Spring Training 2011

This year Spring Training was especially special because it was not only our first trip back to AZ since moving but it was the first time in over 4 years that we were in S.T. with all our friends in AZ too! As soon as our friend's the Greens were traded and heading to AZ for spring we knew we had to get a place together and make some new memories! It is hard to believe, 5 years ago, we welcomed Olivia into the world while living together during the spring. Who knew 5 years later we would be living together again, but this time plus 3 more kids and a dog.

This ipad sure was a big hit with all the kids. We had to set specific times for each kid to get a turn playing on it. On rare occasions they would actually play on it together.
We definitely filled our short 3 weeks with lots of fun things to do with the kids. Here we spent the day at the AZ zoo, although it was hot and the stroller broke, we were still able to have a great time!
Rilyn is still telling stories of their adventures riding the camel!

It was such a treat to celebrate with Olivia on her birthday this year. Christina found a cute place that hosted Olivia's Mermaid Party! The girls had their hair, nails and makeup done before enjoying an under-the-sea tea party. They had so much fun dancing and playing. Happy 5th Birthday Olivia!!




For Olivia's actual birthday we all went out to dinner at a "Benihana's" style restaurant. The kids loved seeing them cook over the grill in front of us. After we went back to the house for birthday dessert!

The Dads had fun "camping out" with the kids one night with a make-shift tent. We also didn't have a fire to roast the marshmallows, so they improvised and used the BBQ. After, they laid in the tent and told ghost stories while the Mommies sat back and enjoyed a glass of wine.

We have been so fortunate in making lifelong friends with the Greens and Rifkins. Thank you Seattle for bringing our 3 families together and keeping us close throughout the years of being apart. I know that we will continue to make memories together for the rest of our lives!

Winter 2010

This year the holidays were very traditional but small. Unfortunately, both my brother and sister and her husband were unable to come to Chico for Christmas. We spent Christmas morning with my parents and Grandma and then headed to Clearlake to celebrate with Jeff's family. This year was a lot of fun since the kids are getting a little older. They were excited to play in the snow, make gingerbread houses, help bake with Gramps and Mama, send their gift list to Santa and wake up Christmas morning with awe and amazement. It definitely brings back memories to me of being a kid and anticipating that special morning!


All bundled up and ready to go. This picture reminds me of Ralphie in The Christmas Story :)


There was plenty of snow to allow for all winter activities, snowman building, sledding, snowball fights and best of all was the igloo that Gramps, Dada and the kids were able to make.




Best igloo EVER! What great memories.......

Off Season In Napa

This past off season we had the pleasure of FINALLY spending a long weekend with our friends the Greens (adults only) in Napa. It was their first time experiencing the wine country and we loved every minute of it. I think most of our excitement was due to not having kids with us for once since we all had kids. We really made the most of our trip and got to do tastings at some of the best wineries.

It was close to Christmas and many of the wineries were decorated and festive as you can see here at Silver Oak and their beautiful Christmas Tree.

We enjoyed taking it all in and doing the tours and tastings. My favorite by far was our private tour at Schramsberg. It is incredible to learn about the process, time and dedication that goes into making their champagne. It didn't hurt that it was delicious too!




Not only are the wineries beautiful but so are the vineyards.

We had such a great time from our amazing dinners, to our cooking class, private tours and time catching up. We are so blessed to have such great friends and many memories to share together!

Where To Start..........

Here, almost a year ago is where I attempted to get back into blogging. These pictures are now distant memories, but I figured I would re-live them to get up to date and back on my blogging feet! This picture is from Erika's Bachelorette Party up in Lake Almanor. It was amazing how many of us were able to be together and celebrate this special time with Erika. I am so grateful for these friendships that we have maintained since highschool, people are always shocked to know that so many of us have remained close! I love you GIRLS!! Such great memories from that weekend and for the past *gasp* 20 years!! Are we really that old??

We had the prime location to celebrate, a lakefront house with a private grass area, deck, ski boat and wave runners. (Who can forget the chips and salsa?)

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these pics!! Although we are grown up I love that we can still have fun like we did as kids!

Here is the day of the wedding, umbrellas, rain boots and all.....Beautiful location, beautiful bride and a beautiful couple. Congrats to Erika and Rich!

Halloween/Emerson's 2nd Birthday Party. We decided to have a costume party with all our friends and it worked out perfect. The kids had a blast and we all went trick-or-treating together after. Might have to be a birthday tradition.

My Dad surprised us and was a BIG hit as DJ Lance from Yo Gabba Gabba. It is even funnier if you are familiar with the show.

Grandma Mary even got into the action :)

Dada loving our new house where he has the opportunity to do his favorite hobby anytime. The Girls have really enjoyed fishing with him as well and Rilyn always seems to catch the most fish!

Silly pics...

Our Girls at 4-1/2 and 2!

Rilyn's Preschool Graduation

This has been a busy month for us between packing up our house, work, fitting in time with close friends and Rilyn's Preschool Graduation. Here is Rilyn on her last day of school. Going to preschool was such a great experience for Rilyn and Jeff and I are so grateful for the time and commitment her teacher's put into making it such a successful year.

Here are pictures from Rilyn's preschool graduation ceremony, although she will be in preschool again next year ;) Great picture of us trying to keep Emerson entertained throughout the ceremony. LOL! Is she practicing winking??

Rilyn's Preschool Class of 2010.

Here Rilyn is receiving her diploma and they asked her what she wanted to be when she grows up, her answer: A Doctor..........hmmm......Did she talk with Gramps before heading to the ceremony?
The kids blowing out cupcake candles to celebrate afterwards.

This is Rilyn's best friend from school, Finley.

What Emerson has been up to this month.

To start off the month Emerson had her first big boo-boo. She took a hard spill off the couch into the coffee table. This picture definitely doesn't do her injuries justice. She is a little bear though, cried for a second then brushed it off. I am sure this will be the first of many boo-boo's for this child. :~(

Rocking her boo-boo proudly.

Don't suckers make it all better??
At first we thought this was cute, sharing her food with the dog, until she started eating off her tray again like the dog. Priceless......

Too cool for words!