Winchester House

We headed to the Winchester House in San Jose when J's parents were in town. It is a maze of weird rooms, built for weird reasons as well. This picture makes it look like a normal mansion with lots of character. We weren't able to take too many pictures--none inside the crazy house, but we did get this quick picture outside with the boys. It is worth the drive down to see it.

www.winchestermysteryhouse.com

A California Beach in August

So J's parents flew out from MN before J left for his "trip" to experience some wonderful CA weather. We warned them that San Fransisco can be chilly and to pack some coats and pants for our adventures there. Who would have thought that the entire time they were here we only wore shorts once. They did get to dip there feet into the frigid ocean.

Getting hit by a pretty big wave.
Running away from another.

We were the smart ones who stayed away from the water.

At first only M was daring enough to dip his toes, but after watching how "fun" it was J decided to join too. They all ended up soaked and sandy, but were treated with some great fish & chips and chowder for supper to help warm up that night.

Panning For Gold

J's parents flew out for a visit before he left for his "trip". We packed in a ton of adventures including a trip to the spot where the California gold rush started, Sutter's Mill.

We took the time to try our hand (reenactment style) in panning for gold.
N even got into the action as well.

Looking for the real stuff, found lots of fools gold and also garnets.

N LOVES water so he ended up walking away soaking wet, but it was a hot day and it cooled him off too.

The boys actively panning. J's mom actually did find 3 or 4 tiny pieces of gold that she was able to take home with her.

Rocking Out!

J REALLY enjoys playing Lego Rockband, and N likes to play right along. J usually sings, and I think his reading skills have gotten better because of playing Rockband. N just likes to be involved with what is going on. Notice this is in our temp house....it is pretty sparse, but we had to have a TV and some electronics to kill time while living here ;)
My future RockStar!

Challenger Soccer Camp 2010

Both boys participated in the Challenger Soccer Camp this year. M did it last year and LOVED it, so I shelled the money and signed both boys up for it this year. J looked like he was having fun as well, even if he said he didn't ;p I think both boys will be working it into the schedule next year as well.

M huddled up, he was on the blue team and wore blue socks.
J in the red, M in the background in the blue playing a training game.

J with the ball and not knowing who to pass it to.

Boys with one of their British Coach Lee.

The boys with their British Coach Danny.

First Day of School

First Day of School in the backyard. The boys were excited to start a new school.

Getting ready to get on the bus.

Bye mom!


Back from school...J looking a little tired.

School Open House

So the day before school started we got to go and meet the teachers and see the classrooms the boys would be in. They were totally excited! J is in first and M is is second.

New Digs--well soon anyway

So we have been in limbo for about a month with turning in the keys to the off base rental and moving on base. We are currently in a temp house and will be moving into a much bigger house. We have yet to be in said house, but have the blueprints...almost 2200 square feet of fablousness! With hopefully no unexpected ponds that we will have to run a sump-pump for, no lights and plugins deciding not to work, no cat urine, no garage door deciding not to work, no more pg&e power bills that suck away all the extra money and no more long wait for j to get home!

We will be moving into our new house in less then a month and look forward to snuggling on a couch and not living out of boxes and suitcases.

Worn Out

So with all that is going on I thought I would try to get blogaway to work on my phone to post to the blog...that way while waiting for the boys to get off the bus I can be productive in some way...well in theory ;)

N is depicting how I feel, the boys @ school not so bad, but once school is over I may have over scheduled our family -1, when I really need that -1 to help drive boys and remove crabby ones from the situation...when is it my turn to be removed and put into a timeout ;p Another reason for using the blogaway is that i never have my regular camera ready...I always have it with, but with an almost two year to keep track of the camera on my phone has been put to good use. We will see how well they publish. With that this is my test run...bear with me.

Once again a bad blogger

We have had a whirlwind of excitement and haven't posted any of it...once again. So what has taken us out of the blogging world? We have moved, but will be moving one more time before finally being settled...well for now anyway. We have moved out of the rental house in Browns Valley (a division of Vacaville) and were given a house on base. The catch is that is it is still under construction and we won't get to move into it till mid September. So for now we are on base, but in a temp house that is just fine...just glad we don't have to cram all of our stuff into it ;)
We had visitors, J's parents, the week before he left on a "trip" and toured a large part of the country side once again. We made it to the Winchester House, the ocean, Muir Woods, Fisherman's Wharf, Jelly Belly Factory, Sutter's Mill and even quacked on the Ride the Ducks. I think we wore the kids (and ourselves) out! Pictures of some the events to come...if I can locate the camera ;)
So we are here, and busy as normal, so posts may be hit or miss. The boys start school Wednesday, so maybe I will get time to track down those pictures ;)

From Tiger to Wolf

So last weekend was cub scout graduation and M went from being a Tiger cub to Wolf. He was super excited to be part of the group to present the colors and also to have the WHOLE family there to watch.

Daddy and M with his new "rank". He is super excited to do the stuff in his new book...especially learning the flags of all the states...notice his hand saving his spot in his book in every picture!


Best buds forever!

With their Den flag.

The den..missing only 1.

So how much air does it take?

So M has been enjoying all the cub scout activities this year. A couple of weeks ago he got to compete in his first Rain gutter Regatta.

At the starting line.
Winning his first heat.


Beginning his second heat.

A close call....unfortunately he didn't do as well this time around, but we have checked out some different ways to make his boat more stable and faster.

A California Wedding

So not long ago my cousin got married. It was a beautiful day, a beautiful place and of course had a ton of beautiful people that I call family ;)

N stopping and smelling the flowers...only right before plucking off the buds and blossoms and throwing them into the fountain...we were harshed from the wedding coordinator for the ranch the wedding was held at.
My parents enjoying the social hour of the reception...can we say open bar! They had a very lovely time I think.

The boys got their own little mini table...notice their faux-hawk and spikier hair...it is all the rage out here.

N not being a terror...for the moment.

My mom and aunt...a really good picture of the two.

A Trip to Napa.

So not to long ago my parents came out for my cousins wedding. We were also able to meet up with one of my aunts and her family from Colorado and toured a couple of wineries--Sterling and Del Dotto. The kids were able to walk around with us while we sampled at Sterling, it was a nice tour and the grounds are beautiful-but what else do you expect in Napa.

N rode around on Grandpa's back for awhile and loved being up so high.

Grandma and Grandpa enjoying some wine.

The two older boys with daddy....they were looking out at another winery that has turned their grounds/building into a castle theme.

Taking in the views...these pictures don't really do it justice, it was a beautiful day and the views were gorgeous.

J pointing out some of the "fields" of grapes.

Reaping the Rewards of Another Year!

Sitting with his family loot.
Checking out J's gift to him from Disney....an airplane ;)

His new video game.

His surprise Legos...he was ecstatic!

He went straight to building!

Let them eat cake!

M blowing out his candles at his 7th Birthday party.
Oh, wait...they are sparklers!

The kiddos chowing down...yum...pizza, pop, and cupcakes. Forget about all the healthy stuff I picked up extra at Sams...like a veggie and fruit tray ;)

After eating their cupcakes they ran around more...checking out the not so wonderful icing that stained each other lips, mouths, and faces....and anything else it came in contact with.

One little girl quite enjoyed it ;)