Spring Time Fun

I just love being able to spend spring break w/ Heather.. we always have fun and enjoy a little Mommy/ daughter time :) Of course we had to start the week by going to the beach :) The weather was a bit overcast but burned off pretty quick.. by 10:30 or so it was really nice. 

Balboa is always so pretty. We were sooooo bummed they were out of Balboa bars! How is that even possible! We went on a harbor cruise and saw the sea lions and even saw a few whales.. what a great treat!! 

We also visited the Cat House in Rosamond (out by Lancaster) Its a conservation center and we learned so much about these beautiful cats. Heather wants to be a biologist and save the leopards and cheetahs.. she was surprised how big the leopards really are. They dont have cheetahs here but quite a few leopards, even a black panther and a clouded leopard. They have smaller cats like the jungle cat and jaquandri also. My favorite, the Marquay was there too but was to shy to come out and say hello. Maybe next time :) 

This cute boy is still a baby! He's only 2 and will get a bit taller and put on another 300#.. yikes! 

I love their coats

Good Friday I was able to pick up Heather and her BFF. We got some ice cream, played at the park and of course made slime... not sure what the big deal is with slime but its fun to make :) 

Had a personal fashion show from these two cuties 

decorating some eggs w/ friends :) 

the Easter bunny is getting clever w/ hiding eggs ..Heather has so much fun trying to find them all 

the Easter bunny made a stop at Grandma and Papa's too :) 

We made a carrot patch brownie:) it was yummy! 

Grandma Cheryl and her little helper :) 

Spring break and Easter were so much fun! Now.. lets see what other fun we can have while the weather is so darn nice!! 

Hello Feb

I cant believe how quickly this year is flying by! Feb has been filled w/ adventures

I have to admit we are actually enjoying the rain too .. its weird having so much water fall here on So. Cal.  There have been quite a few water leaks around town because our pipes just arent used to holding so much water and the ground is saturated but at least it helps with our drought situation...

This amazing rainbow was in Nevada .. not often do we get to see violet showing itself off 

we were mezmorized 

BAP is always a fun race. Everyone gets to bring their families out to catch up and enjoy some good racing. I have to admit its really nice having the outlets right next to the race track.. best of both worlds :) 

Wayne was flying at the jump!! 

This was at Aunt Mary's and Uncle Toads.. she loves climbing trees 

who doesnt love some good bubbles 

the monkey trying to escape! 

a friendly woodpecker tapped out a little song for our get together for Grandpa's birthday bash :) 

Heather is always happy to have some time with her Uncle Toad : 

This has been a crazy year so far! Can't wait to see what else is in store for us .. the adventures continue :) 

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 :)