Weekend of Love

FRIDAY

 It was a long week.  You know the kind where each day you think it's one day further into the week than it really is.  Yep, it started on Monday!

Friday night Andrew surprised me by getting home early which was wonderful because my mom wanted to take me out for a pedicure.  Perfect timing.  I had dinner at home so when my parents ate after the pedi's, I sat and enjoyed a Coldstone cupcake.

If you can't go out on a hot date with your husband, I'd say this is the next best thing!

SATURDAY

Saturday Andrew had to work, again.  It was supposed to be a hot one so I blew up a little pool for the kids.  Andi told me she wanted to surprise me and so I knew this meant she was going to find one of my favorite bathing suits to wear.  Cracks me up how she loves to please me in this way from time to time.  Do I place too much value on style???

 Ya know how ridiculous they look in this is pool adds to how ridiculous it was that it only took about an hour before it was popped and destroyed.  So much for that cheap entertainment.

It all worked out ok, though, because Paola invited us to come hang out with their family.  They were even so cute as to get lunch for us all and nothing much beats a bbq/pool gathering!  Gotta love summer.

Almost as much as I love seeing my kids enjoy one another.  Jackson requested I take all these pictures which is something else I love.

What would these kiddos do without their big brother?

That afternoon I rushed the kids home to shower and change so we could head over to the De Leon's for Ava's baby blessing.  They have blessed all their kids at home and I so enjoyed being there for Ava's.  The last home blessing we attended was for Cannon Snow over seven years ago.  Insane.

This occasion was so sweet and spiritual and I'm grateful we could attend.  This family has become so very important to us.

Cameron, Jamie's son, and Cole are so very close in age and it was adorable watching them play play-doh together.

I tried getting a close-up of baby girl and she was not having it.  Haha

SUNDAY

Tori had to make a quick trip to Acton for the funeral of one of her close friends.  I'm glad she was able to be there for her and her friend but also so we could visit briefly.  After church we headed to my parent's house for lunch with Tori, Curtis and Tristan.  It was such a great visit and long overdue.  I think Bauer enjoyed it the most!

Kindergarten Round-Up

I was going to go for a run this morning after dropping Ryan off at preschool.  That is until I learned through Fran's FB post that there was Kinder round-up this morning.  Considering Ryan is so stinken' excited for Kindergarten, I figured this was good enough reason to miss preschool and my run.

 Ryan said in the classroom that they talked about books and stuff and that he's super excited.  I can't wait to watch and see the experience this little man has at Pinetree!

With Jackson and Ryan in school all day and Andi in MWF preschool, Cole and I are going to have many more dates like this:

It's funny, though, because last night at Tristan's baby shower, someone said, "Next thing you'll know he's graduating high school".... I'm totally realizing that these days.  Crazy how time flies.  Your time will come soon, Bauer!

It's All Worth It

I was tired.

I had a headache.

I didn't feel well.

I got my feelings hurt.

I wanted to hide behind some chocolate.

THEN

I was reminded that I am loved.

I forgot my physical discomforts.

I was surrounded for hours by those that love me.

AND TONIGHT

"Mama, can you come see me a lullaby?" - Andi

as I go to leave the bedroom....

"Mom, I just realized how much you do for us.  I was going to write you a note, but decided to just tell you." - Jackson

"Can you scratch my back?" - Ryan

"I am a child of God" (humming along with me) - Cole

I suppose the moral of the story... 

take the good with the bad

focus on God's tender mercies

remember to focus on the people that want you in their life

be there for the people around you

never lose sight of one's purpose

always take Aleve even when you think you're tough

ummm, I could probably come up with more but there ya go.....

picnic in grandma's porch

Happy Birthday, Gunner

never re-think a cannon ball mid air

Happy Birthday, William

water day at preschool
*Andi's class was already inside when I got there on Tuesday

feeding the missionaries

Cole feeding himself

Waiting in the car to go get Jackson from school - 8 more days left.
Next year it'll just be Andi & Cole!

Nothing like spontaneous after school swims.
Can't wait for Cole to learn. 

Like sisters!

Hahhaa, it's called PAYBACK, Melanie!  PS. It was your mom's idea.

Always making new friends.

This boy can't hang!

Getting ready for the 4th of July! 

moments before taking Jackson to school - it's my favorite when they plop down here all on their own.

Last minute decision to try out summer movies - success.  So much better when all the older kids are still in school.

This is the reason I wasn't planning on going..... 

But it all worked itself out!

Welcome, Bauer James Anderson

At three weeks early...

Bauer James Anderson

6 pounds 3 ounces 

May 29, 2013 10:41pm

19 1/2 inches

The first heads up I got that things were going down, I couldn't believe it.  It was all so exciting, for me, I wasn't the one in pain!  This is the moment I'll miss never going through again.  But we're so happy to have a new little cousin in our family and can't wait to watch him grow.  

Congrats, Curtis and Tristan!

Memorial Day

Every year we attend our ward Memorial Picnic.  This in fact trumped my desire to go to the pool with some fabulous peeps.  All was rearranged and so when I found out Andrew had to work, I was grateful to the DeLeon's for inviting us to the beach.  A few days later I also heard from the Melendez's, and so we tried to coordinate with everyone (Lauricella & Kingsbury, too) to meet up there.  Unfortunately, we didn't spot them until we had plopped and unpacked our stuff an awkward distance away.  Yes, not too close but not too far.  Wasn't ideal but I was glad to get to visit with everyone throughout our time there.  The most important part is the kids had such a great time together. Marci and I love getting together because the kids make it so easy for the two of us to visit :)  We arrived at the beach at about 11:30 I think and didn't pack up to head home until 4:30 or 5.  Such a great day.

 I love that the boys are at the age where they now love boogey boarding.  This was Jackson's first trip with his birthday board.

 

 These two are so close in age it's fun to watch them interact.

 Andi was on her own a lot but didn't seem to mind.  In fact, when Ava's a bit older I'm sure Andi will love playing "mama".

 These kids are such troopers and such great helpers.  We all lugged our own stuff and I'm so proud of them for doing it.  The walk to and from the car was insanely long and all in sand.

 Julio doing that dad thing!

When all was said and done, we had a great day as a family, missing Andrew of course, but were grateful for friends.  And naps ;)