April Pics

Apparently everyone except me is a photographer these days. This one is Daniel and Shelby at the park, thanks to the photography skills of Keri. Fun day, Keri!

Jason must be a taquito before Daddy leaves him to sleep at night. This takes being tucked in to a whole new level.

Jason recently finish his gymnastics class. He loved it. While Shelby had to learn to take turns and follow directions in her gymnastics class at 2, JD learned more independence and really came out of his shell. Of course...

...this is the reason I can no longer take him to gymnastics. I'm much to big, and SLOW-moving, to chase after him now that he's "out of his shell." This pic was taken at 36 1/2 weeks.

Easter- He is Risen!

This first picture is on Good Friday, with Jesus hanging on the cross, during our three hours of darkness. The single candle stayed lit until the three hours of darkness ended and Jesus "died". Shelby looks forward to this day all week.

He is Risen! Easter morning

Presley, Shelby and JD all dolled up.

March

So sorry to all you faithful bloggers. Really, I plan to update more faithfully, but well...it just comes down to laziness. I am growing a baby here! The pictures must be on the computer and not the camera for me to post them. We FINALLY downloaded pictures so I am FINALLY updating. The above pictures are from Shelby's crazy hair day at school. Man, that girl has a lot of hair!!!






This is Jason's "Fee, Fie, Foe, Fum" routine. He somehow picked up the giant's phrase...In case you can't understand it's, "Fee, Fie, Foe, Fumm....I smell....I smell.....MOMMY!"

Sea World Mini-Vacation

Sea World here we come!We decided to venture back to Sea World for a bit of family time. We spent a day and a half there. Both kids were a lot more adventurous and less scared this time.

Shelby thought she was so brave to hold the star fish (which I guess you're not allowed to do anymore..oops), but this time she ventured out to touch bat rays too. JD didn't seem to think star fish were scary, but most everything else was terrifying the first day.

The second day Jason was a lot less scared. He would say "look at dat!" and "oh a lil' baby" if he thought something seemed small.

We stayed at a beautiful Hilton right across the bay from Sea World. It was way nicer than places we normally stay thanks to Hotwire (I recommend you try it!).

Dusting of Snow

We got a little more snow last week. Shelby doesn't look forward to it anymore because she just thinks it's cold and wet. But this time Andrew was over, so they had lots of fun running around while the flakes came down. It didn't stick, but it sure was pretty while it lasted.

Disneyland Once More

Our passes expired this month and it will be awhile before we return to Disneyland. It was fun to go one last time with our friends, the Amandus Family. Shelby and Conner had so much fun showing each other their favorite parts of Disneyland and CA Adventure. Thanks, Brittany, Steve, and Conner for sharing the day with us, one last outing for you as a family of three!

Detective Case

The family at Jeff's badge ceremony. As of January 5th he is now a detective! We're so proud.

Officer Case, Detective Case get into a "use of force" with Suspect Case.

Tom with his LAPD children...Jeff, Amy, and Ryan.

Goodbye to Grammy

One week ago today we lost Grammy. Yesterday we said goodbye at "Grammy's Celebration." Here is what we will remember about Grammy. She LOVED her grandkids. To say she was generous and thoughtful is an understatement. There was never a month where the kids went without some sort of gift from Grammy. Whenever she went shopping, her grandkids benefited. She was always willing to watch the kids, even at a moment's notice. She just loved spending time with them. She LOVED us very much and we take comfort in knowing the joy she is now experiencing in the presence of our Savior.

Blessings: there is never a time that shows God's blessings more than tragedy. We look back at the last month and see 100 blessing God gave us just before this tragedy and in the midst of it...things we would have taken for granted without it. The huge turnout at the memorial--300+ people--was another blessing. Seeing how close the Case family is and the love they share is another blessing. And seeing the way our church body rallied around to serve our family is still another one. What a gracious, loving, faithful God we serve.

We still miss Grammy, but we do not mourn without hope that we will see her again in glory.

Happy Birthday, JD!

My little boy is two today! He is so much fun and I enjoy him much more than I thought I could ever enjoy a boy! He's still sweet and cuddles often and says the funniest things-- "Licious" (while rubbing his tummy) or "grave, Mommy!" (wanting to sing Low in the Grave before bed).

