Look Out Jr. High...

I can't believe this day has come! She has started Jr. High! It is such a milestone for this little blue eyed baby that used to follow me around everywhere on her tippy toes with a fa-fa (pacifier) in her mouth! I know everyone says how fast time flies...but I never really realized it until today! Time does go by in the blink of an eye! I thank the Lord for this girl everyday! She has done some amazing things in her short little life and we couldn't be more proud of her!

Working on my Green Thumb...

Okay...so everyone is well aware that I do not possess a green thumb. Actually, I usually kill everything I try and plant. So with my new camera, I wanted to capture two of my favorite flowers that I have kept alive all summer! I love the pink hibiscus because it reminds me of our trip to Maui last summer! I have yellow ones right next to the pink ones. And the long purple thing...well I just love the color and how tall it has gotten! This thing was like a little bud when I planted it...so goes to show I must be doing something right!

Catalina!!!!

Thanks to my wonderful Aunt, we were invited to go to Catalina and stay with her for a week! We had a blast! But there are so many fun stories...I will only share a few! SO it began with me taking just the girls in the beginning of the week and the boys met us over there on Friday. Avery had never been on a boat and let me tell you......she had no appreciation for this boat ride. The minute we walked on...dragging the luggage and holding her on my hip, she screamed in terror. Now this is nothing new for her. She does not like anything new and it takes her awhile to adapt...you remember our Sea World experience! Well I found that she was going to be a permanent fixture on my hip the entire 50 minute ride...and we were standing up the whole time! Whoa...needless to say when we arrived she was a happy little clam and enjoyed the whole week to its fullest! Katie and Kenadee spent the days in the water or walking around doing there own thing while Avery found some friends next to us that were there for the whole week and they played together everyday until I had to drag her from the beach. This left me and Aunt Sue on the beach to read and chat for hours on end! We have such a good time together...always fun and never a dull moment! We ate our nightly ice-cream on the wall watching people walk by and cracking jokes about our day. We played Bingo on the beach two nights and although we didn't win much...it was a great time!Aunt Sue bought this boat so that all the kids could use it instead of renting one. Uncle Dave spent a great deal of time trying to teach the girls had to row the darn thing...to no avail...we laughed as they went around in circles for quite a long time! But that was fun for them as well as floating on the inner tubes in the ocean! When the boys came over they stayed at the campground in a tent! Not my cup of tea...but it was a great experience for them. Bill and Bryce fished off the pier all 3 days catching fish left and right. Of course we could not have a trip without Bryce dropping his pole in the ocean off the pier...and yes our lifeguard friend dove to the bottom and retrieved it for him! I even fished with them for a few hours catching my own fair share of fish using organic frozen peas!  We were able to take the kids to Antonios were Bill and I were engaged 15 years ago! Not before Bryce knocked an entire glass of water onto my lap...but it made for some good memories! I am so thankful for this trip...it was so much fun spending time with my Aunt and my cousin Katie. Hopefully there will be more trips like this one in the future! 

1st boat ride

Cousins!

This baby loves her some ice-cream!

My favorite little man!

A daddy and his girls

Another Fun 4th of July...

We had another great 4th of July! We celebrated at mom's with swimming and BBQing. Our annual family picture with our Old Navy T's didn't quite work out as Avery is my little fashionista and refused to wear the shirt. O'well....at least it was red white and blue! Watched fireworks at the same little school by our old house with friends and family!

Best cousins!

Kenadee's 5th Grade Promotion...

This is so sad for me! I can't believe this girl is going to Junior High! I hate it...I know, it doesn't seem like that big of deal. But I swear I can remember her first day of Kindergarten. I couldn't be more proud of her and the beautiful young lady she has turned into. She is truly a gift from God. Great job this year Kenadee...keep up the good work love!

My girl is growing up...way too fast!

The Three Amigos

Another Year Older...

We decided to try a new restaurant here in Rancho for my birthday. Bill and Stevie and I went there in Maui and thought it was pretty good! It's called Kobe and they cook the food in front of you similar to Shogun. As I look back on another year...I feel blessed beyond imagination. The Lord has blessed me with a beautiful family! Thanks guys for making me feel so special on my b-day! Mommy loves you!

Sea World....

This was Avery's first time to Sea World....she LOVED it. With one exception.....she could have done without all the animals! She was so scared of everything she stayed in the stroller the majority of the day. Who knew...she is such an animal over, but when up close to these things...forget it! The moment one of these seals let out a bark...it was all over. She wouldn't even go near the glass aquariums...afraid they would "jump" out and get her! Too funny....we really did have a good time...she was just more comfortable seeing them from a distance...with no barking noises!

Spring Break in San Diego...

Over our Spring Break this year we decided to do a two day San Diego visit. Sea World gives away year passes to all teachers...which I think is awesome! So we get those every year. I happen to get this hotel on priceline....very cheap! We were all so excited...was a little too ritzy for us, but hey...what can one family do! The weather was a little cool, but as you can see the kiddos never mind!

I think I have the taking your own picture thing mastered!

This was taken from the pool! Awesome hotel!

My baby always has a pose for me..love her!

Hall of Fame Banquet...

This was a fun-filled night! I was elected into the University Softball Hall of Fame this year. It was a great honor and one I will never forget. The day was complete with many activities and then ended with a banquet at the Sheraton Hotel in Ontario. My biggest worry was the speech I had to prepare and give in front of a couple hundred people! Got through it and enjoyed the night. Was able to reminisce with former players and players I had coached at La Verne as well! Thank you mom and dad and Bill for supporting me during this humbling experience!

Pre-school shots...

This is a sad story people. After a few months of Pre-school...I received a notice that Avery needed her last hepatitis B shot...there are 3 in the series. So I explained that we needed to do this in order to be able to attend school. She was so happy go lucky.....she had not had a shot since she was little. So she did not remember what was about to happen. So being the mean mommy I am...I proceeded to take a before and after picture. Poor thing! She did great though...think she only shed one silent tear!