Sadie Turns 4!

For Sadie's 4th birthday, we had a big party at our house. It was the first big bash we have thrown in the new place. I have to admit, I was more than a little bummed when it rained most of the day. But, we are fortunate our house can handle a bunch of people!

And, the birthday girl was happy to lend a hand helping out.

 I didn't get too many pictures because we were all having too much fun. There were kids everywhere!!!

But we all got to sing happy birthday to our sweet princess. She loved her party and her friends and her cupcakes.

 And, of course, her presents!!!

 She couldn't wait for the rain to stop. As soon as her friends left, she was begging me to go outside and try out her new big girl skooter!

 On her actual birthday, we took her and the big kids out of donuts before school. The loved the treat and Sadie thought the milk was "so cute and tiny!" Of course she looked pretty cute in her princess dress and crown (yes, these pictures were 2 days apart, but her dress was washed in between, at night when she was asleep).

 It worked out that night too to take them all to see the new Peanuts movie. She kept telling people she was going to the movies for her birthday, and it just happened to work out, spur of the moment. Good call, Sadie!

 So happy birthday to our littlest big girl. We love you and your 4 braids and your princess dress and silly self.

Halloween!

Our Halloween was pretty quiet this year. It started out how it does every year, with the annual Cut 'n Gut with Chris and Kayla. Every year gets a little more fun as the kids can actually carve pumpkins, come up with designs and do it themselves.  This year was super fun and messy!

We dressed up for the big kids Halloween Dance. It is my favorite school function and this year we closed the joint down! And not just because we were on the clean up crew.

We had one cute little owl. She looked at a ton of costumes, but decided all she wanted was to wear this one Memere had gotten her a few years before.

 I had made Julie a different costume, but at the last minute she decided she wanted to be a rock star. She put the costume together mostly on her own and I think it came out awesome!

 Andy was a Pokemon character that none of us really knew, but he loved, and all of his friends got it immediately. So that's cool. He was a happy guy.

 Our work theme this year was 80's. So with just a couple thrift store finds, I was set!

On Halloween, the kids did a little trick or treating, but ultimately decided that handing out candy was way more fun. So we sat on the porch while they handed out candy to all their neighborhood friends. It was a great night. After we ran out of candy, we snuggled into our bed and watched Charlie Brown's The Great Pumpkin. Couldn't ask for a better end to the night!

Vegas Baby!!

Last week John and I had a chance to get away for a couple days (thank you Memere and Grammy!!!) and take off to Vegas!

 We had a blast walking all over the town, exploring the casinos, window shopping, and of course, eating! The people watching was pretty awesome too.  We hung out by the pool too, chatted and read. It was wonderful.

 We really enjoyed hanging out at the old strip, it was a little more our style and would like to stay there if we get a chance for another get away!

Thanks for the fun time babe! 

Monterey

The kids didn't have school on Monday, so we decided that it was the perfect time for a little family get away! We drove up to Monterey after a full weekend of soccer, basketball and a half marathon (for mom and dad). We stayed at a cute little hotel within walking distance of everything!

We went to a delicious breakfast place that had HUGE pancakes!! The kids shared this chocolate chip one. I helped them out quite a bit, but we still didn't make a dent in it!

 When we got to the aquarium, Sadie was anxious to see some sharks. But she was happy with the sardines while we made our way over to the deep tank.

 The jelly fish were pretty awesome. We had not been to the aquarium since Sadie was about 3 months old, so it was all new to her. And the big kids were happy to show her around.

 The wave tank was a huge hit. All three kids loved hanging out in there. We finally had to drag them out so other families could have a turn.

 But not before we took a family picture!

 The kids are getting a little big for the play area in the aquarium, but it was still lots of fun. We are very excited to go back again soon, especially since we got an annual pass!

After the aquarium, we walked down to Dennis the Menace park and played til I thought Sadie would pass out from exhaustion. She is determined to keep up at all times.  We walked a total of 9.5 miles each on Monday. Even Sadie. It was such an adventure walking all over a new city. 

Andy turns 7!! (WHAT?!?!)

Our sweet handsome boy turned 7 this month. I know. 7. I can't believe it either.  He started the day with soccer and fun with his soccer buddies. He played a great game and had fun telling everyone it was his birthday.

 On his birthday evening, we had his grandparents, aunts and uncles over for a little family celebration. We had pizza and cake.

 He got lots and lots of love from his sisters. They even picked out a very special gift for him, a Pokemon binder to keep his cards in. Julie thought of it all by herself.

 Happy Birthday Buddy!

 Oh yeah, of course there were presents. This kid is so loved.

 The next day we had a party at the skate park with a bunch of his buddies. This is the only picture I got. But! That just proves they had so much fun. I couldn't get pictures of them zooming all over the place on their scooters!

So happy birthday to our boy. I can't believe what a smart, sweet man you are and that you are all ours!

Carter's 3!

We got to help Carter celebrate his 3rd birthday! We met him at Sylvesters. He was very excited to see his cousins!

 He even humored me with a picture in my lap.

 Happy birthday big boy!! We love you!

First Day of School

School started out a little crazy for us this year. There was a fire near our house an d we were evacuated for 3 days and 2 nights. School ended up starting a day late and the kids were overjoyed when they "finally" got to go.

 Julie has Mrs. Teel again this year for 3rd grade. She was ecstatic when we found out.  Andy has a sweet new teacher names Miss Eddy for 2nd grade. She is young, energetic, and he has a sweet crush on her.   Sadie just started Pre-K with Miss Kegan and Miss Jenna. Both teachers that the big kids had.

 Not sure this town is ready for these crazies.

This summer

So, this should be about 50 posts. But, last weekend, while we were out hiking, my car was broken into and my phone (along with my purse) was stolen. My phone had so many pictures on it. It makes me really sad to loose them all. But luckily, I had uploaded some photos to Facebook, so I was able to get some off there. So instead of major stories, I have snapshots of the summer.

Here is Andy, looking so much like his Daddy. 

 Speaking of Daddy, he had a birthday this summer! And we made him a bright blue cake in our new house. We moved into Grandma Hazel's house this summer and a place has never felt more like home except the one I was raised in.

 Here are some silly sisters, these kids are the bestest.

 After John's birthday, we spent some time up in Oakland, Santa Cruz, San Jose, Gilroy. Having all kids of fun. It was a great little family get away.

 We goofed off. A lot.

 Christina had the beautiful Rosalind! She is so perfect.

We have all enjoyed getting to know the new baby.  

 The kids spent some days at summer camp. The last day of camp was a luau. They all wore their super fun Hawaiian garb. And loved getting to see their friends during the summer too.

 Again, these two sisters. There is nothing like these sisters.

 Happy Father's Day Daddy!!!! We will all snuggle in and squeeze him....that sounds like a good way to celebrate him on Father's day!

 Sadie is still the queen of the top knot. Baby refuses to cut that long crazy hair!

And just like that, we were celebrating the kids going back to school. Family frozen yogurt date for the win!

It was a great summer. Of course, it went by way too fast. But these kids are happily back in school. Until the next adventure!

4th of July

This year the kids got to be in the 4th of July parade with Grammy and Pop-pop. They were super excited. And super serious, of course.

 Sadie got the back seat all to herself.

The big kids got to hang out of the back and wave. 

The parade was followed by super fun at the park and swimming at a friends house for Auntie Arlene's birthday. It was a great holiday!

Last Day of School

I absolutely love comparing the first day of school and the last day of school. The kids always grow so much!

 Every year I am amazed. Of course Sadie had to get in on the action too.