Ryan's in the newspaper!

They had an assembly at Ryan's school yesterday talking about adopting a Navy Seabees battalion heading to Afghanistan. The Moorpark Star was there reporting on it, and Ryan got this picture in the newspaper! He was trying on this vest.

Moorpark school adopts Seabees headed to Afghanistan : Moorpark : Ventura County Star

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's around here was pretty low key. Jason had to work on Valentine's so he wanted to take me out the night before. I wasn't feeling well due to a persisting tooth ache, but my sweetheart didn't want the holiday to get by without a celebration! I appreciate that! I appreciate that he loves me and wants to take me out and have an evening away! We went to dinner at Wood Ranch (always a good choice) and a movie.


On Valentine's day, the twins had baseball practice. I left Darren home while I took the boys. When I got back there was a vase on the counter with a few roses from our garden (the garden is sparse right now due to weather). There was a homemade card from my son also, expressing his love for me and desire to have presented me with something more than the few shabby flowers from our garden. I couldn't love that sweetie any more! They were the most BEAUTIFUL and THOUGHTFUL flowers I had ever received! Including the floral shop delivery from my Dad, earlier that day. I really appreciated having Darren take it upon himself to surprise me and show me affection and appreciation by this thoughtful actions. What a simple, happy day I had! I sure felt loved by my dear family!

Jumprope Team!

 

 

 

Ryan made the jumprope team at school this year. He had to try out, and was the only 2nd grade boy to make the team which is made up of 2nd-5th graders. This was his first performance. We were very proud of him and his dedication to weekly practices after school, and excited to see how much he had learned.

Here is Ryan doing the "egg-beater." This is because there are two jump ropes going, and they pass a basketball back and forth to each other. Ryan is at the very end, and gets cut off but you get the idea.


In this video clip Ryan is the 3rd to jump in. I think they call this one "rainbow."

Gwen Turns ONE!

 

This is my niece Gwen! She's adorable! Allison has been anxiously awaiting her to get big enough to really play with! Now that Gwen can walk, I think she fits the bill! Allison loved holding Gwen as a baby, but now Gwen can toddle around with Alli. What fun! We celebrated with a small family get together at Nana & Papa's house. She' getting so big so fast. We love getting together with the family and having dinner and fun! Ty and Em - your little family is so sweet!

Mammoth!

We had another fantastic trip to Mammoth, thanks to our awesome friends, the Gredings!  It snowed the entire time we were there! It was magical! The boys went skiing and remembered all their training from last year. They loved the slopes and even tried a half pipe? I wasn't there but that's what they were raving about! 

Allison got to really enjoy the snow this year, being old enough to understand it better. She loved the snow falling on her and trying to make snowballs. Although, the snow was so fresh and powdery that it was near impossible to form a good snowball. That's when you get creative like Jason and use a shovel to dump snow on people! Ugh! As a recipient of that shovel of snow, I can assure you, it's not fun!

We loved hanging out with our dear friends, playing games, staying up late talking and laughing, having our kids play together & have a giant slumber party in the bunk room, having Blake get his first kiss from a little girl who shall remain nameless, reading by the fire, sharing meals and best of all desserts, and all the other memories created in just a few short days. Thanks again!