Oh boy it's been a while...

I think my last post was back in March so I will give an abbreviated version of the events...

Easter came and went and the Easter Bunny did not disappoint.  Zoe found hers first and was eager to share so she woke Max up and the two of them ended up down stairs with their baskets.  Thank goodness everything is wrapped well, this forced the kids to come upstairs to Sarah and I to help open everything.

Sarah was helping Zoe unwrap the solid chocolate Easter Bunny when I discovered she actually prefers the hollow chocolate rabbits.  I was STUNNED!!!  Who in the world likes the hollow kind, I always felt cheated, I loved gnawing on that huge, solid bar of goodness but of coarse Sarah preferred the hollow kind, so weird!!

Question:   Solid or hollow chocolate rabbits on Easter?

Then I learned that Sarah charges an opening fee...  I guess the idea is whatever she opens for the kids she gets to take a little for herself she referred to this as "snitching"!!  I discovered this idea as she was opening the SOLID chocolate rabbit for Zoe... She went on and said that the kids were cool with it, so of coarse I had to ask Zoe if this was true... Her response, "NO NOT REALLY!!!"

We decided to drive down to San Diego on Easter.  The reason for our drive is we need book shelves BUT we want them to be rustic so reclaimed wood is what we are looking for and we found this guy in San Diego who has this gorgeous reclaimed wood that was brought in from the Pacific Ocean.  The color's are magnificant aqua blues, rust orange and grey's exactly what we are looking for.  Now we just need to find the right brackets to hold the shelves up.

Mada got a new skate board and is riding it all the time and is getting so good at it.   I was worried because she, like her Mama have a tendency to walk into large objects, things normal people tend to avoid like kitchen islands or parked cars. You can see why I might be concerned but not to worry she is doing GREAT!!!

Zoe's 4th Birthday has come and gone and it was tremendous.  According to Zoe "it was the best Birthday EVER"

The day started with her waking to a big sign saying Happy Birthday and balloons followed by a big breakfast of pancakes.  Mama and I high fived the switch and off to work I went.  Mada made a birthday cake and card for Zoe and later that day Mama (Sarah) took Zoe to build a bear where Zoe built my little pony (Rainbow Dash)  She carry's it everywhere she goes and such a great idea to help celebrate her birthday, good job Sarah!!!  I left work early to get home to help celebrate and open presents.  Max and Mada could not have been better or sweeter on a day that was all about Zoe!!  We all ate cake, ice cream and choc sauce for dinner and dessert followed by popcorn...............................yup I got sick to my stomach!!!!

 We are just so lucky to have such an amazing family and blessed to have so much and seemingly the opportunity to work hard and do more for ourselves to better our already amazing lives.

The challenge is to recognize just how blessed we are and appreciate what we have...

We introduce the kids to hiking...  We took Max and Zoe hiking for the first time.  Zoe of coarse lead the pack and Max made sure we did not move too fast by bringing up the rear.  They LOVED it!!!  I mean LOVED IT!!!  That's all they have been talking about since waking up the next morning, when can we go hiking again.  I am blown away by their excitement and because of their enthusiasm I can't wait to go again!!! 

Kiki and Kelley came to town on Memorial weekend and it was spectacular!!!  The kids were all super excited to see them and as usual they did not disappoint.  We did it all, swimming in pools and water parks to The San Diego Zoo to Faris Wheels and shopping until the kids gave out.  Wine and food every where and we finished the weekend by celebrating my 44th Birthday ( I am getting old).  I love it when my family come to visit because it a vacation for us too!!!!

I thought this was a cool picture of Max...

 

I know I am missing soooooo much so here are the last bits that I can remember.

     -Mada and Mama both were involved in a musical.
     -I am teaching Zoe & Max how to swim!!!

     -Mada went away to science camp with the entire 5th grade for 3-4 days.

     -Mada is in Utah for the Summer with her Dad and other family.

     -We are going to Big Bear Mountain for a couple days with some friends.

     -Sarah started another "No Excuses" weight loss session, 12 weeks everyday 6am, right up
       her alley!!

MORE PIC's...

As always we love and miss everyone!!!

 

The "LOOK"

Holy cow time goes by very quickly before you know it we will be talking about Christmas again!!

Hi, it's us...

Well we have all been sick and some of us even twice since the last post.  The weather is sensational and all is wonderful!!!
Max knocks his drink on the floor not just daily but multiple times a DAY, AND EVEN MULTIPLE TIMES A SITTING!!!!!  Deep breathe and the constant reminder he is only 2 keeps him alive.

Sarah and Mada picked out shelves for Mada's room and they are up.  Mama (my MacGyver) did an amazing job putting them up and the best part Mada loves them.  The day's of Mada having a room to herself are quickly coming to an end.  We figure by the end of summer Zoe & Mada will be sharing a room.    Obviously Mada is not terribly thrilled about the idea but we will make it super cool for them.  Max has no idea how lucky he is, then again he will be soooooo bummed Zoe will not be in the same room as he, they are so tight and close, they do everything together.

