November and December

The pictures to chose from for these two months were endless. But there is no time to sit and upload photos. Three of my four men had birthdays during these months. While there was lots going, this is what will forever be printed.  

 

November '15

The first week of November is always Homecoming at CBU. So glad Nichole and her kids could come! It's not the same without her there!

The boys and I went on a school fieldtrip to Riley's Farm. They learned how life was lived long ago.

 

 

Finished the first season with all three boys in sports. It was CRAZY! Especially with Shaun gone on two strike teams and me being preggo.

Isaac had a great 8th birthday and had several celebrations. On the 12th we went to the fire station so he could have his annual hot chocolate with dad.

 

 

Parker got to celebrate his 6th birthday at school with all his buddies. He was the Kinder Star of the week and passed out lots of sweets.

 Our annual trip to Glamis was awesome. I may have been 30 weeks pregnant, but I wasn't going to miss out on all the fun. However, by day three, I was ok sitting in the trailer and reading and napping! The boys continued to party on though.

  

We went straight from Glamis to Arizona for Thanksgiving! The weather was finally cool and the cousins played till they dropped each night!

 

December '15

We had our second annual progressive dinner with the Copes, Elliotts, and Firetags x 2. Such a fun celebration with all our 16 1/2 kids!

No this is not a baby reveal party with pink and blue cupcakes. It's Shaun's birthday. Seems that those are the colors of choice though as we sit and wonder what baby #4 is. We celebrated Shaun's birthday early because the boys had a day off school and he was oblivious to the schedule. He was shocked when he got home from work and the boys were sitting on the couch with a birthday sign. Good job boys!

 

 Free LEGOLAND tickets? Yes please!

Thankful to have a picture with something bigger than my belly, the Death Star.

 

 We enjoyed a much needed family get away in Lake Arrowhead at Shaun's captains "cabin." I use that word loosely seeing as how it's over 3,000 square feet. We had a wonderful time playing in the snow and breathing in fresh air! 

 

 More than likely this will be our last Christmas in this house. I want to remember this set up forever. This was the first year I put the tree in the family room and it make the season that much more wonderful!

 

 

 Daddy got held over for a little on Christmas morning so the boys were trying to be so patient. It was very hard to do... Ten o'clock couldn't come soon enough!

 

A few days after Christmas we went camping with Shaun's family. We rang in the New York new year sitting around the camp fire relaxing!

 

Good bye 2015 and hello 2016

This will be the year of our sweet baby boy/girl!

 

September and October

 Each month with this crew of mine is always so full and busy. I wish I could blog every single event in detail, but then I would be in my room, on the laptop all night, every night! I need sleep!

 

September '15

How does God keep good friends from college together?

He gives them all boys so they continue to have life in common. Emily, Marcella, and I were all married within a month of each other. Glad they are still a part of my life!

 

California was on fire! Shaun got sent to this blaze. It was the worst timing possible. We were supposed to go on a babymoon... Fly to Vancouver, stay the night, tour, and then jump on a ship and sail back home.

We missed the whole thing.

It was devastating.

I miss my husband.

 

Instead, I was left with these three men and one big belly!

 

In the meantime, sweet baby #4 continued to grow bigger and stronger. And of course still keeping his/her identity a surprise!

 

Soccer and baseball started the same day and it was crazy. No way could I have had time to get away! Guess it was meant to be!

 

October '15

Parker lost his first tooth! He was THRILLED!

We also saw Pan at the drive in at the 9:15 showing! I think he's the only one that stayed awake! This kid was on cloud nine! Pan is his hero!

 

And because California was still on fire, Shaun get sent out again... This time longer. Oh how we miss him when he's gone!

 

Thankfully he was back for Hawaii and we didn't have to miss this trip! Aloha!

 

We met a family that lives there and we because great friends. Met up with Robb, Heather, and their two boys (River and Kai) a few times. Baby #3 is on the way too!

Maui how I love you and will be back someday!

 

Halloween wrapped up the month and these boys loved their costumes made by Ammah.

 

Happy Halloween!

July and August

July and August were jam packed... But I guess that's normal for us! When are we not on the go? One week in July was dedicated to Vacation Bible School. However, I think the other three weeks were spent on the road! And feeling sick and nauseous and looking for scentless soaps!

 

July 

We headed to Arizona to meet baby Grace and let the family know that we were going to be a family of six! Everyone was shocked, but thrilled! 4th of July was hot, hot, hot too! Nothing like our usual overcast California Independence Days! I think the entire visit was spent in the pool or the sprinklers!

