2017 here we come

Im a bit behind but its been so crazy busy! Christmas and New Years was fun and relaxing. Having the long weekend for the holidays was so wonderful. We went camping for New Years and yes it was cold but it was beautiful! The kids had a blast and even though it rained like crazy NYE it stopped a bit after 11 so we were able to bring in the new year w/ a cozy warm fire and friends. 

got to love Dingo w/ her ear muffs on.. the kids thought she would be warmer LOL she's such a good dog

There's our camp.. we werent the only ones out there but it definitely wasnt crowded 

The girls dug a big hole.. they were going to make a jump for their quads but had so much fun digging they just made a huge hole :) (yes, they filled it in before we left) 

Got to see the man in red.. love the little chats they have :) 

she even asked Santa what he wanted .. love her heart! 

My Grandma turned 97 on Dec 30. Still strong and smiling and independent. She did give up driving a few years prior but that was all. 

It was a very sad day on Jan 4... my Grandma passed away suddenly. Thankfully with out pain and my Dad was with her. They were heading home after shopping and she had a sudden sharp pain in her back and passed about 30 min later. The paramedics and doctor said it was an aneurysm. My grandparents anniversary was Jan 8 so she got to spend this anniversary with her true love. She missed him greatly. God has another angel looking over us 

We flew to Oregon for the services. We were able to squeeze in a day at the coast to have some family time . I actually got a pic w/ my little mini me :) 

it smelled like fish and you could taste the salt water but its really cool to see the sea lions and seals. Although it was cold there were a lot of creatures in the cave

the Oregon coast is just beautiful 

I love the waterfalls

Pops and his two amazing grandkids 

This is Mo's the best place for clam chowder and chili (well.. not mixed together or anything) they have the best bread bowls to serve them in and the view is spectacular! 

Crazy cousin time 

My Grandparents are together again and smiling just like here in their 50th anniversary pic

My Grandpa had passed in 2000 on their anniversary so its pretty amazing they got to spend this one together. True love 

Heather and her BFF's on spirit day! Love these girls! they have a true bond of friendship 

Well 2017 we may have started off bumpy but Im going to be optimistic that it will get better. There are a few things Im hoping turn out how I want, but one thing I know for sure is I have an amazing family and great friends and that makes my life good! Thanks God for the blessings of such good fortune 

Goofy weekend...

Because every once in awhile you just have a goofy weekend.. goof off and have fun! It doesnt happen often so we make the most of it when we can :) 

Move over Batman.. BatDog is here 

Im not sure exactly how it happened but her toys multiplied!! yikes!! (Some of the toys are very large so its not quiet as bad as it seems) Every year between her bday and before the holidays start she donates the # of toys corresponding w/ her age but this year... we needed to get this under control. Our solution was.. we piled all her toys in the middle of her room (then she cannon balled in =) ) then she made the decision of what was most important and what was being donated. We are going to take the toys to an organization the helps families with kids that dont have any toys. Heather was very generous to donate knowing she could help kids just like her. 

I thought I had given Heather all my barbie relics .. until.. I found that one more tote in the storage box. We were equally excited to find the barbie horse and trailer. She already has my horses. There were about 6 Ken dolls and at least 15 barbies in my doll case 

and the dream store.. still in the box!! OK.. the makeup brushes were used when I was a kid but the stand is still in good shape :) 

Long live the imagination... 

We even got some decorating done.. what a nice weekend :) 

So long summer.. hello 2nd grade!

You know that mixed emotion about excited for school to start but sad that summer is over.. that's how we felt over the weekend. We spent Saturday at a friends house in the pool and even Dingo tried to join in. The weather was amazing! 

The pup in her super hero pose 

She is NOT a fan of the pool.. the 2nd step is far enough for her and that is ONLY because of her kid :) 

Heather made it to the top of the rope again.. so proud of her determination 

They had this podium outside the gym so we had to get a pic ;) Our little champion 

Our little one was ready to run for 2nd grade! Literally.. she couldnt wait!! She was so excited to see her friends, especially Anusheree who had been in India all summer. 

Heather and her 3 besties are all in one class.. Ellie, Anusheree and Averee are not only in class w/ Heather but they all sit near each other.. good luck Mrs. A =) You can tell how excited Ellie and Heather are :) 

Here's to an amazing year! 2nd grade here we come!!!! 

