The 4th

We had a great time visiting with Christian's family for the 4th. I am only going to write for a moment, but want to add more about all that we did. Adrienne's boyfriend and his mom and sis flew out from England to meet the fam. What a shocker we were. We LOVED them! We were able to celebrate Lolo's 84th birthday, visit old high school friends of Christian's, meet new friends, eat, drink and be merry...and be so, so tired.
We visited the beach, were in a parade, sandcastle contest, roasted a pig, had a five piece band, jumpy house, played, watched fireworks, visited loved ones and more.....here are a few pics.border="0" />

We are now home and are on detox from our trip in the heat and the smoky skies. We left the beach and cool weather to hotness. Yuckie!
The 4th.....always different every year, but we are glad to have had such a great time. It just seems that every year it just keeps getting better.
We are awaiting the arrival of our niece any day or in the next two weeks..Dev's third. Ok, Dev....you win!

Peanuts and cracker jacks....

Here are some pics of the two games that we went to: the A's and the Dodger games.  




Like I said in an earlier blog...one was in the luxury suite and one was not.

  Can you guess which experience was more restful????

Jaylee Rae

Here are a few newborn shots that I was able to take of Jaylee when I visited.  It was fun to get to capture her at just five weeks.  I wish that I was more of an avid photographer when my children were so, so tiny.  You just forget, don't you?? But, I am looking at it as a chance to share my talents and wonderful software with camera to bless others.  I hope that I am asked to take more pictures of Miss J.  in the future.  We will be able to see her again...oh yeah, and her parents in July for a Welcome to the WORLD party.  That will be fun.  

I just loved seeing her, holding her, making plans of watching Strawberry Shortcake with her...and painting toenails.....I know, I know....not until she's older.  It was also so sweet to watch my boys just want to help out and love her so much.  

Another niece is on the way we hope that she holds out until July. She will be Kylee. So we will have Jaylee and Kylee. Cute, but confusing huh?????Sweet blessings who are already so loved and adored. So fun to buy pink and do girly stuff....don't get me wrong, I love doing worms, farts, burps, potty talk, etc. with my kids.

We love you Jaylee!!!!!

Ohhhhh...potty training and more....

Well...like always it takes me a long while to get things on my blog.  And, it has been so long that my summary seems quite small.

It has been a few weeks, but Christian was out of town

and so the boys and I went to my hometown to visit with Nonni and Papa and my sister, new niece and my bro in law.  We went to the Dodger game, which was quite interesting with the kids.   mom said, they keep looking at the field and it's the same thing.  Oh yeahhhh...it was way hot and their first major league game was an A's game in the luxury suite with friends where they could run around...should've done it the other way.  

We played in the water, visited old high school roommates, loved on our favorite niece, and visited my grandmother for a one day trip to San Luis.  My mom rented a minivan because with Jaylee, yes seven pound Jaylee, she tipped the scales and we couldn't fit into a reg. car.

I also started potty training Mr. Caleb last Wednesday.  I thought that I'd try it since he kept pulling his diaper down to pee.  Well....we are officially one week into it and he has had an accident a day except for today!  I am so proud of him.  Tyler has been a real encouragement to Caleb.

We are enjoying the warm 80 degree weather, but can't play outside too much because of the wildfires.  Sooooo....we are relishing in being in the house...Yippee!

Tomorrow we are off to our friend Maddie's 5 year old party.

Napa Trip

Last weekend, which feels like a year or so ago, Christian and I were able to sneak away for a much needed husband and wife trip. Not a mom and dad trip. We were blessed to be able to visit beautiful Napa. Christian loves to tell the story that when we got there, we ate a wonderful lunch at an Italian cafe with the wind blowing in the windows.....sipping a glass of Cakebread wine....we then went to the hotel.
WELLLLLLLLLLLLLL......no, I slept for three hours! He sat and worked in the hotel room and watched the only 2 Law and Orders that he had already seen out of the probably 300 episodes. Needless to say, the wineries were already closed and so I was then wide awake for our date on this little covered scooter-type thing to a dinner in downtown Napa.





On a side note....Tyler is almost done with swimming...here is a shot of him and his bro....It is just amazing how a few lessons and a child who is ready to swim can do! He can already swim across the pool by himself! He is not water safe, but we are so proud of him and his accomplishments.
I am finishing up my first year with Horizon. I enjoyed the challenges of working with a family. the job was a true blessing to our home. Christian is doing well in his job with Allergan still. He is currently at a dinner with some doctors and so I have a moment to sit and blog.
I feel like I never really write anything of much worth. Oh, my husband is HOT!

Caleb and the camera

I haven't blogged in so long. Whenever I have a moment, I seem to just want to go, BLAH and do nothing. I did however manage to get a book read, Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers. She is a Christian author. I am not a reader, you could say, but this book I LOVED!!!! I strongly recommend it. I got some others from her from the local library.

Well, let's just say that Mr. Caleb is not a fan of the camera. So, I was very lucky to have even gotten these simple shots of him.
My sister is getting induced tonight in Las Vegas. Jaylee Rae will be the baby girls' name and my new niece!

We are all staying busy around here. Christian's dad is healing well and we are so pleased that he is doing as well as he is.
I have been working out! Yes, I know quite a shocker. Christian has been encouraging me and helping me with a work out routine. No, you will not be seeing me in a bikini or in a muscle competition, but it makes me feel so healthy and gets me out...no one would know about that, huh?
All is well with our fam. A former student, my second year of teaching, who was a quad at toddlerhood due to an accident, died on Monday. I got the news and was truly saddened. I am unable to go to the funeral because I will be out of town. Just makes you think and be so thankful.

Easter Performance

Tonight Tyler had his Easter performance with pre-school. I had a to capture him all gussied up....for a boy. It's probably like prom. Pick out pants and a shirt, brush teeth, and do hair. Oh, for prom you need all of the other stuff too! He did so well. Here's also a picture of his sweet brother, who turned two on Saturday at Disneyland.
Disneyland was great. Each year that the kids turn another year, their "stamina" to do the Disneyland all day increases. We had a fabulous time with Christian's family. The weather was great until Saturday night when we got a few sprinkles. None the less, we all slept for 3 or 4 hours on Sunday and got back into the swing of things as the week progressed.

We will be spending next weekend with Christian's fam again as our Lola and Nikki have their birthdays. We are going to put together the boys, Black Pearl kite and go kiting at the beach. Is kiting a word? I guess I should have said kite flying.
Work is keeping me busy as I received some new students. It has a been a blessing to our family. The grandma's have offered to help with Tyler and Caleb next year so that I can hopefully increase my student load to the maximum of 15.

My sister in law, Michelle will have welcomed their third child, a girl this time due in July and she will be rather busy...I can only guess.
Well....our internet is being lame...pics to come!

The love of photography

I spent a few days at my inlaws while Christian was out of town. I am enjoying learning more and more of the technical sides of photography from Christian's dad. We just love taking pictures of our favorite models.
So..if we happen to get together...don't be shocked if there are pics of your kids on my blog!