Mada had her Honor's Choir concert this past weekend and it was sensational.  Top notch all the way and a packed house.
Mada also had a revolutionary type thing going on at school...

top row, 5th from the right...

Here she is...

Sarah and Mada are still doing rehearsals for the musical they are taking part in.  Mada got a solo part in the production and she is thrilled and soooo excited.  This last practice Mada stayed late to practice "acting" with some of the other members and she LOVED IT!!!! and now she has the "bug", the "ACTING" bug that is!!!  So nice to see her so excited about things.

Zoe and I were outside riding scooters, she rode Mada's and I road her's.  we raced back and forth for hours it was such a blast. Max was sleeping and Mada well actually was sleeping too (sick).  We took funny pictures, have a look!!!

We drank juice boxes and played some more and yup you guessed it took more pic's...

Thank goodness I have kids, Mada used to do this with me maybe I can get her to make faces with me again before she gets to old!?!?!?!?

So it's Saturday morning, Sarah is off to teach and the kids have taken her spot in our bed (6am).  Max starts to sing the abc's and I cuaght it on tape, he is soooooo cute!!!

Max Finishes and now it's Zoe's turn!!!

While the singing was terrific it was the "LOOK" for me that stole the show!!!  If looks could kill I am afraid Max would NOT be with is anymore!!!!   Priceless....

Friday evening I had the pleasure of escorting my little girl to a Father Daughter Dance at the church.  I know the pictures are dumb but I love them and they are entertaining for me..............

The evening was terrific!!!  We played games, had a picnic and danced together, we learned how to Waltz... well we learned 3 steps but it was a ball!!!! It was a wonderful evening for the two of us and so nice that it was just me and Mada.

I am sure there is more that has happened but................................

Anyway's... We love you all and miss you even more!!!

Kelley's Last Day...

This week went by fast and I am not complaining...

I hope all is good on the East coast with the blizzard and all!?!?!?!?  We had it pretty rough around here.  It did rain for the entire day on Thursday and temperatures dipped to 60 degrees.  The sun did come out on Saturday thank goodness.

Sarah seems to have hurt her back.  My women of steel is actually human so I have taken over while she rest in bed, the worst part is the awful smell of Icy Hot or Bengay.  You'd think with all the technology they could create a better fragrance for that stuff...

I have been running around all day.  Mada had chior practice this morning (Saturday) so she and I went over there and we walked in together.  Neither of us had a clue what was going on so we walk into the area where they were rehearsing.  We were asking questions then were quickly reprimanded and asked to leave the area if we were going to talk I am so out of my element!!  Apparently the woman running the show is the producer of the Grammy's, that's right "The Grammy's' and she is taking this show very seriously!!  Mada finally felt comfortable and abandoned me...  I am figuring out the subtle hints, glued to my side when unsure and nervous, GONE!!!  when she knows someone and has a touch more confidence.

I dropped off Kelley late this morning after a wonderful visit.  We celebrated her Birthday on Friday evening with a red velvet, cream cheese frosting cake and an apple pie, sugar overload!!!!!!!!!  Kelley refused to take any of it with her back to Connecticut.

During the Birthday celebrations I had the opportunity to interview Max & Zoe while Mama & Mada were at rehearsal...

We finally got home after dropping Kelley off and I was able to straighten up the house a bit then I grabbed the kids and a soccer ball and hit the park.  Both Zoe and Max are really getting the hang of kicking.  Zoe is incredibly FAST and she is able to kick the ball and sprint at the same time,  She is a natural athlete, my little Mia Hamm!!!  Max is hysterical 20 min after we get to park he wants to come home, NO WAY he's going to have to suffer and play outside!!!

Here are just a few pic's...

Ok that's it from California!!!

We love you and miss you all very much!!!

4 Years!!!!!!!!

Another great but busy week for us all.  I picked up Mada from the airport on Monday after her visit to see her Dad in Utah.  Mada was accepted into Honor’s choir and she started practicing this past Wednesday.   Both Mama and Mada were accepted into the Stake (church) musical/show. I am not too sure what exactly it is, but the two of them are excited to be involved.  Practice is on Friday nights and Saturday mornings.

Mama started teaching at a new gym.  The owners are from “The Real Housewives of Orange County”. It holds real promise and Sarah is really excited at the possibilities! They pay so much better than other facilities, but they are brand new and that’s a bit tenuous. Ideally, she’d teach ½ as much for quadruple the pay.

Zoe is such a gorgeous little girl…  Her day starts by waking up very early (5am-6am) she will head downstairs and plays for a really short time, finally making her way up stairs to wake both Sarah and I because she is hungry.

Max on the other hand takes things into his own hands; such a little boy and so smart…  I came downstairs early in the morning, after Zoe awakened us, to find him standing at the refrigerator with the door wide open eating carrots.  The good news he was eating something healthy, the bad is we have no idea how long the door to the refrigerator was open.  We need to show him how to grab a little, share with Zoe, and shut the door!