BIG fun in Big Bear

We had some Big fun in Big Bear over the weekend.. the weather was perfect and we all had a great time! 

saw this beauty walking into the zoo.. one of my faves!

Kestrels are so beautiful

this is pooh bear.. apparently he caused a lot of havoc at a honey farm 

this is a Tegu, a lizard native to Argentina. I would freak if I saw this in my garden

Here's Noelle.. Heather adopted her last year and was happy to see she was still doing good 

Noelle and Heather were happy to see each other 

Coyotes aren't rare for us to see but these guys were putting on a show.. the were howling and jumping around.. must have been dinner time 

the tortoise came out to say hello

its amazing to be able to see these magnificent creatures so close. The sounded amazing when they were "talking" 

the snow leopards, Asha and Shanti were out and we were soooo excited. Heather loves the big cats and this just made her day! This trip she adopted Asha. 

They are sisters and both have an eye disease causing them to lose their right eye but other than that, they are happy and healthy  

Our girls! :) curled up by a toasty warm fire

stopped by Johnson Valley on our way home 

just love these two! 

yes, the pup has her tongue curled to make a cup to drink water.. that tongue!!! LOL 

We had an amazing mini-cation and now are refreshed and ready for school to start :) 

Summer Fun

Its summer in CA so you know its HOT!  Which means we spend a lot of time in the pool :) We took advantage of a deal during amazon prime day and got this fun little under water camera.. tons of silly fun! 

I found this rare creature under the water... thankfully it was friendlier that it looks LOL she was trying to growl under water =) 

had some fun playing volley ball too 

caught the pic a little late and just got the splash but thought it looked pretty cool 

This was over at Uncle Rat's house .. cannon balls at their best! 

Also went to the M.O.R.E night race.. it was nice once the sun went down

we didnt finish... it rolled and broke the light bar but was ok until the link broke on another lap.. back to the shop to get ready for the next one.. 

because dirt is always fun! 

someone was patiently waiting for the race truck and the ice cream man to come back 

yes.. someone was actually driving their ice cream truck out there.. pure genius! 

Back on the road after re-fueling .. so close to finishing.. we will get it next time :) 

off for more summer fun.. :) 

100 years young and going strong

Happy 100 Great- Grandpa Jerry!!!! Jerry sure knows how to make being 100 look great! We asked him what his secret is to being 100 and looking/ feeling so good.. very simply he said Luck! We reminisce about a few of his WWII stories and how he got his nickname Grandpa and being shot down 3 times and "the few knicks and scrapes that needed some patching" and his knee that gives him trouble sometimes. He's a true Hero with a heart of gold! He said he was lucky to make it home from the war and to survive what he had seen and been through. I hope we are all so lucky to have such a loving, fun filled life 

Here's 5 generations together to celebrate!
We are very fortunate to be able to get together and celebrate such an amazing man
We were so happy Rosalina and Fernando could make it also, they are such sweet loving people

From parkour to party our little princess can do it all. Heather climbed the rope all the way to the top.. we were so proud and so was she! Its quite an accomplishment! Right after parkour we left for the party and she wanted to look fancy for Great Grandpa's party .. the hat totally makes the outfit she said! :) 

Parkour Princess

Heather has been enjoying her Urban Acro classes so much and they just had their first showcase this weekend. She enjoyed gymnastics but likes Parkour a bit more .. I think its because she can literally jump off the walls LOL 

(Parkour is to move around a space w/out assistance from equipment.. just using your own skills) This year since the summer Olympics are scheduled to be in Brazil, they had  Rio for their theme.. it was great! 

Her official Ninja pose 

they all got a medal for working and training so hard

Coach Jeff entertained the kiddos while they were getting ready to start the performance 

Opening ceremonies.. just like the real Olympics :) 

the kids really thought that was awesome

There's the whole group.. all levels had their chance in the spotlight

closing ceremonies.. they all cheered and danced one last time 

Jumping off an 8' wall is no problem.. she's fearless! 

She was the first one up.. she conquered the blocks like nothing! 

she's in the front row, white shirt.. they did so good on their opening dance 

you swing over the bar and then over the block.. 

on the beam.. you monkey crawl across as fast as you can..

It was so exciting to see all the performers especially the little ones.. 18 mo - 3years.. they were so cute! They had some of the pro-team's show their skills and also one of the girls from the gym is on her way to the Olympics this year and another just received a scholarship to college.. It was really nice to hear how supportive they all are for each other.