Birthday Parties!!

As promised, here are more pictures of the different events where we celebrated Alli's 2nd birthday.

 

A few weeks before her birthday, we celebrated with the extended family at a pool party for Alli & her cousin Gavin, both turning 2. It was a lot of fun!





Our Birthday Diva!




While at the party, we had an UNINVITED guest!! Luckily my husband does "snake removal" often in his job when people call 911 for a snake in their yard. I know he does this at work, but it was a little freaky to watch him do it in person. Ugh!




Cousins having a good time!

On Alli's actual birthday, Daddy was out of town so we couldn't do her real family celebration. I owed the boys a trip to the bowling alley, so we just went that day. It was Alli's first time bowling and she LOVED it! She amazed us all as she carried the ball herself. (We always do say that she is freakishly strong). She thought it was the coolest thing! We all had a great time!



That night, Grammy came over and we had ice cream sundaes with candles on top! Make a wish sweet baby girl!

On Saturday, Nana & Papa came to spend the day with us. We went to Fo-Fo Figgily's, an indoor play place. It's full of slides, tubes, all kinds of fun places to crawl and things to do. It was our first time there and the kids had a blast!

Happy Birthday to our baby girl!

Alli is TWO!!

Today Allison turned TWO!! Here's a picture I snapped of her this morning.
We celebrated with more than one event so there are more pictures to come at a later date...

You're a Grand 'ol Flag...

It has now been one year since I started this blog. It's been a fun resource for sharing our happenings (good & bad). We especially enjoy having this outlet to hear from friends and family near and far! Thanks everyone for your love and support!

 

We celebrated for two days, only one of which I have pictures though.
On July 3rd Daddy took us to Zuma Beach and it was gorgeous. I forgot my camera.
Later that night we went to Arroyo Vista Park for the annual Moorpark 4th of July fireworks show (always held on the 3rd of July.. not sure why). I forgot my camera.
On July 4th we got up early and went to the ward pancake breakfast. yummy. The kids brought bikes and got to ride around with their friends too. It was a great start to our day. I forgot my camera.
Later that evening we went to the Fire Station to have a BBQ dinner with Daddy. He cooked and that was a nice treat for me! I had my camera, but forgot to take it out of the car. In my defense, they got a call before we finished eating and never came back. Not many photo opportunities.
After leaving the fire station, we went to a chapel in Simi Valley for their annual events and great view of the fireworks show. I have to say, it was one of the best I've ever seen. The finale was like none I've ever seen before. It was exciting. And guess what? I remembered my camera and was able to get one family shot. I sure blew it! But the memories are still there. It was a great celebration for us, and remembrance of our liberties and freedoms we enjoy in this country!

Sequoia 2008

The General Sherman

 

June 22-27, 2008.
We spent a week in Sequoia and it was GORGEOUS!! We loved leaving the heat wave here in Moorpark, and spending a week in the 70 degree mountains!! We did the usual camping things... bonfires, s'mores, hiking, biking, fishing, etc. We went to the General Sherman, Grant's Grove, Hume Lake and just had a good time. It was so fun to be with good friends, the Gredings, for their first time in the beautiful forest. We also brought our best buddies Andrew & Jake Schimelpfening. They spent Mon - Thur. with our family and my boys couldn't have been happier! It was so great for them to have playmates the entire time! They all got along well and loved sleeping in a big tent together all week. Another successful camping trip!

Thanks for coming Dave, Rebecca & kids! It was a blast! You're the cutest family!


We love you Schimelpfenings! We're so glad you could join us for a day of sight-seeing, fishing, & fun!!! Thanks for letting us have your boys all week! That was the best! (and a million thanks for being Holly's personal chauffeur! hee hee)

Our Graduate!

June 13th, 2008.
This is the last day of school as I'm dropping the boys off. This is also the very last time they will all attend the same school together... sniff.. sniff. I had to commemorate this event with a photo of these 3 unwilling participants. They wouldn't pose for a picture or even slow their walk for Mom to get sentimental and crazy with the camera. Little stinkers. Even still, this picture says it all.

 

Darren has had many accomplishments lately, but this one I'm super proud of! He graduated 5th grade and goes into Jr. High next year! He was one of the top in his class with straight A's and on the GOLD Honor Roll! He is a good student and I hope he continues to love learning. You've worked really hard this year.... Great job Darren!

Santa Barbara Zoo

 

I neglected to post this last month....
Blake & Ryan had a final first grade field trip to the Santa Barbara Zoo(June 2nd). I was so glad that I was able to go as a chaperone, and their teachers put them together in my group. It was a beautiful day in Santa Barbara and we had a really nice time! The zoo is so small and under construction, so we got through it pretty quickly. The kids had lots of play time in the park area with their friends and teachers. Thanks to my friend Nikki for taking Allison the WHOLE day so I could attend this event with my boys! It meant a lot to me, but even more to them!