Nate The Great is 8!

My first born son is eight years old. Really? Where has the time gone? I can still clearly remember being pregnant, going through labor, delivering my boy and enjoying those first minutes, hours and days with my baby.
These past 8 years have been amazing as I have watched Nathan grow from a baby, to a toddler, to a little boy, to a young man. He is the joy of my life!

Happy Birthday sweet boy!!

A "big" gift from Grandma Mary!
Cool doodle book

Jason:: Trying Something New

Jason has been begging me to give him roller skating lessons. Well, I finally gave in and took him out for a roll. He fell a lot the first time, but by the 4th time out he is really moving. He thinks he is a pro now, but he has a ways to go! Go JJ!!!

Calling all Angels

Tonight our dear friend Yvonne took us (Dan, Nathan and Melissa) to the Angel game to celebrate Nathan's 8th birthday. Jason, not being into the game, stayed with Aunt Desi over night.
We started the evening up in the highest section (in the hard, tight seats) and thanks to Yvonne and her amazing connections, we made it down to the Diamond Club. Let me just say, the game is a whole lot different up close. It didn't hurt that the Angels got a home run while we were down there and we got to see the fireworks.

I think Nathan had the "time of his life" and that was the most important thing!

Oh yeah, and the Angels won the game too- what could be better?

Up in the nose-bleed section!
Up close at the game!

The cute girls who shoot the shirts into the stands!

Oh Yah- this boy is HAPPY!

A New Bike For Nathan

You've come a long way baby!!

Nathan is turning 8 in a few days- I can hardly believe it! In honor of his birthday, we bought him a new bike to fit with his growing size and ability.

Nathan is now the proud owner of a 24 inch bike with 21 speeds. It is amazing how much faster he can go with the gears and larger tires. He is finally excited to go for a ride.

Today, he and Dan went for 6 mile bike ride and it was no problem. Dan said he had no difficulty going up the hills or keeping up with him- so cool!
Now to get Jason up to speed and then the Crout family can really zip around Irvine!!

Girl's Getaway

Getaway Girls 2011
Stephanie, Melissa, Raquel, Julie, Kara & Betsy

This past weekend I was able to getaway with some sweet girlfriends from church. This is our 5th year doing this, but our first time in Summerland. Summerland is a quaint seaside town South of Montecito and Santa Barbara.

We hit the road at 3pm on Friday and headed North. Our retreat belonged to a relative of one of the girls and it was just what we needed. It was beautiful, clean, organized and had every amenity we could have asked for.

Our Oasis by the Sea

Saturday morning, after sleeping in and a yummy breakfast, we hit the trail. The houses in the area are stunning, the green hills and fresh air were refreshing and the hills a challenge. One of our group is a personal trainer and I went along with her on a longer workout. I was aching like an old lady afterward, but felt great!

Saturday night we went to a wonderful local restaurant called Arroyo. The girls treated fellow "40" birthday girl, Stephanie, and I to dinner and a Margarita (mine was virgin). I tell you, I ate the best fajitas I have ever had- they were amazing!!

Beautiful at 40

Sunday we slept in, had breakfast, started the cleaning up and laundry, had a little devotional time and hit the road by 12:30. We got back to Orange County and I enjoyed a great reunion with my little boys, my big man and my sweet puppy. Absence definitely makes the heart grow fonder.

To sum up the weekend: We watched movies, played games, talked, laughed, ate lots of good food and slept really well. To me, that is the perfect retreat!! I can't wait till next year's little getaway!!

1st Day of School

It feels like we have been preparing for this day for weeks. We have been getting into the routine of what to do when we wake up- 1. Make Bed 2. Get Dressed 3. Breakfast 4. Brush teeth 5. Chores. Today went off without a hitch. We made it to school in plenty of time and were thankful it was still cool at 8am!
Both boys were really excited about the teachers they got and so was I. Jason is starting 1st grade and is in Mrs. Weie's class. Nathan is in 3rd grade and is with Mrs. Johnson. Both teachers are sweet, gentle and happened to be Christians as well- a blessing all around!

I also am really pleased with the kids in their class- the best group of kids to be around each day!

I too went back to school today. I did work yesterday, but today we had the kiddos in the classroom. Our school has their "Back To School Night" right after the parents drop their kids off. So while the teachers are meeting in the multi purpose room with parents, we (instructional aids) were back in the class room with 60 kids- YIKES. This group is really young (half of each class is still 4) and there were some obvious challenges, but all in all it was a great day.

I really do LOVE my job and this year it is much easier without Jason in the class. I did miss my old students and even had to go look in on them in their first grade rooms- they seem so grown up now! I am prayerful that I can be a blessing to the kids in my class and that I can learn and grow in my position.

Who Says You Have To Grow Up?

After we went to Claim Jumper to use the kid's free meal coupons, we headed to the Lego store at South Coast Plaza. As soon as we walked in Dan said, "I think we're going to have to buy Dad something." By Dad he meant himself. He said that he hasn't bought himself a Lego set for himself in over 20 years. Now, he has bought them for all three boys- but this was a big deal.

Dan has been working so hard at UCI and freelancing at home- he deserved a little reward! What better way to spend the day with your sons then putting together an really big set?

The Millennium Falcon was the set we ended up getting. He was eying a castle set and a ship, but the classic Star Wars ship won out. Ryan will be so jealous!!

The building began at 2pm and without breaks they finished by 5pm. Dan and Nathan equally built this together and it was a joy to see them work as a team.



As you can see, the final product is pretty impressive- good job guys and have fun!

The Crout Family- Fall 2011

We went to Grandma Mary's house today for dinner and an impromptu photo shoot for our Christmas card. This year we added Chloe to our family and with Ryan away at school, it is hard to get a picture with the whole gang, but I like what we got here!! Hope you Enjoy!

My sweet boys and their dog!

Chloe Crout (10 1/2 months)
Nathan & the girls
Happy Jason
Our Christmas Card-
a sneak peek!

An Angel is Born

Today at 2:09pm an angel arrived in Orange County. Livianne Eloise Poissonnier was born to proud parents, Tricia and Arno. She joins big sisters- Claire (8), Maddie (6) and Elise (2). She is a beautiful baby and a blessing to her family!!

Welcome little girl!!

While Livianne was being born, we had the privilege of hanging out with the big girls! Every time the phone would ring they asked if it was their mom and if she had had the baby yet!! It was great!! Elise summed it up with, "I so happy."

Claire, Maddie & Elise

The Art of Imagination

Okay, so my kids are not artistic in the traditional sense, but they are creative when it comes to Lego blocks and stories.
Jason built this nifty "International Space Station" and then sold it to Nathan for all of his "Pretend City" money. It came with places for ships to land, a junk yard with extra parts to modify ships and spaces to create new spacecrafts.
Who needs 100 sets of Legos when you have an imagination? Nathan has played with this ever-evolving toy for a week now. The ships are constantly morphing into bigger and better creations and the possibilities are endless.
Thank you Jason for creating something for your brother to play with and thank you God for giving my sons complex brains and imaginations that have no limits!!