Jamie is always perfect (Sarah is typing this part for me)  He is still taking a break from Basketball so his calves can heal. I am constantly after him for not stretching and not ‘rolling’ his calves or getting a massage.

Kelley arrived on Friday, we are thrilled to have her here with us.  We all went to the beach, I know it’s shocking to see we are at the beach………………………….again but it’s true!!!!  Here are some picture.

I know Kelley is making faces at Max but isn't it more fun to pretend we don't know what she is doing...   Kelley will be returning on Wednesday and we can’t wait to see her!!!

Lastly Sarah and I celebrated our 4^th Anniversary and I am happy to say I am more in love with her today than the day we married.  These four years have been nothing short of extraordinary filled with everything including the kitchen sink. 

We went to dinner at a restaurant called “Asada” in Laguna Beach, thank you Kiki & Grandpa Spike.  It’s a higher end Mexican style restaurant and we had a ball, after all look who I’m with!!!!


Funny:

So I run into Best Buy to see if I figure out how to get local television channels via antenna or something so I/we can watch local tv or more importantly the Super Bowl or any sporting events at all.  Sadly Netflix and Hulu don’t carry playoff games or sporting events and I have been deprived.  So I walk into Best Buy and immediately start talking to this women explaining why I am there and what I need.  She politely brings me to the area explains the difference between antenna’s show’s me a couple options then say why don’t you just get Direct TV.  I say to her "NO WAY, i DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR SATELLITE TV RIGHT NOW.".  She is looking at me kinda funny and then I notice her shirt has the Direct TV logo on it!!!  It turns out she doesn't even work at or for Best Buy she was just being nice to me and figured at some point I would snap out of my tunnel vision and see she was a guest/customer just like me.  We laughed and I thank her for all her help…

That's it and as always, We love you and Miss you all very much!!!!!!! 

So this week was short because of the holiday (MLK) celebrated on Monday, kinda nice to be honest.  Friday was Sarah's birthday she turned 36 YEARS OLD!!!!!!!!!!!  Holy cow, I think she is catching up to me...  We celebrated with the kids and had strawberry cheese cake...  For whatever reason I though Sarah loved cheese cake only to find out Angel food cake with strawberries is her favorite, now I know!!!!

Mada left Friday morning to fly back to Utah to see her Dad.  She will be gone all weekend including Monday.  She is THRILLED to get both Friday and Monday off!!!

Max and Zoe are just two crazy kids who could not be any happier.  What a great age to be, not a care in the world and the worst thing to happen to them is to have to go to bed.  
We ended up riding bikes to the park.  Max is cruising along very slowly on his Strider balance bike and Zoe is literally flying around on her Razor.  She still has not figured out how to coast/balance on it but she will.

Monday was glorious outside around 80 degrees so we picked up Mada, her best friend Allison and we all headed to the beach.  Zoe and Max now know there way around and seem to be really comfortable at the beach.  While it is 80 degrees outside the water is still very cold but that did not stop the kids.  Mada was out in the water the majority of the time and max literally fell into a wave seconds after arriving.  Zoe was a little more cautious but eventually ended up wet too.  We invited the girls to join us on a walk but they politely decline so we left Mada and Allison alone and we took the kids on down the beach.

Sarah was showing Zoe how to draw in the sand...

                                           Sarah wrote, "I heart (love) Jamie"  and "Jamie + Sarah"

Allison was slowly burying her legs in the sand which quickly turned into burying her WHOLE body.  Very cool idea as everyone took turns...  Weirdly Max want no part of getting buried...  Except he was extremely helpful covering his sisters with the sand................................... maybe he is smarter than all of us!!!

                          Madalynne                                             Allison                                                       Zoe

On Saturday Zoe and I went grocery shopping while Mama relaxed in the tub and Max took a nap.  I took a few pic's of Zoe in one of her favorite outfit!!  It's a shame that she is so shy around the camera!!

Saturday evening we had friends (Jim & Dorine) over for dinner.  Our menu consisted of salmon, green bean salad with blue cheese, brown rice and sauteed mushrooms.  Sarah was the head Chef and I assisted, everything was AMAZING!!


Sunday 9:17am:  
This is what I'm thinking...  It's raining and cool outside but I think we should grab umbrella's and go take a long walk on the beach.  It will be good to get out of the house and I love these types of days maybe the kids will enjoy them as well?!?!?!!?  Also if the wind is blowing we can bust out the kites, it will be PERFECT!!!  This is my plan in my head.........

Sunday 11:30am:
We are back from the beach and it did not go as I envisioned it.  As expected the beach was empty, and for me it's a gorgeous day with waves 6-7 feet high, wind howling perfect for kites.  We found a large round hole which was perfect to lay blankets in and protect us a little from the elements.  However Zoe did not want to fly kites and Max was too cold to do anything.  We tried to take a walk but it just was not working out so we decided to gather our things and head home to watch Disney's "Rescuer's Down Under" before heading to church.

As usual we miss and love you all very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!