2010...So Far

In February, we took our first family trip to Disneyland! It was a huge hit.

It made it all the more fun to share it with our good friends, the Odoms.

I think it will have to become a yearly tradition. Bummer!

In March, our baby turned 5! She had a fun family-and-friend-filled birthday party!

March was also a month for hanging out with Uncle Stu and Will at their Tahoe cabin.



April found us celebrating a beautiful Easter morning with our neighbors and family.
We also were able to celebrate a true legacy of love.
Great Grandma & Great Grandpa Celestre celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

April was also the month we watched Ben participate in his first Taekwondo belt testing.

May was filled with Aunt Heather & Uncle Jake's wedding, a fun Mother's Day dinner (put on by our amazing men) and our 12th anniversary, as we hiked around

Muir Woods and Mt. Tamalpias.

June was a wonderful month as we celebrated Lauryn's baptism with family and friends. It was such a special day for her. We also had a fun trip to Sutter's Mill with the McMindes.

In July, our house was filled with the wonderful chatter of cousins!

We camped, swam, and took our favorite trip to The City!

So there are a few highlights from our year so far.

It has been a fun one, full of time spent with family and friends, just the way we like it!

Winter Wonderland!

Last weekend, we made the trek up to the snow. We travelled up Hwy 50 to Icehouse Rd. and found a little spot off the main road. We went up with the Martins and McMindes. Even Grandma Funny Farm joined us! We were blessed with beautiful weather and a gorgeous view - a perfect day!

Our beautiful view!

Miss Christy and Taytum getting ready to venture out into the snow!

I just had to get this view from the bottom. Ellie and Ben made their own trails, apparently ours weren't long enough. They made this trek I don't know how many times. I made it once!

Cooking up some yummy chili and hot chocolate. Mmmm...

Ellie's Snow Angel!

After a few runs down the hill, Lauryn complained she wasn't feel so good. I felt her and she was pretty warm, so she spent the rest of the afternoon resting in the truck. I felt to sad for her, but since she's not the super adventurous type anyway, she was just fine staying cozy and warm. Later I realized her brother had been smuggling her Resess's. Thanks, Ben!

All dried off and ready to watch a movie!

Some Creepy Guy that showed up. (J/K Uncle Paul)

Lauryn dabbling in the snow!

Ben the Snowman!

Ellie the Snowbug!

Pinewood Derby

It's that time again! Ben did a great job - placed 6th - and was so proud of his car. Ben and Ryan spent several evenings at a friend's house (thanks, Chris!) & worked super hard on "The Shark."

Tooth Down!

Almost 2 yrs. ago, Ellie tripped and hit her front tooth on a door frame. It eventually died, but they didn't want to do anything with it as it held the space for her permanent tooth to come in. So this Christmas break, imagine how sad we were to find it was developing an abscess on the gum just above the tooth. So we took her in and they pulled it right away. She wasn't expecting anything to be done that day, so it all came as quite a surprise, but she did so well. I love our kids' dentist office. It has been such a blessing considering all of Ben and Ellie's issues. So, one tooth down and many more to go.

She was so happy to put her tooth under her pillow for the Tooth Fairy. However, the Tooth Fairy must have been really busy that night because it was 7am and she hadn't shown up yet! So Grandma Funny Farm laid in the bed with the girls (Ellie and Taytum) holding them close as they waited for the very busy (slacker) Tooth Fairy. But all went well because they actually heard and felt the Tooth Fairy come, who (I'm sure out of guilt) was quite generous. It's funny - she's never forgotten before, however, we did find out one weekend that the Tooth Fairy doesn't come on Sunday mornings. Figure that one out!

Girl's Day in the City

Due to the fact that I have the best husband ever & pretty much raised the sweetest brother in the world, Mom, Tiffany and I were able to spend a day in San Francisco. What a great way to spend New Year's Day! We did the traditional Pier 39, Ghiradelli Square, and Union Square. I think I can safely say Tiffany's favorite was Union Square with all the big department stores, however, the tide quickly turned as soon as we stepped into the elevator at the St. Francis Hotel. Now, Mom plays ignorant, but apparently, Tiffany's terrified of heights and I guess we just assumed she would find it as exhilarating as we do everytime...glass walls, perfect view of the city, what more could you ask for? The panic began as she realized we were going into the elevator and there were 32 floors to ride! The problem wasn't so much the 1st time up, but perhaps the 2nd, or 3rd time did it for her. It really wasn't our fault! The elevator kept going down, and we thought, okay, this is it. But then it would stop at some random floor as if someone had called it, and then instead of continuing down, it proceeded back up! Three times! Needless to say, on the last ride down, Tiffany was pretty much a puddle on the floor. So here we are, oozing with compassion, I'm trying not to laugh (without succeeding much) and Mom's snapping pictures! One day we'll look back on this and laugh. Right, Tiff?

