Raystown 2008

I thought I'd try a slideshow this time, for fun. We had a great time at the mountiains. Like J says, we been there every year of his life. We did all the usual things, games, lake, state park w/ swinging bridge and creek stomping, go carts and lots of laughs. It was a different year and many couldn't make it so we had a couple newbies that we really enjoyed.

CA 2008 Part 2

Yes, the sun has set on another trip back to God's country. We actually just got back from our mountain trip, but I will blog about that later. For now here is the rest of our time in CA.

I realized I had hardly any pics of all 3 of my babies together!

More pool time, which V loved. He's wearing Grandpa's hat w/ mommy's hairclip to make it fit.

This trip was a first time meeting for V and my Grandma Lee.

Time with Grandma Linda is always fun!

This is my Great Great Aunt Henrietta or "Aunt Hank" as I've always called her. When I was little she would spoil me rotten. She is also one of the BEST cooks ever.

A kind of 5 generation pic...my great great Aunt Hank (my grandfather's aunt), my Grandma Lee, my dad, me, and my kids.

I had stopped by to say a quick goodbye to my friend Missy and they had just had baths and she didn't want me to take pics, but I snuck a couple anyway. These are her beautiful girls, feeling a little goofy. They really are gorgeous like their momma.

My Aunt Kathy S. made V this blanket and he was LOVING it!

D went home after a week and left me and the kids there for a week on our own. We took that time to head to OC to see my extended family.

After lunch in Downtown Disney, we popped into the Lego store to look around and J wanted these pics to show is cousins M&E. So Denise if you check this you have to show the boys!

After lunch and legos we went to my Aunt Sandy's house. Aunt Sandy is the best. She always had fun stuff for us kids to do. She had the best parties, the best dress up clothes, and she gave the best cheek kisses.

Sandy showing the kids how to play ladder golf.

E was proud of her ladder golf skills.

That night we went to my Aunt Kathy and Uncle Jimmy's for dinner. They are also the best. They always make us feel so welcome and loved. My kids love my cousins and I think J attacked Abbie when he saw her. Sadly I hardly took any pics, I was having too much fun.

Abs playing war with J.

For any of you who haven't seen my brother in a while, don't freak out. He's out of the air force now so he has given up shaving for a while, and yes he has red hair. Since I haven't seen him in almost 2 yrs. I too was a little shocked. But he also seems really happy living the urbanite life in LA with his lovely wife, and going to school.

V meeting uncle J. He loved to pull that beard!

E and Aunt K looking out their huge windows, people watching and spotting dogs.

My kids had such a great time with their Aunt and Uncle. It was so fun for me to see them loving on my bro and k. Watching my brother cross the street with J and E on either side holding his hands.

The next day we went to the Discovery Museum, a facb place for kids to run wild. E dragged K all over it, and auntie k was a trooper!

They are standing inside the dinsoaur.

Behind J there is a big pile of dino poo. This place was really into showing you how animals pooed.

My sweet girl pumping blood into a flea. This was in the grossology exhibit; a place primarily devoted to poop.

V, walking on Mars.

J and uncle J at a flight simulator.

This was in the hotel and he was laughing so hard but of course stopped for the pic.

Sticker shock? We stopped at In N Out (oh yes!) and the kids were given stickers. I heard "mommy look!" from the back of the car. At least they weren't stuck to the car.

Part of the deal of staying an extra week was mom flying back with me and the kids to help out on the plane. We had a 2 hour delay at the airport before we got on the plane which just made me extra thankful that she was there!

Mom was holding V as we went through security and I tunr around and see him chewing on the boarding passes! This picture does not do justice to the damage that was done, but they obviously still let us on the plane.

During the delay V took a nappy on a bench. (He's laying on my "hooter hider" that our dear friend peggy made for me, the real deals can be up to 50+ bucks! The only thing is V needs to be really hungry or he starts to laugh and thinks we are playing peek a boo!)

Yes, I know, I gave mom the hard job.

A peaceful moment. Allow me to stress the word moment.

CA summer 08 part 1

Creative title don't you think? We've been here for over a week now and are really enjoying our time. One of the reasons we wanted to come this time of year was for the weather, and we were not disappointed. Yes, it is in the 90's and had even broken 100 degrees a couple of times, but the mornings and evenings are gorgeous, (i never thought i'd say this..) it's a dry heat. Now in Jully and August when it's 115-125...i don't care how dry it is.

This pic is for those back east who are curious about my home town. Now I didn't take any pics of the town, but this is what surrounds us. Some of you have asked what it's like out here, so this is the view from the back of my parents house. gorgeous...in my opinion:)



Why is he so happy?


Because he is with his grandpa!

On Thursday we spent the day at the river. The water was perfect and if the kids were in charge we would have never left.






He just threw a rock in the air.




Another tradition of the kids is to walk to the canal and throw rocks, really it's quite thrilling.

Found treasures.

We took the dog, Randy, with us and the kids loved it when he shook water all over them.

Eden decided to throw grass.

Of course there as been plenty of pool time. My favorite part of this is watching the kids grow in their swimming skills. J is swimming all over the place, E's new trick is to touch the bottom of the pool with her hands.

Another highlight of coming here is seeing old friends (i've seen many but only had my camera with me one time...missy and esther i might have to find you and take pics before I leave!!)

Amber and I have known eachother since the 3rd grade, but became friends in the 4th when a carnie at the fair would give her free rides on the tilt a whirl and I benefited from that. In hindsight that's pretty creepy isn't it? She now has 2 beautiful girls and it was so good to see her, it had been almost 3 years!

Her oldest loved to chase J and let's just say that my son doesn't mind being chased by girls.

My Aunt Kathy S. is super crafty and artistic in so many ways on so many levels, and boy can she cook! She brought over some things for the kids and she made this butterfly outfit for E but everyone tried it on!