4th of July

These posts are a little random as I am trying to catch up over the summer on what we have been up to.

Our college friends came to visit over the holiday weekend. Kevin and Suzanne have 3 kids close to our kid's ages. We had a great time hanging out, talking, playing Settlers of Catan, swimming, and visiting Sequoia National park.

On the actual day of the 4th, after church, Suzanne, myself and a couple of my friends went to Panera Bread to have some girl time while the guys took all the kids swimming. After that we all met at our house for dinner, then we joined our neighbor's party and set off fireworks in the street. I believe there were around 50 people. We had a great time.

Museum Grand Opening

Paige and Clay opened a museum yesterday. The museum has a collection of gems, a seagull bone from the coast, an artifact from South Korea (circa 2008) and various other things. There is even a children's play area where the kids can play while their parents do research. (They have thought of everything.) Each of the collections are displayed in a way visitors can get a good look at them, the gems even have a magnifying glass to view at a closer level. There were several visitors yesterday and they are hoping there will be more today, so if you are in the area, stop by.

Zoo

When my mom and sister came to visit in June, we took the kids to the zoo. "M" had been asking to go, so I thought it would be a good time while they were visiting. Here are a few pictures from our adventure. There were so many good pictures of ALL the kids, but I can't post those! :(

Below: Trying to pet the stingrays
I really don't know why Clay has the look on his face.

Jathan's Birthday

I looked over my blog and realized I haven't posted pictures for about 2 months. I haven't posted too much of all really in the last two months, but what I have posted is all text no color. Sorry. I have sooooo many pictures to post. But when you can't post pictures of one of your children, it kinda takes all the fun out of posting any. Especially since she is in most of the good ones (I have 5 years to make up for you know!) But I will post a few today, just in case you forgot what the rest of us look like, or really what Jathan and the kids look like, cause I don't make it into many pics since I am the one with the camera in my hands.

So today, I am taking you back exactly one month ago to Jathan's birthday. He is still young, but we he did have to add another year on, we celebrated all day long...

First stop: Lunch at a local BBQ place.

They have a giant tree house that the kids can play on so they had a blast.

Yes, Jathan did ride the bull (it was free because it was his birthday!)
How did he do? Well, lets just say he isn't going to quit his day job and joining the rodeo.

Next: Dinner at Joe and Gloria's house.

We had yummy tacos and cake.

Last: We headed to a farmers market/swap meet. For those who are unfamiliar, it is kinda like a Mexican Flea Market. Mexican music, cheap things to buy, Mexican food, produce and a big open space for the kids to play.

The above picture is of Paige playing football with a bunch of boys. Daddy was very proud when she held her own and even caught a few touch down passes and one boy said "wow, does she play football!?!"

Five Year Olds

There are definite pros and cons to having two 5 year olds in the house. A con would definitely be the bickering over toys and the way the other looked at them or said something to them. But most of the time, within minutes of the "fight" they are laughing together. For sure a pro would be that they are guaranteed to have someone laughing at their jokes because they honestly think it is funny.

Drew: Why did the man eat the cookie?

M: I don't know, why?

Drew: Because he was a monster!

M and Drew: Begin laughing

Paige, Clay and Me: huh?