So Sweet

Nathan and Jason have been really good with each other lately. They have been cuddling on the couch (telling each other they love each other and even kissing each other), playing games together, sharing toys and each others space.
That is the biggest one- SPACE. Usually Jason wants to be really close to Nathan and Nathan does not like that. I know it won't always be like this, but I am stopping to appreciate the closeness of my children and I am telling them how special it is- lest they take it for granted.

This is priceless to me- Nathan wanting to read (that is a huge one) and that he is reading to his little brother.

Ryan's Home- for now!

Ryan breezed in on Thursday night after completing his first year at college. It was a rough year, but he ended well. His grades weren't the best, but he made connections and wants to go back for more. In our book, that is a huge step for Ry. He is with us for 2 1/2 weeks and then goes back for summer school and his sophomore year at ASU.

A fraction of the dirty laundry!

A fraction of the stuff he brought home
(you should see our garage)

Mother's Day 2011

Today is Mother's Day. I have had the privilege of being a mom for 7 1/2 years now, but I dreamed of motherhood for many more than that. I told me boys last night that they were my dream come true and that they had made me a mom- what a gift!!

Yesterday I spent the day with my mom. We had lunch at The Cheesecake Factory with my sister Desiree and then we went back to her house to play cards (our favorite past time). I, being a good daughter, let her win (ouch, she kicked my booty good).

My beautiful mom and me!

Today I woke up and was greeted with Mother's Day wishes and home made cards from my boys. Jason gave me a flower that said "My love for you just grows and grows". Nathan wrote me a little poem that was printed on paper with his picture, laminated and made into a magnet. The poem was titled Best Mom and said "Fun like a bounce house, beautiful like a red rose, always nice to me." Both gifts were so special to me- priceless!!

Nathan and Jason-
the reason I am a mother!

Centennial Farm Field Trip

Today I had the privilege of going with Jason and all the other kinder students to Centennial Farm at the Orange County Fair Grounds. Just walking into the fairgrounds got me excited for the summer and the fair- the kids had such a great time when we went last and I can't wait to take them again!
After a nice ride on a yellow school bus, we arrived to the farm. We were divided into two groups. One group went with Farmer Richard and our group was with Farmer Val. Unfortunately I didn't get to go with Jason's group, but we both had a grand time.
First we saw pigs and cows in the small barn and then we saw a cow being milked. Did you know that a cow can produce up to 10 gallons of milk in one day (between am and pm milking)? That is a lot of milk.
Then we saw some amazing Oxen. I always thought Ox were a special breed of cow, but they are just male cows (bulls) that are trained to be working animals. Anyway, these brothers each weighed about 2,700 lbs. each! WOW!!
Next the groups learned about chickens and their off spring. They even got to hold a 2 week chick. The kids just loved this experience and squealed with delight!

Then the group got to plant radish seeds and bring them home. We should have some radishes by the end of May!

Next we visited many animals in their pens. We saw pigs and piglets (look how big that momma is), goats, cows, chickens and more!

Jason got a little nudge and snuggle from the cow. It caught him by surprise, but was a good story to tell later!! All in all, it was a very special day at the farm!

Easter 2011

Cousins~Gidget, Nathan, Mike, Jason

We started our day by going to church. Today was the last day we will be called Creekside Christian Fellowship. As of next week we are The Journey Christian Church. We had a lovely service and then we took the boys to Aunt Desi's house so that Dan and I could go to the hospital for his MRI.
After the appointment, we met up with the family at my brother Curt's home and had a lovely afternoon. We missed lunch, but made it just in time for the egg toss. We had lots of eggs and lots of turns- too much fun!!

Gidget and Nathan- Egg Toss Partners!

Gracie and Kalika- who knew raw eggs
could be so cute!!

My family tossing their eggs- I love it!!

Nathan and Kalika- so sweet!

Mike and Jason- showin' the love!

Post Easter Fun- the littles watch Gracie
while she conquers Angry Birds on our ipad!

Vacation:: The Living Desert

If you ever have a chance to go to The Living Desert in Palm Desert, you need to go. It opens at 9am and that is definitely the time to go- it gets quite warm when you go much later. If you are a member you get to go in at 7am and it is a great place to walk.

It felt like we were in the Savannah in Africa. The animals were lovely and we saw so many different kinds. Nathan had been to the Wild Animal Park in San Diego but I was pregnant with Jason and I don't think he remembers much. This was a real treat!!

Giraffes Feeding!

Adorned in Necklaces
(um, they don't go on your head Jason)
Zebras

I am keeping them in the nest for
as long as I can!!
Nathan saying hello to a goat!

Jason loves petting animals!
Camel Fun (not real)

The Lion King

Vacation:: Palm Desert

Bags Much?

The boys and I joined my mom on a little getaway for part of Spring Break. We headed out to Palm Desert to stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Rancho Mirage and go to The Living Desert. We drove out on Tuesday, stopped by the outlet stores in Cabazon to get shoes for the boys and then we headed to our hotel. We swam, ate food, played and had fun... until we got a call from Dan's mom on Wednesday that he was in the ER and had an accident on his bicycle.

We had been at the Living Desert all morning (without cell phones) and didn't know what was going on. Although his CT scan was clear, Dan was going to need some looking after. So, we hopped back in the car (with much tears by two boys) and headed back to Orange County.

I will share more about Dan's accident in another post, but let me show the pictures we took while gone for our 2 days in the desert.

Fun at the pool!

Grammy and her boys at

The River in Rancho Mirage

In front of "Babe's"
We didn't get to eat here, but I love this place!!