Saturday, January 24, 2009

Family Day at the river

Last Sunday, we took the kids up to Auburn to play by the river. We stopped at Venita Rhea's, our favorite breakfast place, on the way and then found a spot to park and hike down to the river. Sometimes we don't think ahead too well on these adventures and this was one of those times. We brought the stroller for Kate and had to carefully hike down a big hill with it to get down to the water. People watching probably thought we were crazy pushing a stroller down a hiking path, but Kate thought it was great fun. On the way back up, I carried Kate and Heidi rode in the stroller while John dragged it behind him like a sled since the wheels wouldn't even turn in the rocks. The kids had fun throwing rocks and casting their fishing poles. They just love to be outside and the weather was so beautiful. Heidi was quite adventuresome in the water. Good thing she was wearing her boots because she just wanted to stomp around in the water. She did fall down though and was not happy about getting wet. She solved the problem by taking off her clothes and just wearing her onesie and boots. Ben and John threw lots of rocks and Ben worked on learning to skip rocks. John also took Kate on a hike over to the waterfalls which made me very nervous. She liked it though! It was such a nice day to get some fresh air and enjoy God's beautiful creation.


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Bubble Bath by Dad

John gave the kids a real bubble bath the other night. I think he used 3/4 of the bottle of bubble bath and the kids had a great time. They were just so excited and were laughing the whole time. They made Heidi a princess dress out of bubbles and Ben big Power Ranger muscles. We were all laughing. Great job Dad!





Ben, Heidi & Kate





Here are some random pictures I took of the kids being cute. It is really neat to see how both Ben and Heidi are with Kate. They love her so much. In the mornings Kate and Ben sit together on the couch and watch cartoon while he feeds her Puffs. Heidi likes to help with Kate. She brings her toys, burp cloths, and gets her diaper and wipes all ready for me when it's time to change her. And of course, Kate loves all the attention. We are so blessed!

Date Night



A couple of weekends ago, my sweet sister offered to watch the kids for us for an evening while we went out on a date. She even did my hair and makeup for me before we left which is always so nice. We went to Mikuni and to see a movie. It was so great to have a conversation over dinner and go to a movie together. The kids had so much fun with TT too. When we got home, her and Ben were cuddling on the couch. TT- thank you, thank you, thank you! You're awesome!

Kate's Baths in the sink

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Kate loves to take baths in the kitchen sink now that she can sit up. She will sit in there for close to an hour and play in the water. I can do the dishes in the other half of the sink while she is taking her bath. Great way to multitask :)

Kate's 1st Bath in the BIG tub!


On January 4, 2009, Kate had her first bath in the big bathtub with her sister and brother. She was so excited! She laughed the whole time at Ben and Heidi slapping their washcloths in the water. All of our kids love to take baths and it's fun to see them all in there together having fun. Now Ben is even able to get Heidi ready and in the bath without our help; I was surprised the first night I went down to start the water for them and they were already in the bubble bath!

Weekend with TT & Jesse

We had some fun family times together before Jesse had to fly back to Nashville. We went sledding (except Mom, Heidi and Kate) and spent Sunday afternoon at Grandpa & Grandma's house. We had lunch and then the kids (big & small) did a rock painting craft Aunt Jamey brought over. It is so great to have TT back home and we can't wait for Jesse to get here too!




Sunday, January 18, 2009

TT & Jesse's Christmas

We really missed having TT and Jesse here for Christmas, but when we got home from Seal Beach, they came over to give the kids their gifts. They are always so thoughtful and got the kids such great gifts that they love. The biggest gift though is that they are moving here! We are so excited to have them in CA!!!




Trip to Seal Beach for Gram's 90th Birthday

On Sunday night, December 28, we made the trek down highway 5 to Seal Beach. We were there for two days to celebrate Grandma’s 90th birthday. Ben & Heidi had a great time at the beach and playing with their cousins and Jack and Frank, On Tuesday we spent the day together to honor Grandma’s birthday- we had a big Bingo game, ate, played with the kids and ended the evening with a beautiful gondola ride through Naples (a Venice experience Long Beach style) to see the Christmas lights. Happy Birthday Grams. We love you!!!

Grams with grandkids and great-grandkids

Jack & Baby Allie- Jack and Frank are so awesome with the little ones; we wish they lived closer!

Frank and Heidi

Ban & Heidi by Grandma's rotating tree

Katelyn and Kate

Heidi posing with her tatoo

We celebrated Luke's 3rd birthday while we were there too.

Uncle Paul and Ben

Ben was totally into the BINGO game. He and Katelyn won lots of prizes.

Uncle Paul and Luke calling the BINGO numbers

Ben playing with Uncle Jesse and TT

Some serious BINGO


Heidi, Grandma T. and Aunt Jamey ready for the gondola ride

Grams with all her Great-Grandkids

Jenell, John and Baby Kate