Penngrove and a New Toy!

Ashlee, Kendyl and I headed out west to Penngrove, to visit my grandparents yesterday.  My Grandpa is not doing so well -- we were long overdue for a visit.  It's such a relaxing drive and so beautiful out there.  I love the endless vineyard covered rolling hills.  It's even more breathtaking in the fall when all the leaves are changing color.  I really miss Sonoma County and it's calm.  It was nice to go back home again.  I wish I would have taken more photos to share.

While we were there, we scored Grandpa's old food dehydrator!  Grandpa used to make the BEST beef jerky for all the grandkids but now he is too weak to conquer such a task.  We are going to give it our best!  But first, Ashlee and I decided to make some yummy snacks for this week's lunches.  First in the making are nectarine fruit rolls.  Secondly, we added some apples to the bottom racks.  We'll let you know how they turn out.  We are so excited for our new toy!

Hungry!

Miss Smiley!

Why We Love Cool, California

Today we drove out to see Ryan's parents (Papa Dennis and Gramma Jan) in Cool.  It was far from cool out there today though.  It was hot.  The kids just love going up there!  They love to run around on the property and feel the sense of freedom.  There are no fenced in 20 x 30 yards in Cool.  It's country at it's best!  It's a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  We feel relaxed and ready for our crazy week -- in the suburbs.  (sigh....)

Why we love Cool, California...

Papa and Gramma live there!

The trees have personality.

You find color bursting everywhere.

You find houses waiting to become homes.

Mario is there and ready to play and cuddle.

We get to sit back, chat and eat while the birds do the same.

The kids can climb trees!

and feel proud when they reach their 'goal branch'.

Gramma takes us on walks.

We can play on the grass and pose for a picture!

Happy Sunday everyone!  Enjoy your week!

Fifth and Third

It's official!  We have a 5th grader and a 3rd grader!  Where has the time gone?  I can't believe this is Ashlee's last year of elementary school - crazy!  Aside from first day jitters, 

the kids are adjusting well to their new school.  

It's gonna be a great year!

Mad Scientist

How sad is it that Haidyn got this science kit for her birthday last year (in November) and I am just now getting around to doing it with her?  Super duper sad!    We made erupting lava, predicted color changes and made growing crystals.  Haidyn loved it and was so proud.   I need to make a better effort at sitting down to 'play' more.  We had fun!

Auntie Shelly stopped by and joined in the fun too!

They Say...

They say you can't spoil a baby by holding them too much.  I don't know -- she looks pretty spoiled to me.  

Still loving every minute of her!

Done Seeing This...

I am so ready for school to start.  Mostly because I'm sick of seeing this!  It's so nice outside.  I don't get it.  I'm glad we limit our kids on their video game playing.  But they sure make certain they get their daily dose.  (sigh...bigger sigh)

A Victorian Tea Party

Ashlee was quite pleased to receive an invitation to a Victorian Tea Party. Her friends, Korena and Karissa (twins) were turning 10 and she was invited to tea at high noon.  She was to wear her best dress and speak with a British accent.  When I dropped her off, to my surprise it was the real deal -- fine silver, china, mini flower shaped sandwiches, handmade cupcakes and treats galore!  I wanted to stay and have tea!  They played fun games from the era; Pass the Slipper and the Don't Smile Game.  Ashlee came home in this stunning hat in which she crafted. What a fun party!

Her very own Victorian original: by Ashlee

"Lovin' My Crib -- Call MTV!"

"Cousin Kaihla became a big girl almost over night, so when she moved into her new big girl bed I scored this awesome crib!  I love it!  I sleep so much better now and Mommy is loving my 5 hour stretch at night.  Life is soooo good!"

See how well rested she looks?!

Getting Bigger

Miss Kendyl is 5 weeks old tomorrow.  She is so much fun.  Smiley as can be!  She's filling out and is starting to feel a little less fragile.  I held off on the one month photos to spare you of her florescent purple lips.  We are fighting a bad case of thrush and our medication stains everything!  Unfortunately her lips were purple too -- til today!  So here's a picture of our normal faced baby.  Enjoy!  

Look at that head control!

So Sweet

Turn up the volume for this rare but special moment...

3 Weeks New!

More pictures?  Of course!   I want to capture it all -- every stage, every expression, every pose you can imagine.  After all, she is our last baby and I just can't get enough of her.  Pretty soon she'll be at the next stage -- less moldable and less sleepy and her photos will be full of smiles.  So for now I want to capture the innocence of her while sleeping.  Like I said in the previous post, this girl likes her sleep.  So far the task has been a piece of cake!

Sleepy Girl

Kendyl has been such a good baby.  She definitely loves her sleep!  Mostly she likes to be held or worn in the baby sling as she sleeps.  But occasionally you will find her dreaming here, in her little buzzy seat.  

I wish I was getting this much sleep.

Our Four Babies

Here are our four babies!  Things are going pretty smoothly with our new addition. I can't believe Kendyl is 2 weeks old already!  It was a sad send-off today when Gramma Dee left.  No more sleeping in for mommy, unlimited access to the pantry for the big kids or hourly arts and crafts for Haidyn.  It was such a blessing to have her here.  We miss you already!  Thank you for a wonderful week!

WE MISS YOU GRAMMA DEE!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

4th of July - 2009

What a great day we had!  Tammi, Sean and Co. came out for the weekend.  It was nice to have all the grandkids together for a holiday again -- Grandma and Papa were thrilled!  The kids were so anxious for fireworks and talked about them non-stop.  Then, the time had finally come!  All were ready, except Haidyn and Kaihla.  Kaihla eventually warmed up to the sights but Haidyn was having NO part in the fun.  She hid under a blanket all evening until eventually she fell asleep in Grandma's arms.  Miss Kendyl hung out inside where it was a bit quieter. Everyone had a super fun day!

Grandma & Papa with Kaihla, Shad, Haidyn, Nolan Kendyl & Ashlee

The grandkids

Nolan, Haidyn, Ashlee and Kendyl

Kaihla and Shad

A little sand to help kill some time -- what they really want are fireworks!!!

Still waiting....a little game of Memory may distract them.

Whoo Hoo!!!!  It's time!!!

Haidyn before she realized what fireworks were...

Haidyn after one sparkler 

Nolan showing his spirit

And Ashlee too!

Oh yeah, and TODAY was Kendyl's due date!  She was officially due on the 4th of July.  But we welcomed her 8 days early.

Happy 4th everyone!  Hope your day was as great as ours!!!

Miss Dimples...

I forgot to mention... Kendyl has TWO of the most adorable dimples!  They bring tears to my eyes when she flashes them in her sleep.  Must be some sweet dreams.

Kendyl - One Week Old

I can't believe it's been a week already.  She has fit so nicely into our family - almost like someone just slipped her there while we weren't looking.   She makes the cutest faces and the messiest of diapers.  She is just heavenly!  Happy one week birthday Kendyl Rose.  

We love you! XOXO

I posted more pics of our little miss on my photog blog.  Click HERE