Some Summer Fun!

Summer is going by so fast! We have been a little busy. 

James went to day camp at his school for a week. He had lots of fun!

 We went to cousin Ayden's Birthday party where they had a car train ride. 

 We went on over and over again!

 One day we went to Pioneer park with a lot of friends where they have this water park as well as a regular park. 

The boys would not go in the first time all the kids went in. We went to the regular park and they got all hot and sweaty and then wanted to go in the water! 

Love that pic of Jake laughing! 

 Had so much fun! 

We have enjoyed lots of swimming this summer. Both the boys are so much more comfortable and confident in the water! Makes me so happy!

Jake has been going in the pool every time we have been at my Mom's for about 2 hours each time. And doesn't stop doing this... 

Craig and I celebrated our 7th anniversary. 

 Right after we were finished with dessert this firework show started! It was perfect timing, so well planned out! Craig tried to take credit but it was the owner of Kettle One Vodka his wife's Birthday! Nice try Craig! 

Swim Lessons

Last year when we finished our swim lessons with Tom he said that the boys were done with him. They didn't need any more lessons from him. They were swimming pretty good, Jake was very brave, swimming all the time and jumping in to me all by himself. James was swimming well, but was nervous to jump in. This year I decided they needed more work once we got in the pool for the first time this summer and neither on of them would take off their tubes and wanted nothing to do with swimming. I wasn't surprised by that from James, but I was with Jake. Jake was fearless last year and just wouldn't take a rest. This year I think his fear caught up with him and he didn't want to do anything. I enrolled them in El Dorado High School's swim program. It was two weeks Monday- Thursday. 

The first day James was kicking and screaming when we were getting ready to go. He whined all the way there and once we got there he was very hesitant to get in the water. Jake didn't know what was happening and once we got there started crying and cried most of the lesson. 

This was the first day...

James getting ready to get in. 

Jake getting ready to get in.

 

Jake got out and pouted

He cried for about two days and then he would only cry once he got in and about 5 minutes later he would be fine.

James getting a ride from his instructor

Going to get the ring

A couple days later...

 James got so much confidence I was so happy! 

Jumping in by himself!

This was at my Mom's house after 4 days of swimming. He never did this last year.

 The last day of swim lessons. 

Jake much happier!

 Using the noodle all by himself!

 Jumping in by himself!

 Since it was the last day the older kids played some games. They were playing categories and the first two times James didn't swim. I didn't know if it was because they didn't call what he picked or that he didn't want to swim that far. They had to swim out about 15 feet to the instructor and back. But the third time he went! He doggy paddled and swam out to the instructor and his instructor was shocked and jumped in to make sure James could make it. James was one of the youngest and least experienced in that group. 

That is his little head in the middle! I was so proud of him I didn't think he would go! 

And this was yesterday at my Mom's house! SO BRAVE! My little boy totally transformed! 

Can't wait to see how both of them are swimming at the end of summer! :) 

Father's Day

Father's Day was such a busy day for us filled with surprises. We started our morning out with going to church as a family, except I had to work in the nursery, so Jake and I hung out together while Brianna, James, and Craig went to church. 

We got Craig a new golf shirt, picked out by James. 

Then we surprised Craig with going to the Angel game! It was the boys' first Angel game. We have been talking about taking them the last few times we have gotten tickets, but we were worried they wouldn't want to stay so long and we would have to leave. Don't want to really waste a ticket on that. So I thought I would buy some cheap seats and if we have to leave then I wouldn't feel so bad! 

Walking to our seats...James wanted his monkey on his back!

Boys with their rally monkeys!

 We also surprised him with a special message on the scoreboard! But sadly the flag was in our way! At least we could kinda see it! Craig was very touched! 

 We enjoyed hot dogs, and cotton candy!

And then we left about the 5th inning. Of course on THAT day there was no June gloom. It was a gorgeous day and really hot. We were dripping and the boys just wanted to go home. Next time we will make sure we are in the shade or go at night! 

 They did good though, other than the heat! It was a special first game for them! 

After the game we headed over to my Brother's for a Father's Day/ Sammy's graduation celebration with the family.

Kids had fun swimming...

 James and Sabrina

 James and Andi

 Andi and Jake

 And this is Valerie, my Sister-in-law's Brother's daughter. James absolutely LOVES her. she is always so good with the boys, ever since they were little. About a month ago they hung out with her at another party. So James asked me, "Is the girl with the curly hair going to be there?" I told him I think so and he says, "Oh good, she is so beautiful." How cute is he!! 

What a fun filled day! Happy Father's Day!

Palm Desert

This year our annual Palm Desert trip didn't work out for going with the family so I decided to take a little girls trip for the first two days and then Craig and the boys would come out for the next two days. Sounded perfect to me!! :) 

So my girlfriend Julie and her two daughters joined my Mom, Brianna, Brianna's friend Bella, and I for the weekend. Our girls trip got cut a little short because Craig got a new job and they wanted him to start Monday! So he and the boys came out Saturday and Brianna and I decided to stay with the boys until Tuesday!

Mikayla relaxing in the pool

 Jake playing ball

 James riding Daddy

 James, Bella, Brianna, & Ava

 James & Brianna

 Ava & Bella

 James and Nonni

 Me & Julie

 Playing ball

 Love this picture! 

 And this one! Love those glasses on them! 

James always talks about going to Palm Springs and asks all the time if we can go. We had such a great relaxing trip as always and the kids had a blast! James didn't want to leave. I think he wants to live there!

Last Day of Pre-School!

After two quick years James had his last day of Pre-School. My little boy will be starting Kindergarten in the Fall! He had such a great two years at Messiah and will miss all his friends so much. 

The last day was a family picnic. Here is his class giving his teacher a gift. 

Being silly

Being silly with his friend Alexa

Mrs. Reyes & James

Jake having some fun

And we will be there another two years with our little baby starting pre-school in the fall! I can't believe  he will be in school. He seems much too little and babyish still. :(