Christmas

I just love having family close. It's something I missed growing up, so seeing my kids playing with their cousins and spending the holidays with family is priceless to me.

Snow in Orangevale!

What a treat to wake up to!

Half Marathon

It's such a blessing to have the American River so close. I think it's been an inspiration to Ryan as it provides so many running opportunities. These are pictures from his second 1/2 marathon this year. He's done so well, like he's been a life-long runner! He beat his time by 2 minutes!

This is Ellie's first year of soccer and she's loving it! A few of her preschool friends from last year are there as well, which makes it a lot of fun. The coach is awesome and does a great job teaching the kids, but keeping it fun. Ellie's definitely more of a contact sport player for sure. The shirt says it all!

Lauryn's New Smile

Here she is! Braces and all...she's been so nervous to get her braces, but she did great. The transition is a little difficult - she just realized she can get food on them! Now there's a lot less slurping (thank heavens!) and she's getting more and more comfortable talking.

She's still our Lovely Lu!

Kayacking on the American River

We had such a fun Memorial Day with our Fawson friends, kayacking on the river, near Folsom. It took Lauryn awhile to loosen her grip on the side, but eventually she began to enjoy it as much as the rest of us. Ellie, however, had a blast hanging off the side and getting wet!

Our Tennis Summer

This summer has found us each day at the tennis courts. Ben's coming up on his 3rd year and Lauryn just began this summer. (Ellie was devastated to have to wait another year.) Ben has also began competing in a summer League and has really enjoyed that. It's been a great experience for him and we've enjoyed watching both their progress.

I Love My Kids!

So this is what I woke up to the other afternoon, following a much-needed nap! The whole house was picked up and vaccumed, dishes put away, floor mopped, bedrooms cleaned - so what was a mom to do? Go back to bed! Nah, we went and had a Jamba Juice!

WICKED!!

Lauryn and I had the best time seeing Wicked. It's by far one of the best plays ever! It was an absolutely amazing cast. Lauryn was singing along to some of her favorites (Popular, Defying Gravity) and completely enraptured the entire time and I found wishing I could return for the next show! Thanks to Aunt Babe, we had the amazing seats - 4th row center. Pretty awesome experience. I wasn't sure, however, which Lauryn was more excited about when we left - riding BART into the city or seeing the show!

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ June 21st Edition

I am always amazed at how busy life seems to get and wish I were better at taking time to think and read and play with my kids and really communicate with other people and my Heavenly Father. I was intrigued by a link to The Simple Woman's DayBook, I've included the link below.

Outside my window...it is dark, but I'm enjoying the cool night breeze.
I am thinking...of how all the things I have to do tomorrow.
I am thankful for...my husband and my children ~ they are my life.
From the kitchen...I see a small flower pot. I love having flowers around the house (even if they aren't real!)
I am wearing...a black and white top and black dress bottoms - probably my most comfortable outfit.
I am creating...math pages for the kids for tomorrow.
I am going...to end my day reading The Gurnsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
I am reading...several books of very different genres. From the above, to Jane Austen (Northanger Abbey) to Dean Koontz's Forever Odd. Very interesting combination.
I am hoping...I can be more soft-spoken.
I am hearing...My kids' bedroom fan.
Around the house...all is quiet, except for the above-mentioned fan.
One of my favorite things...is a quiet house at the end of the day, when all the kids are in the beds with a good book. That's very comforting to me.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Try to keep up with our schedule without running myself ragged.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

I love when my kids are lost in thought...I often wonder what memories they will take with them into adulthood.

Follow the link to discover this wonderful website: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/2009/01/taking-part-in-simple-womans-daybook.html

Lauryn's on Two Wheels!

So our kids aren't the most daring, and yeah, maybe it takes them a while to get going, but man, once they do, there's no stopping them! Ryan spent several evenings outside with Lauryn teaching her to ride her two-wheeler. The funny thing is that she's so determined. She'd be outside playing and come inside all tuckered out. I'd ask her why she was so tired, and she'd been trying to ride her bike. She was out there alone practicing and we had no idea. She sticks to something and doesn't get discouraged. Ryan was so patient and she picked it up in a few days. Now she's solid and can be found many an evening in the company of her new-found friend!