Rewind... Saturday - THE ZOO for the BIRTHDAY BOY!

For Jackson's SECOND birthday - we decided to forego the party and take him to the zoo. We missed all those that couldn't make it, but I am sure you were glad to be out of the 100 degree weather! The morning started out very relaxing! Jackson and Ryan watched a morning cartoon while we got things together for the day. Grandma Nette showed up with a gift... FISH!
Jackson took many pictures of his fish and I will spare you from most of them - but I thought it was cute he got grandma.


10am and we were off! Our drive was easy, parking was easy, loading into the stroller was easy, we were off to a good day.

This is Jackson looking at the TIGER!

He's hanging out with his buddy!
His favorite seemed to be the GIRAFFE!
Gee I can't tell why...

He was in awe of these creatures!



Ryan thoroughly enjoyed himself. We didn't hear a peep from him the entire time we were there. He kicked, smiled and slept - such an angel!
We left the zoo around 1 I think... not sure... and headed to Burbank's FUDDRUCKER'S. This has been one of our favorite's since we lived in Arcadia. As for Jackson, these machines are his favorite. He spent very little time eating, and much time analyzing and climbing.
Before we continued the party in the pool, Jackson needed about an hour and a half time out. I found him like this, with all his animals on the bed, and him on the floor. He really takes care of them!

Swimming was a nice way to end such a hot day. Our pool is freezing, so it was very refreshing.
It was great to have some family and friends at the pool - we are so blessed.When Jackson got tired of the pool, he decided to play catch on his own with the big pool ball. He rarely caught it, so I guess it's called throw.

We are so thankful for our little man and there was no better way to spend that day. He's a blast and I don't want to know what our life would be without him. He truly is the life of the party!

Rewind... Friday - Giselle & Softball

Giselle and I are trying to get together once a week - the half hour drive each way is worth it for great conversation and candid pictures of the boys!
No pictures of the players - just the cutest spectator!

Rewind... Thursday - Haircut & Nightmare & SURPRISE!

His SUMMER Buzz!
This is what happens when Jackson has a nightmare - it becomes mommy and daddy's sleep nightmare!
And no picture for this one - but we found out we are pregnant again! Who would have EVER imagined this would happen??? About a month and a half ago we were still trying to decide if we were done or planning on having more. Then about three weeks ago, I just kind of knew. Everything decision we were making these last few weeks, we had to include the idea, "well what if we are pregnant?". Well it was confirmed Thursday night and we think we are looking at JANUARY 19th!

Yeah Shay!!!

Congrats on your new job you little nurse you!

A Decent Find

I call it decent because it was not ideal, but it will do. We have been debating as to what we should do about a double stroller - should we get one, should we not, if we do what kind, bla bla bla...

When I finally decided I wanted one, I decided I wanted Dayna's (http://www.babybungalow.com/phandtee3foi7.html) - I should have stolen it when she was here. BUT I was not able to go that route :( So back to the drawing board.

Last Saturday I saw signs for a HUGE yard sale...lo and behold, they had a double stroller. It wasn't at all what I wanted so when they asked for $75, we said no and left. During the day, I was thinking about how I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a stroller I didn't really want, but I also couldn't get the one I really wanted - SO I figured the best bet would be to go back and offer $40 for the stroller at the yard sale.

$45 later, we had a double stroller and it's actually been very nice having it. It's ugly, well in my opinion, but it works!

I think the thing Jackson likes best is he can get in and out of it on his own! Crazy little man!

The Boys' Room

Standing in the doorway, this is to your very left.
Center of the room.
Right side of the room. The closet is there at the foot of Jackson's bed. We did what we could with white walls, but I am glad it's done - for the most part. I would love to still paint Jackson's bed and fill the cork board with candid pictures of the boys. Today Ryan tried out his new bed - in fact he's been sleeping in it since 3:15pm today - I think he likes it.

Maybe he just likes his blanket - huh Aunt Paige!

Mother's Day

Because it was my day off, I didn't get too many pictures. I was very relaxed yesterday because my husband did such a good job taking care of me and the boys. We started the day off with church, then came home to change and get a picture. This put us on the road to Corona at about 10:45am or so. Abuelita was brilliant this year. She prepared everything in advance so we had the chance to really visit with her. Well I guess she had the chance to really visit with Ryan.They got Jackson the perfect gift. Hopefully his lyrics will be clean though :)
The nice thing about pumping is you can REALLY take the day off :)
We headed to the Anderson's around 4pm and had another wonderful meal prepared by my father-in-law, "Cosmo". Then we had a pie competition and Curtis won yet again. I think everyone is getting really tired and this and I think I overhead some evil plotting - we will see what happens on Father's Day. Our day ended around 9:30pm or so and we were so ready to sleep. BUT when I got home I read this email - it says it all!!!!
Why we cannot live without moms.......so true
Mom and Dad were watching TV when Mom said, 'I'm tired, and it's getting late. I think I'll go to bed' She went to the kitchen to make sandwiches for the next day's lunches. Rinsed out the popcorn bowls, took meat out of the freezer for supper the following evening, checked the cereal box levels, filled the sugar container, put spoons and bowls on the table and started the coffee pot for brewing the next morning. She then put some wet clothes in the dryer, put a load of clothes into the washer, ironed a shirt and secured a loose button She picked up the game pieces left on the table, put the phone back on the charger and put the telephone book into the drawer. She watered the plants, emptied a wastebasket and hung up a towel to dry. She yawned and stretched and headed for the bedroom. She stopped by the desk and wrote a note to the teacher, counted out some cash for the field trip, and pulled a text book out from hiding under the chair. She signed a birthday card for a friend, addressed and stamped the envelope and wrote a quick note for the grocery store. She put both near her purse. Mom then washed her face with 3 in 1 cleanser, put on her Night solution & age fighting moisturizer, brushed and flossed her teeth and filed her nails.
Dad called out, 'I thought you were going to bed.' 'I'm on my way,' she said. She put some water into the dog's dish and put the cat outside, then made sure the doors were locked and the patio light was on.
She looked in on each of the kids and turned out their bedside lamps and TV's, hung up a shirt, threw some dirty socks into the hamper, and had a brief conversation with the one up still doing homework. In her own room, she set the alarm; laid out clothing for the next day, straightened up the shoe rack. She added three things to her 6 most important things to do list She said her prayers, and visualized the accomplishment of her goals. About that time, Dad turned off the TV and announced to no one in particular. 'I'm going to bed.' And he did...without another thought. Anything extraordinary here? Wonder why women live longer...? CAUSE WE ARE MADE FOR THE LONG HAUL..... (and we can't die sooner, we still have things to do!!!!)

