Family Day

As always, things have been busy. Julie has started softball practice and Andy will be playing t-ball in a few weeks. Mixed with our normal fun of school, work, friends and birthday parties, the next few months should be even busier, but likely really fun too.

So when we all had a Monday off and the kids requested Santa Barbara Zoo we jumped in the car.  I only got 2 pictures and Andy wasn't even looking.

It was also the first major family outing where we didn't bring a stroller, a diaper bag, a backpack, anything. I had my phone. John had his phone and his wallet. We didn't bring any extra supplies.  We left the house at 9 am, got home at 9 pm, spent hours at the zoo, then hours at a nearby park.  It had been so long since we traveled so light!  This girl is really growing up!

Father Daughter Dance 2014

Last night was the annual Father Daughter Sweetheart Dance. This was Julie and John's 4th year going and Sadie's 2nd year. Sadie was the first one read to go and was hamming it up for the camera. She kept saying, "Mommy, take me picture!"  Of course I obliged.

Julie and Sadie happily posed together.

And then with friends Lina and Audrey.  This is their 3rd year double dating with the Arnolds. Such a fun event to share with great friends.

Sadie couldn't keep her eyes off the big girls.

Lina and Audrey with their Daddy Joe.

Julie and Sadie with Daddy. He looked so handsome.

The girls were super excited and ready to go by this point.

But they held in for one group picture. All dressed up!

From what I hear, everyone had a blast. Our friend Patti got this great shot with Justin and Lauren. Sounded like Sadie loved dancing with Uncle Justin!

While the girls and dad's were out, the boys and moms had a fun movie night, complete with popcorn and M&M's.  It was a pretty mellow evening but the boys seemed to enjoy themselves and us mom's got to chat, so it was win win.

Julie Turns 7!

Last Saturday Julie turned 7! Seven. I can't even believe it. But I won't dwell. The day started with a bed head picture of Julie and I. I love this girl who made me a mom.

After the photo we let her open some gifts from us. She got a new softball bag and softball which she immediately threw her glove in (proud!).  We started a tradition where we all eat lucky charms for breakfast on a birthday but she asked if she could make us scrambled eggs instead.  Sadie and Andy still went for the lucky charms, but John, Julie and I ate the eggs that Julie made us.

I took her to softball assessments while John got ready for her party.

This year, she begged to invite her entire class to her party. I honestly didn't expect the turn out we had. But I have to admit, even with 30+ kids there, the party was super fun.

She wanted rainbow cupcakes. These turned out awesome and I was grateful I didn't have to make them!

Julie was super excited with every single person that showed up.

Julie has some awesome friends. They were all such good listeners. John asked them to line up for the pinata. And the did. Without a push or a shove.

Julie got 2 hits on the pinata and the connector broke. Boo.

So John improvised. No one seemed to mind not hitting the pinata and scrambled for candy just the same.

There were so many kids there that it was nice just to sit back and watch the show. And yes, it was sunny, but chilly!

At cupcake time it was a little too windy to light the candles, but we still sang.

Julie requested they get to decorate their own cupcakes, so we got some fun sprinkles and such. The kids loved it.

The birthday girl with her cupcake.

Sadie seemed to get herself a cupcake.

Andy and Everett both got a blue cupcake....as you can see by their sweet, blue faces.

Julie was very excited about her gifts.

And finally a sweet picture with life long friends.

After a fun afternoon, the kids started leaving and one by one they came up and thanked John or I for inviting them. Our kids are so lucky to have such great friends. I am especially grateful for Christina for helping me take pictures and being so good at it! Most of these are ones that she took and it really helped me be able to enjoy.  It was by far the biggest birthday party we have had, but it was exactly what she wanted and that's what matters.

Happy birthday Julie Bess. We can't wait to see what the next year brings!