Calix Family Picnic

We went to the Calix Family Picnic this afternoon and had a great time. That is the one thing I miss about working are the fun events that you get to go to but we are lucky because Brian's work has a couple of events every year. (I do think that Enterprise threw the BEST parties and gets the Gold Medal in that category!) Andrew had his first trip in a bounce house and loved it. Since he likes to jump anyway, he was in heaven. The big kids in the house did most of the jumping so we just had to bounce around on their waves but is was still fun.

The downside of living in a tourist destination

I was driving home from running errands in Santa Rosa and decided to take the backroads instead of the freeway. I was behind a car that had 4 adults in it and wasn't doing the speed limit. No big deal, we were still in the city and I just figured they didn't know what the speed limit was. After a couple of miles we were out in the country. Nothing but fields, vineyards and farms for a couple of miles. This is the point where "locals" speed up and drive 55-60 MPH. (The speed limit is 55 on the road so we aren't really speeding.) The car I'm following continues to do 40 MPH. Great, just my luck. Then, they slow down even more and I notice a hand come out of the passenger window. They are taking pictures!! Oh look, there's a vineyard...snap! Oh look, there's a cow....snap! Oh look, there's a real farm with horses and pigs....snap! Seriously people, do you really need to be doing this? Don't they realize that it is 100 degrees outside, I have a 1 year old who wants to eat lunch and I still have to go to the bank and the post office before we go home. You may be on vacation but I have things to do people!

Swimming and Shoes

Andrew started his second swim class yesterday with Brian. Andrew loves the pool so much we thought it would be a good idea to put him in another swim class. They offer a class for Andrew's age group in the evening so Brian is able to go. It's nice to be able to sit back on the grass and watch my boys splash around in the pool! In normal Andrew fashion, he laughed and splashed throughout the entire class.

Waiting patiently for class to start

I also decided that it was time for Andrew to get his first real pair of shoes. Up until this point he has been wearing baby training shoes. Basically it just gets them used to the idea of having shoes on their feet. Since Andrew is starting to walk, he needs real shoes to run around in. We went to Stride Rite, got him measured and fitted for shoes. Andrew is going to take after me because he is measuring 4.5 WIDE! I had wide feet growing up and my parents had to spend a small fortune on special shoes that you could only find at expensive stores. So, no Payless Shoes for Andrew because they just won't fit his feet. I tried to tell the sales lady that the sandals I wanted to get fit his feet but she stood her ground and told me that they didn't!

Bring a big boy and getting measured

Babies in Tahoe!

When Andrew was 3 weeks old we joined a playgroup here in Rohnert Park. For the last year, we've met with these mommies and babies a few times a month. I have been so lucky to have these mommies for support and encouragement and Andrew is lucky to have such great friends. Both Andrew and I look forward to each play date and hanging out with our friends. Andrew had a great idea and invited our playgroup friends up to Tahoe. So, on Wednesday, 5 mommies and 6 kids invaded Northstar! We had a terrific time and the kids all did great in the new environment. We went swimming, hiking, played games and just hung out. Between different nap schedules, eating schedules, playing and exploring there was never a dull moment. We were on the go from 6:00am (courtesy of Andrew waking up early) to 11:00pm when the adults decided we needed some sleep. We are so blessed to have such great friends and I'm so glad that we were able to have them up to Tahoe! Thanks ladies, we'll have to do it again next year!!

Andrew playing with his friends: Maddie, Savannah and Race.

The ladies catching up on celebrity gossip!

At the top of the mountain. What a gorgeous view! It is so much different without snow on the ground.

Andrew and Mommy

The gondola is much roomier without having to wear ski clothes, boots, carrying poles and trying to stay warm!

Maddie, Caitlyn, Savannah and Andrew on the GondolaCaitlyn trying out the oversized trampoline.

I wanted to try it too!

All the babies
Savannah, Evan, Andrew, Race, Caitlyn and Maddie

The Group
Me and Andrew, Kristina and Savannah, Melissa and Race, Melissa and Caitlyn and Maddie, Kate and Evan.

The fastest way to get all of the babies in one place is to show them food! Good thing Andrew likes to share.

Caitlyn and Melissa O. playing Ping Pong.

Kristina kicking my butt at Fooseball.

Andrew's first driving experience.

This is what happens when you leave your child in the care of other mommies! Kate went to take a nap so we decided to style Evan's hair.

Andrew's Walking!

We've been waiting for this day for awhile now....Andrew took his first steps! I know in a few weeks I will be complaining that all I do is chase him around but I am so excited for our little man. You can see in the video that he is quite impressed with himself too!

Happy 4th of July

We hope that everyone had a great Forth of July! We had a "wing-ding" here and ate some good BBQ, enjoyed the company of our friends and watched a fantastic fireworks show! One of Brian's best friends from high school, Nick, was in town from NY. He was able to come over along with Vince, Shannon and Rebecca. They all reminisced about the good times they had and trouble they caused! The major difference to this year's party is that we had to light the fireworks off while it was still light out. Since the kids all go to bed before it gets dark, we decided to do them right before bedtime which meant, fireworks in the daylight. Andrew loved the fireworks unless they made laugh cracking noises. If they made any sort of loud pop or crackling noise, he would get a very worried look on his face and start to whine. He couldn't have disliked it too much though because he clapped for every one. All in all it was a great day!

Some of our playgroup families
Caitlyn is such a great helper!

Uncle Scotty and Andrew

Happy Fourth of July!

Brian's friends from high school
Vince, Shannon, Nick, Brian, Rebecca

Yippee, it's time for fireworks!

Andrew had a concerned look on his face but he was clapping so I think he was happy!

Only the smoke showed up in the pictures but I promise there was sparks of color too.

Notice how Scott is hiding in the garage. For some reason he was a little concerned that Brian was the official fire marshal!

Splash Pool Fun

We got Andrew a Splash Pool for his birthday and decided today was a great day to try it out when his playgroup friends were over. Basically, you hook the hose up to the edge of the pool and then it sprays water into the air. The inside of the pool fills up with water from the spray so the kids can splash. The water never gets over 3-4 inches high to the kids can play in it very easily. Our little fishy loved it!

Wow! This is cool!

Mom, I think we may have a leak...

Hey friends, isn't this so much fun!

It doubles as a water fountain too!