La Jolla Beach

Monday the 3rd we arrived in San Diego, picked up a rental car, checked into the Hilton (on the bay), and promptly made our way to La Jolla Beach.

Enjoyed the views of the Pacific.

Got our feet wet.

Saw a bunch of seals. Unfortunately, one lie helpless and probably sick/dying on the shore line. His little friends would all come up and encourage him to get up and back in the water, but to no avail.

Here is a short video of such.

And b.c I know a lot of you view the "Ice Cream Truck" to behold some batty child molester in wait (Stephanie)... how's this for creepy. He literally lies in wait. Good times in La Jolla.

Happy Birthday to Me from Sunny SD

I'm spending my Birthday week in San Diego with my boyfriend...sans children! Best birthday EVER!

This is my MacBook...

...this is my MacBook on crack. Reese took my laptop for a ride under our glider/rocker. The screen didn't hold up too well to that! Fortunately, my camera still works fine and only the screen needed to be replaced. I feel fortunate.

And b.c I'm married to a "Mr. Fix-It", my do-it-yourself man took apart my laptop and replaced the screen all by himself after reviewing a few tutorials on YouTube. It took less than 30 minutes.

Man alive, I don't know what's sexier? My MacBook all brand new, or my awesome husband that saved us $800 by doing this himself! OK, I'm gonna have to go with my Goose. THANK YOU!!!

GROSS!

Gavin got a pack of trick gum at our latest C.E.C. visit. You pull out a piece of gum and a cockroach will jump out at you. So nasty. Well, Bear ended up keeping the plastic cockroach and loves to place it somewhere that is sure to make me scream. (Which would be any place in my house for that matter. No cockroaches allowed).

His mouth isn't any better place for it! So gross. Tonight Christopher took Gavin and his cousin Russell out and they wont be back until late. We put the plastic cockroach just underneath Christopher sheets on our bed. We can't wait to see if he gets spooked by it while climbing into bed. We love to spook Daddy any way we can! It's so fun.

C.E.C. Revisited

A Quarter to Nine

It's a quarter to nine and the Ice Cream Truck is coming down our street. As if its sirens were a lullaby! So much for keeping the kids in bed!! Oh, and now I wont be satisfied for the night without a bowl of ice cream! Thank you oh musical vehicle of indulgence, I can not refuse!! Oh sweet mercy me.

Lazy Daze

Yeah, so we're taking the term "lazy days of summer" quite literal. The only pictures I've taken of the kids in the last 2 weeks are what is included in this post. Scary huh! But really our days are so laid back, they'd be too repetitive to document. Pool, (what else can you do when it's over 100 degrees every day for the past month) sand boxes, and friends. Day in and day out. When we do get out, I don't bring my camera. Because I've become lazy. It's been perfect!

So, let's see what made the camera cut:

The boys like to spend their allowance at the Dollar store buying silly string. They seriously can't get enough of this stuff and it lasts for like...3 minutes. Max.

I let the kids get crazy messy sometimes. (Remember THIS?) I mean, it's summer, they're kids...let's get messy! Here the kids made pictures using sparkle glue and candy sprinkles you would use on cookies and cakes. Nothing like cleaning up millions of little candy balls.

Caden's masterpiece.

Reese's.

Looks like Reese got someone to take a picture of her in her Ariel dance costume. You know the one we have video of where her top fell off during the performance? I'm surprised that it still fits a year later. She's grown taller and have lost a little of that toddler chub.

It looks as if Reese likes to have her picture taken...just not when I'm trying to take it! Who ever is taking these pictures (probably Gavin) is HIRED! This was actually just yesterday before Reese went to her friends house for a play date all day. Love those all day play dates!

Maybe it was Caden that took those pictures of Reese b.c here's a picture of Caden on the same day as the picture above his. He must have taken one of Reese and then asked for his to be taken. He doesn't like to miss out of a picture opportunity.

And there you have it. See how boring our life is right now. I bet none of you (if you even got this far) even read all of that b.c it's just. so. boring. And we're OK with that. After all, school starts up in just a few short weeks next month. Then our days wont be so carefree and L.A.Z.Y. Happy Summer, Y'all!

Dearest Goose:

Goosey. We love you so much! We know you work hard for the money we spend for you. We're sorry you miss out on all the fun half the day. We don't want you to feel left out on this fun however. For your listening pleasure:

Bear's version.

All three with their version.

You know you loved that!!! We miss you! We're always thinking about you while you are away. Hugs and kisses and plenty of "ooooohhhhh"'s to go around!

Love,
Your Forever Family

Cheap Family Fun

We treated the kids to a little Chuck E Cheese this past weekend. We finally realized that it's cheaper for us to take the kids to CEC with coupons (Large pizza, 4 drinks, 40 tokens plus another 100 tokens) and get dinner and fun for 30 bucks and actually save money than going to a sit down restaurant.

No worries of kids misbehaving at CEC either. Really, it's a win win situation for this family of 5.

