1st Day of School

So before I started this post I went back and looked at the last two years. We say it over and over, but time really does fly by. I try and appreciate every day and remember to breathe through the moments of craziness. I love you kiddos, you keep me laughing and smiling, thank you.

In honor of flashback friday I thought I would post the last two years as well of the kids 1st day. So cute

Big kids are ready

Isabella 4th grade, Aaron 1st grade, Abby Preschool

Abby will be in preschool two days a week part time. She is her normal skeptic self about it. We shall see how it goes.

September 2009

Amazing how much they change in a year.

September 2008

Me and My Babes

7 more days till school starts and I wanted to take the kids to D land one more time. This was either my first or second time of taking all three kids on my own. I have to admit I have been a little hesitant to take them by myself. All of them like different rides and although Aaron is tall enough to ride a lot of the rides by himself he is not old enough. I believe you need to be 7 or 8. So yes this was the day I told my son it was o.k. to tell them you were 8 so he could ride by himself since I was riding with Abby. Yes the honesty is the best policy mom, slightly veered off course for a few rides.

Start of the day... taking the train to tomorrowland

In line at the Matterhorn.. we all can ride this one together and everyone loves it!!!

Tea cups next

In line for Alice in Wonderland... I am not sure about you guys, but my kids love to take pictures so here is Aaron taking a picture of us

Carousel next.. the big kids are so kind to continue to ride the smaller rides for Abby.

Isabella's turn with the camera.

Thanks "T" family for joining us, Isabella loved holding the big guy :)

Ten Things To Smile About

Emmy reminds me every month to look back at the last 30 days or so and remember how blessed I am. Here are my favorite ten things for August....

1. Two little girls acting silly and keeping it fun...

2. Celebrating the marriage of my cousin Susan and seeing wonderful family members we don't get to see all that often.   

3. Attending a baseball game with my amazing husband

4. Pool days... I can not say enough thanks to my in-laws who allow us to swim when ever needed. The smile it brings to her face is wonderful :)

5. Saying goodbye to an amazing cousin who I am so proud of for embarking on an amazing adventure.. We love you Chelsea

6. Kids playing with their dad

7. This little girl growing up and being such an amazing helper

8. Heading to Disneyland with wonderful friends and family 

9. Soccer and Winterbaseball all starting this month. My new name is Taxi Service Summer.

10. OC Swap Meet is back.. love it !!

Happy Birthday Tia

Happy Birthday Tia… Thank you for inviting us to join you on your birthday celebration.

My sis turned 31 this year and we all went to the river to celebrate with her. I am not sure who had more fun, my kids or her. This was our first trip as a family to the river and the kids kept saying all weekend… THIS IS THE LIFE. We all agreed. I loved every minute of it. Isabella learned how to wake board and water-ski. She got up for a few seconds, but kept trying, I was so proud. Aaron got up as well on the wake board once, but was then done. He’s always willing to try something once, but if it makes him nervous he will not try it again for a while. Each of the kids got to drive the boat and that is where Aaron shined, that was his element. Again kids are different and I love each of them for their differences. All of us did a lot of tubing and everyone loved that. Thank you again Tia and Pete for showing my kids a wonderful vacation, you both are amazing!!

Tia opening her presents on the way there

Isabella made Tia's card this year and is was the sweetest card. It made our hearts melt.

Ready to go on the Mambo again

Designated flag holders

Love that smile

Driver #1

This was his thing... I think he asked Pete every 15 min if he could drive...

Daddy doing his thing with the kids

Happy girl

Mom, Tia and Me

Abby doing what she does best

Good times just hanging out

snow cones

family pic

Aaron on the wakeboard

Abby doing her own thing as always

Mom, Tia and the kids just hanging out

My wonderful parents

Family fun at its finest

 Abby got cut off.. sorry sweetie

Summer Fun

It has been way to long since my lost post, but we have been enjoying the summer tremendously. Let’s begin with a trip to Disneyland in late July. The whole family went all 10 of us, my five, mother and father in-law, Mason, Sister in-law and Madison. When all of us get together to go out, which is pretty it makes for a great day for the kids and us.

This trip was especially fun for us because we had done something none of us had ever done before at Disneyland… the canoes around Tom Sawyer’s Island. It was great. Isabella really tried hard to row when the guide told us to, the boys Aaron and Darin had more fun splashing water at me with their ores and Maddy and Abby just wanted get in the water and swim. Luckily ever one stayed in the boat and we were invited back again. Here are a few pictures from that new adventure.

We also stood in line to see characters this time. I’ve realized how much Abby LOVES the characters, she wants to hug them, kiss them never let go. I have to drag her away from them. She absolutely wants to stay and just hug on them. She is the sweetest thing when she wants to be. Maybe I should wear a big furry costume all day and perhaps she will be sweeter to me and not such a pistol… 

Tea Cups

Fantastic Five  :)

Fantastic Five with Minnie

The sun was a little bright in the kids eyes for this one

Abby loved Minnie

and Mickey

She did not want to let go of Tiger

So fun

Getting ready....

Daddy with his Gems

Such an good girl.. always trying so hard

Isabella had her first official tournament with her soccer team the first weekend in August. It was in San Juan Capistrano and she had an amazing cheering section all of our amazing family came to one game or another and showed such amazing support. Thank you Grandma, Tia, Pete, Aunt Tracy, Aunt Linda, Ryan, Chelsea, Kim, Sophia, Uncle Mike.. you are all so amazing. I am a little sad because I was so invested in the game I forgot to take pictures of her with everyone after. But thank you again for coming.

Her team did very well and made it all the way to the championship game. Although they did not win, they placed second and the girls played amazing. Looking at this picture of her face makes me smile because I know she loves this and that is all that matters. She has also made some great friends and we look forward to the year ahead.

I am so proud of you Isabella, I love you!!

So happy... I get all chocked up every time I see this picture...

Such a great bunch of girls

So proud!!

We have made it to the beach a few times again in August and once again my kids are happy. I think if we lived a little closer less then 30 min. I might go every day, just for an hour or so. When we are all their together, no one is fighting everyone has a huge smile on their face and we are in a great place. I love that feeling and want to try to continue to provide more of those moments for my kids.

As good as it gets...