For his birthday we got him a scooter so he doesn't have to commandeer his sister's anymore. We had a fun lunch with friends, where plenty of boys taught JD how to play in the snow. Then we went to the mall where he did everything he always asks to do, but the answer is always no...candy, ice cream, riding the electric rides, and getting a ball from the toy machine...what else could a boy ask for? Dinner? Pizza and french fries, followed by, what will most likely be, a Mickey Mouse movie and a bath. It's fun being two!

Snow, Snow, Snow!

I know, most people say, "what's the big deal?" But when we get snow here, we all jump outside with cameras and take pics before it all disappears. I even woke Shelby up early so she would be sure not to miss it. Of course, that was before I realized it would snow for more than 12 hours nonstop and we'd get just over a foot of snow! So the initial pictures really aren't worth much.

The kids mostly lasted about five to ten minutes at a time before appendages were too cold and the whining began. I don't know how often people let their kids play out in the snow, but it sure is a lot of work!

Snow Angels from my Snow Angel was a highlight.

Snow makes any place beautiful! What a great picture of God covering our sin and making us pure and clean. It sure was quiet and beautiful!

Having to shovel the driveway and help neighbors with cars that were stuck was the other side to our snow experience, not to mention sliding around the roadways. I'm not sure I'm ready to live in it yet(sorry, Jess), but we sure had a blast! And I hear more may be coming!

Christmas Festivities!

This is how Shelby helps Daddy put lights on the house. (No, I do not condone this one bit)

I know it's blurry, but this is how JD helps me do my Christmas baking.

We took the train ride in Filmore known as the Polar Express. Shelby was relieved that we didn't go across ice or up and down mountains. It was a fun time with Nema and Poppi. And hearing Jason call, "All Aboard!!" like 20 times was priceless too.

Christmas tree hunting was quite the chore this year. After 10 tree lots we settled for a tree that we didn't particularly love, but it was all worth it, not having to tell Shelby she would not be able to get her tree that day (the tears were starting to well up). Now I like our tree and hopefully next year we won't be as picky.

We went to an LAPD family Christmas party with Aunt Amy. It was fun with the cousins and Shelby was excited to wear her Christmas dress, which she wants to wear every day. Jason got a train whistle from Santa and you'd think he struck gold. I love that the little things are so amusing to a two year old.

Family Vacation!

Here are some of my favorite pics from our Colorado Vacation~We went to the Olympic Headquarters in Colorado Springs. It was actually pretty neat and the kids enjoyed it because the Olympics were fresh in their minds.

This is on our friends', the Dyers' property. Everyone in Colorado owns their own tractor you know. (Okay, not really)

We went to this really cool place called Miller Farms where you go on a hay ride to pick your own vegetables...pumpkins, onions, potatoes, lettuce, carrots, etc. It was really cool, but we couldn't exactly take a lot, knowing we were going to have to fly home. After we picked all our produce, the kids loaded up the wagons to transport all our stuff. It sure was fun!

Our dear friends, the Skagerbergs..all six of them with one more on the way! We all stayed in Estes Park for a couple of nights. We "hiked" around a couple of small lakes and the kids (and adults for some reason) were obsessed with throwing rocks in the water.

"Friends and our girls"

On our last day in Estes Park we went to the lake in town. There we saw about FIVE DOZEN elk! It was so neat. These things aren't afraid of people at all and we watched them for awhile, while Jeff tempted fate and got a few up close pictures of one buck. Then the kids once again threw a few rocks in the lake before we left for home. Great memories to last!

(you can see the herd of elk in the background)

A few Fall Photos

Yes, I realize that it is now Christmas, but I'm hoping it's not too late to post my fall photos.

Disneyland

I think JD thinks he'll really be able to pull the sword out of the stone.

Shelby was determine to get her pic taken with Jesse.

Our Sunday School class went apple picking in Tehachapi.
It was a perfect fall day for it. Thanks Brit for the great picture!

Halloween

Papas is just content to hold his grandsons!

Of course, I'm not a huge fan of Halloween, but I love dressing up my kids! And when they can barely talk, it is so cute to hear them go trick or treating.

"A Lie on to a Pan"

I know I'm so behind in blogging! I figured I'll put a couple of Halloween pics up first and then work my way back to the rest of October, but this isn't really related. It is Jason (yes, it is on Halloween) singing "Thy Word." Okay, maybe only grandparents and aunties can appreciate the cuteness of if, but they'll see this!