Block Party 2011

Our annual neighborhood block party was postponed this year until the beginning of school instead of the end.  It worked out well, it wasn't as hot and the sun set earlier so we could watch the fun video that had been put together.  There was the usual yummy food, cotton candy, and fun games for the kids.  Aria made a beeline for the cotton candy.  It matched her outfit!

Little Miss Cotton Candy

 Chase had fun at the cake walk winning Ding Dongs and candy.  Michela was helping out with the games and Hunter was eating as many treats as he possibly could.

 

Laina giving Daddy Loves. 

Instead of the usual bike parade, this year the committee provided glow sticks for the kids to decorate their bikes, scooters, and skateboards with for a night parade.  The kids came up with the cool ideas and it looked awesome when they were all riding around the cul-de-sac. 

Chase getting his Glow on. 

Aria and her Fancy Scooter. 

Ridge and Hunter decorating. 

Hunter's cool bike design.

 There were even minute to win it games.  I got a funny video of Chase trying to catch a tortilla on the top of his head while wearing a paper plate for a hat.  We live in such a wonderful neighborhood and I'm so glad we live among such wonderful people.

Our Newest Cub Scout

Chase is our newest Cub Scout in the family.  His birthday is in July, but the leaders let him start early so he could go to the Day Camp in June.  Saying that Chase is thrilled to be a scout is an understatement.  As soon as he got his book he was asking me to helped him pass off his Bobcat.  We worked hard this summer and for August Pack meeting he was able to earn his Bobcat and one bead for the requirements he had passed off.  I'm so glad my boys love being in Scouts and don't mind Mom working on stuff with them.  It turns out it has been pretty fun for me too.

California Part 6: Swimming with the Cousins

    As the week came to a close we planned a day up in Woodland with my brother Kurt's family.  The kids love getting together with their cousins.  It was a hot day, so the kids spent most of it in the pool.

Hunter, Chase, Whitney, Hailey, and Michela

  Laina really wanted to go in too, but she was coming down with a little cold and the water was a bit chilly.

Aria and Carley

  Shannon let Jaxon try out the water, but whenever the water got over his diaper he started crying.

Uncle Steve helping Aria learn how to swim.

 We had a great time eating some delicious grilled tri-tip and chicken that my brother had made, talking and catching up, and scarfing down some yummy homemade ice cream sandwiches.  Can you tell which part was Hunter's favorite?

  I'm so glad we were able to go.  Such a nice and relaxing week.  Mike spent most of his time ripping up the floor in the hallway so Mom could put down some new cork.  He and the kids also built a new back porch and steps from the laundry room door in the back of the house.

Chase, Michela, and Hunter hanging out on the new steps.

My Mom is always so happy when Mike is in town, she always get something done around the house.  Last Christmas when we were there Mike painted the front of the house.  My Mom was outside one day and a neighbor walked by asking who she had hired to paint the house.  My Mom said her son-in-law had done it and the lady asked, "where can I get me one of those!?"  LOL!

California Part 5: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Last year we had a family reunion down in Santa Cruz and the kids absolutely LOVED the Boardwalk.  There are all kinds of rides, games, and lots of junk food.  When we were thinking of what to do while we were in California the kids unanimously voted to go back to the Boardwalk.  My Mom, my brother Craig, and I took the kids to the Boardwalk while Mike went mountain biking in the Santa Cruz mountains.
We had so much fun!  This time around I wasn't nursing a baby, so I was actually able to have more time to ride the rides.  Craig and I had a blast reliving our childhood and had so much fun watching the kids.  We started off the day with a roller coaster.  Chase was brave enough to go, but Hunter opted out.  I laughed the entire time because Chase wouldn't open his eyes.  At least he went on it!

 Aria had so much fun riding all of the little kid rides.  Grandma kept Aria and Laina busy and having fun.  Thanks Mom for being my babysitter!

 Hunter and Michela got braver as the day went on.  We got them to go on the Giant Dipper and then they wanted to ride it again and again.  In fact one time we couldn't find them and I bet Mike that if we parked ourselves at the exit of the Giant Dipper they would be coming out soon.  Sure enough, not three minutes later they came running down the ramp laughing and goofing off.  Craig, Michela, Hunter and I also braved the Tower which blasts you off to the top of this huge tower and then drops you back down, going up and down a few times.  We laughed so hard when we saw the picture of us all.

When Mike got there we all rode the Log ride, even Aria.  Michela really wanted to ride the Ferris Wheel, so Chase joined her and Hunter and I hopped on after.  

