Monday, June 03, 2013

MAY

It is only the 2nd of June and I am getting pictures from May up. Are you impressed?? Well you should be. Patrick is busy studying so I thought I would post some pictures. 
Our little Ladybug trying some watermelon...

Do you think she liked it? Look at those two bottom teeth. (5/01)
Patrick took a long weekend off work so he could go fishing with my Dad, Troy and Randy, we followed him to spend some time with my sisters and the cousins. My mom spent a little time with us but had to leave for Utah for my cousin's wedding reception shortly after we got there. We all had a good time. I don't have pictures from the fishing trip, Patrick will have to post those. We all had a marvelous time.
Andy pulled out our camera to take some pictures, he had Grandma take one of him first. (5/02)

Pretty good picture, he has Grandma centered and in focus.

My turn to be photographed.

And we can't leave out "spider-man" bear.
While the Men where fishing, the girls (except my mom) and the kids spent a couple of nights at the cabin.
Lizzie enjoyed Ava's blocks. (5/03)

Watching and learning.
We took a guided tour of California Cavern. Laura was nice enough to stay behind with Lizzie. Which was a good thing since Andy ended up getting a little scared and wanted to hold both of my hands the entire time saying "I want to turn back." Even though the guide offered us a chance to head back early with another group and get a refund, I told her that if she didn't mind we would complete the tour. Andy finished the tour on his own two feet. His anxiety lessened when we talked about the cave being "the Bat Cave". He decided that batman was not there because he was out catching bad guys.
The group at the entrance, happy with our hard hats. (5/04)


In the cave Andy not so sure about the whole thing didn't want a picture.

I talked him into letting me take a picture. Can you tell he was just thrilled?
 After the tour Aunt Leta bought a couple of bags of dirt with treasures for the kids to pan for in the sluice at the visitor center.
Panning done, treasures extracted from the dirt, time for snacks.

Yummy Oranges!


The next day we packed up and headed back to my Parents to meet back up with everyone else, but first we stopped to play at a lake.
Cousins! (5/05)

Braving the water.

Enjoying the snacks.

Lizzie loves water...




and rocks...


and mud... Just kidding, that is chocolate on her face...I think.
 Leta, Malissa and the kids went home to change while we waited for my mom and the men. Andy and Lizzie enjoyed some quiet sibling time.
blowing kisses

hugs

cheese.
 Once the men of the family got home and parked the boat the kids though they would climb in.
Andy felt that he should be the captain.

Funny faces.

Lizzie's photo shoot.
 The next morning we got up loaded up and said our goodbyes. I really hate goodbyes, I wish we lived closer!
Daddy's girl.

Snuggles.

Ready to go.
 The Saturday before Mother's Day my friend Julia and I run our first half marathon. It was a lot of fun, although I think I am still recovering. We did most of our training with four kids and two double jogging strollers. I guess Andy's "super fast bubblegum" he gave me to store behind my ears and chew during the race (imaginary bubblegum less you think I put gum behind my ears and then chew it) worked because we ran 15 minutes faster then we thought we would. Our time was 2 hours and 15 minutes plus a few seconds. I am pretty proud of us. I have been wanting to run a half marathon for years. Thank goodness for Julia who decided to join me in training! She is a great friend! Patrick was so good to watch the kiddos that morning and packed them up, with my sister's Leta and Laura to come support me. I am so blessed.
Our fan club/training crew. (5/11)

My partner in crime.



"Mom these towels and apron, just jumped out of the drawer and caught me totally off guard!"

I will just help you put them away.
 Happy Mother's day to Me! I got to spend it hobbling around with my two sweet children and amazing husband!
Wrestling. (5/12)

My Little Monkey!
 Lizzie took her first hands free steps on May 6th but I didn't get any pictures but here is a video we took of her on Mother's Day. Enjoy and stay tuned for Lizzie's first birthday withing the next couple of days...hopefully.

Monday, May 27, 2013

Keeping My New Year's Resolution...Sort Of

So, I talked to my Mom today. She reminded me that I made a pledge to post on this blog once every two weeks. I feel guilty. One post and it's the end of May. At this rate, you might get three by the end of December. Anyway, here's what we've been up to in April.


