Beach House

A few weeks ago we met up with our favorite friends, the Evers.  They visit the beach in Watsonville/Monterey every year and we love coming and staying with them.   This year we got to meet their friends Camille and Brian who were so cool. We had such a good time. I stayed up playing games way later than I have in a REALLY long time, but it was totally worth it. We only got a few pictures :(  Next year I need to get one of both of our families together.

Me, Kelly and Camille (please don't kill me for posting this Kelly)

Brian and I relaxing.  I am using the cool light on my Kindle case.  Have I mentioned that I really love my Kindle?

Ray is the sweetest baby, I love him!  It was funny to see him and Max together, he is 3 months younger but WAY bigger than Max.  My poor kids are little runts :)

Love this husband of mine.

Last week we had craft day at our house.  I put together these wooden helicopters for the boys to paint.  They did it for about 2 minutes.  That seems to be how long we can hold their attention.  It is still really fun.

Max and Brett, chilling.

I'm not going to lie, it is hard to just sit back and let him paint by himself.  He mixes the colors,  leaves huge blobs, and misses tons of spots, but I have tried really hard to just leave it alone and let him create.

Baby Blessing and Birthday Party

A couple of weekends ago we visited our family to celebrate the blessing of our cute little nephew Owen.  It was the first time all my siblings have been together for a long time.  Our family has grown so much over the last few years.  It was fun to have all the kids together.  The first day we were there we took the kids to the park that my mom worked hard to have built in Lincoln.  

Max was very interested in Owen, here he is holding Owen's hand.

They are 3 months apart but pretty close to the same size.  My poor kids are miniature.  

Cousins.

Sisters.

What a cute boy.

Letty, me, Max, mom, Owen, Chrissy, Ashley and Jack just chillin.

That night I got together with my besties.  We got yogurt, played games, talked and laughed a lot, you know the usual.

Jason's dad took Ollie and Lys on a tractor ride.  I guess Lys told John she didn't think it was very safe, but I think she still had fun...she is so funny.

How cute is my nephew?  Seriously!

The whole extended family after Owen's blessing.

The family.

Our little family.

Me and Max (you can see my feather extensions in this pic)

We came home Sunday night so I could work Monday.  Then I turned around and went back up with the kids on Wednesday so we could be there for Alyssa's 7th birthday.  I have always hated missing these kinds of things when we have lived far apart, so I was happy to be able to go.  It was at one of those bouncy house places.  It was so fun.  Oliver LOVED it.

Alyssa and Ollie going down together.

Me and Ollie.  I was having a lot of fun, obviously.

Ollie was pretty fearless.  

Me and Brendi.

The birthday girl.

Action shot.

Max and Nathan.

Ashley and Owen.

I can not get enough of this little nugget (Max, not my mom, although I do love her too).

Max doing his surprised face.

Brendi and Letty.

 A few friends and I have decided to start a little craft day each week with our boys.  Last week we decorated St. Patrick's day hats.  

The artists.

The finished product.

I am so in love with this little monkey.

Catching Up

I feel like I am always playing catch up on the blog.  Someday I will update the blog as these events actually happen.  For now, here is what we have been up to recently.  A couple of weekends ago our good friends the Henrys were visiting their old stomping grounds in SF.  We went up to the city for the day to see them.  We met them at the golden gate bridge.  We walked halfway across the bridge before we turned around (we were lucky to get that far with 4 kids).  It was the most gorgeous day, seriously so perfect.  After that we headed north to Sausalito were we had a delicious Thai dinner and ice cream.  We love the Henrys and it was so great to catch up with them.  

Ollie is looking so grown up to me lately.  He had so much fun running around.

Ummm...this is definitely my new favorite family picture.  Thanks Ash!

Ollie and Cal had tons of fun running around together.

Me and Ashley.

Jason and Dan.

Me and Ash with our babies.

Jason's parents came and hung out with us over Presidents day weekend.  We love having visitors and Ollie and Max loved having their grandparents around to love and spoil them.

Me and Jan hanging out.

Ollie was having a bath that was too deep for Max to lay in so we put him in the bumbo.  I love his serious little face.  He is such a little man.

 Jan offered to stay with the kids overnight so Jason and I could get away Saturday night.  I love my mother in law for many reasons, one being her willingness to always watch our kids so we can get out and do things just the two of us.  We headed to the Oakland temple Saturday afternoon, which was nice. After that we tried a Caribbean restaurant, the family of one of Jason's co-workers owns it.  It was really good.  If you are ever in Oakland you must visit Tropix.  After that we headed to our hotel in Berkeley.  We stayed right on the marina.  Our hotel had a lap pool (for Jason) and a hot tub (for Ginny), so we were both happy. Sunday morning we walked around the marina and enjoyed the beautiful view.  It was so nice to get away for the night.  I felt really bad though because Max was up all night, which he has never done before.  Poor baby and poor grandma, I felt horrible.  Sunday night we noticed that he cut a tooth and then today we found out he has an ear infection, poor guy.  Luckily he hasn't had another night like that, but I'm afraid grandma will never offer again :)

Reading my Kindle in bed Sunday morning.  I LOVE my Kindle so much!!

A view of the golden gate bridge.

The marina.

Jason and Ginny :)

Well now I am caught up...whew!  Tonight we were lucky enough to have a friend of ours from our Provo days over for dinner.  Sam was in town for a conference and we are so happy he came by for a visit.  We just wish his lovely wife and their adorable children could have been here too!

Playing Outside

Last week the weather was AMAZING.  One of the days we just hung out around the house and in our front yard.  It was so nice and Jason got some cute pics of the kids.  Thought I would share.

Ok, well this picture is of me before going to the dinner group my friends started.  We get together once a month.   The person hosting sets the table and prepares the entree and everyone else brings appetizers, sides, drinks, and dessert.  It was so fun.  I love cooking and it will be fun trying new things with friends. 

How cute and grown up is he?  We love him so much.  Btw, I'm going to go out on a limb here and saying he is completely potty trained.  It has been multiple days (including two days at the babysitters) without accidents and he goes wherever we are.  We are fully expecting a relapse at some point (we have read that usually happens) but for now we are so proud. 

Don't mind the snotty nose.

Max is teething, poor guy.  He is a drooly mess all the time, but SO cute.  I'm obsessed with him.

Look at that crazy hair.