First day of school

I feel like school started forever ago! I guess time sure does fly bye. It is harder to find time to blog now that I am not pumping each night at work. But either way- here are a couple pictures of my big girls starting school. Cara is second grade and Ryann is fourth grade. 

Float Mingo

Trying a little early for our Christmas card picture this year. 

Bike ride

We took a family bike ride to a restaurant down the street today and it was so much fun. 

Both Shelby and Mac got a free ride. 

I never really thought to compare if these kiddos look alike... But they totally do!!  Look at those cheeks and noses And oh my. So cute. 

Pictures with Santa

There was a Christmas tree lighting celebration at the local hospital. The kids got cookies and milk and asked Santa for  shopkins. 

These cute kids were very patient until the end when Mac had an epic meltdown. Turns out he left his Thomas the train toy there. Good thing he has a whole lot more. 

Birthday cake

I snapped this cute picture of rich and Shelby the other morning. Sometimes I banish rich to just hang out with Shelby if he is getting frustrated with the other kids. Sweet babies have a way of calming us down. 

Also on Sunday we had a little birthday cake to celebrate grandpa hamilton's birthday. Cara reminded us all that he is dead, but that means there is more birthday cake to eat cause he can't eat it. 

Haha. Thanks Cara. She is my sweet tooth. 

Happy birthday grandma great

Yesterday we got to celebrate with grandma great for her 83rd birthday. She had so many cards, letters, visitors, and people that showed how much they love and care for her. 

We had 2 different cakes and a delicious spaghetti dinner made by uncle Jim. 

Grandma asked for help to blow out her candles and the girls were very excited to help. 

Mac was stuck at the other table singing " happy birthday to Mac" it was hilarious. 

Happy 3rd of July.

The last time I was able to celebrate the 4th of July / third of July in napa was when I was 17. I remember growing up that it was amazing and I have always wanted to be back. Finally this year was our year! 

The kids had a blast. We played, talked with friends, enjoyed the cool weather, and watched the fireworks. 

I can't wait to make this a family tradition. 

So many fun pictures and now I will be spending the next day on the couch to get rid of my swollen feet and drink lots of water. 😀

Farmers market

This past weekend we went to a neighboring town for their farmers market and to go exploring. It was a blast. The kids had henna tattoos, pony rides, and did lots of dancing. We are at a cute fish and chips restaurant and then went to a candy store. It was such a relaxing day with the family. 

Scandia

Last time rich rode the race cars at Scandia was at our "rehearsal dinner" the night before our wedding. 

I think he had a lot of fun 11 years later. 

Both girls had a lot of fun too. 

Mac and I watched from the sidelines. 

Memorial Day

One would think our Memorial Day was miserable. Haha. The looks on some of the kiddos' faces are priceless. 

We did have fun though. Swimming and a bbq later that night. Oh, did I mention naps? Yes. We took naps. Amazing. 

Memorial Day was also one of the first days that Mac actually enjoyed the water. He usually hates it!

Busy busy

This past couple weeks has been crazy. 

I accepted a job offer in clear lake, California. It is the original job that I moved out to California for. We knew it was right then and we were so confused where this journey was taking us. We knew we were in California for a reason and we never regretted moving away from Arizona, but we just felt like we were in limbo. 

I tried every day to be present in the moment and enjoy the time off from work and to spend more time with my children, but sometimes that is hard. 

So the past couple weeks I have been signing papers, taking classes, gathering documents, looking at house, putting an offer on a house and finally getting into escrow on a house!! Rich has done the brunt of the house stuff and I have done the kid and mom and trying to start work stuff. Whew. 

I will get a lot more pictures when we go up to hidden valley lake again, but for now here are a couple teasers. We have lots of plans and don't know when we will officially move, but this is really happening. 

The lord loves us and is watching over us. There is a plan and we need to just be faithful and it will all work out perfectly. 

Easter

So basically I didn't get any pictures except these on Easter. Well, there is always next year. 

This bottom picture is Cara wearing all of the 17 diapers that I got for a steal from a local mom. $50 for over $300 worth of diapers. So now I have more than double the stash in case I don't get Mac out of diapers before the new baby comes. 

Annual Easter egg hunt

This is the first year I have been able to go to my parents Easter egg hunt. They have had it yearly for over 20 years! I remember doing it every year growing up and I was so excited for my kids to experience it. 

There wasn't as many kids as usual this year because it was the week before Easter and the start of spring break. But the kids were okay with that because there was no limit on the number of eggs they could find. 

There were snow cones, hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, water balloons, water games, tug o war, and lots of fun. 

Mac was very fond of the candy as you can tell since I couldn't even get a picture of him without his cheeks stuffed full. 

Spring break day 1!

My pretty girl had fun today when she had so much sand on her legs that it matched her freckles. 

Ryann searched all day long to find crabs and seashells. She came home with a huge bag that she shared with her cousins. 

Mac was exhausted most of the day so he spent most of the time lying down on the sand playing with his trains. 

Or screaming at me for walking near the ocean or not letting him eat sand. Poor guy. I feel like he is the only kid in the world who hates the beach. 

St Patrick's day

I rarely pass up a good excuse to get the family together for a party. Today was no different. Katie made some amazing corn beef and cabbage and I made some awesome punch. But really the kids ate a ton, grandma and grandpa great were there, and Ashley's fancy dessert pudding was delicious. 

There was bubbles and baths, green plates and dishes from grandma great, and a lot of sneaking of treats brought by the leprechaun. 

No silly string fights, but Ethan had to leave early for the pinewood derby so we figured we would save that for later. 

Big news

We are pretty excited to announce baby number 4 will be joining our family in July!