August Wrap-Up

Just some random pictures and fun from August.

Orcutt Farmer's Market...

... aka "a really good excuse to go to the donut shop"!

Graysen got his first Spiderman! They've been inseparable.

Matt and Rachelle came for a visit. Didn't do anything too crazy, but we did make pizza!

And Matt did "magic" for the kids :)

Harley turned 5 years old on Monday!

A mommy-daughter date.

Graysen has decided he wants Froggy to eat with him, every meal.

And this is his newest choice for eating utensils.

Ave's first Chuck E Cheese Birthday Party for her friend, Nathaniel. So fun!

Avery is learning to do a head stand...

... so is Graysen.

The kids getting creative on a day too cold for the pool!

August had a few of these "I think I'm going crazy" days.

(Took this picture to remind myself. Oh, and I made that shirt!)

But we also had a lot of these days, which make the other ones totally worth it!

Santa Maria Air Show

Today was Santa Maria's annual air show. Last year was a bomb, (no pun intended) due to some permit issues they couldn't have any planes in the air, isn't that the point of an "air" show? But, anyway, they totally made us for it this year. While Ben was hard at work volunteering, the kids and I got to see some really awesome planes!

Yep, Graysen was pretty much in heaven!

I'm Smitten...

...His name is BOB and I'm in love with him. He's been helping me stay in shape the past few weeks when Ben's schedule has been too nuts for me to go to my early spinning class, or when I just can't seem to roll myself out of bed at 5:15. Ugh.

I have been looking high and low for him and finally... I found him, on Craiglist, in pristine condition. I consider this a huge blessing, I like to think God cares about the little things.

My four loves! (except Ave doesn't look so lovey here)

I love that I can have 70 pounds worth of children, and push it around Old Navy with. one. hand!

22 Months and Potty Trained!

Didn't think this time would come so quickly but we are officially (well, besides nighttime) diaper-free! Graysen was probably the easiest child to potty train, EVER! We officially started the process last Wednesday and by the second day he just got it. By the third day, he was solely in underwear and he has only had maybe two accidents since then.

Avery was a huge help. She'd sit and patiently read to him, he loved it!

Ben & Accomplishments

Okay, so I may have been young and naive when we got married, but I got very lucky and married one smart and very talented man!

First off, Ben was just awarded Space and Missile Officer of the Year, of yes, the whole Air Force. He's awfully humble about it, but I think he's a pretty big deal! No one is more deserving and we are so very proud of him.

Also, something not everyone knows, but Ben is extremely talented when it comes to video editing and he has created some of the most amazing videos. However, a couple of years back we had a "computer glitch" (quite possibly human error) and he lost his very expensive editing program. A very sad day in history. But, about a month ago he was able to get it back, and the other night he put this together from our trip to Lake Powell. Can't wait to share what he puts together next!

Monterey & A Surprise Visit!

Monterey is seriously one of the coolest places I've visited. It has charm, class, it's beautiful and even with that dreary, foggy weather all the time, the people seem surprisingly happy and nice. So, as I mentioned, for Ben's 30th, *ahem*, birthday we headed north to beautiful Monterey. The first day we hit up Gilroy's Garlic Festival, an "interesting" experience, and then we hit up the Denace the Menace Park, it was AWESOME!!

Seriously considering installing one of these in our living room.

Priceless!

...And what would a trip to the park be without a race down the slides?!

I did say Monterey was classy, right?

If your wondering, yes, I survived. Barely.

On our second day, we had made plans to visit the aquarium. So this is where the surprise comes in..

In March, we met two of the most awesome people ever, Matt & Rachelle, on our cruise to Mexico. We have all been wanting to get together, but them being in Modesto and us, well, here it just hasn't been possible. But, Monterey is almost halfway for both of us. So, Ben (super secretly) and them worked it out and they met up with us at the aquarium and were able to squeeze in lunch and a walk around the pier before we had to head home. I am so thankful for the amazing people God has put in our lives, and it was a lot for them to drive two and a half hours just to come see us, we were so blessed!

It was a bonus that the aquarium was amazing. The kids loved it! And they also really liked meeting Matt & Rachelle.

Just two kids in a clam!

A beautiful, HUGE sea turtle.

Avery loved the bear. It was all we could do to get Graysen to sit by it for a picture.

Finally, thanks to Rachelle, for a great picture of all of us...

in the same location, at the same time, looking at the same camera, did I mention ALL OF US?

A great time with two of the coolest people ever!

July Wrap-up

Well, there went July and it seems like August is going with it! So here's a few updates and pictures from July.

Graysen had a check-up last month and in three months he grew over 3 1/2 inches, crazy! and has been consistently going potty on the big toilet (TMI, maybe but awesome!!). His new obsessions: hot dogs (weird?), and anything involved with helicopters, planes or motorcycles. He is still on track for the NFL, yes, last week he threw a spiral right into my face, and almost broke my nose, AGAIN! He also is now terrified of flies and always thinks they are attacking him. Not sure where that phobia came from? He is definitely the family entertainer.

Avery's world these days is about the same. Days consisting of talking, talking, and more talking. And when she is not talking to someone or something, she loves to color and "write stories", and her new favorite subject is addition. She is getting too smart for this mama!

As for Ben, well, it's happened. Yes, he has turned, *ahem* thirty. Yes, sorry hun, it's out there now! But I'd say he is coping quite well and we went on a fabulous birthday trip to ease the pain.

I made that dress! Yep, the girl who can barely sew on a button may have found a new hobby!

Avery, Gray and their best bud, Maddi eating Scotcheroos!

Graysen learned to feed Harley and he is very excited about it.

Avery reading to Graysen in their "book nook". So sweet.

Family time at the park in Monterey.

She May Have a Future!!

More Summer Fun...

This is our favorite new discovery. The base pool is just perfect for the kids, and it is heated so it is quite enjoyable for mom as well! We are now making excuses to go up there as often as possible!