Kindergarten Graduate

Here are some long overdue pictures from Melanie's kindergarten graduation! I can't believe that in a few months she will be in the first grade!! Thanks for coming Auntie Amanda and Uncle Vince...and an extra thanks for taking a squirmy Brooklyn down to the playground!

School out for SUMMER!

I am so excited to have the summer off of school! I think I may be more excited than the kids ;o) It's great not having to get kids ready for school, pack lunches and spend most of my day in the car picking up kids and dropping them off! So far we are on day three of summer and we've been to the park, the pool and the splash park! The picture of Brooklyn at the park looks like she has freckles, but she was just REALLY dirty from all the wood chip throwing!


Tomorrow we are slowing things down a bit because the girls have a doctor's appointment. But I'm excited to do more fun stuff before the summers over and the kids start back at school again! Here are some pics from our week so far. I just got my lens back from canon so I want to start using my camera more!!

"Firsts" part 2

Brian also taught Brandon to ride a two wheeler. Brandon really wants to ride a dirt bike and Brian told him he had to learn his regular bike first. We couldn't believe how quickly he picked it up! We went to the park and he was riding by himself all over the place! Melanie does NOT want to try yet and is happy with her training wheels *LOL*

A lot of "firsts" around our house this weekend

Melanie had her first soccer game this weekend and she LOVED it! It was so neat to see the kids running around and smiling! There were a few parents who I could have done without because they yelled directions at their kids the entire time. It's just for fun at this age and we don't even keep score. Brian did AWESOME coaching, it was so neat to see him out their guiding all the kids.

Caffeine

Life seems to be so hectic and my morning time surfing the internet has gotten shorter and shorter. Plus, I'm just a horrible blogger *LOL* We've almost been in our house for an entire year now...time really flies.

Brandon is finally enjoying preschool and I think we'll keep him there next year too. He has such a late birthday that I think another year would benefit him. Although it's tempting to send him to kindergarten since it's free!! They have a great junior kindergarten program at the school he is at now.

Melanie is reading and writing stories now. It just amazes me how quickly she picks things up! She is enjoying daisy girl scouts and just started soccer. Her first game is tomorrow and Daddy is her coach!

Brooklyn is the definition of "terrible two's" and I have a feeling it will last long in to her 3rd year of life!! She is so spunky and strong-willed (much like Melanie but sassier)!! She will tell total strangers to "stop looking at me" and often tells all of us to leave her alone *LOL* But it is fun talking to her now since she has so much to say.

Brian just started at a new job site this week. It's quite a drive, but he had been off work since Christmas so he's thankful to be working! He kept busy while he was at home and we now have a new sidewalk and swings in the backyard. The kids could spend all day swinging and be happy. We're still waiting for them to play in the fort *LOL*

I am still staying at home with the kids and working part time at our church coordinating the staff for children's ministry. Today is day one with no caffeine as I seem to have been abusing it to get through my days *LOL* I did however stop at Starbucks to get a decaf Vanilla Latte. I couldn't start the day without my warm cup of coffee and this seems to be doing the trick! We are about to embark on a two week Spring Break, so I'm excited to have the freedom to do whatever we want. I think we'll probably hit up the zoo, wild animal park and visit friends and family in oc :o) We got passes to the wild animal park/zoo so we need to get some use out of them!

I'm sure I won't update for another year or two, so enjoy the read *LOL* Maybe I'll get better about keeping the blog updated!

Lots of random pictures

We're finally all settled in to our new house and the kids love having a yard to run around and fight in *LOL* Melanie and Brandon will start school on august 14th so we're just enjoying our summer! Daddy built a fort in the backyard so the kids have been busy playing up there and swimming when it's hot...which is a lot lately!!

Some recent pics of the kiddos!

With the gorgeous weather, we've spent lots of time outside. The kids

have really enjoyed the pool, the beach and going to the park! Brooklyn just wants to do everything the big kids do, so she's been keeping me busy...as well as getting all kinds of bumps and bruises!

Just for you Marilee

I'm so bad about keeping up my blog these days. But here are some recent pics atleast :o) The older kids are really into taking adventures now, so here are some pics of our trip to the "wilderness" area across the street from our house! Then there are a few of Miss Brooklyn...who thinks she is one of the big kids. She tries to ride their trikes and gets into just as much trouble (see the sneaky cookie monster pic).

I'm a bad blogger

Things are just a whirlwind these days with trying to referree all the fights between the kids and keeping our house somewhat clean! I love having them at home with me, but I must say I can't wait until they are in school and I can have some time to actually clean things all the way...rather then getting so many things half done! But I'm sure once that day comes I'll miss having them here with me all day.

Our family update...Melanie starts preschool in a few weeks! I can't believe how fast she is growing up! Brandon and Brooklyn have birthdays at the end of September and will be three and one year old! Brandon is starting to use the big boy potty...although I think it will be a looooong process. Brian is working in San clemente and things are slowing down with his hours. It has been nice having him home more and sunday we even made it to Disneyland for a family day. It's been a fun summer in the sun. We spent lots of time at the pool, the beach, the lake and Nona's spa! I'll try to keep up with this more :o)

random pics

My kiddos have a new cousin! Welcome Baby Joshua :o)