Nursery Time!

Look at this big boy!! We can't believe he is already 18 months old and ready to go to nursery. He hasn't had the easiest transition, but he is getting better each week! We are excited that there is finally a point to going to church again! :-)

Our Anniversary Trip!

Our anniversary trip was so awesome!! It was the most relaxing time we have had since we have started having kids...and we are so appreciative of our moms and sisters for watching our kids while we were gone. We had the best time...and I was proud of Lauriann for even getting on the plane. Thank goodness the flight was only an hour, otherwise my arm would have permanent fingernail imprints!

We flew into San Francisco, rented a car and quickly made our way down to Monterey. What a great town! I am ready to move there...it is so beautiful and we had the best weather. We spent the next three nights there and enjoyed the beach right outside our hotel, Carmel, the 17 mile drive, Pebble Beach, and Monterey. We had so much fun that we have promised the kids we will go back there next summer! If you ever want a great place to stay in Monterey...we found it!

After our time in Monterey, it was off to San Francisco! We spent some time on the way in Santa Cruz, enjoying the boardwalk roller coaster, games and food. Even though the kids weren't with us, we kept thinking about all the fun they would have been having. The coast between Santa Cruz and San Francisco is absolutely gorgeous! We had a great time in (foggy) San Francisco...we did all the touristy things and tried not to freeze in the wind and fog--funny how different their weather is than ours! Hiking across the Golden Gate Bridge was fun--windy and cold--but the views were amazing and a really cool fog bank covered half of the bridge. It was a really neat experience! One other highlight of the trip was the time we spent in the Muir Woods just north of San Francisco. The redwoods are just awesome!

We are so thankful that we got to take this trip and are amazed that we have been married for 10 years now! This was the perfect way to celebrate...here's to another ten...and another...and another...

A Fun Fourth of July Weekend

We had a really great Fourth of July weekend--thanks to Grandma! She offered to take us all to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach on Friday. The kids had a great time exploring all of the animals there. We all agreed that the sea otters and sting rays were our favorites. Kylie and Chad both got to pet a sting ray!

On Saturday, we went to the community parade at Grandma's association in Irvine. It was cute and the kids had a lot of fun collecting the candy that was being thrown. The rest of the day was spent at Grandma's lagoon swimming, going down the water slides, playing in the sand and just having a good time. We barbecued in the evening with Aunt Mary and then watched the Woodbridge firewooks at a different little beach near Grandma's house.

It was a great day and we hope you all had a great, patriotic Fourth of July!! We are certainly proud of our country and love the freedoms we all enjoy!

Anniversary Countdown!!!!

David and I will be celebrating our ten year anniversary on Friday, July 24th! I honestly cannot believe we have been married for ten years (and together for 18 - no, seriously!). We are leaving our three kids for five nights (thank you family) to visit Carmel, Monterey, and San Francisco. That's if I can get on the plane....say a prayer for me. We will be leaving this Sunday and can't wait. I know I will probably cry when we leave our kids, but I'm looking forward to having some one on one time with David. The countdown begins now - FIVE more days!

Summer Swimming Lessons

The kids are taking swimming lessons through the city of Corona again this year. Kylie has been having a ton of fun. Chad had a horrible first two days, but is now doing just fine.






We thought this was pretty funny! Chad's teacher threw him up in the air--see top picture. You'll notice in the bottom picture that his entire bum is hanging out--his pants fell just about all the way off. It had everyone on the pool deck chuckling!

Chad Loves T-Ball

Last year, Chad participated in a t-ball clinic put on through the city of Corona. He is doing it again this year but is with the next oldest group. He loves it! Here are some action shots! We can't wait for him to start playing in a league next year!

Kylie's 5th Dance Recital!!!!!

Well.....we started dance with Kylie right after her 3rd birthday. She loved to dance around and we thought it would be a good outside activity for her. We have also done the same thing with soccer, which has now come and gone. She decided she liked to dance more. Each new year she wants to add a new class, and this year we have maxed out with six classes of dance during the week (2 days at the studio per week). I know, I know, I never thought I would be a dance mom. But you have to see her dance. She LOVES it and is growing each year. Her studio offers a "scholarship" program where the students can take as many classes that they want each month for only $80.00. Once class alone is $45.00, so this is an amazing program! She is required to take ballet, tap, and jazz - and has also added tumbling, hip hop and lyrical. She auditioned before the recital and also had a singing number and some acting lines during the show. It was a great show and we are very proud of all of her hard work.

Here's a picture of Kylie's first recital at three years old.

