High School Friends Annual Trip (August)

Slowly but surely I'm wrapping up posts from the summer.  :)  Toward the end of the summer my best girl friends from high school and our families went out of our first annual camping trip together. Josh and I took the girls to the campground a night early and enjoyed an evening with just our family (a first when it comes to camping). It was so nice to take an evening cruise on the lake just the 4 of us and go for a swim while  watching the sun begin to set. 

 Unfortunately Sarah and Lindsey couldn't make it this year :( but the rest of us (myself, Lisa, Amber, Renee and Michele) all had a blast camping together with our kids and husbands. There were 18 of us total ( 11 adults-Renee's brother Rob also joined us and 7 kids ranging from 4 months-3 years). Josh and I of course brought the boat and both Gavin  & Nico wake surfed with Josh for the first time and did great. Hannah had fun showing everyone how it was done.  :)  We enjoyed big group meals together; we split up the nights (2 families per night) and every one took turns cooking. During the days when we weren't out on the boat, the guys played horseshoes on shore, the kids played in the water and the girls lounged in the water enjoying Marc's delicious cocktails.

Hanging out in the tent before bed

Renee and Nico

Amber and Reese

Hannah and Gavin

sisters in their matching suits :)

Josh wake surfing with Nico

relaxing in the water

Gavin :)

Group shot

late night card games

Gavin, Lisa, Henry and Hannah (Love their dirty little camping faces!)

the 4 "big kids" having a blast on the boat

they are all within 4 months of age from each other

Michele, Genevieve, Me and Jordyn (the girls are 3 months apart)

playing in Nico's tent

Amber and Me  :)

 

 

 

We all had such a great weekend long weekend together and weren't ready for it to end. It's so great that all of our husbands get along so well too. We've already starting to plan our trip for 2013, during which we'll have two new babies joining us (Sarah and Renee's little ones, due in March and July) and Lindsey and Ryan will be newlyweds (getting married in May).  Love my girlfriends and feel so blessed to have them in my life!! I can't believe that after all these years (18 years since our Freshman yr. together) we're all still so close.  :)  Sarah and I have been friends since preschool; Lisa, Renee and I since 2nd grade and Amber since 5th grade. Love them!!

July Part 2

This summer Hannah was very excited to successfully wake surf with dad. Last year she was really nervous, this year she got out there with little hesitation and no tears. Josh is so good at what he does and makes it look so easy.

 

Below is one of the few pics I have of Jordyn awake on the boat. While awake she enjoyed looking at the waves and watching her family wake board and wake surf. It won't be long until she's riding the waves behind the boat as well.  :)

Many of my favorite moments from the summer were watching my two girls interact together. Hannah was willing to anything to entertain her sis or help us take care of her and Jordyn absolutely adores her big sis, watching her every movement. The love they have for each other makes me feel like the luckiest mom in the world.

Hannah putting on a puppet show for Jordyn during bath time

sister chat time

silly girls enjoying some outside play time

one of my absolute favorite pics of them  :)

this pic makes me laugh every time I see it! She was so excited to swim in her pool with her first pair of goggles :)

The third weekend in July I headed up to Fortuna with the girls for Rodeo weekend. (Josh was working out at the Grove). This was Hannah's fourth Rodeo weekend and Jordyn's first. It's a tradition I'd like to continue with my girls every year because it was such a memorable part of my child hood. This year we didn't make it up in time for the stick horse races, penny scramble, etc... Wed. evening on Main St. I was a little bummed because Hannah was actually excited about it this year (unlike last year when I had to do it with her). We got into town around 6:00 and headed over to my parents to have dinner with the family. Thursday we enjoyed watching the Fireman's games (Hannah loved it!) and Friday we enjoyed spending time at the carnival. Uncle Shaun went most of the rides with Hannah because Jordyn was sleeping on me and they had a blast together. He even won her, not one but TWO fish...woo hoo!

watching fireman's games with Nonne

with our girls

sweet girls

proud Hannah

sister love

ready for bed

Super Slide with Nonne and Uncle Shaun

had so much fun

Hanging with her cousin Brody

chatting with Jordyn

day 2 of rides

watching the end of the rodeo with Jaiden

The last Saturday of July was our good friends Mike and Mandy's wedding. Mandy and I first met back in 2004 when we were both hired as first year teachers and were partnered up to teach 4th grade together. We had an instant connection and have been close friends ever since.  I met Mike back in 2000 when we started playing coed softball together (Josh and Mike were already friends at this point). We introduced Mike & Mandy at Josh's birthday party a few years back. It was so great seeing two of our closest friends end up together! I was the Matron of Honor in their wedding. Josh and I had such a fun evening out (without kiddos) at their wedding. They had a photo booth, which of course our group of friends took full advantage of.  :)

