Little smiles

Found this at the Treat Center a few weeks ago. They just look so little....it made me smile!

Thankful....

I always love to hear what the boys are thankful fr at this time of year. It changes as they grow older and sometimes it's simple, sometimes cute and sometimes just funny!

This year Jordan is thankful for oxygen, food, water and Josie! Josie is one lucky girl!!!

Thought they were so grown up until....

It was a Saturday afternoon and the boys were going a little stir crazy and wanted to take a bike ride.  They asked if they could ride over to the dollar store that is right near our house.  I was nervous about them going there by themselves but I remember taking my first bike ride in 4th grade with my friend Kristen Jeray to Taco Bell.  No main roads....all side streets to our destination.  The boys could take side streets!

So off they went on their 'big boy' bike ride!  A short time later, they came home and this is what they were wearing!  BIG BOYS INDEED!

John Mayer....or was it Bill Mayer?

I love Groupon!  And this year they started offering concert tickets on Groupon and because I LOVE going to concerts....I don't think twice about purchasing tickets for a show when I get them for half off!

And so it was the case for John Mayer.  I like John Mayer.  I enjoy his music and find it quite relaxing so I thought....why not?  However, the day came for the concert and we were super busy with work and I had been up since 5am working non stop on the day of the concert.  Not only that, but Jacob was on a school trip and happened to come home the night of the show so I thought I better stay home.  I offered the tickets to my mom and she said, "Sure, I'll go!".  My thought was that she would take Bill with her.  But on the day of the show she called and asked, "what time should I pick you up for the concert?"  I couldn't say no and thought I would suck it up and go enjoy the show!

And I did.....for awhile.   Then I just became bored.  He is talented and I still enjoy his music but enjoy it when I'm in a bubble bath or reading a book.  Not so much when he plays an 'extended version' of every single song.  I admit it....I was bored.  And I never thought I'd leave a concert early (besides KISS because I was going deaf), I had to go home and go to bed.  Just couldn't do it any longer.

No offense to John or his music.  Maybe on a different day with a little less stress and a lot more sleep, I might have enjoyed him.  But on this night....he was just okay.

Regardless of the concert bust, I had a great time hanging out with my mom.  There is no one else I would have rather gone with!

Fun at target

Who could resist putting these on?  Seriously!  LOVE this kid!

Walk for hope

This is a cause I choose to support each year.  I know a few people who have breast cancer, have beat breast cancer and who have lost their battle with breast cancer.  And to be honest, it scares me to death!

So it isn't much but I support the City of Hope each year in their quest to find a cure.  We walk every year and my girls are asked to perform and always participate and raise money for the cause.

This year, for the second year in a row, my mom and Jonathan came to support the cause as well.  Jonathan ran the entire 5K and took 4th place!  So proud of them both!  And proud of my girls for getting up so early the day after homecoming to be there with smiles on!

First day of 6th grade and 1st grade

First day of school for these two best buddies. Can't explain how sad I was that neither of then wanted me to go with them on their first day! I think they really enjoy their freedom when they ride their bikes to school and I'm happy they are able to do it but was sad on this first day. 

Just last year I took Jojo and he held my hand with a little apprehension about starting kindergarten without knowing any kids. I guess I should be thankful that he has friends and always wants to make new friends and that he feels safe and cared for when he leaves to go to school each day. For that I am thankful. 

Now that they are gone for the day- I can do my happy dance! Is it too early to 

have a glass of wine? 🍷

Jojos bday party

The big 7 year old wanted his party at Pump it Up!  What a fun time!  The theme was super heroes so he blew out the candles with a big air gun.  His very best friends, Xian and Brooklyn were there along with several other classmates!  Happy Birthday JoJo!

First day of Northwest Christian High School

Hard to believe that it is time for this guy to start high school!  I'm nervous for him because I remember how it felt to start a school where you hardly knew anyone. Yet at the same time I am so excited for him because my high school years were some of the best years I had. I found friends I still have today and head experiences that taught me to be the person I am today. 

I am so grateful to my parents who worked hard and sacrificed so much to give the the opportunity to go to Xavier. And I hope that Jon is abler to have a similarly rich and memorable experience at NCH!!

More Lego Fest

Had to add a few more LegoFest pics.  This is one of the 9 master builders in the world.  The boys got to take a class from him and then the "Master" inspected their work.  

 Jacob was right at home in the "BIG PILE OF LEGOS" and made a snow angel in the legos!  He was in Lego Heaven!

 The HULK!

More fish....

After several requests for a dog...we settle for more fish! After the trip to Sea World- they had fish on the brain so off to Petco we went. 3 more fish and a frog. (And some very happy boys)

Old friends are the best!!

So happy to be able to spend time with Tanya! It's usually only once a year but it is always just like when we were in our 20's (minus a bit of alcohol). She has always been and always will be one of my dearest friends and in so happy we got to spend a little time together! Next time I hope it will be in CA so I can visit her!!

Lego Kids Fest 2013

This is a kids dream!!! Every kind of Lego for them to try and play with. Models and displays of the most incredible work you'll ever see and of course, a Lego store that makes all parents cringe!

But so much fun for Jojo and Jake!

Sponge bob and Legos? Does it get any better?

Try even took a class from one of only 9 Lego builders in the world!

This is said to have taken a year to make!

Fun weekend in Prescott

Parade time! I love the small town of Prescott and the parade on Fourth of July every year! This year was a little more special with so many different fire trucks features as a tribute to the Granite Hill Hotshots!  Jake wanted a picture of every single one!

Fourth of July fun

We had a great Fourth of July weekend with family!  

Pictures from Monica

Click here to view these pictures larger

Here are just a "few" of the pics I took last week.  It may get boring.....I took over 400 but tried to only post some of the better ones.  What can I say....I love taking pictures of my boys having the time of their lives!  Enjoy!

Coronado

We are lucky.... I can't even explain how grateful I am that we are able to spend the week here in Coronado. It is truly heaven! So relaxed and so beautiful!! 

Harbor Tour

We thought we would try something new and take the boys on a little boat cruise. Had no idea they would enjoy it so much!  To be honest, I was worries one or more if them would get sea sick! But all felt good and they were fascinated by the sea lions we saw, the dozens of sail boats on their "beer can races", the navy helicopters, pirate ships, submarines and most of all the aircraft carriers! I got in trouble more than once for calling it a "boat"!  So much fun and no sea sickness! Not even by Randy! Love this place!!

Coronado

We are lucky.... I can't even explain how grateful I am that we are able to spend the week here in Coronado. It is truly heaven! So relaxed and so beautiful!! 

Beach time!

We made it! After a morning of driving, we are at Mission Beach for lunch.  Perfect weather! Love it here!

Happy Fathers Day!

Aftermath of a sleepover ....

Charlie's Devils?

It's summer time. It's hot. Kids are bored.  So it's time for water guns and an inflated water bill!  

Boys 'Gone Fishing'