We're Moving!!!

We are soooo very excited to announce to all our friends and family that the Graces are on the move!! The process happened very fast and was very stressful but escrow closed on Friday and we picked up the keys this morning! We are doing some work on the house over the next two weeks so we agreed with the new owners of Violet Street to rent back for 2 weeks.
So where is our new house, you ask... less than a mile from our current house. After looking for months and months in neighboring cities and communities, Steve and I decided that we like being right where we are at (minus looking at the freeway wall of course) and then this house came on the market and we jumped on it.
Although there are lots of things that we'd like to change or update both inside and out over the next couple of years, we feel up for the challenge and are very anxious to get started. As a matter of fact, our main contractor is there as I write bringing in all his materials to get started tomorrow (Sunday!!!)
Here are a few more pictures of our new home. We can't wait to have everyone over sometime soon...

Yep!!! We have a pool now! So fun! But we are changing it a bit so it will be a few weeks before we can really make use of it!!

This is the outside of the house. (That is the old owner's car in the driveway still.)

It is a split-level house. This is the view from the living room. The door you see on the left is the kitchen. To the right of the that is the sunken family room. And the stairs lead to 3 of the four bedrooms in the house (one bedroom is downstairs).

This shows not only the old owner's stylistic taste (which is not exactly our style) but also the living room and sunken foyer.

This is a picture of the kitchen (and the inspectors since this was the day I took most of these photos). Tons of cabinet space but I will miss the bar/countertop where everyone used to hang out in our house. Oh well, we will find a way to adjust I guess:)

Welcome Baby Cameron Reid Kudron

Mike and Nancy welcomed baby #2 into the world last week. A baby boy this time. They are home now and adjusting to life with two children. Heeheehee... Steve and I have a little insight on what lies ahead for them. We went to visit them at home on Sunday. Of course, I had my camera all charged and ready to go but I was so overwhelmed with the little guy, I forgot to take it out of my purse the whole afternoon. These pictures are courtesy of Nonna and Grandpa Kudron from their visit to the hospital.

Mike with his new son. I think they look an awful lot alike. Just look at those chins!

Big sister Katie is getting acquainted. Although I know it's not true, this picture looks like she's layin' down the law to her new little brother... "Now listen here bucko, stay outta my stuff. I'm the boss around here, ya hear me little man?"

Cameron is too cute for words. And too cute to even make a peep, I suppose too. He was the quietest, most calm, most alert baby ever.

The Sneaky One

So... you need the whole story to appreciate this one. About 10 minutes before this picture was taken, mommy gave Charlie a little bite of the chocolate dessert she had leftover from last night. Charlie insisted on more. Mommy said, "No more chocolate Charlie." Charlie cried. Then Charlie disappeared. There was a little noise coming from the pantry. Charlie reappeared with 3 cookies in her hand. One for mommy, one for daddy, and one for Charlie (ohhhh the manipulation). When we all finished our cookies, Charlie said, "More cookie please Mommy!" of course mommy replied once again, "No more chocolate Charlie." Charlie cried again and then disappeared again. Sound familiar? The difference this time is that she never reappeared. Mommy thought it became wayyyyy too quiet and went to search out her daughter. Want to know where she was found? And doing what? Hiding in the laundry room eating ALL the chocolate cookies, all by herself.

I guess she follows the motto...
Why ask for permission now, when you can ask for forgiveness later?

An Update for Our Little Swimmer

Ryan has been working very hard at swimming lessons this summer. Her teacher's efforts and Ryan new brave attitude are really paying off.

Ryan now likes to "get her feet wet" before her lesson begins.

This is the true look of a champion swimmer... swim cap, goggles, and a smile.

This is Ryan swimming all by herself. Her teacher stands far away and Ryan has to jump from one platform and "swim" to the next one. It actually only takes her a few kicks after she jumps to get there but it really helps her confidence.

Teacher, Christina, is preparing Ryan for her most advanced swim yet. Read below for more details of the exciting moment...



Watching this brought a tear to my eye... Christina, Ryan's teacher, starts Ryan in the middle of the pool on a platform, instructs Ryan what to do, swims several feet ahead of her, and tells her to jump, coaching her from a distance. Ryan then, jumps and continues to swim the remaining length of the pool all by herself. That is her in the picture swimming toward the wall.
This was a very moving mommy moment! She did this same swim 6 times that day.
Yeh Ryan!!

Someone is a Bit Confused About the Season

Charlie found herself an umbrella and boot (yes, singular... one boot) and kept saying, "Outside. Rain. Please Mommy." I don't think she quite grasps the concept of seasons yet but our little Buggy is sure becoming quite a talker. It is so fun because we are finally at a stage where she can communicate exactly what she wants. I think she really likes it too.

4th of July
This year we spent the Independence Day holiday with our good friends, the Smiths and the Sullivans. Bryan, Dana, and baby Brennan Sullivan had us over for an afternoon of red, white, and blue fun. Thanks for hosting us Sullivan Family!!! Here are some pictures of the day...

Baby Brennan's first 4th of July. He pretty much slept the whole day. Ahhhhhh... I miss those days. I wish Ryan and Charlie would have slept a little! Heehee!

The dads...Steve, Ryan, and Bryan

Charlie is planning on being just like her daddy!

Lunchtime for the girls... Charlie, Carson, and Ryan

Daddy and Charlie spending some quality time together.

A Summer Celebration

Last weekend, we visited Uncle Mike, Aunt Nancy, and Cousin Katie's house along with Grandpa and Nonna to catch up on our celebrating. We honored Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Mike's Birthday with an afternoon BBQ and swim.

Lunchtime for the girls.

Our little eater, Charlie. How is it that she is only in the 10th percentile? I mean, really, have you seen this child eat? She's pretty darn good at it!

Grandpa holding onto the girls so that we can try to get a shot of all of them at one time.

Now, here we go... this one turned out pretty cute! All we are missing now is a little baby boy to complete the picture. Good luck Nancy on having that baby boy of yours real soon. We can't wait to meet him!!

Playdate at the Aquarium

Michelle and I took all the girls to the Aquarium to see the fish. We had a wonderful morning with all the millions of school kids and camp kids crowding their way through our little darlings. I think if Charlie was just a little bit older, she may have "crowded" right back!

Aren't they just the perfect playmates? To get an idea of the age difference...Charlie is 6 months younger than Carson. Carson is just over a year younger than Ryan.

Carson loved the fish. (And so good at the whole smiling thing.)

First attempt at a group picture.
(Ryan, on the other hand, not so good at the smiling thing.)

Second and final attempt at a group picture.
(Charlie, also not good at the smiling thing or the sitting thing for that matter.)