Hammonds visit California

Our really good friends the Hammonds came to California for a family vacation. We were so excited to be able to spend so much time with them. We love these guys to death and always have so much fun when we are together. They stayed with us the first night they arrived but then at a hotel the rest of the time. We actually got a room one night with them so we could stay up late and hang out more. We spent a fun day at the beach (which I didn't get any pictures of. I worry about bringing my camera in the sand and ruining it.) The next day we spent all our time lounging at the hotel pool and swimming all day.

They spent a few days at different theme parks which we opted out of, but met up another day and took the kids to the free summer movie, went shopping, ate at Ruby's Diner on the Balboa pier, and then walked around the peninsula and let the kids play at the arcade and ride the Ferris Wheel.

(Brittany and I are both pregnant. She is due 2 months after me. She looks amazing!)

The last night we got a babysitter and went out to dinner. It was so nice to visit without anyone bugging us or crying! We were going to a movie too but got into such good conversation we didn't realize how much time had past. It was so great to see them again and I remembered how much I loved hanging out with them. Brittany was my favorite friend while we were in Dental School and I love that we keep in touch.

A Pirate Party

For Porter's 3rd Birthday we had a Pirate Party. We were out of town during his actual birthday and had a fun time we thought we just wouldn't do a party. But he did not forget. For months he has been talking about his Pirate party and has been so excited with each Birthday that has past waiting for it to be his turn! He has remembered things from different parties and kept saying "mom, when its my birthday party we are going to do this....." Then add whatever he had remembered. It was pretty cute but also a little stressful that it wouldn't measure up to his expectations! I think we all had a really good time and I was very happy with the way it turned out.

(All of the kids came dressed as a pirate.

It was really cute and made it fun and special.

Here is Porter with his cute friend Wyatt from his Nursery class.)

With some great help from my sisters we had a really yummy dinner. For the kids we just did the typical party hot dog. But for the Adults we made Cafe rio style mexican food. Here is Matt making the Tortillas and grilling the hot dogs!

When the kids first arrived we did some fun pirate crafts. We made eye patches and skull necklaces and oceans in a bottle. Where they put in oil, water and food coloring, then "pirate treasures" and sea shells. We also had a really fun Treasure hunt. The kids loved this part. I had fun rhyming clues that sent them to different destinations around the park that eventually led to a big treasure chest full of their Skull goody bags. Matt had hidden it in the bushes like the clue said so they were all climbing in the hills all around the park.



Porter was so excited to open presents. He seriously screamed with delight at each gift he opened. It was hard to get pictures because his face was so intense he looked angry, but really he was so excited! The picture below he opened and started screaming but it wasn't even out of the cardboard covering so he had no idea what it was. My SIL Katie has made all the little nephews in our family a wooden sword and shield with their name on it. Pretty amazing and genius idea!

It was a really HOT day so luckily I had planned it in the evening. We had it at a park with a pavillion that offered enough shade. The hardest part was the set up for Matt and I. We were pretty sweaty having to haul all the stuff from the car down the stairs and quite a distance. That was the only bummer. It was such a fun night and we were so happy that so many were able to come. Porter seemed to have a great time and that is all that matters.

Porters First day of Preschool

We waited for a long time for this day to come. Every day that we dropped Eliza off at her Preschool Porter would cry because he wanted to stay. He knew that once he turned 3 he would be able to go. We decided to sign him up for a summer program so he could go with Eliza for a few months before she starts Kindergarten. He was such a champ this first day and was so excited. He just waved goodbye to us and ran in and at down on the carpet! It is nice for me to have 2 1/2 hours every monday and wednesday without any kids! I'm going to enjoy it while I can!



Matt didn't have school that day so he was able to experience this first with us! When we picked the kids up Porter told us, "I am a big boy! I didn't even do any crying and my teacher said I listened so good."

4th of JULY

This year we drove up to my Sister Nan and Myles' house. We left thursday afternoon to avoid traffic. Matt got off early and didn't have to go to school on friday. We were excited to have another long weekend. We have really been spoiled having Matt home so much this month. We are going to miss getting back into the grind of school and not seeing him much!

We always have a great time when we visit Nan and Myles. My kids were so excited to see their cousins and played so well with them. When we first got their the kids went swimming in their Jacuzzi and then Nan made us a great dinner as always. She got a babysitter that night and we went to see the movie The Proposal (very cute!) and then went to Marie Calendars for Pie! It was such a fun night and we laughed so much at really dumb things!

The next day we let the kids play while Nan and I did alot of cooking and baking for the festivities. We also randomly canned peaches for the first time. It was a fun experience and we realized it isn't too hard to do!

Then that afternoon we drove about a half hour north to Carpenteria and went to the beach. We were sad that neither of us had our cameras because we had a great time. We buried the kids up to their necks and turned them into Mermaids and Mermen! After a few hours at the beach we went to a cool place called Padaro Beach Grill for Dinner. They have yummy food that you eat on outdoor picnic tables next to a huge sandbox where the kids can dig and play. Very Fun!

Saturday Morning (the 4th) their neighborhood had a block party where the kids rode in a parade with their decorated bikes! Then ended up at someones house where everyone brought snacks and treats and just visited. It was the start of a very fun day!

Porter loved riding his bike in the parade. We had to run to keep up with him. He just charged it and his little legs just kept riding. Eliza was at the very back and kept complaining she was so tired. She loved decorating her bike but when it came down to it she didn't want to ride! Porter could have cared less what his bike looked like, I think he just wanted to win the race!

Then we drove out to Myles' parents house and had a fun swim/BBQ party their. My brother Ben and katie and their kids came, katies parents and my cousin melissa and her two kids. It was so fun to be in the pool all day and have a great BBQ.




Later that night once it got dark we lit fireworks.(Illegally I think) Can you tell how much my kids enjoyed them! Ben provides the firework entertainment every year and makes it so fun! Then we put the kids to bed and Myles set up a big screen out on the front lawn and we watched a movie outdoors while we ate our fourth of July Trifle!