Phil, Erin, Olivia, Sam, and Owen came down to San Diego over the Easter holiday. We had a great time. Particularly during the coloring of the eggs with 4 rambunctious children. Phil and I enjoyed it. We sat outside and chatted!


How can you not love that face?


It's a work of art! It belongs in a museum!


This was Lizzie's first Easter and she seemed a bit taken aback by the festivities. Andy rapidly schooled her on the important aspects, like inspect all your gifts right away.


The Easter Egg hunt was a hit. They could barely contain their excitement!


Andy was pretty motivated to find him some eggs, especially since they were plastic and filled with chocolate.


Olivia zoning in on some treasure!


Sam gets the Bravery award for climbing under the trampoline in the face of known spiders living under there. You're a braver man than I am, Sam!


Even Lizzie found some eggs (with the help of an excited 36-year-old man who was stoked that he got to hunt for Easter eggs this year)!


The group with their loot. It was a good day for egg hunting.


The decorated Easter eggs right before they were made into my favorite food of the holiday...deviled eggs!


The next day we went to the San Diego Zoo. I think this is one of two pictures of Julie. I need to turn the camera on her more often!


Sam looking at some giraffes.


Andy contemplating the meaning of it all.


Lizzie excited to be taller than everyone!


No trip to the Zoo is complete without a picture riding the saber-toothed tiger!


Looks like Sam annoyed one too many elephants!


Andy, not to be outdone, met the same fate. His answer to the question, "If Sam jumped off a bridge, would you?" is a resounding, "Yes!"


Andy and I rode the Skyfari for the first time. We had a good time, but were both happy to be back on the ground after the ride was over.


To finish the festivities during Phil and Erin's visit, we went to Legoland. Andy did very well in Lego driving school.


Meanwhile, Lizzie was content to be chauffered around.


Just had to get a picture with the Lego court jester!


Chewbacca and R2-D2. Gotta love it!


The small Darth Vader. Andy likes to say, "That's you, Daddy. I'm Luke." I've taught him well!


A life-size model of Darth Vader made out of Legos. It doesn't get any better than that!


The kids after a day at the park. They were definitely ready to go home and rest, but not as much as I was!


To close this update, here's some pictures of Lizzie. She's growing up fast! She can already do amazing things, like climb up to the counter on a step stool (all by herself, I might add).


Very proud of herself.


She can also look heart-meltingly cute at the drop of a hat!


She can hang with her brother and her cousin Reef and create absolute chaos as Mom tries to get just one picture of all of them together!


And she is not afraid of trying new foods, like fresh seaweed, recently harvested from the Pacific Ocean!


Although the seaweed was not to her liking.

Well that does it for most of April. Look out for May sometime in the not too distant future!

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Updates

It's the end of March and high time for some updates. Enjoy the pics!


Over the New Year holiday, I forced myself to find the time to clean out the garage enough that we can park one of our cars inside. It only took me seven months. My goal is to be able to park both cars inside by Thanksgiving!


My 36th birthday was at the end of January. Julie made me a Darth Vader cake and I was able to be home at a decent hour to celebrate. I think Andy was more excited about everything than I was.


I must say that my wife makes some pretty awesome birthday cakes!


Gifts included a model of PT-109, the second season of The Big Bang Theory, a Star Wars coloring book (from Andy), and a skull and crossbones surgical cap. A very good haul, if I do say so myself!


Black tongues from the birthday cake! They lasted for an entire day.


Flowers for my sweetheart on Valentine's Day!


Julie made hearts for each of us in the days leading up to Valentine's Day, each one with something that she loves about us written on them. Here are Lizzie's hearts.


And here are Andy's hearts. Yet another reason I'm married to the greatest woman on Earth!


Enjoying popsicles in February. Gotta love the warm San Diego weather!


Just like her brother, Lizzie loves to pretend to drive cars. I had a hard time taking her away from the steering wheel.


Lizzie crawled under this chair, sat up, and was then unable to crawl out. Our response...take a picture and laugh!


Lizzie is able to pull herself to standing and get into things now. The result is...


...an absolute mess!

Well, that brings us up to date for now. Look for some Easter updates in the next couple of days, since I have a few days off of work and Phil, Erin, and kids are visiting. We're having a great time and can't wait to share our adventures!