Aquarium Pics

I was never able to add the pictures to the last blog, but I am able to put them in a new post. I have no idea why, but I am still very computer illiterate, so I will never know why.

Lots to Catch Up On

O.K., So what have we been up to? I think the last post mentioned we were headed to Monterey overnight. Hmmmm. Interesting trip. Definitely a learning experience and not the type of trip Hannah or I will be running out the door to do anytime soon, again. The boys had a lot of fun playing at the park and seeing the Aquarium. Tyler got to play on a real locomotive engine and climb all over swinging bridges and really fun play equipment. His favorite part of the Aquarium was a kids play section where he could do color rubbings of various sea creatures and climb all over kid friendly displays. He also liked the jelly fish. For Hannah and I, the trip was quite a bit of work. It's pretty amazing what all needs to be packed and crammed into a suburban sized vehicle to take two adults three babies and three boys to stay overnight for one night. It was actually probably pretty comical watching us trying to coordinate getting in and out of the vehicle each time, not to mention loading and unloading the vehicle at the motel while keeping six kids safe and accounted for. We ended up having two rooms next to each other that only had a king bed in each (different from what I was told would be available when I booked the rooms on the phone :)). The three boys slept in one room. Hannah and I slept in the other with the babies. Three pac-n-plays sure take up a lot of space in a tiny motel-sized room. We had a lot of good laughs, some stressful moments, and definitely some wonderful bonding time (adults and kids alike). We had some great sea-food meals on the wharf in Monterey and were extremely pleased with the children's behavior while we dined at restaurants. I felt kind of sorry for the waitors and waitresses as they approached our tables each time....I'm sure they were quite nervous. But ultimately we got lots of comments on how good everybody was.

That's about all the time I have for now. I still need to write about our trip to Lake Almanor and Tyler's first week of pre-school, so hopefully that will happen soon. Nana is here visiting so I have a little help, and I am actually getting a chance to use the computer. Yay Nana!

O.K.....this was actually supposed to be posted on Monday the 14th, but I wasn't able to and haven't been able to get photos uplaoded to this, so for now, I'll have to do without. Hopefully I'll figure out why it's not working and have pictures soon.

MIA

Sorry it has been so long since I have posted. My days seem to be getting a bit more full, and time that I have to spend on the computer has greatly diminished. Aiden and Ashley are in full motion now and working their way upward as well as forwards. It's very funny to see them sitting next to each other when they both spot a toy they want. They actually have "baby races" now to see who can get to the toy first! (Aiden usually wins, as he is a bit more experienced than Ashley.....Big brother steps in to help her out, though :).) Tyler is about a month away from starting pre-school. Before that we are taking an overnight trip to Monterey to go to the Aquarium with friends Hannah, Michael, Seth, and baby James. We are also taking a week+ trip to lake Almanor where the above mentioned (with the addition of Jan and Erik) will be joining us for part of the time. Papa is on his way up to stay at our house tonight and he will leave tomorrow morning to meet up with Nana in Almanor. Tyler is already making his plans for how to avoid the dreaded "beard kiss" when Papa arrives. This weekend I will be going to the bay area for my friend Jenni's baby shower. She is due next month with a younger sister (Savannah) for her three year-old boy, Collin. Jenni was one of my bride's maids in our wedding eight years ago. Erik and Tyler will stay home for some father/son time :). I guess that's it for now. I will leave you with a cute picture taken recently of Aiden and Ashley with their frined James.

On the Move!

Struggling

I knew it was coming. It always does. I'm in a weightloss slump. I've gained back a couple pounds. In the past, this is where I always manage to give up. I can't let that happen this time. Any words of encouragement, ideas, prayers would be greatly appreciated. One of the biggest struggles is excercise, right now. I have Tyler home a lot, and Hannah has her boys at home more due to summer break, so it's much more difficult to get out and walk (the 100+ temps. don't help, either). Do any of you Moms have any suggestions? A gym is too expensive because of monthly dues combined with childcare costs. I think I have to find something to do at home. I think I will start writing down what I am eating again, too. That should be a good wake-up call. I think just writing about this should help to get me going again. I feel like I have a lot of people to be accountable to :).

Change of Plans and Other Things

We have decided not to attempt camping this week. I was too afraid of spending hours getting the trailer ready to go and packed up only to get to the beach and not get a camping site. I think we will attempt it at the beginning of August, instead, when it's not a holiday week. Erik ended up taking an overtime shift today, anyways. So, for the 4th, Hannah and I might attempt to take 6 kids to the Templeton 4th of July parade at 10 a.m. (both husbands are working). Then we will go back to Hannah's house for an all day block party (Tyler loves playing with the kids in their neighborhood, and there will be bounce houses...woohoo!). Finally, we will head to Hannah's parents house for a view of some of the local firworks shows (they live high in the hills in Templeton and can see them all the way from Paso Robles). Erik should be able to join us for the fireworks. Tyler is excited this week because his friend Michael (Hannah's son) will begin joining him at Dolores's (Tyler's day care) this week and for the rest of the summer.


We had a wonderful visit with Erik's Grandparents (Nanci's parents) this week. They drove all the way from Palo Alto just to come see us. We went out to lunch and spent time with them at our house. Tyler loved getting caught up with them and even played golf with them in our living room :). I think they really enjoyed seeing how much the babies have grown and all the new things they are doing.

I had to share this final picture, just because it was so cute. Aiden and Ashley were playing in the living room. I left for about five minutes to do something in the office, and when I returned to check on them, Aiden was fast alseep on the carpet. It reminded me of that carpet commercial where the baby was screaming until the Dad layed the baby down on the carpet.

Our Newest Family Members

Meet Jesse, Bessie, Flighty, and Tweety. We have been waiting for our newest pets for quite some time and they are finally here. We picked them up this morning at the local Hay and Feed store. We are very excited about the prospect of having fresh eggs right outside. Poor Erik gets the job of building the coop. Hopefully I can remain responsible enough to keep these cute little things alive.