Utah trip for Brandon's Graduation and FUN

Well we made another trip to Utah this year and this time in honor of Brandon's Graduation. It was also a great time to spend with family. Unfortunately our camera's battery was dead so we didn't get all the pictures that we would have liked. Here are a few of fun moments. After graduation we all went to Ruby River for lunch and had a fantastic time, eating peanuts and telling stories. We always loved the precious time with Nana, Granddaddy, our Uncles and Aunts and also getting to know Nicole's family.

Granddaddy certainly had Sarah giggling which was a great distraction while we waited for food

We don't go anywhere without Bakugans these days!!

The kids are posing like the dinosaurs at the Museum at Thanksgiving Point. We had a fantastic time with Nana, Granddaddy, Brandon and Nicole.

Jay is king of the Rock!

Colton's FIrst Day of Kindergarten

Colton was thrilled to head out for his first day of Kindergarten!! It was a family event to drop him off for the first day. What a handsome little man he is and we are so Proud of him!
Here we are outside of his classroom. In California, most schools are outdoor campuses. So there are groups of buildings that make up the Elementary School and every classroom has its own door to the common area, very different than the schools that Jay and I attended as kids.
Colton walked right in like a little pro with no need of help from Mom or Dad. We stood around for about 10minutes until the teacher asked the kids to wave goodbye and we all left. I have to admit I was fighting back tears as I saw my little boy settle in and begin his many years of education. I hope he succeeds, I know he will, and loves to learn and grows in knowledge that propells him through a life of success. But right now I am proud of him and his excitement for school. We love his teacher, Mrs. Roberts, she is fantastic.

They grow up so very fast!!

LDS Family Night at the Ports Baseball Game

A Spectacular Night at our families first Port's Baseball Game. We went because it was LDS Family Night. All the area missionaries where there to support the Mission President, who threw out the first pitch. And throughout the evening there where lots of fun "Mormon" games, example is a Green Jello eating contest and more. Sarah was enjoying herself until during the National Anthem she was scared as the Bombs bursted in air(Fireworks). From that moment until probably 3rd inning she was curled up in my lap, would not even look up. But then she settled in and we even got a smile.
Baseball, the American past-time!

It was a fun night with baseball, funnel cake and pretty phenomenal fireworks! We really enjoyed ourselves and Sarah still talks about the game and fireworks.

Discovery Kingdom a Family Adventure!!

We were fortunate enough to make one more trip to Discovery Kingdom with our freinds again and this time all the Dads joined in on the fun!! It was such a Fun day with great weather and lots of rides and shows. We started when the park opened and didn't stop until they closed. It was quite a day!! Our tired family at the park entry!
Crusing with our friends in the JEEPs. Ethan and Colton up front and Andrew and his brother in back. Then Melanie and Sarah with Mom hitching a ride followed close behind! Oh, and we crused around the grassy area that housed some large shelled tortioses having a bit too much fun.
The swimming Tiger show was amazing. Who knew tigers could swim so well and a little fact about tigers is that they fold back their ears sealing them off before they dive to prevent water from going in their ears. I thought that was very interesting!

Such a beautiful animal!

WEE!! WEE!!

Peek-a-Boo!! We see you boys! You aren't getting into trouble are you? ;) We treasure the fun we have with friends!

Two cute kids that are mine!!

Around and round they go, when they stop, I don't know!!

Here is our favorite friend the walrus, who scared Sarah last visit but this time Sarah thought he was a bit more interesting and we actually found out he is the walrus from the movie "50 First Dates," too bad he wasn't giving autographs.

It was great to have another adult to ride rides with the kids because I can only go in circles for so long and that motion sickness stuff kicks in, but Jay and the kids seem to spin all day.

What a magnificant animal. I am in awe how they can jump out of the water so high and they are so large. It was a very entertaining show!

The park had all the rides and all the animals, giraffs, lions tigers but no bears. Even so the kids enjoyed the wonders of all the rescued animals that reside their in the park.

We are truly fans of Discovery Kingdom and are very grateful to our friends for inviting us to join them on the adventure there. This adventure was our last big HOORA! for the summer. We have all started Kindergarten at different schools and we truly miss them, but are still keeping in touch and wish them the best.

Trip to Santa Cruz

We decided to go to the beach at least once this summer and chose Santa Cruz since we have never been. It was a fairly nice drive, not too long, and beautiful weather. We were all amazed at the sea lions that were swimming about and basking in the sun. They were oblivious to the people, just enjoying hanging out on the pier and docks. But the kids wanted to watch them all day.LOOK HOW CLOSE THEY ARE!! Colton, "YEA, COOL!" Sarah, "OH MY!"
We were even lucky enough to get a family picture on the end of the pier. Isn't the ocean beautiful! It is so vast and amazing.

So I think if your kids are driving you crazy, running around and you can't keep up with them, just bary them in the sand and then they can't go anywhere. HEE, HEE! Just kidding. But the kids do look quite cute with just their faces sticking out of the sand.

But the only downer to covering the kids in sand is that all the sand does not come off. In fact there is quite a bit that stays on and they do not enjoy the moments of going out in the cold ocean water and trying to get at least some of the sand off.

Sarah had so much fun playing!! that she was not up for pictures.

Sunscreened up and ready to hit the Beach!!

Doesn't it look like FUN?! So many people just enjoying themselves.

We all had a Great time, even Jay. He is not our beach bum dad (He likes the snow and mountains) but he still had a really good time and we will probably be able to get him to go back. It helps that the weather is simply gorgeous there!

Summer FUN swim and play

This summer Colton improved his swimming skills and confindence during his one on one swim lessons. I thought I was watching a fish. He loves the water and swimming. He got really good at diving for rings and different swim toys. We spent a day this summer at the local Children's Museum. We were supposed to meet some friends there but Mom got her days mixed up and went a day early. But the experience of playing on police cars, fire truck, slides, exploration activities and we can't forget the grocery store was still a ton of fun!Colton loved the pretend money and cash register. Sarah loved shopping for all the fun stuff and scanning her items at the register. Colton and Sarah made a fantastic team.

Another fun activity was the puppet area and I have to say Colton and Sarah put on an incredible puppet show, very animated and full of noises.

Sarah had fun sailing the ship and even remembered safety first.

We love all the FUN that summer brings!!

Precious Moments to Treasure

Sarah's hair has gotten long enough to put into pig tails, HOW CUTE!I don't know about other Moms but I can never get ready by myself.
I wanted a NICE picture of the kids in their church clothes obviously I got a picture of the kids in their usual mode not picture mode. So here are Colton and Sarah, as they are.
Brother and Sister love is the greatest treasure above anything!! Family is one the most beautiful gifts Heavenly Father has given us. I am so grateful for a loving, strong husband and two strong-willed precious children.

Oh, the moments in the car. Sarah is full of life and lots to say or sing when we are in the car.

Treasure children for they are the greatest gift the Lord has entrusted in us as parents.