San Francisco Trip

Oakland Temple
FYI: The place my parents got married.

Very Interesting and Yummy: Dim Sum

China Town

It was fun driving on these hilly streets.

Awesome view of the Golden Gate Bridge surrounded by fog.

Lombard Street

At the Roaring Camp Railroad

Getting ready for our train ride.

Resting from walking and walking...

Cool, big tree; not quite a Redwood.
The kids collected sticks along the hike.

Braden surfin', catchin' a wave.

Bridgette

Brianna, Brittany, and Braden climbing to the top

Brittany coming down the Concrete Slides

Breakfast on the Subway

Downtown San Fransisco

Alcatraz in the background

On the train

Four against one and they still can't dunk him!

The jacuzzi where Bridgette says to Brianna, "Hey, Bwianna, you have a booga in your nose!" And as the camera zooms into Bridgette, she has an even bigger one hanging out her nose!
We got a laugh out of that one.

In October of 2008, we were daring and decided to take a road trip up to San Francisco with the kids. Bailey was six months old. We stayed the night in Monterey on our way up, then in a hotel in downtown San Fran for three days. We did a lot of walking, exploring, subway riding, and got a lot of stares. It was a strange feeling passing by weird-looking street performers that didn't even get a second glance from most people, but when they saw us (a family of seven), there was no stopping the staring. We definitely felt out of place, but really enjoyed the sight-seeing. Besides we get stares wherever we are these days. Big families aren't that common here in California. We took a boat tour under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz, walked along Pier 39, saw the sea lions, explored Golden Gate park, and downtown San Francisco. We had a really fun time. On our way home, we went on a train ride at the Roaring Camp Railroad through the forest while listening and watching the story of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman. It was fun and the kids loved it! We even got to see my brother, Ryan, while he was in San Fran for a business trip. It was fun to visit and hang out for one night.

Free on Friday Giveaway!

Check out shelf-reliance's new blog where they are giving away the Harvest 72" on June 26th for the first Free on Friday giveaway!

http://www.shelfreliance.com/blog/index.php/2009/06/15/free-friday-bringing-harvest/

Bailey and Bridgette

Bridgette 3 1/2, Bailey 8 months

I know I shouldn't feel guilty, but this is the first professional picture of Bailey and she's already 8 months old! Oh well....at least I've taken a million digital photos of my own. Now if I could just scrapbook them....

Second Mommy

It's so precious how Bailey's arm is around Brittany's shoulder.

Bailey-3 months, Brittany-9 years

I just love having a child old enough to really know how to hold the baby and take care of her. Brittany does such a good job. She really is like Bailey's second mom. From the start, she has been so good at putting Bailey to sleep by holding her just like she is here and bouncing her up and down while she walks. It sure helps to have a second set of hands like that around here....and it doesn't hurt that Brittany loves to do it, too!

Just Goofin' Around With Wigs

Bridgette wearing a black wig. You can't tell very well because of the dark background.

Bailey not too happy about this scratchy Snow White wig.

Bailey with Brianna behind her putting her hair over the top.

The kids got out their disney princess wigs and we had a little bit of fun taking pictures. Is it mean to put wigs on the baby and take pictures? It was just too cute not to.

First Day of School 2008

Since the kids are in year-round school and on A-Track, they begin school in July right after the 4th of July holiday. It's always hard sending them to school when it's so hot outside...it just seems wrong. This year Brittany started 4th Grade and is in Ms. Shaup's class. Braden and Brianna started 1st Grade and are in Mrs. Bolin's class. It's the first year I've had all three older kids in school for a full day. And let me tell you, it has been NICE! Sounds kind of funny saying, "It's so much easier JUST having two kids at home," when most people around here just have two kids. So far they love their teachers and are excelling in all the subjects. Braden was a little nervous going to school for the first time with his brace on, but he adjusted really well. I sent a flyer to school for his teacher to pass out to all the first grade classes explaining Braden's disease, why he wears the brace, etc. I went in and talked to his class the very first day of school and explained everything and answered all their questions as well hoping it would make his transition a little easier. His classmates were all very understanding and nice to him. We even decorated his brace with cool stickers. He did have to answer a lot of questions from the upper-graders at recess and before and after school, he got a lot of stares, and comments like, "You walk like a cowboy," or hearing comments from one person to another that say,"You know HIM?" But he has managed to deal with the attention and now that there is less attention and people are used to seeing him, it's a lot easier. It was rough the first week, he shed some tears, but he has been so brave, confident, and courageous. I'm so proud of my little guy.

