HAAPY BIRTHDAY TO UNCLE KEVIN!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PORK BOY.....sorry we missed posting yesterday, but we were thinking of ya!

After affects of a visit to the zoo...guess what he is?

Faux Camping....

Casa d la Yard or as I would say... Camping out back!

A REAL FIRE PIT This is the original "fire pit"creation Papa created long before they were a backyard staple and commercialized and allowed to burn in the city limits. Ours is industrial strength and quite a conversation piece. Grammy and Papa even had a visit from the Fire Dept back about 10 years ago and they told them they it was illegal unless it was used for cooking. We always had/have marshmellows on hand since then. Too bad Dad missed out on a patent. We love it..you can see it's had a repair but it still burns hot and is built to last a lifetime : ).

That's right... I said Faux as in fake. You may be asking yourself how does one fake camp? Well ya pitch your tent in your own backyard and go to it :). That said, Erik and I haven't taken Bryce camping before and let's just say it was a good to be home. He enjoyed himself and we had fun as well and now he's had a little camping experience.

Bryce slept like a little lamb, Mommy and Daddy didn't do so well. I personally was awake until 3:00 a.m. after 3 potty breaks and forcing myself to stay in the tent so we could all wake up together in the morning... I crumbled. Yep I can't believe it myself, I left the boys to their outdoor adventure and gave in to the call of luxury. I am sure it was partially psychological knowing that my own dear, sweet, cozy bed was yards awa. But it may have been the not so distant freeway noises and paranoia that we had the backdoor unlocked...eeee gads I'm getting old and where oh where is my faith? Oh well it was a good time, complete with BBQ, smores, a real fire and a beautiful evening for being outdoors. Here are a few pics. Hope everyone is enjoying a safe and relaxing 3 day weekend. We luv you all!!!

Fabulous Flash Back Friday...some time in the past

More SF Zoo Pics 2008

SF Zoo

Staycation...

I decided to take a week off work to spend w/Bryce and Erik- thinking tho Erik isn't working it will be nice to spend time together. So people at work were asking where we were going for "vacation" and when I told them we were staying home and maybe doing a few things close to home they told me it's a "staycation" soooooooooooooooo......Oh, ok well that's pretty much the standard for us so we I think we are master staycationers..is that a word?

Day 1~ Mommy and Daddy time in Napa

Today, Day 2 of the staycation we took Bryce to the SF Zoo. His first time to the zoo and it was an absolutely gorgeous day in San Francisco..could not have asked for a nicer day. Alot has changed in the 30 plus years since I have been there...go figure. I am happy, very happy to report they have resurrected the infamous "key". For those who remember...it's cool (and NO the old ones won't work) and for those who don't know this is a plastic animal shaped (elephant) key and the trunk inserted and turned plays a recorded message about the animal. We found 4~ but Bryce didn't really get that- oh well some day :)

We cruised all around the 65 acres and had a ball- plenty of fresh air, lots of kids, a few screaming kids and alot of great animals. Unfortunately many of the exhibits and animals were not open, the train was under maintenance and blah, blah...so it was for me a little disappointing, but Bryce doesn't know the difference. No seals, and I ask you what kind of a Zoo doesn't have an Elephant? Oh well, all the same it was a very nice day with a lovely view of the ocean driving down ocean blvd.

7 years of Love, patience and lots more :)

Has it really been that long since we had our fabulous bash and wonderful ceremony? I would love to throw another big party, that was fun! We are remembering many moments of those days, before and after and the wonderful gifts, the generous help and support so many of you shared w/us! We love you all and thanks for supporting us, praying for us and being there for us over the past 7+ years. We are blessed.

For our special celebration we went on the Napa Wine Train Lunch Monday~We enjoyed ourselves, had some nice wine and more importantly had some over due one on one time. We thought about how much Bryce would have enjoyed the leisurely train ride... and that moment passed as we thought about containing him LOL! It was a gorgeous day in the Napa Valley, lots of nice people and a very enjoyable afternoon. Thank you Grandma for loving on Bryce on Monday's... and hey this worked out great for this year. P.S. Thanks for picking up the flowers for Erik.

I cooked dinner (I know, I know..WHAT??) but that was fine it was very simple and quick and easy on the budget :)

We have had many unforgettable experiences in the past seven years: Issues with our beloved church, the birth of our first and only precious son so very early, job changes (some by our choice and some not), weddings, funerals of those close to us and close to our families, trips and special occasions that linger in our memory.

Through it all we have seen God's hand of love, mercy, compassion, kindness and unconditional love never fail and never end. He is ALWAYS taking care of us and providing for us, stretching and growing us, ever patient with us. There is no area of our lives that we can look that God is not or has not touched and that is amazing!!

We look forward to what he is doing for Erik and his job and what the future hold for us in the next 7 years :) .

Wings over Wine.. Airshow

We are blessed to live in a beautiful county, with plenty to do. This past Saturday we took off to Windsor for the Annual Wings over Wine Airshow-it's a very fun time w/lots of planes, people and fresh air :) The weather is usually smokin hot (esp since you are sitting/walking on asphalt..whew) so we were prepared for the midmorning-afternoon heat. It was a typical foggy, moist Sonoma County morning as we headed out at 8:30 and we were hoping for the coolness to last thru the day and would you beleive it?....it DID!! It was a glorious, gorgeous, dare I say brisk day. We cruised thru the loads of planes and found a place to camp out for the afternoon (see the CG Albatross pics we were under the wing). It was actualy chilly until about 2:00 and by chilly I mean goosebumps which is rare, very rare for Airshow Day- it's typically in the low 90's so we were excited but unprepared for the chill. We would just get out from under the wing and warm up and then back to the cool :) .

Mr.Bryce was what I like to call saucy~ he was up late Friday night and was up early Saturday so we were certain he would nap on the way to Windsor and be good for the day. Yeah.. NO! He just was tired and overstimulated by all the planes, people and excitement. He finally gave up the battle around 2:00 (see the peep picture) and slept for about 1/2 hr. Which we welcomed :)

There was a team of 4 lady sky jumpers- The Misty Blues- they started the show with a nice jump and ascending w/the American Flag while the nation anthem played...very cool.

See I Can't hear...knock knock...can't hear you :)

No Daddy I can't hear you... I know I look cool in my ear muffins (as he calls them)

This was way cool the~ F18 Hornet went whooshing... no blasting bye!! Awesome- I love the burn I love the thunderous roar, rattle, shake numerous times. That's about when Bryce woke up and luckily we had put his earmuffs on whilest he was sleeping cause...it was LOUD and COOL!!

Wordless Wednesday....