JOY SCHOOL

Eliza started preschool last week!! What am I going to do with myself for 3 hours twice a week? The first day I was very good and went to the gym and picked up groceries, but I have to admit the second day even though I was ready to go the gym and exercise I didn't go. Do you know what I did instead? I went home got myself a snack,(it was only 9:30am) kicked up my feet and watched my tivoed Project Runway!!!! I think I am going to like preschool! Actually we are doing Joy School. There are six kids and the moms each take turns, 4 lessons in a row, teaching. Eliza loves it and I am actually excited to take my turn too. I go next week, so I will let you know how it goes!

They are a cute and good group of kids!

This is Carlene, can you tell it is her turn this week?

Have fun Eliza, it's just the beginning!

YOSEMITE!!

Our family went on a camping trip with our friends The Martin's to Yosemite this past Labor Day weekend! We had the best time. I haven't been camping since I had Eliza (she's 3 1/2) and I have to admit I was a little nervous. Was she going to sleep at night, would she run off, and of course she is going to be filthy! I don't know what I was worrying about, aside from falling off her air mattress a few times, she slept great, and she was so happy being outside 24/7 she was happy staying in our campsite playing in the dirt, so needles to say she was filthy, but interestingly not as dirty as Tyler my 14 year old!!! The big kids had a great time too. It was so nice to get away from life and be outdoors. David and Tyler go backpacking quite a bit and I always stay behind with the girls, so I was happy to come along this time. Although it wasn't quite the same bringing me and the girls along. I defiantly bring more stuff!!!!

The start of the trip, the girls were so excited that they just had to break out in song! Too bad I didn't get a video.

We didn't get to our campsite until 9pm and we had to set up a new tent. Needless to say I wasn't thinking about pictures. I really wouldn't want to document us at that point anyways... it wasn't one our better moments. Soooo here is David the next morning enjoying a breakfast burrito. Yummy!

This is Jennifer. She probably won't be very happy with me for adding this picture, but I think she looks good.

I think I know why I really enjoyed this particular camping trip.....can you guess, I didn't do any dishes! Scott did most of them! Thanks Scott! Don't the boys look happy! Ha-Ha!!
Eliza lasted about five minutes in the backpack...what's up with her? I would love to get a ride!

He's a cute kid... I think I will keep him....even though he knows more than me now! Notice Eliza isn't in the backpack, that fact slowed down our walk tremendously.

Having fun on the Yosemite Shuttle.This was the only visitor we saw in our camp. Thank goodness, I was the only one who didn't want to see a bear! I forgot to change the setting on my camera, so you couldn't see his beautiful antlers!

One day we visited Toulumne Meadows. This was one spot we walked to. It was gorgeous.
Daddy helping Eliza... notice no backpack!


Slow and steady wins the race. Well not in this case!

They MADE IT! It was about a mile and half walk! Of course we had to caring back! But getting there she did it all on her own!

The two Tyler's!

We thought maybe a Christmas Card picture...maybe not! The kids looked good.

The whole gang in the shadow of Half Dome! Well maybe not the Tyler's are missing!

Thanks Martin Family, we had a so much fun! Until next time...

My Mom

Today is the second anniversary of the day my mom passed away. I want to dedicate this post to her! Mom was an awesome lady with many wonderful qualities and talents. She was a great mother and loved all of us so much. Each one of my brothers, sister and I all inherited some of her great attributes. My sister definatly inherited her abbility to be a fantastic cook among other things, my brother Scott got her real estate saavy, my brother Hal, aquired her love of reading (and they loved to play cards and gamble togather! Naughty, Naughty!!!) and me well I don't know. I know I am like her because I find myself saying things to my children, she used to say to me, and doing things the way she used to them!!!

I LOVE YOU MOM, THIS ONE IS FOR YOU!

Mom would have Christmas Cookie Day at Grandma's. The kids LOVED it.

Mom's posterity,minus Drew her second oldest grandson

Mom loved to come and help when her grandbabies arrived. Here she is when Eliza arrived!

All of the grandkids, Tyler, Drew, Christina, Emily Adam, Eliza, Olivia

Mom with her grandkids (plus a great niece!) on her 70th birthday!!

Baseball Fun!

David's work buys season tickets to the Rivercats games every season and we get to go A LOT!!! The Rivercats are Sacramento's minor legue team that feeds into the Oakland A's. David actually pays attention to game, while the rest of us hang out, chat, walk around the stadium, and decide what treat we are going to eat! I will admit I do get excited when a player hits a home run! The games are a fun family activity, we all enjoy being togather on warm summer nights, especially when there is a cool Delta breeze!

Go Rivercats!!!!

Lake Tahoe

We went up to Lake Tahoe a few weekends ago to meet some friends who are spending their summer there! We had such a great time. I always forget how much I love it there. We definatly need to go up there more often. We are only 2 hours away!!

Having fun in the boat. I love Eliza's head popping out!
Sammy(an old family friend), and Eliza taking shelter under the umbrellaEliza made some new friends! She was so excited to play with the "duckies"! Too bad they really didn't want to play with her! Those mean ducks!!!

Conner and Tyler. His mom, Karen and I were pregnant togather!
Olivia loves to ham it up for the camera! She always looks cute though!

One last look at the lake before we have to go home. Until next time!

We love Lake Tahoe! Thanks Yost Family, we had a great time!

Long Lost Cousins!

OK maybe they aren't lost, but we haven't seen them in a long time!! Last week i got a call from David's cousin Jana. She was just getting ready to get on a plane to come up to Sacramento for a business trip. What? Dave and I have been married for 15 years and when we got together Janna was like 11 and referred to affectionately by her brothers and cousins as "Little Body". Well Janna is obviously all grown up as she is taking "Business Trips!" She is so great, she called up our cousins, Wes and Jenny who live in Sacramento and then she found another cousin Rebecca, who live just one city away from us!! She also brought along another friend she grew up with who now lives here. I swear that girl knows people all over!! Well, anyway we had a great time. We have always thought we live up here all by ourselves but now it's nice to know we have family close by! Cousins, we can't wait to see you again!!!

Erin, David, Janna, Rebecca, Wes, and Jenny

Where has the Time Gone?

My first born starts High School tomorrow. I can't believe the time has past so quickly. I feel like it was just yesterday I was dropping him off for his first day in Kindergarten!!! I've been told that before I know it he will be graduating High School and leaving for his mission! Yikes.

Tyler age 6 at Legoland

Now look at him anxiously anticipating seminary and his first day as a little fish in a HUGE pond!

I think he is thinking I'm as ready as I'll ever be!!>

Good luck Tyler! You will do great. We are so proud of you!