Owen's Birthday Party

Well Owen finally got a birthday party... I know that stinks considering he is 4. We decided to share the party with Avery who also turned 4 a few weeks ago at Scooters Jungle. Owen was SOOOO excited! Here is a group shot of all the kids. We had 30 kids at the party - wow, what a group! They slid down the huge slide, played hide and seek, climbed in the bounce house and ran around. I think they all had a good time.
I tried to get a jungle themed cake for the two of them - but they were all out. So we got a girl/boy cake instead. I think it turned out pretty good - what do you think?
These two loved being sung to. Just look at the anticipation on Owen's face.
And after the cake they gave each other a big hug.
Owen got right to work eating his cake!
I think all the kids had a good time minus the fact that the pizza was 1 hour late and they were 3 pizza's short. I was super bummed on that, but the kids were having so much fun running around it was hard for them to notice. Here is Paige having fun... I think she looks old here.
Oh and here were the goodie bags... I thought they turned out pretty cute!
It was a great party! I know Owen had a good time.

Disasters and Dreams in One Weekend

Friday night we took the kids to the Walk With the Dinosaurs at the Honda Center. The show looked great (from what I could tell) but unfortunately we didn't get to see all of it.

Owen was a little scared of the huge dinosaurs that came out... they looked real and made loud growls. He was pretty good if he could sit on our lap and we could reassure him they weren't real. Too bad we didn't last past intermission.
Brock threw the biggest fit ever and screamed, which threw Owen into a tail spin. So, I took both Owen and Brock home and John stayed with Paige to finish the show - thank goodness someone could stay.
We were so bummed to have wasted the money on the drive home I had to lighten my mood so I called Jenny and said "Knock... Knock" She replied, "Who's there?" I then said, "Orange"...."Orange who?" she asked. "Orange you glad you didn't go to walking with the dinosaurs?" At least we both got a good laugh and I lightened up. Here are the survivors or at least the ones that could stay and watch it all.
Saturday night we went to another one of my High School friends wedding. Gina and Mike met on the first day of Junior High in home room. How cute that all these years later they are married. It was a beautiful wedding.
Here we are about to have dinner.
All the girls again... Gina you look great - especially with all that money pined to you! I can't wait for Jo's wedding next June - Paige is so excited to be a flower girl, and it will be great being one of your Brides Maids too! We are so excited for that!
Sunday was Brock's first official day in Nursery... yep this kid is now 18 months and therefore I get to go to class again and not wander the halls with this rascal. They said he did great and he even earned his very own car!

What we've been up to...

To say we've been busy would be an understatement, but I won't bore you with the details - here are some of the highlights...
We love to go to the Spectrum and play in the water fountains - as you can see from these photos - the kids are having a ball!
Owen and his "classic pose" - I can't wait for this kid to just smile for the camera without making a silly face.
Brock loved to play with the cups and the turtles.
We've tried to keep up the beach at least once a week...
Paige joined her cousin Fletcher at the Ocean Institute Camp - these two got to learn about sea life and even touch some sea creatures.
We had our Second (not quite annual) Pirate Party. I have to say half the fun is planning and setting up for this thing. Thanks to everyone who helped out - it was so much fun!
John was a bah-humbug and didn't dress up.... Oh well - to each his own right? I on the other hand think, why not? It's one night right?
The food table... yummy potato wedges, grapes, ribs, apples and chicken legs...
Bread, cheese, and root beer (in the bottles) we also eat on pie tins w/o utensils... it makes it all that more fun!
Lori and I loved the parrot in the cage - I don't know if anyone else even noticed him, but we got a kick out of it all.
Here were the winners of the dress up contest - Patrick B. and Sara D. each got their own bag of Pirate Booty and a movie ticket.
We watched the movie Pirates of the Caribbean 2 on the big screen outside and ate movie candy and popcorn - here is a picture of all the ladies. Good times guys!

Trip to Carmel

This past weekend I was able to go on a short trip to Carmel with some of my oldest and dearest friends from High School and even Junior High. Our HS friend Jenny was getting married there - it was so much fun to see everyone and spend some real time together and better yet - get away from the kids and relax.
Gina, Michele and I flew in to San Jose and Joanne picked us up and we headed down to Carmel! Here we go girls!
The coast was just beautiful - now I understand why everyone says it is just so pretty there! All the green trees meet right up to the cliffs of the pacific. It's like are we in the mountains or by the beach? It almost felt like Astoria (Goonies) in some parts! Very pretty.
The four of us went to dinner at the Fisher's Wife - it was recommended as a "locals favorite" so we thought we'd try it out. It was sure tasty sea food!
We met up with Lindsay just before the wedding started. It was just so great to see all these girls - I usually only get to see them maybe once or twice a year! Above is: Gina, Joanne, Me, Michele and Lindsay!
Here we are waiting in the hot sun to see the bride!
Ahhh... and here she comes - can you tell she is excited! Jenny just looked so beautiful and her dad was beaming just as much!
And then they were married... Tom and Jenny sitting in a tree! Paige loves this picture - she says, "Show me the one of them kissing again" I think she is dreaming up her wedding already!
Congrats Jenny! You are sure a beautiful bride!
I love this - Tom is a professional fisherman, so the grooms cake was a giant bass? not sure just what kind of fish, but so cute and very well made. Jenny's cake was classic and pretty too!
And our table... or our group! Luke (Joanne's fiance), Eddie (Lindsay's love), Lindz, Jo, Michele, Me and Gean. I think we were referred to as the "High School friends" all night. The comment I got the most was, "aren't you the one with a bunch of kids?" Yep - that would be me, all 3 million of them!
Alas, a picture with the bride...
Ahh, and this cute couple - can't wait till next June for your wedding guys! You two are so adorable together. I think what I love best is how much Luke makes Jo laugh! He makes me laugh too! :)
And finally on our way back to the airport we ate at the Giant Artichoke. I had such a blast with these girls, and I can't wait to see them all in a few weeks at Gina's wedding!