CA, then back at it

Ya ya...it's been forever. I know.


Let's first talk about this guy. He was this happy for 98% of the traveling. I couldn't have asked for an easier baby.


First part of the trip was spent in Orange County

introducing the next generation of cousins,



and visiting w/ the first.


Getting to see DEAR, DEAR friends and meet her little ones (so cute!!). (not to mention, they bought me lunch..thank you aron & suz!)



More friends coming and taking me to dinner , thanks guys!




All the time being taken care of by my gracious hosts; Uncle Frank & Aunt Sandy. LOVE THEM!


Then it was time to head to B-town


and of course stop for some much missed In N Out.




There we met both great grandma's.

As well as B's Great Great Great Aunt Henrietta.

Cooled off in the pool. (swam with the scorpions...ahhh, desert life)

More old friend time, Missy and her beautiful girls.

Caught the sunset.

Made my mouth and tummy happy.

Remembered why you don't visit Blythe in August.

Summer storm, complete w/ lightning...

that started a fire across the river.

Of course we had to take a bit of a closer look.

Soaked up these guys. Never enough time, but always thankful for whatever we can get.

Then we closed things up by heading back out to OC...

and saw these guys. So much fun, dinner, scrabble, Uncle Jimmy's blankie. Love them tons!

And Uncle Jimmy made breakfast before we went to the airport. yum.

Then I hopped on a plane w/ the happiest baby on earth.

Just in time for the first day of school.

fun things

We are well into August and I find myself frantically trying to squeeze in all that I can before school starts. It's not all going to happen. I'm trying to accept it. BUT we did do one of, if not THE MOST important thing we could do this summer.

the. beach.

Summer can end now without me spiralling into depression.

We've also had our fair share of the pool.

B took a dip.

He wasn't digging it.

There has been lots of playing outside with the neighbors, forts, and mixing a variety of concoctions. Yes, I did see him taste it.

Someone is gaining strength. He has also found his fingers when he sleeps, here he is having a happy dream.

Why....

bother getting a fancy camera and learning how to use it when I have a fabulous friend who takes beautiful pictures of my kids, while she is babysitting, with her own fancy camera.

He's been into holding B lately. "Hold this?" he asks.

And then .."all done" as he pushes B back to me.

Tuesday we went to Den's parents to check on the place while they are in Alaska.

Bringing in the tomatoes.

Fed the fish.

Catch a butterfly, show mama, let it go.

They spent a lot of time chasing butterflies, their were so many!

J had his last summer cello lesson, and during it we went to a nearby park to sweat, I mean...play.

Check out her hair... back in the day when I had bad perms, this is what i was going for...but not so nappy.

Closing Up July

I can't believe summer is over. Okay, maybe not exactly over. However our month of August is booked and then it's school so it kind of feels over.

Just a few shots of what we did this month.







This little kitty (tiger) would actually stay in the basket when she rode around.



His new scooter.


He thinks he's cute. He's right.


Went creek stomping, again. Took some friends that are city folk :)


Added a new addition to the family. Probably shouldn't call him family as we are going to eat him when he's big enough. But the kids have the responsibility of bottle feeding him morning and night. They mix up the formula and clean the bottle.

Guess who loves it the most. He has been named Thomas Francis.


Peeking through the back door of the calf stall.



Care group came over for dinner.


V enjoyed the weather that evening.


This was last thursday after a busy few days. We had a relaxing day at home that included mani's and pedi's. Check out my son. Is it just me or does my daughter look like a scared monkey?


We walked up to the neighbors to see their puppies. V found a toy.


Actually, I walked, she pedalled.



Found this after hearing..."mom! mom! I can't! I can't!" This being his new phrase for many things. He climbed over the back of the couch to get into it (i have it back there until B can use it) and he couldn't get himself out.



J: Mom...can I take a picture of Callie nursing her babies?