Southern California trip 09

Here are a few pictures from our recent trip to Southern California. We made the trip down for our niece's first birthday. The boys and I stayed down at the beach for almost two weeks. I think the pictures say it all!

I love this pic of the boys....Aiden's sweet sensitive face pondering the moment and Ashton's ever big smile ready for anything. Mommy loves her boys!!!

(Possible Christmas card pic. What do you think?)

My favorite picture of the trip. This is the life guard tower right out in front of Steve's parents house. We kissed for the very first time right here. ;) Ten years later we are back with our beautiful boys!

Long Beach Aquarium

Jaws!!!!!

The jaws of life

Boys looking down into the cabin of grandpa's boat

My new friends from New Orleans, Joe and Terry

They are my two favorite things: Southern AND Italian ;)

Newport harbor

Grandma and the boys

Mommy and her boys

Aiden hanging on the sails giving mommy a heart attack

King of the World!

We got to see some sea lions up close.

Aiden and Grandma Barb driving the sail boat.



Kites on the beach

Grandma Barb got the boys the coolest kites. The went up so easily.
They had a blast flying them on the beach. Perfect weather to fly a kite.

The three cousins in their matching Halloween p.j's.

Don't you think Chloe looks like Boo from Monster's Ink?!?

She is the cutest and sweetest little girl ever and I'm so glad I get to be her Auntie M!

Ash pushing his cousin Chloe in her wagon

Auntie Kirsten loving Aiden

The boys in the "Honey I Shrunk the Audience" show

Aiden laughing way to much on the tea cups!

I had to add this one of Steve...he hates the teacups but sucked it up for his boys!

He's a great dad!!!!

xo

Full speed ahead!

Ashton loved it too

Carousel

Meeting Mickey!

Pirates of the Caribbean....boys liked but decided they did not want to go again!

Happy Halloween

We were the vampire family....bats and all! This year we went down to our friend's house for a spooky dinner, scary drinks, and yummy dessert. Jaimee went all out!!! You'll have to check out her blog for more pictures. (The one of us I stole off her blog......I'm so bad at uploading pics). We all had to dress up. Those of you that know me know how much I love Halloween so this was a real treat. After a great dinner we all headed out for trick or treating. The boys had so much fun with their friends and so did Steve and I! Thanks Jaimee and Ted for a fun Halloween Night!

Camping

We went on our very first camping trip this past weekend. Oh Boy was it fun!!!! We went up with two other couples. Between the three of us we had 7 boys and a baby girl, two tents and a motor home. Guess who got to sleep in the unit?!?!? That's right us girls. The boys, including the big ones, loved sleeping in the great outdoors. We had a great spot right on Cascade Lake. Our site was just steps away from the beach. The kids (well and us adult too) soaked up the sun and swam in the lake. It was our friend's b-day on Sunday so her husband surprised her and rented a boat for the weekend. What a great time that was. Steve was in heaven...water skiing and wake boarding. The kids (except mine) loved being pulled in the donut....well, I can't blame mine. Ash and I tried it and we both chickened out....maybe next time. Aiden fell fast asleep on the boat.....That's my boy! I never thought I'd hear myself say this, but I can't wait to do it again. I'll post pics soon.
We are leaving Friday for Colleen's wedding and then a week in Fresno. I'll have a lot to report so stay tuned!

Update

We met with our agency coordinator this morning to go over our progress or lack there of. I'm getting a little anxious about things moving so slow. But, we both know that things happen in perfect timing regardless of what we want or do. After much thought and soul searcher, we have decided to open our parameters to include a biracial baby. I think Steve and I have been so concerned about what life in Idaho would be like for her. Let's face it, not an extreme amount of diversity here in Eagle. As time has gone by however, our eyes have been opened and see things differently. We have a great amount of support here of friends and family who are just waiting to love our new baby and our agency can put us in contact with many families who have similar make up so our daughter will be exposed to people of her own race. We are so excited to get things moving along and meet the new member of our family!!!!! I hope to post some news soon.
Other exciting news....Aiden and Ashton are going to be in my friend Colleen's wedding in August! Colleen and I have know each other since the 1st grade!!! I'm so excited for her and can't wait for the big day August 8th.

Aiden and Ashton on our way to Oregon. The truth is we

had just pulled off the road so they could pee right here! :)

More Birthday Blog

Ashton blowing out his candle.

Aiden blowing out his candle.



Caden, Max and Jake



Ahhh love Dominic and Kate's big smiles!


The kids from our hood: Dominic and Sage. :)

Friends making their masterpieces. Yummy!

Andy, Ash and Aiden working hard and having fun.

Our future chefs!

SO, on Saturday we had the boys friend party at The Young Chef's Academy. The boys had a blast with their friends. They each got to make their very own pizza and while they were baking, we had cupcakes and sang Happy Birthday (two times....they each got their very own song). Here are a few pics from the day (which happened two month ago!) :)

birthday, birthday, and birthday

Singing to each other. Check out those faces!!!!

Hat's by Gramma Judy. :)Aiden's cake...Ash wanted cupcakes....so we had cake on their family b-day

and cupcakes at their friend party.

Grandparent shot (and Uncle Chad) :)
Mommy and her four year old Aid!!!!
Auntie Jo, Uncle Chad, Ashton and Aiden
Daddy with is four year old sons!!!!!
We had the bikes waiting outside the front door with bows and balloons on them.
Uncle Chad and cousin Chloe....so cute!!!
The boys with their new helmets on.....wondering where their bikes are???!!!!
The breakfast table all set up for the boys to come down on their birthday.

Wow...I am blogger delinquent! So much has happened. April is our family's big month for birthdays. It seems like every family I know has a month like this. My boys, husband, mom, brother in law, sister in law, and uncle all were born in the month of April. Great month (the birth stone is diamond by the way)! We started the month out with a bang. Aiden and Ashton turned four on the 3rd! I can't believe my sweet little men are four years old!!!! We had a great time celebrating this big milestone. My parents, Steve's parents, Auntie Jo, Uncle Chad and Chloe came out from California. The boys were soaking up and loving all the love and attention. Aid and Ash really wanted their own big boy bike for their birthday. Both sets of grandparents each gave them one and a helmet to match. They were soooo excited. To keep up with his boys, Steve also received his own big boy bike for his birthday from his mom and dad! Here are a few pics. I'll post the boys kids b-day pics later....I promise not to go so long without blogging!