4th of July

Brianna, Bailey, Brittany, Braden, Katie, and Bridgette

Watching Fireworks

Playing in the Hot Tub with
Brittany, Braden, Kai, Ethan, Kate, Matt

Braden, Ethan, Kai

This last 4th of July, we went to a bbq/pool party at Brandon and Jackie Hill's house with a lot of friends from church and our neighbors, Ken and Tricia. After swimming, as we were walking to the park near their house to see the fireworks, we saw the fireworks show starting, so we just plumped ourselves down on the sidewalk where we were and watched with the perfect view with no crowds in site. We were all exhausted and a little sunburned come the close of the day. It was the perfect way to celebrate.

Brianna Ends Her First Year of Brownies

Brownie Troop 1249
Waiting for the try-it presentation

After the awards ceremony

Brianna has really come out of her shell this past year while attending Brownies and becoming friends with the girls in her troop. She used to be so shy and wouldn't say a word, but is a total chatter-box now and loves going to Brownies. She earned many try-its (badges) and had a lot of fun with her troop this year. Thank you, Alicia, for all the hard work and time you put forth to make it a memorable year for us all!

Brittany Bridges to Junior Girl Scouts

Our family after the ceremony.

Junior Troop 1053

Brittany just bridged to Juniors!!!

To end Brittany's third year of Brownies, we attended her bridging ceremony which was held at Tom's Farms this past summer. Brittany loves girl scouts and is excited to be a Junior. She has done many fun things including rock climbing, ice skating, visiting the American Girl Store in L.A. and bringing home a doll which was funded mostly by the money she earned selling cookies, going to Knott's Soak City waterpark, working and earning many try-its (badges), attending fun service unit activities, camping, going on an overnight with the moms at the beach house, and she will attend a 3-day horse camp in a few months. It's been fun working with these girls as their co-leader. I have to thank her other leaders, Noel Williams and Carolyn Olalere, who put so much time and effort into leading the troop, and thanks to all the other moms who volunteer their time!

Making Memories at Grandma and Grandpa's

Instant Best Friends/Second Cousins
....Brianna, Julia, Brittany, Bridgette

Bridgette and Seth are one day apart in age!

Crazy Lowes, Julia, Seth, Benjamin, Sam, Daniel

All of us again and London

My apologies for those who actually check our blog and know that I haven't added anything since September. I'm going to back track and try to catch up a little. This past summer, we got together with Stu's cousins at his grandparent's house and our kids got to become friends with their second-cousins. Here's just a few snapshots of us goofing around in the pool. Brianna and Julia loved being together and became good friends. It's too bad we live so far away from Stu's cousins Jeannette/Paul and Lindsay/Brian. We are lucky to live close to Kori and Dan, but need to get together more often. We have so many special memories of being at Grandma Helen and Grandpa Ray's house in Fullerton....and hope to have many more!

Braden Update

I took Braden in for his periodic 3 month appointment with the orthopedic surgeon this last week and received great news! His hip bone is healing great and is round in shape. The surgeon said that at this point in time (it's been four months of wearing the brace), that he would know if the brace is working and doing its job or not. And he said that it IS working beautifully. The inflammation is gone and Braden has no pain and is off all pain medicine. The surgeon still predicts about a year total of wearing the brace....so only about 8 more months!!! The time has flown by. Braden has adjusted so well. I've been meaning to videotape him running, riding his bike and scooter, playing basketball, and doing all the things he normally does, but haven't taken the time yet. I will do it and post it as soon as my busy schedule permits. I did, however, video tape him reciting his talk that he gave in the primary sacrament meeting program at our church. I am constantly amazed at the courage and optimism this sweet boy of mine has modeled. He has already taught me so much. I had a parent/teacher conference with his teacher today and she was also just amazed at the things he does outside at the playground. He doesn't let anything hold him back. He is doing so well. I almost feel like a fool because I was so worried and so afraid for him and lacked faith in my Heavenly Father. Just like Braden said... I, too, know that Heavenly Father gives us trials in life to make us stronger. I know that we are all children of God and that He hears and answers our prayers. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be a mother and to see my children grow in spirit and body.