Party at Nana and Papa's

While we were up at my parents house in Nevada this summer they threw Asher a fabulous third birthday party. The kids had lots of fun finally getting to celebrate with their cousins. Thanks Mom and Dad, it really meant a lot to me and the kids that you did that for Asher. We had a fun BBQ with family and he had a great time opening his presents and playing with his buddy Adam.

Lake Tahoe

While visiting my parents and nieces up in Reno we took a day trip to Lake Tahoe. It is my favorite place to go. The water is such an amazing crystal blue and the air is so fresh. It was actually even warm enough to swim all day. I can't wait to go back again next year.

June Lake

Just realized that I never posted the pics from our vacation. Here is our first stop for a swim at June Lake. The weather was wonderful and the water was beautiful and refreshing. Riley and I had fun swimming out to the big boulder and jumping off into the icy water. Finally I am not pregnant so I can join in on all the fun stuff.

Then and Now

This "little" girl is getting so big.

Happy 3rd Birthday Asher

Yesterday, July 27th we celebrated Asher's 3rd birthday (also our 12 wedding anniversary), and the day after we got home from our vacation (I will post those pics soon). He had a great swim party with some friends from playgroup and the older kids school. Asher is in love with Curious George so I made him the shirt and he loved it. Here he is acting like he is a monkey.

"Happy 3rd birthday my sweet big boy. You are a big joy in all the lives around you. You are kind, loving, cuddly, caring, funny, generous, protective of your baby sister, a great big and little brother. We all love you so much, especially your cute big laugh and heart melting smile."

Lorelei got her ears

Forgot to post the picture of Lorelei and her ears.

Summer

Here are a couple cute pics from our first few weeks of summer. One is of Lorelei and her first trip to crispy cream. She can't wait to try one of her own someday. We stopped in at the one down by Hermosa Beach on our way home from beach day. The kids loved watching all the donuts cooking and glazing. After they were done cooking they gave us all hot fresh donuts. Lorelei has now been to Disneyland two times. We went yesterday and it was a true scorcher. I have been wanting some hot weather and now we have it. Finally, although I wish it weren't quite this hot. We had a great day at Disneyland where we met up with a lot of Jeff's relatives from all over the states and beyond. We also had them all over the day before for a BBQ and pool party at our house. It was really nice to see them all and for me to finally meet them. The kids really got a kick out of meeting their second cousins. Hopefully we can connect more often.

My brother is so funny!!!!!!

Lorelei gets a real kick out of her brother. The two of them are so cute together. I am so happy that they have each other.

Happy 4th Of July

Happy 4th of July. Today I took the kids to a parade and festival in the park. Asher had fun looking at all the old cars in the parade. Tonight I think we are going to just enjoy (hopefully) some time together swimming and having a bbq, maybe go out and check out some fireworks on our street. As for the big firework shows, I think that we are just going to opt out this year. Maybe when the little ones are older that will be easier. Hope all our friends and family are having a wonderful holiday.

Asher and the Dysons

Asher loves to sing with the Dyson. Check out his new single. Note how he throws "Shock The Monkey" in the middle. He heard that song on XM radio the other day and I guess it really stuck with him.

Lorelei's First trip to Disneyland

Friday July 25th was Lorelei's first trip to Disneyland. She has come so far in these short seven months. Not long ago you had to scrub down and take off all jewelry just to be in the same room as her. Now she goes just about everywhere with us. During her stay in the NICU I always dreamed of these times for her and I am so happy that this is the outcome.
The kids had a great day. Even though it was summertime the park didn't seem to crowded. We haven't been in about two years so it was exciting for the kids. Asher loved going on all the rides. He loved riding the train, Zephyr, merry go round, Ferris wheel, and winnie the poo ride. The highlight of the day was getting Baylee on Space Mountain for the first time. Well actually it was her second. The first time she reluctantly attempted to go on the ride broke down and we had to get off before we even climbed the first hill. After that she never wanted to get back on. But Friday she said she would do it. Jeff waited with the two little ones and I took Baylee and Riley. Riley is a seasoned veteran so it was no big deal to him. Baylee was so scared but as we started wiping around the turns she threw both of her arms up and screamed. She didn't even hold on the whole ride. She loved it.

Happy Girl

Here are a few cute pics of our smiley girl. Lorelei has been doing great. She is growing so fast these days. Her favorite thing to do right now is to watch her big brothers and sister. She loves to see what they are up to. I know she is just taking it all in now and waited for her turn to be able to do all that they can.

Happy Fathers Day Dad

Happy Fathers Day to my wonderful Dad. He was such a great father to me growing up and now he is superb Papa to my children. They love to have Papa around. Hope you have a wonderful day, we miss you.

Camping With Cub Scouts

Memorial weekend Jeff took Riley camping with his Cub Scout troop. They went up here in our local mountains. They all had a great time hiking, making smores, and just getting some fresh air in the wilderness.

6 Month Check Up

May 28th Lorelei turned 6 months old. She had her six month check up yesterday. She now weighs 15 lbs. She is really only supposed to be 4 months so she is pretty big for her age. She has these big chunky legs that are soooo cute. She is definitely the biggest of all my babies. Who would have thought the preemie would be the biggest! She is doing so great. We had an appointment at the hospital this month with the occupational therapist for high risk infants. She passed all the tests with flying colors. They had her looking at all different flash cards and blocks. She is developing just perfectly. We don't have to go back again for 6 more months and there is no intervention needed at this time. Today she had her first taste of rice cereal. Organic brown rice cereal of coarse. It was hard to tell what she thought about it. But overall she took a couple bites and made a few faces. I am excited about all the new things she will be doing. She is sure surprising us all.

Bowling Party

This year the kids had a small birthday party at our local bowling alley with just a few of their closest friends. It turned out great. Everyone had a fun time and it was easy for me. My parents stayed at our house and watched the two little ones for me which was a huge help to say the least. Lorelei still refused to take a bottle, but we weren't gone to long so she just held out till I got back.