 

The boys loved holding Grace and Playing with Ryker and William!

 

The evening we got back from Arizona, I had a girl's night. This was also when I shared the big news with them! Thanks for your excitement Jodi, Michelle, Jamie, and Tori!

Our first annual camping trip with the gang (minus N/J Firetag). Eight adults and 14 1/2 kids! Can't wait for next years adventure!

 

The end of the month was spent camping at Silver Strand with the fire department. The boys had a blast with the other kids but, sadly, I didn't get very many pictures!

 Blake spent some sweet moments sleeping in my arms while I watched the big boys body surf!

 

 

August

Uncle Manny got married in August and Blake was the ring bearer. He took his job very seriously, as you can tell.

 

Congrats you two!

 

Blakesters turned four and we had a grand Super Hero celebration for him! We had 26 little friends and their parents join us (with ten not able to come)!  

 

Blake's favorite hero this year was Captain America...

 

... But he also plays all the other characters!

 

School started at the end of August and while Isaac was excited to see friends, he could live in summer mood. However, Parker had been counting the says since he got out in June. They have both done so well so far and enjoy their home two days a week and in class three days a week! And Blake is full time pre-pre-k at home!

 

 School may have started but that doesn't mean we are home bound. One Saturday Shaun and I packed up five boys and headed to the zoo. It was super hot, but they had so much fun with friends! Made it easier on us too! Funny how that works!

June '15

Obviously there was a major announcement that took place in June that will have to be given another post all by itself... I'm still working on that one! So many thoughts and questions to answer. But, many other things in June happened that need to be "announced", too!

 

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My parents left the day before my birthday so they watched the boys and let Shaun and me go on a date. On that date Shaun gave me my birthday present, a trip to Hawaii (in October). I cried. When we got home the boys had an Hawaiian cake for me! Now to get everyone snorkeling!

 

Happy 33rd Birthday to me! 33 has always been my number so I guess that's why I had to start it off with a bang!

California is a very thoughtful state and they give you a special gift every five years for your birthday... An expired license. So, I spent time at the DMV and the boys enjoyed Ross and visiting with Nana.

End of the school year celebrations kept us VERY busy for a solid week!

We now have a 2nd grader, a kinder, and a pre-kinder (or pre-pre... not sure)!

Parker graduated from pre-k! The Owl's class trio was Parker, Nate, and Dash! He also took his "entrance exam" for kinder and did great! The two kinder teachers were fighting over him. He's so excited to be at Isaac's school next year!

 

Little funny:

I went in his room the other morning to see if he was going to wake up. He looked so out of it, like there couldn't have been a thought in his head. Turns out it was the opposite. He was deep in thought. He asked me, "what comes after 299?" The kid, just for fun, counts to high numbers and writes his letters on the white board in the loft. Learning is easy for him because he doesn't realize that's what he's doing!  

 

Summer vacation was made official with a family trip to the San Diego Zoo! And it was so cold. I wish I had worn jeans! Shaun even wore a sweatshirt part of the time. That never happens! The guy just doesn't get cold!

First Monday with no school... Yup, moms and kids trip to the beach! Copes, Elliotts, and Higgins!

Isaac didn't get to go though. He stayed back to start.....

Basketball Camp!

Isaac's first week of summer vacation was spent on the basketball court. Besides school recess, this was his first really experience with this sport! His team even got Division three Team Champions!

 

June 13th

My niece, Grace Christine, was born.

(this pictures was taken from when we visited at the beginning of July)

 

Shaun and I got to go out on a date night with our Bible Study group so the boys helped me shop ahead of time for snacks to eat with Ammah and Papa.

We spent four days at Silver Strand on Coronado Island with the Copes. Fun in the sun all. day. long. We went to pizza one night in town and walked around Hotel Del Coronado.

The kids were like seals. They'd play in the water and then cover their bodies in sand and bask in the sun. then repeat over and over and over again.

The soccer game was quiet entertaining. Our six kids are a little (lot) competitive, especially our oldest!

 

Proof that Jodi and I were there AND that we need to watch the budding romance going on between our second borns. Parker and Cassidy were playing "boyfriend/girlfriend." Hehe!

 

You never know just how much fun you'll have while beach camping!

 

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And we ended the month with...

 

Happy 11th Anniversary!

Never thought we'd be celebrating in the doctor's office by getting to see the first glimpse of our FOURTH child! I'm due the first week of February!