Chase and Michela on the Ferris Wheel.

Chase looking a little worried.

 Aria's favorite ride was probably the little dragon roller coaster.  I was afraid that she might panic and chicken out, but she had so much fun.

The kids on the dragon roller coaster.  You can barely see Aria's head next to Michela.

I took Laina and Aria on the Carousel a few times.  Laina got a kick out of riding the horses.  I wish I would have been better with the picture taking, but I was having way too much fun to even think about it.  What a fabulous day!  I think Santa Cruz is going to hold some wonderful memories for our family for years to come.

California Part 4: Laina Starts Walking

When we first got to California Laina was just taking a few steps at a time.  In my Mom's house there are nice long hallways for a child to hone her walking skills.  By the time we left Laina was walking all over the place.  What a difference a week makes.  Here's a cute little video of her walking towards me when she was first starting to get brave.

California Part 3: Cement Slide

  One of my favorite places when I was a kid was Cordonices park in Berkeley.  We've taken the kids there a few times now and it is fast becoming one of their favorite spots as well.  We loaded up the car with pieces of cardboard and headed over there for a fun afternoon.  The older kids love how fast they can go down the slide. 

Hunter getting some speed.

Hunter 

Chase holding on tight.

Chase trying not to wipe out.

Michela

 Aria ended up chickening out.  I think she was a bit too intimidated by all of the other kids there.  She opted for the slide on the play structure instead.

Aria and Daddy watching the big kids.

Aria sliding on the little slide.

Laina LOVES swinging.  She won't sit back in the swing, she loves to hang over the front edge.  She was so excited she had her little fists clenched and was laughing the entire time.  What a perfect day in the warm sunshine with the ones we love the most.

Happiness

Pure Joy

Laina is flying!

California Part 2: The Golden Gate Bridge

When we were out in California for Christmas Mike said he wanted to take the kids to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. He obviously did not grow up in the Bay Area, because only insane people would try to walk across the Bridge during December. Cold and windy does not even begin to describe it. So we decided to put that idea away until we were out in the summer time.Tuesday was the day so we grabbed our jackets, packed a lunch, and put on our walking shoes. The day looked pretty but as we drove toward the city we could see the Bridge was shrouded in fog.We decided to be brave so we bundled up the kids, wrapped Laina up in blankets and headed out.It was pretty windy and pretty chilly. Before we had even made it half way, Aria, Laina, Chase, and Mike were done. At least we got one picture of all of us.

View of San Fran from the Bridge.

Michela and Hunter wanted to keep going to the end, so my Mom and I went with them. It got a lot less crowded the further we went. The only scary part was all the bikes that went zooming past you. There were a few times when I thought my Mom was for sure going to be hit, but luckily she didn't. Here we are almost at the end.

We then walked all the way back and met Mike and the little kids back at the cars where we ate our lunches sheltered from the wind inside the cars. The bridge is 1.7 miles one way, so we got a good walk in that day crossing it twice. My Mom told Hunter he should tell his class that he walked across the ocean on his summer vacation.

It was a fun experience, I think we should try it again when they are a little bit older. Hopefully next time it will be a bit clearer and a bit warmer!

Our Week in California Part 1

Jaxon is such a cutie!

We were finally able to squeeze in a week to California. We left right after Chase's baptism and drove through the night. We got there around 3:30 in the morning and were never so glad to fall into bed. Unfortunately the kids slept in the car so they were up and ready to go the next morning, no sleeping in late for Mommy! We were able to spend lots of time with my Mom, my brother Craig, my brother Steve, his wife Shannon, and their baby Jaxon.

Sunday was a day to recuperate and relax. Monday I took the kids down to the botanical gardens for a nice little walk. I used to love going there when I was younger. I would pack a lunch, grab a book and spend the better part of the day wandering around or finding a comfy place to sit and read. How awesome is it to have a botanical garden practically in your backyard!

Here are the kids sitting on a cool bench near the entrance.There are lots of ponds throughout the garden, but this one is the biggest and it is full of big fat koi fish. I kept warning the kids to stay away from the edge, but they wouldn't listen.Michela ended up losing her balance and came away with a soaking wet shoe.

We stopped in the shade and the older three climbed the big rock at the bottom of the garden.

Aria kept Laina happy.

Beautiful flowers to look at.

It was a good first adventure for the trip and helped us work in a little exercise as well. I was so happy to get out of the heat of Utah and enjoyed the mild temperatures of the Bay Area. I was so happy to see the fog the first morning we were there. It was so beautiful outside when we went walking, it was a perfect day with the kids.