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.

Just Some Fun

Right before Mother's Day, we did the Miracle Miles race. Julie wasn't feeling well, so she hung out with Memere. But Sadie hung out in the backpack and Andy walked/jogged the whole race with us!

 Sadie was very proud of her number, even though she didn't actually run, at all. Mommy sure got her workout carrying Sadie 6 miles on her back though.

 On Mother's Day, we ended up at Avila Beach. It was a beautiful day.

 The kids humored me with a picture. I ended up with a yucky stomach bug, so the next few days were very quiet, I was in bed most of the time, and even once I was up and about again, I was moving very slowly. It hit me hard!

 At the end of May, Julie and Andy had "Creature Day" at school. Andy humored me and wore the turtle costume I made him for Halloween. He was ok with taking the ninja out of it for the occasion.

 Julie was a beautiful fairy. I didn't even think of that as a creature, but she did and it turned out very cute.

 We have been doing the Bob Jones Trail on the weekends, ending in Avila for breakfast. It is a lot of fun, the kids love it and it's great exercise for everyone. Sadie rode her bike all 5 miles this past week for the very first time. We were all so proud of her.

 After work yesterday, all the kids asked to go on a hike. So we did Jim Green Trail. It is so beautiful. The kids are starting to really enjoy hiking and feel a great sense of accomplishment when they finish. Here they are enjoying the view.

School ends this week and we have a fun, busy, exciting summer planned! I know it will go by fast, so we will all enjoy the ride!