Sunday, July 27, 2008

California 2008
















































We have recently returned from our extended stay in California this year.  So much has happened and gone on I hope that I can remember even half of it to write down.  We started at the Disneyland Resort with our children and our annual passes in hand.  It was wonderful staying on the grounds because a short walk or monorail ride away was the entrance to the park.  Our kids are in heaven at Disneyland and I am not going to lie when I say that I am too.  I have always loved Disney and no joke could go there on a daily basis.  Ryan on the other hand was such a good sport to take us so many times!  He was great!  Because of Navies birthday she got pins and balloons and autographed photos from all the Princesses they were so good to us and gave Blake and Jag some as well so they didn't feel left out.  The parades were awesome and Navie caught on that all the Princesses must be real because you can see their faces however the costumed characters were fake because you could not see them.  Like I said a little too smart for her own good!  When we finally made it to Newport we settled into what feels like our summer dwellings.  Our kids know the place so well that it is like having a second home.  So many friends and family met us there and stayed there as well we had a great time.  Besides shopping and some more shopping we also went to see Jimmy Kimmell live and Brad Day went with us, needless to say we had the most amazing experience ever.  I have never laughed so hard EVER thanks so much to Brad Day!  I hope you enjoy the khakis Brad!  We ate out a lot and saw movies swam and played on the beach.  After a few weeks there we made our way back to Disneyland once again.  We went back to the resort and took the children all around the parks once again.    It took a lot of coaxing but we finally convinced the girls that they needed to ride Big Thunder Mountain.  After all that is my favorite ride in the whole park. After they tried it once it was nearly impossible to get them to get off and let us go to something new.  We had another visitor with us for this trip Scott.  No last name needed we all know him!  We love him and he made us laugh all the time.  I really lucked out though because at the resort the day that we checked in was the "Show Stoppers" Dance Championship!  I was in heaven and so was Navie we went down there everyday and spent hours watching the championship.  There was so much talent there and I could not believe how great the dancers were even the very young ones!  Boy times have changed and I wonder how good kids have to be to have a chance to make it in dance.  What a lucky thing we stumbled across Navie wanted to do nothing else but "Go watch the dancing!"  We had such a super time and I can't wait to vacation again next year.  We are so blessed and lucky that we have the chance to do this I am grateful that Ryan works so hard for us and makes all this possible.  Memories are the best thing that anyone can have in life!  We now have so many and I wouldn't trade them for anything.  What a treasure they are!  There are going to be a lot of pictures I apologize but they are priceless to me!

Friday, July 25, 2008

July Birthdays





I have a lot of catching up to do but I am going to start with all the Birthdays!  July is a busy month for births around here...

First is Navie on the 4th!  She is such a good girl but way too smart for all of us to handle.  She asks questions that we could never imagine a six year old to think about.  She remembers EVERYTHING!  You cannot promise her anything unless you plan on following through.  She can remember things that were said months prior.  She loves to play with friends and cousins.  She always wants to be around others she is a social butterfly (just like her dad)!  She looks just like my side of the family and most especially my mother.  She start kindergarten this year and is way excited to go and to learn, plus to ride the bus.  She loves to swim and play sleeping queens (a card game) she loves her Webkinz and her Nintendo DS.  We love her dearly and are so excited that we get the opportunity to watch her grow up and become a sweet young lady.  Of course we want her to remain small forever but we eventually will have to give in someday.  We love you Navie and Daddy and I feel so honored to be your parents!

Second comes my Mamaw on the 6th!  I don't know what I would do without her as my grandmother.  She is honestly more like a second mother to me and we have been so blessed to have her.  I wish that she lived closer and I could see her more often but I have to take what I can get.  Mamaw I love you so much and am so happy that so many of my magical memories are with you in them.  Hugs and Kisses always!

Third comes Jaimie on the 16th.  She is my brother Jonathans wife.  She is absolutely wonderful and I feel so lucky that Jon found her and we got her in our family.  She is beautiful (kind of hate her for that)  and such a sweet mother.  I love when I get to see her she is energetic and fun and so young at heart (plus in real life).  I am envious that Jacqui and my mother get to live by her because I would love to.  We love you Jaimie and can't wait to see you soon!

Fourth of all there is my MOM on the 20th!  What a great mother I have been blessed with.  Not only is she such a great example to me and my family but she raised us so well.  I hope that I can take some lessons from her and pass them onto my children as well.  She is always such a great help and so wonderful to have around.  I wish that she lived closer so that I could take her for granted more often.  Such a beautiful woman that always does everything for everyone else. I love to see her and my dad together because of how good they are to each other.  Mom you are so great and I love you so much thanks for all that you have done for me!