Balboa Island Adventure

Just after Labor Day Weekend, Steve took the girls down to Balboa Island to visit the Carey's vacation beach house! I had to work so I missed all the fun!

The girls first ferry ride! As soon as they drove on, Steve rushed to get them out of their car seats, got out of the car, sat on a bench to watch, and quickly got right back in the car! What a good daddy!

Ginny good friend Kay was there too. She loves to hang out with the little ones!

Just hangin' out on the boardwalk eating lunch!

Aunt Ginny did a great job helping Steve out with the girls! Thanks Ginny!

The girls hardly ever get to see Big Cousin Timmy because of his busy work schedule so this was an extra special day! Steve said they played and played and played!

Ryan stayed busy all day collecting shells
(...and brought them home too! They are decorating our backyard!)

It took awhile to get brave but ... the girls played in the water and had fun doing so.

Thanks for hosting our family Careys!!

Lazy Day, Labor Day

We had a lazy, lounging Labor Day with some of our friends hanging out by the pool. Nothing fancy... just good friends and good times! Labor Day weekend is somewhat of an anniversary for us in this house. We had this same group over last year and although we had been moved in for 2 weeks, the pool had just been finished and ready to swim in the day before the party! One year later and the group keeps getting bigger... 3 more babies came over the past year (Sydney, Bridgette, and Wyatt)! We are now at a grand total of 10 kids between us! It will be interesting to see the count next year!

The Sullivans

"The Pal" - Joe Traver

Michelle, Erin, and Wyatt

Vinny

Dana, Claudia, Michelle, Sydney, Wyatt, Erin, and me

Pool time!

Lounging in the "sweet spot" of the pool

Ryan swimming with Carsie! Go Carsie!

Carson tickling Brennan with her very pretty pink nails!

Celeste in her hot leopard suit!

Maximum capacity in the pool!

Carson brought bubbles for all the kids. Thanks Carsie!

Hey Scott, you look like a natural... ya wanna babysit?

Ryan and Uncle Jeff clowning around

A little love between friends
(Celeste and Charlie)

Daddy's Worst Nightmare

On the weekend of August 16th (I know... I am way behind in blogging), our neighborhood had its annual "Kids Swapmeet" at one of our local parks. I had had it on my calendar for months! I live for this kind of stuff. However, my other half's view: Swapmeets, garage sales, and flea markets are his worst nightmare... He reminds me over and over again that he WILL NOT be associated with any of the above. He insists that he will not participate, attend, or chauffeur any people or items to or from such establishments. Haha... he's all bark and no bite! He is right that he didn't attend but he certainly participated and chauffeur his kids, wife, and all their loot home from the park!

The girls got to decide how much money they were going to bring out of their piggy banks and carry it in their purses. Here is Charlie (in the fancy hat she picked to wear to the sale) paying for her first item of the day. 3 barbie sized plastic puppies for $.50.

If you could imagine... Charlie had NO problem buying every item in sight. She kept picking things up and saying, "how much is this?" to anyone who would listen. (I am teaching her well.) Ryan, on the other hand, was very picky and really wanted to get a lay of the land before she made any decisions.

Ryan posing with all of the loot. We had walked to the park and the girls rode in the wagon but we had to change plans after the "spree." Steve had to come through for his girls and pick us up! Heeheehee!

Ryan may not have come home with as much as her sister, but we quickly had to enforce the rules about sharing. Best trip ever... $24 of junk = hours of enjoyment! Now that's better deal than the going price of babysitters.

The Grace Girls (mommy included) are already looking forward to next year!

A New Blogger in Town!

"Hello everyone! My name is Celeste. I wanted to introduce myself because my mommy started a blog all about me and I would love for you to check it out. My mommy's friend, Lori, put the link in the right hand column of this blog. Click on it and come see me often!"

Houghtons Hang Out

On Sunday, the Houghtons stopped by for a little impromptu visit after their day at the beach. We all jumped in the pool for a little fun in the sun! We loved having you guys! It made our day.

Casey and Crazy Charlie!
Hold on tight Casey... she's a slippery one!

Whoops! She escaped! I told you... ya gotta watch that one! haha.

Ryan and her Godmommy

Relatives on pool duty!! Mommy and daddy are on a break! Pheewwww!

Uncle Bubba was the LifeGuard!

Produce & Ponies

This past weekend Steve and I spent the weekend down south with some of our good friends from the produce industry. On Saturday, we were all about the Del Mar Racetrack! We were big losers but still had a wonderful time with our friends. Haha

Me and my Produce Hubby

The Produce Wives

The Produce Guys

More Pals to Visit the Pool

Last week, the girls and I hosted two of my colleagues and their kids over for a pool playdate. Lisa (pictured), Elisa, and myself all have toddler girls within a year of one another and we trade stories all the time at work. We are all going through the same things basically at the same time. Same struggles. Same questions. Same milestones. We've all talked and talked of getting all the girls together but it just never happened until now. The day went smoothly and everyone played really nicely together.

This is Grace (Lisa's daughter) and Ryan.

Little Chuckles of course.


An attempt to get Lisa with her two children, Nicholas and Grace.

Here is Charlie, Kristen (Elisa's daughter), Grace, and Ryan after have popsicles.

Kristen and Grace.
(Unfortuately, I didn't get a picture of my friend Elisa. Bummer. Elisa also has one year old twins who were not there for the playdate. They are adorable, I wish I had a pic of them too!)

The crazy-stick out your tongue-and say awwww picture!

Robyn and Don's Engagement Party

This past weekend we attended Steve's cousin's engagement party. Robyn Coleman (daughter of Brian Coleman and Debbie Coleman) will be marrying her fiance Don this next year. We had a great time seeing all of the family and meeting Robyn and Don's friends and family.

Robyn (in green) with her girlfriends.

Debbie (in the middle) threw a fantastic Mexican fiesta! The food and decor were fabulous! I was impressed with everything.

Kyla (forgive me if I messed up the spelling) is Cousin Kelly's adorable daughter.

Charlie was going to make Kyla her new best friend, whether Kyla liked it or not!

Katie with the girls! This one could be a keeper... not too many pictures with both little ones smiling and looking at the camera!

Kelly and Kyla

Bubba and Big Tim

Casey, Katie, and the girls!
The girls LOVED those little umbrellas (apple doesn't fall far, does it?)

Melina, Patrick, and Ginny

Uncle Brian (father of the bride) and my hubba-hubba Steve (Whewww... I sure love that vest! What a hottie I have, huh?)