Summer Fun (July Part 1)

Since it is almost the end of October I debated about going back and posting about what we did from July up until now, however I reminded myself that the main point of blogging for me is to archive photos and memories. (Along with keeping family & friends who aren't on Facebook up to date with pictures and stories). At some point I plan on printing this blog into a book for each of the girls. (They have some great websites that make doing this super easy!)

This year we spent the 4th of July with our new neighbors (as of last Nov), Melinda and Louie. We feel so fortunate to have such amazing neighbors. The house next door had stood empty for almost a year and we had grown accustomed to having no one over there. We were nervous when we found out the house had been sold, not knowing what to expect. From the minute we met them, we had an immediate connection. Hannah was especially excited to swim in their pool over the summer.We spent 4th of July day at their house barbequing, swimming, chatting and enjoying margaritas. It was a such a relaxing 4th of July. As much as we love camping and being on the lake, 4th of July, Memorial and Labor Day weekends are the 3 weekends we make a point of avoiding the lake...too much traffic, people & craziness!!  That evening we enjoyed fireworks at the annual neighborhood block party/fireworks show.

The  night before (on the 3rd of July) we headed out to Bodega Bay to enjoy some beautiful fireworks over the water. Hannah was so excited for the show (last year they made her a little nervous). We joined some good friends and had a great spot right at the edge of the dock overlooking the water. The adults enjoyed a glass of wine and the kids a hot chocolate. So much fun!

gorgeous view

all cozy with dad

family pic

Once summer started we quickly realized Hannah was going to need her first haircut. It's crazy to think that we went 3 years without getting it cut! Her hair has always been healthy, never frayed at the ends and to be honest I loved the curls at the ends and didn't want to see it go. However summer and swimming make long hair less manageable, so we decided to trim about an inch and a half off. At first Hannah seemed excited for a hair cut, but as the day approached she got very nervous and wanted to put it off to the following week. :)
 As much as we tried to explain to her that it wouldn't hurt and that we'd be going to a fun place especially for kids, she wasn't convinced she'd like it. When we got there she enjoyed checking out the toys and books, however did not want to sit up in the chair by herself. Jill the owner of Kids Cuts in Rohnert Park is awesome. She convinced a teary eyed Hannah to start by just sitting on my lap and reading a book & from there she worked her magic. Mid way through Hannah was ready to sit by herself in the chair and was all smiles at the end. Now that it's Oct. she's about ready for her next hair cut and is super excited.  :)

wanting to see what was going on

like a big girl

 

During July my friend Amy came to visit with her little one Emilyn and niece Jaiden for a girls weekend while Josh was out of town. We enjoyed hanging out at the house and playing with the girls (Emilyn is 4 weeks older than Jordyn), and of course doing a little shopping. Hannah and Jaiden enjoyed playing non-stop all weekend together. :)

Hannah and her cousin Mazzy had their first sleepover together during the month of July and they were both soooo excited. My brother-in-law dropped Mazzy off after Hannah's nap and both girls immediately started planning their afternoon. First on the agenda, play time in Hannah's room, a walk to the park, dinner, followed by playing in the bath together, and finally enjoyed popcorn and a movie before bed. Watching them on the video monitor as they attempted to go to sleep was hilarious. Hannah was SO excited to have her first sleepover in her bedroom and finally have someone sleep in the trundle bed. :)  It was too cute listening & watching on the video monitor. At one point they were both ended up in Hannah's bed snuggling and giggling together. :) Hannah can't wait for their next sleepover.

love this pic!

make a wish!

movie time

Grandma came over to babysit so that Josh and I could enjoy a night out in Santa Rosa. We had dinner at Tex Wasabi's (delicious!!), followed by drinks and shuffle board in downtown Santa Rosa. As much as we love our girls, it is so nice to have nights together without them.  Thanks Grandma for helping make it happen!!

with  my love

morning snuggles

Our big 3 month old

striking a pose for mom :)

she does so well sitting still for me to braid her hair

dad's first braid pony :)