Happy Anniversary To Us

Today is our 11th anniversary!
I was cleaning in the garage and came across a poem I wrote for Albert when we were engaged. It's pretty sappy so you'll have to bare with me. (:

Love is the breath we breathe;
Love is the light in our eyes.
Love is the speech we utter so softly;
Love is our laughter, tears and sighs.

Our love shines through the darkest night;
And puts the stars to shame.
And when the sun arises,
Our love dances on every flame.

Oh, if I could capture this love
And hold to it forever...
To feel its breath and light and smile,
without ever a cause to sever.

But why must I grasp this feeling?
Why must I seize this day?
Our love is eternal.
We'll love forever and ever this way.

I am so grateful for my sweet husband and love the man who he is. Looking back, I'm sure I didn't know what I was getting into at the young age of 20 but I wouldn't have changed a thing. We've been through a lot together and all the ups and downs have only strengthened our bond. So, here's to eleven years....with an eternity to go.

Park Fave

We've been out at a new (to us) park in Carmel Valley nearly every day the last couple of weeks.
It's a great park and sunny when it's cloudy here. The pool is right next to the playground so the other kids can swim while I take Micah to the playground if we don't feel like swimming.
Their are TONS of dogs there--very fun in Micah's book.
Their are also TONS of birds there--very fun in Micah's book as well.
His all time favorite thing at the park is this dog water dish. He could spend hours playing in it...and does.

His face looks like it could use a wash up job. Don't worry, he'll probably dip his face in the water any time now.

A Summer Afternoon

Things come to a point when the television is driving me crazy and I've memorized a certain Wizards of Waverly Place that had been DVR'd. We HAVE to get out.

So we headed to the Point Pinos Lighthouse.

This is the oldest continuously running lighthouse on the West Coast.
Below Linnea and Gavin are fascinated by a typewriter. Linnea really wants one.
We also read through the notes of some of the lighthouse keepers and read adventurous true stories of danger on the sea.

Gavin wanted to sleep here. I think his own bed is more comfy.

The main bedroom for the lighthouse keeper.

After enjoying the lighthouse, we spent sometime outdoors.
My kids LOVE climbing trees.

Micah and I

Micah feels very adventuresome here.

We headed to the tennis courts and had some fun with tennis...even Micah.

And ended with some playing at the park.

Scout Camp '10

This is the before picture (thanks to the Ellison's). The boys are clean and happy.
(Jace in blue.)

Happy Birthday Linnea!

We started out Linnea's birthday with her favorite breakfast--chocolate chip pancakes (flower shaped for her) with cocoa (don't forget the whipped cream) Micah loved the candle!

On her birthday she was busy working on her quilt she is making.

We go out to eat for each person's birthday (Great-Grampa's treat). Linnea picked Chilies and ordered pizza.

After dinner, we came back home for cake (chocolate) and ice cream (mint chip) and presents.
Great grampa and Tera and Jared and their family celebrated with us that evening!

The following Saturday, Linnea's two ten year old cousins came from out of town to spend the night and have a birthday celebration with her.

For lunch, macaroni and cheese, cantalope, strawberries, apples, chicken nuggets and juice squeeze.

We drove to Capitola to Beach Bear Co. Micah LOVED all the animals at arms reach.

Gavin picked a blue dragon and here he is giving it it's bath.

Micah picked an elephant and we are watching it being stuffed.

It was such a fun place to have a birthday! Afterward, ice cream in this cute little beach town.

Back home for presents.

We love our big girl! Double digits!

Birthday Interview

"What do you want to be when you grow up?": Dolphin trainer.
Favorite colors: Lavender, red and yellow.
Favorite animals: dolphin, frogs, penguins.
Dream vacation: To go ride a dolphin in Florida or Mexico.
Favorite song: A Child's Prayer
Favorite thing to do on a Saturday afternoon: go skateboarding
Favorite toy: stuffed animals
Favorite Chore: folding laundry
Least favorite chore: cleaning the kids bathroom

Favorite T.V. show: Wizards of Waverly Place
Favorite Author: Beverly Cleary
Something you want to do when you're 10: Have a vacation all by myself.

A Joyous June and 4th of July

We had FUN in June!

I wish I was one of those Mom's who long for school to be out in order to spend every waking minute with my children. Unfortunately, I'm not. I'll admit to that. I love my kids and I do love spending a little extra time with them. BUT, I also miss my "me" time. Regardless, we had fun during our first month of summer.

We spent some time at the Bounce House Place. It's a great place to spend the day on a cold or rainy day. (Yes, even in June...this is PG we're talking about.)
Gavin

Micah really wants to play some b ball.

Linnea having bounce house fun!

Wake up Daddy and eat your Father's Day french toast, strawberries and eggs.

Gavin picked out a sports theme See's candy box for Albert.

Linnea and Gavin made this cute plaque of our rock family for Albert for Father's Day.

Gavin participated in the UK soccer camp. His coach was from Scotland. I loved his accent. Gavin loved the soccer camp! He's an awesome little soccer player!

We went for a lot of walks to spend our extra time. This picture was taken on Cannery Row in Monterey.

Love how interested Micah's face is here. Scroll down to see what he's interested in...

Seals!

Fisherman's Wharf
Linnea and Gavin

Monterey cancelled their fireworks for the second year in a row and also the parade this year. But we had fun at the Huston's house partying up. Don't tell anyone about the illegal fireworks and sparklers!

Micah hardly ever looks at the camera when I'm trying to take a picture. He has so many other things to do....

Good Food at our Independence Day Celebration at the Huston's house.

Linnea and I

Albert

Suzanne and Devin Pace

Linnea and Cybil

Linnea and Cybil and CambriaGavin was so excited

All the kids loved the sparklers.

Micah and I--Micah didn't know what to think of the sparklers.

Linnea, Morgan and Genevieve

Albert and MicahMonique, Mike and Mitch

Morgan, Lorea, Micah and Linnea
I never can get Micah to look at me and smile in a picture. This is one of the few exceptions.

Jacen

Monica, Sarah and Amanda

Carter building a fire with Shane

Gavin is so cool.

Here is the jump!
Jacen

That water is SO freezing! (and the air isn't so warm either!)

Crazy boys! (L to R: Christian, Keenan, Shane, Mitch, Jacen)