Auntie and Uncle Clint are coming!!

After traveling the world to protect our families and country, brother Clint is heading back to Cali!! We are so excited to see him and, of course, to see Auntie Patty as well! They are dropping off their 'babies' at the kennel and coming to visit for a little over a week around Thanksgiving. I miss my baby sister so much and the kids want to see her more than anything:) WE ARE SO EXCITED!

Just a Quote..

I have heard this quote many times throughout my life (or some version of it) and I just love it! "I never knew how much love my heart could hold until someone called me “Mommy.”
- Author Unknown

4 years, well really 9!

We can not believe it has already been 4 years since the day we got married! So much has happened in this short time!:) So of course what did we do??? We headed out of town to Laguna WITHOUT THE KIDS:) Nana and Papa 'B' took the kids while we were gone and we know Drew had a ton of fun because he fell asleep at 6:45pm tonight!!! The kiddo's went down to Oceanside to watch Hailee's soccer game and Ty's football game, while mommy and daddy went to our fav Chili's, went down to Laguna, checked in, sat around and enjoyed the view, went to sushi, then to a wine bar, then a saloon, had pizza, then ended the night watching the waves. Derek and I had such a great time together and since we do not get to do that often it was extra special. I would not want our life any other way.

Military

I have two brother in-laws and a sister in the military. Both of my grandfathers, my father, four uncles, and an auntie were also in the military, Derek's grandfather retired as a Colonel, his grandmother was in the military, and his father fought in Vietnam. I am very proud of them all, as well as their families. It is a hard life, but for them it is worth it. Take a look at this video. I KNOW he is not alone in his feelings. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4fe9GlWS8

Toddler bed action!

Our little man is taking one more step to give his parents a heart attack, he is in his toddler bed! Since we have been having many issues with poop, yes I wrote poop, Derek and I decided one way to get it to stop was to convert his bed to the 2nd stage, toddler. Since we have the convertable bed (aka lifetime bed) that grandpa got us the task was easy...we just took the front off:) Drew was so excited, but ya know what? Em was more! They loved it all night UNTIL he had to go to bed!! Crying and begging to get up to watch Elmo and Thomas was starting take it's toll, so now daddy is in there with him. Mommy also put her special sheets on his bed along with my favorite pillow. Derek and Drew are both asleep and mommy is doing laundry and watching DVR shows!! Oh how an anniversary changes! Then again we are going to Laguna for the weekend without the kids..thank you Nana and Papa B!

Soccer Season Has Started

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We started soccer season this past weekend and man was it crazy driving all around So Cal!! So worth it though. Both Kyle and Hailee won their games and Hailee even scored a goal. Next weekend it also the start of flag football for Tyler. We love to go to every game, when we can, and can not wait to CHEER EVERYONE ONE!

Labor Day Weekend 2008

During this last weekend we had some GOOD TIMES!! We hung out at the Ayala's each day, ate a TON of food, drank a bunch, went to Suzie and Dale's for some pool time fun, Drew went to G-ma's house TWICE, we went to the annual street fair with Casey & Clint, did some much needed shopping, Derek worked on the jeep, worked around the house, went to church, played with the kiddo's and a heck of a lot more! Then again when do we not have a ton to do:) Like my dad says, "you can sleep when you die!" We hope everyone had fun this past weekend & just for Beck & Chris...GO UCLA! That game was great!

Brother Clint is becoming a MAJOR!

Our brother-in-law Clint is getting a promotion in the Army to MAJOR!! We are so proud of him for so many reasons and this just shows that all of the hard work he does for our country is being recognized! Good job Clint and Patty!

August Birthdays

So August is a very busy month for birthdays, anniversaries, and the starting of school for many people in our family! So on Sunday we had a party for... Congrats for graduating High School for Claire, happy anniversary for Auntie Deb & Uncle Kev, and happy birthday to Emilee (27), Johanna (23), and Hailee (7). It was kind of funny because everyone was so tired and all we did was watch the Olympics and eat!!

Auntie Emma turns 27!!!

Much to my dear sister Emma's dismay, she is 27 years old! Of course whenever I remind her of that she comes back with, "you will always be older than me!" Yeah like 18 months is really all that much older that her! So how did the old lady celebrate? We went wine tasting! It was so much fun to just hang out at 4 wineries, have lunch, drink, and talk with 9 other moms and wives. It was a long day, but I know the birthday girl had a ton of fun. Her having fun is all that matters!

Our Staycation!

So much fun we had when daddy was home for 5 days!!! Since we bought the new car we decided to place it safe (I guess that is being responsible) and had a 'staycation' instead of going down to SD. We went to the Zoo, got a sitter for some 'mommy and daddy' time, played in the back, went for a bike ride to the new deli in the circle, took lots of naps, slept in and stayed up late, went down to second street, headed to Long Beach for some tourist adventures at the Queen Mary, Pine street, the Aquarium, had some down time in the hotel, walked and walked around until our feet hurt, and we ATE, ATE, & ATE!! We have decided that since the kids are so little the best type of vacations will be within California and SHORT! Next month, Laguna Beach....

Walking w/ Dinosaurs & Hailee

Last night Hailee Jean and I went to the Honda Center to watch, Walking with Dinosaurs! It was BoBo's and mine gift to Hailee for her 7th b-day and boy was it fun! We ate nachos, tacos, sour patch kids, drank soda and clapped a ton while watching the HUGE puppets work their magic! Here is a link for those that are interested in what we saw http://www.dinosaurlive.com/ . As Hailee puts it, "Auntie this was the best Dino play I have ever been to!"

Beach action!

We had so much FUN!!! Of course we were busy as usual, but Daddy actaully got to go with us to the beach! Flying kites, BBQ'ing, having fun and hanging out (out of the wind) is just what we needed! We can not wait for this weekend when Derek starts his vacation!

I LOVE MY HUSBAND!

I went and picked out a new car and Derek went and GOT IT!!!! Just one more reason why I LOVE him!

Birthday girl FUN!

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