Good Times

Have you noticed how many of my good friends live far away... will this pattern end any time soon?? Well the summer brings weddings and weddings bring visiting friends! It was wonderful catching up with Brit Friday night at one of our old time favs - Rattlers. You know you have a great friend when you can get together for the first time in who knows how long, and it feels like you haven't missed a day together.

And isn't she so cute pregnant! Saturday morning Andrew knew it was time Ryan and I needed a little alone time. Andrew needed to head to Acton to get some of our stuff from storage, so he took Jackson with him. Ryan was VERY relaxed after his shower and slept in his "shower waiting chair" while I finished showering, got dressed, cleaned up, emailed, etc. I think he knew he wasn't vulnerable down there due to his brother's absence.
Our little man did enjoy his time with daddy - it was good for everyone involved. I think the best part was Jackson being able to sit in the front seat of dad's truck, how exciting!
After naps we headed to the park for Andrew's ward softball games - yes games, plural. It was actually really nice to be out all afternoon because it was gorgeous. Andrew had a blast spending two days in a row with his brother and good friend Matt. Matt's wife Michelle joined me for the second game. The first game was entertaining, the second, well I am glad Michelle was there to keep me company :)
In the bushes already... crazy boy!
I love this shot because Curtis is at bat and Andrew is running the bases.

Thanks Julie!

HILARIOUS!

Getting So BIG!

Kathryn's Wedding

A friend from our "home ward" got married last weekend. It was so much fun mainly due to the live music they had. Below, you can see her sister perfmorming - she has one of the best voices ever! At the start of the night, Ryan was wide awake, ready for the festivities.Jackson spent a lot of his time photographing the guests. He even took a few of me and Andrew and he made sure my hand was rested on Andrew's shoulder for every shot. Sadly he didn't get us in the pictures. But below he got his aunt and uncle.
Between photo shoots, Jackson hit the dance floor. He really was a ladies man that night. I think the groom better look out!!It was a lot of fun but it did take a lot of energy - they were all beat!

Eyebrow Massage

Rubbing our children's nose is something we do to try and calm them. My dad has done this to us and so it was passed on to my kids. Then Aunt Tori started rubbing Jackson's pressure point by his eyebrows and she has always rubbed his palms. Well Jackson is making it his duty to pass that down too. I walked in on him doing these things to Ryan one day because he was crying. I was too amazed to capture it then, but this was the second time I saw it!

In other news, these floaties actually help! He amazingly kept them on and as I was getting dressed, I looked up to find Jackson, in the middle of the jacuzzi (we have been swimming in that because it's luke warm) paddling and kicking as he held his head out of the water. Needless to say I jumped in and got him out, but I was impressed at their assistance.

I IS A COLLEGE STUDENT

My sister Bri is now going to school to become a MEDICAL ASSISTANT. We found it very interesting but exciting to see her all decked out in her scrubs going off to class. The nice thing is she is only minutes away from us now so she is able to stop by to see the boys. Way to go Bri - we are all so very excited for you!!

PS - I had to capture her first time, that I know of, holding Ryan.

The History of Our Moves

6/03-7/03 Our parent's houses and a few vacations spots! **Free rent
8/03-6/05 Malibu on the Pepperdine campus - still hasn't been topped :( We only left cause we weren't allowed to stay! **Lifelong friends and amazing experiences!
6/05-6/06 Woodland Hills guest house - gorgeous but oh so time to move once Jackson was born. **A way cute place and a chance to stay close to our friends.
6/06-6/07 Simi Valley condo - we left because Andrew thought, "Hey, let's move to Utah this Summer and try to flip a house and see if we like it there and spend time with family!" I am always up for a move, so why not. **A great new friend and a reunion with some old ones from Hawthorne.
6/07-8/07 Orem Utah 3bdrm house for much less than any of our other little places! We left because we were pregnant, needed insurance and my job, and just felt it was time. **Nothing money could buy! We had no clue the reason we were to move to Ut., was to have more time with Wes. Amazing the way the Lord works. Everyone thought we were crazy, but it was a move out of nowhere we just had to make. And how much harder would the grieving had been had we stayed and continued to have Wes in our everyday lives. This is something we will never regret.
8/07-4/08 Our Acton flip house because it didn't sell :( But it was time to move when the commute for Andrew was too far and the house was way too big for my liking. **This house did not work out like we planned - but I am learning that not much does and that is ok. I learned years ago that you always want to life the Lord has planned for you because you can't be happy any other way. This house has caused us much stress and hardship, but we would never regret it because it brought us more time with Wes, more time with family, and more time learning about one another.
4/08-?? Our new condo in Canyon Country! **I can't wait to see!

It's interesting to look back and remember something specific we gained at each location. So you asked why we were moving again, and here is my long drawn out response. A little delayed, but here :)