My Birthday Fun

 Ok, I can't deny it any more. I am almost 30! But not yet.  My 29th birthday was wonderful, everything I could ask for!

First of all, my wonderful husband took the weekend off work! That was the best gift since we don't have a day off together these days.  So I took Friday off and we had 3 whole days off together as a family.  The kids were so confused by it! They kept asking what day it was! So funny.

Friday we spent the day at Santa Barbara Zoo with Christina, Brian and Everett. It was so much fun. It gets more fun every time we go because the kids understand more, they love each other more, they want to stay and play and run around on the grass and hold each others hands.

Andy is so hard to photograph in front of the elephants. He loves them and doesn't stand still!

 

Sadie really liked the elephants too, she was looking at them and kept looking around to us and the big kids like she was asking if it was ok that there were huge wild animals right there!

 

Everett was just plain adorable.

Look Mom! I'm a giraffe!

Julie was kind of hard to get pictures of, she was so busy and had her own agenda. Shocking, I know.

That is a really big fish!  One of the fish flipped their tails and splashed at Julie.  She screamed and ran, so funny!

Cute family shot!

My two hams! Love these boys.

While reading the news Friday morning, I discovered that my birthday was also National Train Day!  They were having a special train ride from Grover Beach to San Luis and back again on the Amtrak.  We knew we had to do it because Andy is obsessed with trains. And Julie really likes them too, so we knew it was win-win.

We didn't tell the kids were we were going, but we did persuade his wardrobe a little.  When they found out we were going on a train (we were already at the station) and was in shock.  Then he got VERY excited.

Sadie liked the train too!

The kids were being goofballs while we were waiting to get on the train.  No, it was not moving in the picture.

They had a few little model trains set up. Andy thought they were pretty cool but they weren't the kind you could play with, so he decided to play trains the second we got home.

Julie had so many questions about the train. She had a great time.

The scenery was great. This is what John and I saw of them for most of the ride.

Julie shared her hat.

 When we got back there was yummy ice cream. What a great way to end a fun new adventure.

Yup, this is a happy boy!

I got some amazing gifts this year! I would love to share every one, but this blog is picture heavy as it is. But I couldn't resist showing this off. My beautiful, smart, amazing oldest daughter wrote this for me. She is 5 and not even in kindergarten yet. She amazes me every day.

Julie also decided that now that Sadie has a pony tail, she also needs a crown.  Sadie didn't seem to mind.

She also has a new trick! Look at her sit all on her own! She balances herself so well, she can sit for a long time.  She can't get herself into a sitting position yet, but once she is there, she can do it!

After the train ride, we all went home and had wonderful naps! Then we met Anne and Dave, my dad and Becki, Jus, Audrey and Lauren, Christina, Brian and Everett at Sylvester's for my free birthday burger! Dinner was so much fun! We were getting ready to head out and Christina had to mention the big hat.

Oh well, at least it made for a fun picture. Julie couldn't stop laughing long enough to take a picture with me.  Sadie's face is hysterical.

It was a wonderful birthday. So much fun with my great family and my wonderful friends.

Andy Sweetness

Our little man has the biggest heart. He thinks about everyone before himself. Wants to make people feel good and loves to give complements.

Last night I threw together dinner so that we could walk over to Grandma Hazels.  While Andy was eating his hot dog, strawberries and tomatoes he said, "Mom, you always make the best dinners!"

Then, on the walk over to Grandma's, there was a big bush with pink flowers all over it. He looked at them and said, "Those flowers are so pretty they make me cry."

This morning he woke up and wanted to cuddle. He climbed in bed with me and I said, "Who is my Snuggly Bear?" (a nickname given to him by his Grammy Anne). 

He said "I am! And Julie is your Snuggly Bunny." I asked what we would call Sadie when she wants to snuggle. He said, "She can be Snuggly Beautiful!!"

Watch out ladies. This one is a charmer!

Proud Mommy

I am proud of my kids every moment of every day. But, there are those moments that make you feel like you are going to burst at the seems. Like tonight, when Andy said, "look, I can write my name!" and proceeded to do this with chalk on the sidewalk.(the Y is a little off. It is above the D heading to the right)

I had no idea he could do it. I know it should not surprise me, he is a smart little man. And I am so, so proud of him.

Pretend Professionals

While Bess and Veda were here, we wanted to get some shots of the cousins.We tried to find a professional to take the pictures for us, but timing just didn't work out.  So I grabbed the camera and gave it my best shot.

