Checking out Daddy's birthday cake.
Our family, together again!
Blowing out Daddy's candles.
And they're out!
The boys can't wait to have a taste.
Yes, we missed both Father's Day and Chris' actual birthday, but as soon as we made it home and settled in, we got right to baking Daddy a birthday cake. Even though we celebrated a few days late, the boys and I were so glad to get home and be together as a family again. Our time spent with our family in California was so incredibly wonderful, but it was certainly nice to get back to our routine at home and back to Chris (though the 115* temperatures we did NOT miss!). Plus, there is something about birthday cakes and candles that the boys just seem to love and watching their excitement over blowing out candles with their daddy made the night that much better for all of us. 
Today we had a chance to drive over to San Jose and see my cousin, Lindsey, and her new baby girl, Summer. Ah, sweet sweet Summer! We met my aunt Sandy at Lindsey's house too and all walked to a wonderful little park right down the street from where she lives. This area of San Jose, called Willow Glen, is a gorgeous community with tree lined streets, a library and school within walking distance and a little strip of shops and restaurants just a few blocks away. Not to mention fabulous weather - I can see why Lindsey loves it there so much! We gave the boys a chance to run and play while little Summer enjoyed some fresh air and loving looks from her mama. Following the park, we drove a few blocks and ate a great lunch at a Mexican cafe and then walked around a bit, burning off some calories, only to top them off with some frozen yogurt!
Making some adjustments ....
Who are these new friends you might ask? Why, they're our snail friends of course! Hayden LOVES finding snails all around the backyard at my parent's - last summer he and his cousins attempted to keep some as pets, only to wake up in the morning to find them gone. Imagine! During the three weeks we were with my mom & dad, the boys found several dozen snails, of all sizes, to "keep" and check on throughout the day. Most we lost, either due to the warm afternoon sun (yes, that kind of loss) or because snails just don't seem to stay in one place, but a few baby snails managed to stay put for a few days inside this tub and Hayden made sure they had plenty of leaves and branches and dirt to be comfortable. Also adding to the fun was that I had just finished a unit in Science with my students about caring for and learning about land snails, so it was neat to be able to show Hayden some things that my students and I experienced together in class. Though eventually even these little guys slugged their way on to better places, both Hayden and Noah had fun finding their friends day after day after day. See you next summer little friends ...
Hayden, Grandpa, & the "Big Rig"
What could be better than waking up to the beeping and downshifting gears of a garbage truck coming for an early Monday morning pick-up? For these little boys (whom I might add look pretty adorable in their matching "jammies") it doesn't get better than this! Wide eyed and full of excitement at 6:30 in the morning, these two flew out of bed and raced to the front porch to watch the magic of the garbage man ... ah, what a way to start the week.
The whole gang squeezes in ...
Today we met up with two of my very best friends from high school, Wendy and Courtney. Wendy is expecting her first baby in October and Courtney has two little ones who are close in age to my boys. Hayden, Noah, and I had time to play at Courtney's house (& sort of chat) before meeting Wendy for lunch at David's Pizza, where Auntie Katie was working. Wendy and I have known each other since we were little girls and she was in my mom's Girl Scout troop and then in high school, I met Courtney through Wendy and we became the best of friends. It has been over 20 years and they are both just as important to me now as they ever have been. I love that though our lives have changed and taken us in different directions, we are still able to find time to get together whenever I am "home" and it seems just like old times, except now we have a few kids added in, with a new one on the way. Each time we are together, whether it be listening to our kids play together, or reminiscing about the "good 'ol days", or laughing at ourselves, we have the best of times and it makes me feel so blessed and thankful that I am part of such a strong friendship with two amazing, beautiful, and strong women.
We Love Gramps!
Little Watchman
Vroom ... four-wheeling Hayden & Uncle Danny
Did we ever have some fun in the sun today! A teacher friend from school, Beth, invited us to join her and her daughter for some swim time at a time share she has a bit north of us. Together with several other teacher friends and their children, the boys and I drove up to Beth's time share and swam for a few hours today. The time share is at Cibola Vista Resort & Spa, about 30 minutes up the road, and has a wonderful pool area with a zero-depth entry which is perfect when you have little ones ... once we were there and settle and lubed up with sunscreen, w all plopped ourselves in the shallow water and our kids played around us. It was perfect ... and came at just the right time especially since I had just finished a six day, 45-hour, class for my teaching certificate and was feeling exhausted and like I hadn't really been able to start enjoying the summer yet with the boys. I can't think of a better way to get my break started ... spending time with my two little swimmers, my friends from school, and relaxing in the pool feeling like I was much farther away from home than I really was. The boys had a blast and though Hayden was a bit on the short end for the waterslide, the boys and I were able to "'splore" the pool, have a poolside picnic lunch, and kick off our summer just right. We are so lucky to have such special friends and are looking forward to more pool time in July when we get home from our California visit! Thanks Beth - we had a splashin' good time!
