Jason and Chloe

Awhile back I posted a cute picture of Nathan with Chloe. Here is Jason and his dog too!

Nathan:: 3rd Grade Play

Today Nathan participated in his 3rd Grade play called, "The History of Orange County and Irvine." Nathan knows more about Orange County and Irvine then we did! He has been learning all about this area since it was first settled by Native Americans until modern day.

The play was about 45 minutes and consisted of speaking parts and songs. Nathan was William Spurgeon. William and his brother founded the city of Santa Ana. They also requested that Santa Ana be the county seat when Orange County separated from Los Angeles County. Although Anaheim had wanted the honor, the lawmakers agreed to let Santa Ana be the county seat!

Nathan saying his lines

Grammy was our special guest (daddy too)

Nathan with his teacher, Mrs. Johnson!

Nathan and buddy, Pasquale!

The boy looked so dashing in his suit (borrowed from a friend) and enjoyed the attention!

Same kid?

I took a picture of Nathan dressed up for his school play and realized it looked just like a picture I took of Ryan a few years back. Check out the likeness~

Ryan was 16 1/2 and Nathan is 8 1/2- just 8 years difference- Ryan just needs his glasses and Nathan just needs to be a bit taller and we would have twins!

I love my dog

What can I say? I just love my girl. She brings me much joy and I love cuddling with her while a read a book, watch a movie or take a nap. She is fun to take on walks and I especially love seeing the boys light up when they see her. They are still learning how to play appropriately with her and are doing so much better! I also love how much Dan loves her. They have a real special relationship and there is nothing like a manly man getting down and cuddly with a little pup!

My Daddy

The last few months have been consumed with my dad. He has been in and out of hospitals for surgeries and is now in a skilled nursing facility. When he went in for the surgery in early December we really thought he would have the same result as he had had last spring when he had the same operation (to remove scar tissue on his spine). Well, we were wrong. He lost mobility in his hands and arms and even his legs weren't working right. Since he seemed to decline, they went in for a second procedure to help stabilize his spine (but would give him less mobility in the future in his neck).

We had a rough Christmas as his recovery was slow and his spirits were down. He was in a rehab facility for 10 days, but just couldn't do what they wanted him to do. He was moved to the facility he is currently in and he has been slowly getting better- we are talking baby steps! I am clinging to the hope that the steps are moving forward and not backward and that he is happy to be alive (wasn't always the case).

The facility I chose is in Costa Mesa so he can be visited by his friends from the senior center and friends from church. I really appreciate their faithfulness in keeping him company. I can only get over there once or twice a week, but they are seeing him daily and that is so good for his spirits. Due to the lack of strength in his hands, he wasn't even able to talk on his phone (a huge life line for him and his friends). For the past few weeks he has been feeding himself and can now use his iPhone and keep up with everyone. He finally feels human again.

He is still cared for by amazing nurses and assistants who bath him, change diapers, change his clothes and get him in his wheelchair for lunch. He can't move the chair himself, but does enjoy eating in the dining room with other patients and being more social. He was able to get some glasses so he can see what is in front of him.

This week he even made it out of the place and got to visit his friends at the Costa Mesa Senior Center- boy were they glad to see him (and vice versa). Before this whole surgery/recovery ordeal, my dad went to the senior center every day- it was like a job to him. He loves the people there and it gave him purpose to help them and the administration get along and run a smooth place. They have been lost without my dad! His hope is to be able to go back once a week to visit, have lunch and to help out where he can. I had to remind him that his main priority is to recover and be able to walk again. His leg muscles are almost gone, but we are working to get him more therapy so he can get out of the wheelchair and back on his feet- we can dream, can't we?

Big Boy!

Today Nathan went to the movies with a few of his friends from school. Some of these boys have known each other since Kindergarten! They went to see Star Wars: The Phantom Menace in 3D. T

Happy boys in line for Phantom Menace-3D

So serious in buying his own ticket!

No adults sitting with them- they loved it!

NATURE- does a body good! (part 1)

Today we headed up to Trabuco Canyon and hiked "Holy Jim" trail. The adventure began when we got off the main road (near O'neil Campground) and headed up to the trail head. Online they warn you about the conditions of the road, but until you experience it- you just don't know. Needless to say, the CR-V is not the best car to take on these back roads, but it beats parking the car and walking the 4.5 miles to the trail head.

"Look at all the Trees mom," said Jason

Chloe was unsure about the car ride

We crossed over many river beds like this one!

Hey, wait for me!

NATURE- does a body good! (part 2)

You know you don't your kids outside enough when they just can't get over the amount of trees everywhere. The surrounding neighborhoods of Irvine (including Woodbridge lakes) don't really count as "outdoors". We have friends who do this kind of stuff on a weekly basis and I can see why they love it! We stepped out of our comfort zone, but were well rewarded for our efforts- it was AMAZING!

