Countdown until Erica's Departure

We've got Tia Erica here for three more days, and it will likely be nearly a year until we see her again next summer.   It has been such fun having her home, watching her plan her wedding, but also for her to re-bond with Jake, Colbie and Addison.  We will all miss her!

Soccer

Jake is now playing soccer two times a week, and loving it. 

 We are so going to miss having silly Tia Erica around!

 

Rain, Rain Don't Go Away!

Oh wow...everyone is happy with the rain today!  The kids convinced me to get out of the house 15 min early today to stop at the park and jump in puddles on the way to school.  The girls and I had a long puddle jumping session in the late morning too.   So fun!

 

 

Art Class

It's amazing what a difference just two months has made.   When I took the girls to art class back in July, they were extremely timid, wanted nothing to do with the circle time songs, and would not speak with the teacher.  Thank goodness, things are beginning to change!  A and C now love circle time, and run right up the teacher at the end of class.  Phew!   This session we're taking the class with their twin friends Sylvie and Luke...how cute are they together in their crowns!

Putting Themselves to Sleep

Addison and Colbie are just too funny at bedtime these days.  After I put them in their cribs, they now talk, read and sing to each other for a good 45 minutes!!  I've been meaning to catch some of it on video, and I'll work on getting a better one, but here they are last night reading each other stories.  Their cribs are a good foot away from each other, but they still attempt to hold up the books that they're reading in the dark, in hopes that each other can see them. 

Weekend Fun

Today I dragged everyone out for a nature walk in the morning.  Growing up, we were on a nature walk anytime we stepped out of our house, but my kids don't really get to hike through dirt much.  The kids were really excited to collect rocks of course, but the large "Mountain Lion" warning sign put a slight damper on things.  

So we returned home for some Dr. play!

 

Yesterday we went to a "Touch a Truck" fundraiser.  It's amazing how exciting climbing into a tow truck or garbage truck can be for a kid!

AYSO has started

Jake is giving soccer another try this year, and Josh has signed on as Assistant Coach.   They are officially part of Team Green Gecko.  They had their first game this weekend.

Some pics from his first game that another Mom caught:

Some of the Official Wedding Pics!

The absolutely amazing photographers who did my sister's wedding have already returned many of their shots to her, and I'm so impressed with their work.   Here are just a small few of my favorites.  A wedding in the redwoods....

 

   

 

Happy Birthday Granddad!

We are wishing my Dad a very big HAPPY BIRTHDAY today!!  We look forward to celebrating with you this afternoon.   May this year bring you some relaxation!!

Here is a great shot of my Dad on the dance floor that the photographers caught at the wedding.

From your goofball grandchildren:

Later:
Great celebration Dad.   Wonderful to see you, despite the heat!