Our March Trip to Cali 2011

We had another great time in Cali this year. It was so beautiful and the kids of course loved it all. We made our way around LA, Oceanside, Orange County, Disneyland and even went to Palm Springs this year. It was fabulous and beautiful. Spending time with family feeds the soul in so many ways. Here is a little of the trip.

Beautiful Palm Springs!

Swimming in Palm Springs at Aunt Angie and Uncle Dick's house

Cousins poolside!

Tinker Belle is telling Gracie where she lives!

Goofy and Big G are dressed alike. Had to tell him "Hi!"

Sunset by the beach!

Big G looks like he is walking on water!

Noodle dance party!

Going to the beach in the "Thing" thanks to Uncle Mike!

Cousins and make-up! Heaven!

Making Orange Juice for breakfast!

Picking oranges off Aunt Sheryl and Uncle Ted's tree - Fresh OJ!

This statue is in the lobby of our old church in Cali. The kids would always climb on Jesus and I always wondered if I'd have kids that would climb and sure enough, here they are! Thank you Lord for my treasures!

Spring!

Today, the kids have their friends over to play. There is a movie going in one room and video games in the other. I have my "To Do" list going for the next 2 weeks. Planning for Easter and a trip to Georgia the next. As I was planning, I looked up and there in front of me were my beautiful flowers. I had to grab the camera and capture the life inside my home today. On days like today where the flowers are trying to push their way up through the soil outside but the weather is cold and grey, it's hard to imagine that it will ever be warm and sunny. Today, I thought I would focus on the life "inside" the home. I want so badly to be outside! But I think of what God is giving me today. Life in the home. All that we can be and enjoy for today. And I think, do I really embrace all that God has placed right before me or do I always keep longing for something that is not there and then live in disappointment all day because it's not there. So today, I count my indoor blessings, my beauty that is right before my eyes. Thank you for today Lord. Thank you for today!

A Little Get Away

Gabriel brought a friend along to hang 10 with!

Gracie flying through the air with no fear!

Ducks even came by to visit, hang out and get bread from the kids

Gabriel is running daddy over!

We have really been looking forward to this family fun get away with some friends. We have escaped to Wisconsin Dells and everyone is having a wonderful and fun time - you can see by the pics.

July 4th - 2010

The fourth of July was double the fun this year. We spent some time with friends on the lake and then spent the evening celebrating with our neighborhood friends. In the afternoon, the Ice Cream truck came through the neighborhood and the kids beg us to get something. The kids have never gotten anything from an IC Truck, so this was a complete treat for them and very exciting! As for the firewoks, they are insane here in Indiana. You can light off whatever you want, wherever you want. Thus, we saw some amazing displays. Little G doesn't like the noise of the things, but she loves everything else. Big G was able to light off a couple of the "big" ones with some adult supervision. He thought that was pretty cool. It was a fun time and of course, festive.

School is out for summer!

Could Big G be any happier to start his summer fun! Great job buddy! Enjoy!

Little Miss G has some new wheels to cruise the streets this summer. She is still in need of a license, but she is having fun. After getting rid of Big G's riding train, I thought, "Hey, this house needs another riding toy, why not a Jeep for the girl!" It's like having a third car in the garage which C loves when he is trying to get the mower out, but after seeing her have so much fun, it's all worth it! You go Little G! Feel the wind in your hair, sun on your skin and the power in the pedal!

Kids - They say the funniest things!

The other day I FINALLY found a solution to my laundry room door with windows. I found some nice curtains that allows some nice sun block and yet allows me to see out and keep an eye on the kids when they play. SO... after seeing the new window coverings, Big G says,"Mom, I like the new window sheets you have in here!"
Me : "What sheets are on the windows?"
Big G: "The one's right there!"
Me: "Oh, those are curtains."
Big G: "Curtains?! That's a weird name, they look like sheets!"
Me: "You are right, from now on Big G, we will call curtains - window sheets."

Funny stuff!

Part 2 of this post.
Little G and Big G are laying in bed reading books together and here is what I heard from the hallway.
LG: Graybriel, do you know my daddy Charlie?
BG: Yes LG.
LG: Graybriel, do you know my Grandma?
BG: Yes LG.
LG: Graybriel, do you know my mommy Anne?
GB: YEEESSS LG, they are all my famlily too... (frustration and sigh)
LG: NOOO day not Graybriel, day mine.
GB: YYESSS they ARE!!!!
LG: NOOO day not!!
And the argument began.

Crack me up!!!

Mom.... "I LOVE Summer!"

The other day we were driving in the car and Big G announced, "Mom!" I said, "What G?" and Big G says, "I LOVE summer!" I asked him why he loves summer so much and here are his
Top 5 LOVES of summer, in his words:

1. Because it's so awesome and so fun
2. It's really fun to play outside with all the friends
3. I love summer and everything about it
4. I get to play in my pool and all the things we get to do in the pool - it's so fun!
5. I get to jump my bike off the dirt jump - it's so awesome dude!

I have to agree with him, I too love summer and everything about it. It is totally awesome dude!
Hope you are enjoying the wonderful season of warmth and sunshine. Happy summer to you and yours.

What A Party!

