Catching up....once again

Soooo.....its been quite a while since I have posted anything here. My apologies to anyone who checks here regularly to see how our little family is doing. I have been busy with "life" and find many other things to fill my time, so this gets put on the back burner. A little update on the family: Brian is still project manager with the Gas Co. and travels quite often out to the desert to work; I am busy managing the homefront; Brittney is in her second year of college, waitressing and persuing a career in acting. She is one busy girl! Our "four" just turned FIVE in March and we just registered them for kindergarten! We are gearing up for a couple get-aways this summer and ready to enjoy some warmer weather! Here's a few pics of the condensed version of our last couple months.

We had a good amount of snow and the kiddies had fun rolling up all the snow in the yard and building snow men. They were sooooo proud of them!

For the kiddos fifth birthday the theme was Pirates and Pixies. They helped build the pirate ship and butterfly garden decorations.

I made treasure map and fairy cupcakes

Sometimes the only way to get them to pose is to do a goofy pic....Connor, Hailey, Brooklyn and Dylan.

The Boyz...Dylan and Connor.

The girlies....Hailey and Brooklyn

The big gift for this birthday....bikes for everyone!

I just love the intense looks on their faces as they wait for the candles to be lit.

In this pic, I believe we are singing "Happy Birthday" and the girls are trying to hide their smiles ;)

This pic is decorating Easter Eggs with Gramma Ginny. Cousins Madi and McKenzie came too.

Celebrating Easter and cousin Madison's birthday at the same time. What could be better! A bunch of the "little" cousins together....Brooklyn, Dylan, McKenzie, Abigail, Madison, Hailey and Connor.

Brian had to work in Laughlin, NV for a couple weeks this month. We decided to go out and stay with him for a few days. He got to work and we got to play in the pool and in the river. We did get to go out to dinners with him. :)

Newport Beach and Newport Dunes

We spent a wonderful long weekend camping at Newport Dunes with Gramma and Papa, Aunties Crissi and Jen, Uncles Joe and John and many, many cousins. We had such a great time and the kiddos just love camping. We spent one morning trying to go to the tide pools, but missed low tide so just spent time at the beach instead. We went swimming at the pool, had fun digging in the sand in the bay, enjoyed singing and roasting marshmellows around the campfire and had a spectacular time just hanging out with our wonderful family.


Papa Paul taking some of the "cousins" for a walk around the campgrounds and marina.

Campfire time

Cousins Micah and Kiley with Hailey, Dylan and Brooklyn.

We rented this bicycle built for.....8! Had a great workout peddling the kiddos around.

Dylan getting some air in the pool with Daddy :)

Uncle Joe showed the kids some of the local plant life

We missed the low tide and the tide pools were all full, so we just spent some time climbing the rocks and playing in the water.

Connor and Dylan exploring the rock crevices. What amazing creatures can be found!

A helping hand is always nice! Kiley helping Brooklyn cross the rocks.

Hailey stopping long enough to pose for Mommy.

Little Lillian found her own piece of the ocean to splash around in.

Connors turn to pose for the camera

The crew having fun in the Pacific. Caity was chasing the boys with some seaweed, but beware.....

Connor will get you back!!

Was this really the only place you could find reception Brian?

Gramma and Papa watching the grandkids romp and play

One of our early mornings watching a video in the trailer....I know... we really know how to rough it:)

Evidence of a REALLY FUN weekend. As we were packing up to leave, Micah fall asleep outside our trailer... just like this.

A few days before packing up to go camping, Crissi, Norma and I packed up the kiddos and headed off to Newport Beach for a few hours of beach fun!

Connor, Abi, Hailey and Dylan

Its great to have so many cousins to play with!

Matthew got buried in the sand.... by his MOM!

Sleeping Beauty....Hailey

Connor wanted a picture of him next to his tracks.

The kiddos found little sand crabs and had a blast collecting them in a big bucket.

Trying to Beat the Heat

The kids and I just spent the two hottest days in Palm Springs. Brian's parents were spending the week in Palm Springs at their timeshare. Brian was gone for a few days for work, so I packed up the kids, headed out to the 114 degree heat (WHAT WAS I THINKING) and spent a couple days with Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Beth and Hunter. We pretty much spent the whole time in the pool. The kiddos all LOVE swimming and Brooklyn wanted to spend as much time as we would let her WITHOUT her floaties.

Dylan gave us the "thumbs up" for spending the day at the pool!

The whole gang - Brooklyn, Connor, Hailey, Hunter, Auntie Beth and Dylan

Connor preparing his attack on Hunter

Brooklyn is enjoying some poolside snacks
No, this face is not in response to the snacks she is eating. One of her many silly faces.

Hailey needed some nourishment, and fast! Couldn't event bother to take off the goggles.

Connor is hiding in the bushes preparing an ambush on poor, unsuspecting Auntie Beth in the pool. Thanks to Hunter for teaching him this technique!

Showing off their jumping skills