Caden pumping the dogs mouth full of balls.

Gavin is on his tippy toes and can still barely see over the game console, but that didn't stop him from blasting Aliens. He played that game most of our stay.

Reese was obsessed with the roller coaster ride. Caden was often seen going along for the ride.

Here's a short video clip of all the excitement.

Daddy/Daughter Date

Yesterday Christopher took his baby girl Reese to see the movie Ice Age 3 in 3D.

There's no denying this girls love for her daddy and visa versa. Reese's got her daddy tightly wrapped around her finger. They had a good time and enjoyed the movie. She can't wait for their date to see The Princess and the Frog later this year.

...and the floods came up!

Caden has done this on more than one occasion. This time however, I have a small documentation of it. He likes to wash his hand, and then leave the water running. We don't have a normal sink, you know, the ones that have an overflow hole. Yeah, we're gonna have to get one of those. There was water about 3 inches deep on the ground! Leaked inside of the drawers and cabinets...yeah....

Low Ridin'

Now that's what I call low ridin'! We saw this up at the Grapevine Mall this past weekend!

Zuma Prize

I've gotten a little attached to playing Zuma on the xBox 360. Gavin has been very supportive. The other day while playing he brought this out to me from the kitchen. A bowl of popcorn with a note that read:

"Good Job Playing Zoooma"

I'm lucky to have kids that foster my gaming addictions. Of course, after Zuma it was his turn to play Lego Batman on the Wii. To which I brought him a smoothie from the kitchen for being my best bud!

The Pompadours

The boys were LONG over due for a hair cut! They are sooo handsome!

Independence Day!

We spent the 3rd and 4th down at the Barn, just like last year. Only this year, we brought our little buddy Hunter with us! The kids were more than thrilled to be buying fireworks.

Gavin and Hunter showing off the smoke bombs. Always a favorite with the young boys.

The kids ended up with a box full of things that go "bang" at night. This was just the first trip!!

Reese in the midst of a delightfully smelling smoke bomb...

All the kids going in on a dying smoke bomb. Are those bare feet...yes.

Caden was a fierce proponent of the fireworks this year. He had no fear, however, respected the fire power.

And when the smoke cleared, there was Bear in the midst.

Gavin with a monster truck.

Christopher out with the boys launching and then catching the parachute from a firework.

Hunter getting his smoke bomb action on! Sadly, this is all the firework action I got on film. My camera battery was dying and I failed to bring my charger. Mucho bummer, but you get the idea.

Caden found his true love...sand pits!

Bear would hit up the water toys promptly out of the sand, or even while still in it! Nothing like a muddy fun time! The Barn does not disappoint in making a child dirty.

The only shot I got of the kids in the pool. Love the swimmers drool coming off his chin. He's becoming quite the little fish.

Later that night we hit up a small hometown good ol American firework show at the local high school. We arrived just as the show started. The kids climbed up through the Suburban sunroof and sat up top to watch the show. Glow sticks courtesy of Pa Haslam back in WA. I'm not sure which was more fun for the kids that night, the sticks or the firework show.

The next day, the actual 4th, the boys spent a good portion of the morning blasting fire ant hills, if not in the pool.

He would drop a mighty might firecracker down inside and light it up. The result shown above. In fact, I think I have a video.

I do! Gavin provides us with a step by step fire ant annihilation!

I love this photo b.c it brings back memories of back in the day when I would put Gavin (at 2) and Reese (4 months) on my lap and ride around the property on the lawn mower for a little "getaway". Now Reese is 4 (almost 5) and Caden 2 (almost 3)!! My how time flies.

Back inside the Barn Pa was making himself a "Gavin Sandwich" whilst Gavin was looking on!

Pa has successfully completed making said sandwich.

And now time for the devouring.

Food was good. Nothing beats a 4th of July BBQ. The night before however we had pizza and Gavin made the mistake of leaving his dinner on the porch while he played. Noticed the ant infestation.

The Barn wouldn't be the Barn without popsicles.

Or popsicles and plenty of soda to choose from.

I enlisted the help of my kitchen aid, Bear, for a little 4th of July pastry making.

Such an excellent helper!

Our finished product. We attempted to create these from Our Best Bites only we had star shaped molds that we also used. They turned out scrumptious!

Cristi (Granna) used some of our left over stars and made this 5 layer 4th cake! YUMMY!

Christopher swam with the kids on the lake. Reese enjoyed riding around with daddy and Aunt Amanda.

Caden showing me the awesome Texas mud from the bottom of the lake.

Gavin and Caden floating around the lake. You wont dare see me inside a Texas lake! Too muddy, full of fish and SNAKES!!! No siree.

Reese floating atop of Amanda's float with Tyler on the other and daddy in the water.

Even Bently (Tyler and Amanda's dog) got in on the lake action. She had the best seat on the lake!

The kids had a lot of fun and slept hard! Reese was particularly cute rolled up on Bradleys bed. Until next year!!