Faces really don't get any cuter than these two little ones, Thomas and Corbin do they? I love their big innocent brown eyes!

After a few days in the Redwoods, Mike and I spent some time with April and her family. 

We sure love her two little boys and enjoyed spending time with them.  We went to the park.  Can you believe little Corbin? He feel asleep on the way to the park and continued to sleep with all the noise around?  We played bocce ball, and went for walks.  We also went shopping and just hung out.  We realized a couple of things about Thomas.  He does NOT like to play Grandpa's game of wild footsies.  Mikes chases the little ones and tickles their feet.  Thomas would say "NO", if Mike pointed to his wild footsies. Then Thomas would point to his brother Corbin to let Grandpa know he had the wild footsies to chase.  Too funny!!

Early one morning Mike and I went for a walk around the Sacramento temple grounds.  We found these invaders within the temple gates.  Look at those antlers.  Those guys were hungry!!

Our July was busy and fun.  We enjoyed seeing family that we miss so much.  As they say "there is no place like home" and we were happy to come back to our home and the cool air of the Central Coast.

Last week my son-in-law Joey was at scout camp.  Perfect time,  I thought to invite Rachel to come for a visit.  When April heard she decided to come too and brought her two little ones. (Rachel hadn't met Corbin yet.)  What a fun week we had being together.  We went to the lake, the beach, walked the pier, and played together.  I love my family!!  

Enjoy these videos and pictures from our week. 

Evan loves squirt bottles and Star Wars.  But, he hates the movie "The Princess Bride". Everyone else in the family loves it.  The first thing Rachel did was to give Evan some squirt bottles.   On her last visit she gave Evan squirt bottles with Star Wars stickers.   This time was different,  they had stickers from The Princess Bride movie.  He was none to happy, as you can tell in this video.  But, it's all just fun family teasing.  (Katie is on Skype in the background with her little ones.)

 Thomas and Corbin sure do love their mommy.  Corbin especially is a mama's boy, but Thomas had his moments too when only mama would do.  

 Thomas enjoying the slide at Lopez Lake....

and the climbing structure. 

 Corbin tried to climb but didn't get to far. 

 Evan and Rachel are having fun being together.  Can you tell??

Actually they really did have fun together. 

The whole gang that went to Lopez Lake.

 Swinging with grandpa is always fun.  Mike was able to get a couple of days off while family was here, so that was great. 

 We found this great log to walk on at Biddle Park.

What is it about tire swings that make them so fun?

It was fun just to stroll the pier on a beautiful day.

Sword fighting with Thomas.  Am I a cool grandma or what??

We did some yard work together and had little helpers.  Looks like Thomas is directing the action...

and Corbin just loved wearing the glove.  I love this smile!

Corbin was comforted by stuffed animals whenever his mama walked out of the room.  He especially liked our Winnie the Pooh dressed as a bee.

Speaking of costumes, we had fun getting out the costume box. 

Looks like Thomas had something important to say.  He looks like he is acting.

Not sure what to call Thomas a cowboyclownpirate??  Whatever he is dangerous, he'll hook you, tie you up and make you laugh to death!!  What a way to die!!

Thomas got a kick out of looking at himself in the mirror!!

The week just flew by way to fast.  Now the house is quiet again.  Boo Hoo!!  But good news over the summer we will get to see everyone!! 

April Showers

I know it's only January, but our April showers were daughter April and her family showering us with laughter and smiles. They were not able to visit over the Christmas holidays. But, were down here visiting for the last week and a half. We had fun together. Here are some pictures and video!


Sweet little Corbin, loves his Mommy. He was only happy when she was around. I loved hearing his giggle when they played peek-a-boo!


At first it looks like no one is pushing Corbin. Big brother Thomas to the rescue.



April with her embroidery from Grandma Virginia


April and Matteo with more fun aprons!


Feeding Ducks at the Oceano Lagoon

It seems there were more pigeons and sea gulls than ducks.



The ever adorable face of Thomas!




Playing "Wild Footsie's" with Grandpa



Enjoying our backyard swing.



 

Yummy Popsicle

The Harvest

The Harvest is this week's Slice of Life.  We have had gardens here and there.  The best vegetable garden we had was when we lived in Santa Maria.  We grew, peas, tomatoes, green beans, and yummy beets among other things!!  In our current house veggies don't grow so well because there is too much shade.  I can't say I really have a whole lot of experience with harvest or harvesting fruits and vegetables.  Do you want to know what I have loved growing and nurturing the best??  

FAMILY

We started with this!
  Just the two of us.

  Through the years we added lots of love, understanding, sharing, fun, laughter, worship, prayer and togetherness. One by one we started to grow. Until now from the two of us we have gathered in our harvest twenty wonderful family members and we are still growing.  I can't imagine life without anyone of them.


Isn't this a great crop??

David, Sariah, Spencer, Andrew and Leah

 April, Matteo with Thomas and Corbin

John, Amy and Aiden

Katie and Brad with Kyle

Rachel and Joey, with one of their doggies, Sasha

And last but of course not least, Evan!


I remember when David graduated.  I think I cried every day the week of the graduation.  I knew he would be leaving, going on a mission, and our family would never be the same again. . I was right.  Our family has change A LOT since our oldest grew up and became an adult.  The best thing was that our family grew and grew and is still growing, and it's better and better all the time. We are continually reaping the rewards of our careful sowing. You plant a little love and what a wonderful harvest!!  Amazing!

GOOD NEWS

This week we took a short trip up North to see some of Evan's specialists!! Tuesday morning we saw Dr. Wong the kidney doctor. Despite a lovely little kidney stone, Evan's kidney's are staying healthy. The stone is not currently causing any problems so Evan just has to drink lots and lots of water. I guess that means I get to nag!! What fun for me!! Since our next appointment wasn't until Wednesday at 1 pm. We decided that...well, I decided that I wanted to hold a grandbaby!! Mike didn't complain!! So we drove the two hours to Sacramento and spent the night up there to get a baby fix!!

Awe, it was so worth it!! Little Tommy is adorable. He is a very easy going, happy little guy!!

It was fun to see April and Matteo too!!




We went out to dinner at FATS, and had really yummy Chinese food!!


Look how Tommy loves his Mommy!!! I think he looks like Ethan M in this picture, what do you all think?? Something in his expression reminded me of Ethan. Well, they are cousins, so could be?

Wednesday morning we got up early and left to go back down to Stanford, this time to see Dr. Robinson the pulmonologist. Evan has been on his BiPap machine (used to treat sleep apnea) for a year now. Dr. R thought Evan looked great too!! That's what we like!! Doctor visits where there are no new medications or diagnoses or treatments!!! Don't you just love status quo!! I do!!

Fabulous Friday's Forever Family Featuring...

the newest addition to our family, little Thomas. Thomas was born late last night. He is tiny at 5lbs 2 oz and 18 inches long. April and Matteo say that he is cute, with dark eyes and hair!! His birth day was May 22nd and the time 22:22!! How cool is that?? We are hopefully headed up to see the little family this weekend. Then I'm sure I will have lots of pictures to post!!