Little G had a very fun birthday(s) this year. We didn't do the blowout neighborhood bash like on her first, but none-the-less, this year was just as exciting for her. Little G had some neighborhood friends over for cupcakesand ice cream on the deck. We then headed to Aunt Mary and Uncle Luke's house for a very fun party with family. To say she was blessed is an understatement. She also received her gifts and blessings from for family out west. She is loving all her new gifts and is still talking about her birthday party and singing the "Happy Birthday" song to herself. her are some highlights of her 2nd Birthday:

Running, Running, Running

If you'd ask me what we have been up to around here, I would tell you lots of fun kid stuff, swimming, playing ya know summer stuff. BUT, for me I have been creating a very close bond with these little babies on a pretty daily basis.
We are spending a lot of time together and they are really going the distance for me - if you catch my drift! To be exact, they have carried me 78 + miles in the past month and half and we have probably that much more before the big race on August 2. I have very much enjoyed the running. It has been a disciple that I have enjoyed challenging my flesh with. There is never a time that I look forward to running 5 plus miles, finding someone to watch my kids, making sure I have had enough nutrition and fluids to carry me through and then there is the temperature and time of day to run. The list goes on and on. BUT, the other day when I had to go 8 miles. I really had to plan my run. I called a friend who was at the half way point and asked if they'd set a cup of water out so I could get a quick drink and keep going. Well, Jeff was so gracious, he gave me a COLD BOTTLE of water. Well, at 4 miles and hot, I was not about to take a sip and leave this beautiful cold bottle of liquid relief behind. No pockets, not gonna hold it for another 45 minutes. What is a GIRL to do? Well, I had to be creative and this is what I came up with.....


Yes, you guessed it, I used what God gave me and it was a lifesaver. I am sure I am not the first to have figured this out. But man was I grateful for it. It saved me! Off to do 5 tomorrow. I think I'll stash some waters in the bushes around the neighborhood for this one!

A New Chapter in Big G's Life

Well, I moved out baby clothes a couple days ago and it's a good thing because we now have another bike in the garage. Big G learned how to ride a two wheel bike without training wheels today! So exciting. Last year we purchased a bike with training wheels. We got him one that was a bit bigger, thinking, "He'll grow into it." We never imagined him learning to ride without training wheels so soon because frankly, I don't remember learning so early. I know I was at least in Kindergarten before my brothers launched me down a huge hill and said, "Just go!" I learned, but I was very frightened and because of that I would have never even tried Big G so early. But, his friend Z learned last weekend and Big G has been on a mission to accomplish this task as well. Well, off went his training wheels on his bike yesterday and low and behold he was able to balance and ride, but his bike was just too big, he couldn't put his feet down to catch himself. But, God is so good on how He provides. We were cruising the neighborhood this morning and our neighbor was selling her grandson's smaller two wheel bike for $4.00. Big G was so excited, he ran home and asked daddy if it was ok to buy it, and daddy agreed only if he had money to pay for it himself. So thanks to some Easter money from family, he ran back and made his big (small) purchase. By the end of the day, he was cruising up and down the sidewalk having a blast! I wanted to grab some pictures of him right after dinner before it got dark, so that is why he is without his helmet in these shots. So, a big day here for Big G, and me. I always wondered if I could teach him to ride a bike w/out training wheels. Praise God it didn't take too long AND we are grateful to Z's Grandma Gardy who inspired these young boys to take the risk and learn. Check out the video below.

Grandma!

When Little G puts on her new shades from Aunt Mary and Uncle Luke she says, "Grandma!" Now, I really have no idea why - my mom DOES wear glasses, but by no means are they bright yellow with flowers. I sometimes wish I could get in my kids heads for understanding. But, for now, it's just a darn cute thing that we get to experience with Little G. Oh, the stuff all over her face.... M&M gunk!

101 Things To Do With a Laundry Basket

The kids LOVE my laundry baskets. These baskets become race cars, step stools, toy bins, hide and seek hiding spots, chairs, buckets, turtle shells, hats, airplane cockpits, rocket ships and one of my favorites to is pretend they are animals in their cages and I have to feed them snacks through the openings. Big G plays harry the dog. The animals favorite snacks are marshmallows! Here is Big G as Harry the dog.

Our Little Girl

Our Little G just LOVES to be outside. We had some freak warm days in Feb. and we took FULL advantage of them. Little G loved drawing on the driveway with her chalk and simply just "being" in the driveway. She didn't go far, she just enjoyed the sun on her face and the writing instruments in her hand. We had a great day and are looking forward to doing more of "this" very soon.

We Break Free

Last weekend, C and I were able to get away. Well, actually we had a church vision casting meeting in Michigan and they like the spouses to join. Well, you didn't have to ask me twice. The glitch, who will take the kids overnight. Well, our wonderful Kelly and her husband Shawn volunteered. It was the first time in 4 years that I have been away from both of the kids overnight. It was a very nice time away. We stayed at a really cute Inn on Lake Michigan. We had great fellowship, planning, dining and fun. It was wonderful to be with C. We realized how much we really like being with one another. It was like dating all over again, but married this time round (if that makes sense). Thanks Kelly and Shawn for making it possible.