Here are some pictures in each of her costumes from picture day this year. These were taken two days after she decided that she wanted to cut about four inches off of her hair! (Notice the long hair in the picture below)

Our Daddy is the Best!

Yes...it's true. We love David. He is a pretty special guy after all - and Father's Day was just one more reason to celebrate. He forgets sometimes how much we love him, so it was fun to show him just how much we do on Father's Day. We celebrated with breakfast in bed, a hunt for his gifts hiding in the dryer, and then went to Grandpa's ward to listen to him speak. We had a lot of fun with all of the family together at my Dad's, and then we spent the evening at Grandma's house for dinner. (I don't know why I forgot to take pictures there - sorry Grandma!) It was a nice, relaxing day and David definitely deserved it.

See how much the kids love their Daddy? They smiled and took an amazing picture just for Father's Day. That did not even come close to happening on Mother's Day!

Grandpa and all five of his grandkids. This is seriously the best and easiest picture we have ever taken with all five of the kids - and there have been MANY attempts.

Happy Father's Day Everyone!!!

Relay for Life

David's family has been seriously effected by cancer--many people have had it, including his mom (who was able to join us for the survivor's ceremony!) and dad, who unfortunately died when David was just 10 years old. He has always felt very strongly about fighting cancer and supporting cancer research. Last year, we participated in the La Sierra High School Relay for Life through the American Cancer Society. It was the first one at our local high school, and this year they continued with their second year. It was much more successful and David was able to participate with both of his schools' teams. The Relay for Life is a great nationwide organization and we look forward to continuing our involvement with them.

One of the most touching times of the 24 hour event is when they line the track with luminarias decorated to honor those who are fighting or have fought cancer, as well as those who have lost their battle. David purchased one for his mother and one for his father and was able to find them and light them. Once they are lit, there is such a peace and quietness to the relay and it is a really neat experience to walk the track lined with lit luminarias. They then have a ceremony and spell out the word 'cure' in luminarias on the bleachers. It is a really neat event, and if you ever have the opportunity to participate, you should--it is an experience you will never forget. You can get information on your local Relay for Life online at http://www.relayforlife.org/.

I Think I Might Cry....

Chad finished up his last year of preschool and I am extremely happy that he and Kylie will be attending the same school next year. But....I think I might cry. How can he be old enough for kindergarten already? Kylie's birthday is in January - so I did not doubt when it was her turn to start kindergarten in September. Chad will not even be five yet. He was tested for kindergarten readiness in preschool, and all who know him say that he is ready to start - even his future kindergarten teacher (the one that Kylie had too.) But....I'm still amazed that it is his time. I know that I have to be the brave mom - I used to make fun of those moms when I was teaching - but I have to admit that I am just a little bit sad!

Here are some fun times from Chad's last few days of preschool.

Chad's class went on a field trip to Rubidoux Nature Center and learned about the plants and wildlife that live in the local area. The kids were all very interested!

Ms. Erdman is helping Chad finish up his animal foot print made out of cement.


His Daddy would be so proud....actually not....Daddy is impressed that Chad would
touch snakes, because he never would.


At the end of the day, the kids got to go on a nature walk.
They had thunderstorms and lightning that morning so it was nice and muddy
for all of the four year olds to walk in - good times!




I had to take some pictures of Chad playing at preschool on his very last day. We are going to miss his preschool a lot - but have had Cameron on the waiting list since he was born!

Getting to make your own ice cream sundae with whatever you want on it = the best day ever!

Cameron knows how to make himself at home in Chad's preschool classroom!


This year Chad has developed a love for basketball at school.
As you can see, he's getting very good at it!


I thought this was so cute. A bunch of boys made a bike train, and enjoyed crashing into each other and then waiting for everyone else to catch up. It was fun to watch - definitely all boys!



Chad had to say goodbye to his good friend Sal (and the puzzles that he loves in his classroom!) I know that we will continue to have play dates with Sal in the future!



After the last day of school, Chad's Cute Kitten class had an end of the year party at a park near the school. The kids had lunch and played for hours. Chad had so much fun and I know that he will miss all of his preschool friends. Here's some pics.....


Chad had a little crush on a little girl named Sofia. Here's their last picture together!

The preschool director - Mrs. Salmon.

Chad's last picture with his teacher Ms. Erdman.
He tells me all the time how much he is going to miss her!


Boys hanging out on the slide!

We will miss you FUMPS (First United Methodist Preschool)!
See you in 2010 when it is Cameron's turn!