There aren't many places that allow dogs on the trail (on or off the leash) and we were glad that we brought Chloe along. She seems so clumsy lumbering down the stairs or slipping on the hardwood floors, but get that girl outdoors and she is in her element. It was so fun to watch her leap and bound up rocks, through creeks, say hello to everyone and just run loose! If not for us, then for Chloe we will definitely be doing this more often!

The boys enjoyed the hike as well and were great sports! I think this trail was a hit for them because; 1. there was a lot of people to talk to 2. the scenery was beautiful-thank you Lord 3. they got to run along with their dog 4. they got to climb rocks 5. they were with their mom and dad! Could you ask for more?

Side note: We took these pictures using Dan's new iPhone that he got for work. Dan took the majority of the pictures and I appreciate their motion and candidness (unlike all my posed shots). The coolest thing was that the pictures were uploaded to The Cloud and I was able to see them on the iPad and the iMac immediately- you've got to love technology (sometimes!)

My other car is a. . . . . . bike?

It has been almost 8 months since we got rid of our second car. Honestly, we haven't missed the car much and have enjoyed the benefits of having only one car. We couldn't do it so easily if we didn't have such great bicycles to share the load. Dan rides his bike 85% of the time to work. The boys and I have also been walking to school most days. We can go days without needing to drive the one car we are left with- now that is awesome! We also have a nifty bike trailer which I use to grocery shop with!

We are saving on gas, ware and tear, registration and insurance fees and we are getting healthier in the process- ALL GOOD THINGS!!

Recently Nathan started riding his bike to and from school. He is loving the freedom, responsibility and the exercise is good too!

Photo Editing by Jason Crout

Jason LOVES taking pictures with the iPad. When given the chance, (and when I don't pay attention) he can take upwards of about 100 pictures in a 30 minute period. Each one is slightly different and he has fun playing with the different effects. Here are a few of my favorite ones!

2 headed boy

one-eyed monster

laser eyes!

Alien?

Puzzle-Obession PART DUEX

Okay, so I didn't think I would be crazy enough to bring another puzzle into the house so soon, but I caved. The newest one was heart shape- just in time for Valentine's Day. Thankfully this one was only 750 pieces. The difficult part was that it was in the shape of a heart. Pieces that you thought were edges were not- they tricked me over and over. This puzzle took a little over 8 hours to finish. Dan helped me the last two hours and that really helped (and was fun too). Honestly, this isn't his favorite thing to do but spending time with me is top on his priority list!

The Box

Phase 1 (shape was getting there)

Phase 2

Phase 3 (2 hours later)

Phase 4 (finished puzzle)

Chloe hanging out while we puzzled the day away!

Sunday Staple

At the start of the new year Dan and I began a gluten-free diet and two weeks later began Herbalife. We are both really enjoying the supplements and shakes. 2012 is going to be a healthier year for our family, but especially the "old folks". Hawaii is less than 2 1/2 months away and we want to be in great shape for all of our island adventures.

In comes the Sunday Staple. Every Sunday we barbecue some organic, free-range chicken breast tenders and a couple peppers. Add in some brown rice and salad and we have a delicious dinner. The peppers, chicken and rice are then used for the rest of the week to make up Dan's delicious lunch wraps (with corn tortillas). I also makes salads with the extras!!

All in all it is a good system- we are eating well, lots of protein and makes lunch prep the rest of the week easier for me. Bon Apetit!

Why we LOVE Southern California

Today was a beautiful, warm and sunny day in Southern California- this is why people live here or visit during the winter. I am sure it was freezing in places around the country, but here in Orange County- it was mid to high 70's.

Due to the fantastic weather and the generosity of my mother- we headed down to Balboa Island for a day outdoors. She took the boys to the park, to get Valentine's Cards and to the library for a children's program. We on the other hand borrowed her neighbors double kayak and hit the water. We wanted to try out some of our gear we recently purchased for our trip to Kauai and spend time together!

I more recently went on a single kayak with a friend (in her own) and found that much easier than synching my paddling with Dan's, but all in all we had a grand time.

The boys waving us off!

Dan (over my shoulder)

The craziest part of our adventure was coming across these sea lions that have literally taken over two boats in the harbor. I would hate to be the owners of them. Apparently this is a big problem with the boat owners and there isn't much you can do once they have taken over. The sea lions are loud and they stink to high-heaven, but were cool to look at!

We weren't gone very long, but got some sun and had some fun. We plan on kayaking on our trip to Kauai so hopefully we can practice again before we head out in 72 days (whose counting?).

After kayaking, we headed to the cliff above Pirate's Cove in Corona Del Mar and read our books. It was such a beautiful and clear day- we were two of many who had the same idea to go to the beach. Catalina Island was 100% visible, but I didn't have my camera to take a photo then- you'll just have to take my word for it!

I hope you were able to enjoy the beautiful weather today too!