valentine's day
• Valentine treats from Grandma and Grandpa
• Hair cut. It was getting quite poofy.
• Talks with my girl
• Serious pancake eating at the monthly firehouse breakfast. If they knew how much he ate they might have charged us.
• Tubby buddies.

Got together with some of our favorite people for a Valentine party. Kids decorated their bags, and exchanged Valentine's, played games, ate lunch, and ran around like crazy in the basement.

#3 is now #5

Celebrated this little man's big 5 tonight!

Excited? Why yes. Why do you ask?

A Thomas request was made and fulfilled. Kept my cake decorating goals simple this year. And for those of you that are Island of Sodor aficionados, you are correct. That is Edward not Thomas and it was fixed before the birthday boy would notice. Which he wouldn't. But my other kids did. 

Gifts! He kept talking about how he was going to have cereal in his new bowl tomorrow. Thanks grandma!

Play time with sister.

Trying out Mom Mom's new and very LOUD whack a mole game.

Bad family photos. It's how we roll.

Vanden, someday you will grow up and read this. So let me tell you that you are truly a joy in my life! Funny man with a tender heart. You want to grow big like Jesse. You often ask "Where's my Eden?" when you want your sister. You love the kitties and playing outside. You love pretending to box and have a great imagination. You have a solid opinion and are not wishy washy.  You are affectionate to us all and can be sweet to your siblings especially giving Beck lots of love lately. Your latest thing to say when you are mad is that you don't like your house and you are going to build your own house and it will be black. I think this is your way of saying that you look forward to growing up and not being told what to do. It will come soon enough! Your vocabulary and articulation have really improved over the last year and we can see it on your face when you are processing what you you want to say.  We can't imagine our lives without you. Happy Birthday to my sweet, sweet boy. 

2012 in Review

 

Christmas 2012

Christmas Eve with Dennis side of the family included meal, Happy Birthday Jesus cake, gifts and laughs and a splash of kid chaos. A bit milder this year, in my humble opinion. Then home for Christmas PJ's!

Christmas morning at home included stockings, breakfast, gifts, and all day in our PJ's. Lovely and relaxing, and my parents presence was the cherry on top.  If you like cherries. Which I don't. So for me they were the chocolate syrup on top.

 

The big gifts this year were dirt bikes. Or death traps. I'll let you call it.  Dennis and I grew up a bit differently on this one, but I trust my man. He's a safe one and not really the wreck-less type.  They'll have a good teacher. And Van the man got a big boy bike. (free! shhh, don't tell)

Beck's activity of choice that morning was bowling. He'd set them up over and over and over again in a line and did not want your help thank you very much. Mom Mom's gift was a hit.

A white Christmas was special ordered for our visiting desert dwellers.  It lasted long enough for them to  a bit of sledding.

And melted early enough for them to ride their bikes. I was impressed with their skills!

My mom and her friend.

December = many good things.