I was lucky to have adorable, willing models!

Even if the do like to eat sticks in the middle of our photo shoot.

They loved each other and the big kids begged to hold the little ones. It was so adorable.

At the end, I set the camera and Anne took a family shot for us.  I love this picture.  I love Julie's silly face and Andy's kissing lips.  I love that its not perfect, but shows our silly personalities.

That photo shoot went so well that we tried to do the same thing with Lauren and Memere for Mom for Mother's Day.  The kids were a little less cooperative, but it was still fun.

Andy was proud to sit on Memere's lap.

I love this snap of Andy and Memere.  The look on his face is so funny!

My little loves. 

And then they were done. Julie and Andy just wanted to go on a hike.

They definitely aren't professional, but it was fun.

Weekend Wonderful

This weekend started out beautiful and warm. We busted out a make-shift pool. The big kids thought it was a great idea! The little squirt, not so much!

Julie and Andy tried so hard to get her to like it, but it was just too chilly.  So the big kids went it alone.

Sadie watched from her swing and got the occasional squirt from the hose.  She was content with that.

Saturday morning we went to the Morro Bay Emergency Vehicle Show with Memere. The weather wasn't quite so beautiful, but we met up with Christina, Brian, Gion and Everett, so of course there was fun to be had.

Andy and Everett ended up in the back of the Paddy Wagon.  Hopefully this is the only circumstance they will be in the back of one of these together (or at all!).  They thought it was pretty cool.

I love this picture, "Hey buddy, how you doing in there?"

Cute boys.

This is Andy's dream right here. The kids got on and the whole bike tilted backwards.  The Officer steadied it, but it made me jump, even though neither kid on the bike even flinched!  They were ready to take off.

It was a fun show! Its always nice when the kids can get hands (and feet) on.

Julie and Andy went to Kids Night Out at gymnastics, giving Sadie and I some one on one time.  She was excited about it.

 And I got a little sewing time in.

Sunday we went to a birthday party at the park which was super fun. The kids played and wore themselves out. 

I didn't take any picutes at the party, but after a nap, Julie came out to help John with his new lawn mower.  But, she was so interested in her book, I don't think she helped much....but notice her rockin' outfit!

 When she was done reading, she snuggled with Sadie in the bed of the truck.

We also squeezed in a quick visit with Grandpa Mel, a family dinner, a haircut for Julie, about 80 loads of laundry (that is only a slight exaggeration) and a few jumps on the trampoline.  We all went to bed early last night, but it was a great weekend!

Kisses!!

5 Months

Today our little Sadie is 5 months old! In the long run, 5 months is just the tiny start, but it seems like she can't possibly be that old? How did it happen?

She got her first tooth last Sunday and her second one has just broken through.  You can tell by the wet shirt that she is a drool machine. 

She can roll from her front to her back and her back to her front, but she doesn't do it regularly yet.  She can also scoot herself around in a circle with her feet so she can face whatever direction.  She is already determined to be mobile.

Of course she fits in well with her silly siblings.

And no, she has not lost her hair! It is still long and wild!

Last week we gave her some rice mush because she was acting hungry no matter how many bottles we made her.  She loved it! She barely spit any back out, she ate everything I had made.  We only give it to her every other night or so, but she is going to be a great eater!

We love you little Sadie Jo!

Tie Dye Fun

Last weekend we went to our little buddy Eli's 2nd birthday party! His Mommy April did a great job with the party, and our kids had a good excuse to wear their tie dye. We (ok, mostly Christina) got some great pictures!

Sisters!

Tie dye and bubbles!

Andy's face quickly matched his shirt.

Julie and Anna!

Getting ready to do their own tie dye.

Eli and his cake!

He didn't trust anyone near his cake. He picked it right up off the table and walked away with it.

Lucky for Eli Andy was given his own cake straight away, so he was safe.

This picture is my FAVORITE!  John says that Andy looks like the metaphorical devil on Everett's shoulder..... "Eat more cake Everett!! Sugar is good Everett!!"

Sadie loves Everett!

"Look at my tongue!"

"I WILL lick you!"

Want to get on Everett?  No?  Smart boy.

Sadie chatting with Gus.  She thinks he is pretty sweet.

More Sister sweetness.

It was a super fun party and a beautiful day. I love seeing the kids in their bright, fun colors, running around chasing bubbles.  Life doesn't get much sweeter than that.