Lucas's Bowling Birthday Party

For Lucas' 5th Birthday Party we went bowling. Nothing is better than 5 year olds bowling.

The Birthday Boy!

The ball was bigger than Claire.

Annie, Lucas, Lola and Claire messing around.

Leah striking a pose!

The bowling cupcakes were a huge hit.

The party guests each had a bowling shirt: Seth, Shawn, Leah, Lucas, Carina, Lola, Claire, Cooper, Annie & Miranda.

More Baseball

Jared ended up playing catcher quite a bit this season, and he really loves it. He pitched as well but let his emotions get away from him at times.


I love that little face!

Look at the the concentration in those eyes!

A little talking-to from dad when emotions ran a little too high.

Leah - The Competitive Swimmer

Leah has always enjoyed swimming. This year we signed her up to swim at our Cabana. She loves being in the water.

She got to be so strong from swimming. She beat both Jeff and me in a race with the kickboard.



Check out those guns!


Leah and Marina trying to hug Ashton, who makes the face that all older brothers make when their sister and friend try to hug them!

She wasn't afraid to jump off the blocks.

Memorial Day Monday at the Beach

The last couple of years we have gone to the beach with our friends, the Stilwills, on Labor Day and Memorial Day. They are the best - they definitely know how to throw a beach BBQ. There is always way too much food and a competitive game of Bocce Ball.

The whole gang digging a hole - the Andersons, Stones and Stilwills.

Max's Birthday

Miel's son, Max, turned two this week. Miel was my best friend in high school and introduced Jeff and me. That is why Leah's middle name is Miel. The kids affectionately call Miel "Tita" because she is more like an aunt than a friend - they have known her their entire lives.

They were excited to celebrate their "cousin's" birthday.



We love cupcakes!

Memorial Day - Going to a Picnic

Our friends, the Carters, invited us to go with them to a winery to picnic. It was a great place that had a huge lawn for the kids to play football and soccer. There was also a stream with tiny frogs. The kids had a great time.


It was a great setting to get individual shots of the kids.



Lindsay, Annie and Leah playing in the creek.



Literally, just hanging around!

Christopher, Matt and Jared - generally up to no good!

Sister do really love each other at times.

We took a short walk and there were beautiful hills and a little pond that had water snakes.

Leah with her little frog friend.

Just Hanging Out

Some of the best moments to catch are the ones where the kids are just having fun together.


Leah and Claire were playing together in the play kitchen.

Lucas and Claire cuddling on the the couch. Lucas's lightsaber is never far away!

Train Cookies for Lucas

Lucas asked me to make train cookies for his birthday. They were a big hit!

Lucas's Preschool Graduation/Blessing

Time flies by in a flash. It seems like Lucas just started preschool. As part of their year end activities, they have a chapel blessings. All of the kids walk in with a flower.

They sit up front and sing cute songs that are a bit sappy - to draw out the tears.

Lucas and his best friend Annie.

Lucas's Last Spring Tea

Each year at Lucas's preschool, they have a spring tea. The kids make the bread and shine the silver. They perform their songs that they have practiced the entire year.

There is always a rousing rendition of "Take me out to the Ball Game!"

Jeff and I were sitting waiting for the Tea to start and we noticed a graph of the class's Jelly Bean choices. We couldn't find Lucas's choice.

Then we noticed a small tag at the bottom.

At least he isn't swayed by others.

Playing Hooky!

Somehow we found ourselves kidless for the weekend. We decided to head over to the beach to play with Duke in the waves. Because we adopted him, we had never seen him in the ocean.


They don't call labs water dogs for nothing!