Congratulations Kevin!

This morning Kevin was recognized by the State of California, along with AAA for having alot of 10851 (that's the code for stolen vehicle) recoveries. We were treated to lunch at the Old Spaghetti Factory, and Kevin along with a few other officers from Stockton PD and CHP were given awards. I am so proud of all the hard work Kevin does... He serves God daily by protecting and serving this city-- even though MOST of the time it comes with no appreciation from it's people (good thing he seeks to please God, not man!). Please always keep his safety and sanity in your prayers as he patrols the streets. :)

That's my man!

I'm so proud of him!
We got dressed up to go-- ended up being a little overdressed compared to most of the guys in jeans and t-shirts! Where's the fun in that!?!

Happy Anniversary Kevin

I just wanted to formally wish the love of my life Happy 6th Anniversary. Although we were apart on our actual anniversary (July 27th), I had alot of fun on our date before I left. I love and admire you so much, and am so blessed to have you as my husband and father to our children. You mean more to me than you could ever know, and I just want you to know how much I adore you. Thank you for a wonderful 6 years of marriage. Thank you for being so supportive of me going to WA, even if it meant being gone for our anniversary. I love you so very much, Kevin. Happy Anniversary!

It doesn't seem like that long ago... ;)

My Adorable Brayden

Oh it was so hard to imagine being away from Kevin and my boys for 4 whole days. To some that doesn't seem like much, but when you've never done it 4 days can feel like forever! I had some sleepless nights before I left, up late thinking about. It wasn't as bad as I imagined, but it was one of the hardest things I've ever done. The fact that I talked to all three of them multiple times during the day, and that I got to snuggle (and smother!) Brayden as much as I wanted, got me through it. Don't get me wrong, it was nice to have a little break from the day-in and day-out routines, but those routines are my life... and I enjoy my life very much. :) And this was also my first time in 6 years of marriage (which we celebrated apart-- our anniversary was on Monday, July 27th) that Kevin and I were apart, which was very sad and difficult. However, I enjoyed my trip VERY VERY much, and had a blast hanging out with my sister each day. I really miss her not being closer. I also enjoyed helping her around the house as much as I could, and with Brayden. He is such an adorable little boy. He reminds me alot of Elijah at that age. Not in appearance, but in personality. Why is it that babies so young who should slip into sleep almost effortlessly usually fight it to the bitter end!? Hehe... I just don't understand. I've heard rumors that people have babies that love to sleep, and sleep through the night from the first night they bring them home, and who can just be laid down in a crib and will fall asleep on their own without problems...I wonder if it's actually true, or if it's something people make up to make you feel COMPLETELY ALONE in what you're going through!!! lol. I can't wait to see Linz and Jordan and Brayden again- I know he's going to change so much, so fast. Love and miss you guys!

Isn't he so adorable!?

Brayden and Jordan snoozing
Me and Brayden- I just can't get over how darn cute he is!
Linz and Brayden (still so hard to believe my little sister is a mommy! She's a good one!)

Brayden was not happy right now ;)

Awww... he loves his Auntie Trina ;)

Bath time! He loves to take a bath

So peaceful.. he slept like this for hours

Kevin's Brave Adventure

This last weekend I was fortunate enough to fly up to WA to meet my new nephew, Brayden. This meant Kevin was going to have 4 days alone with the boys. This would be a first for us all. He decided he wanted to take them camping. At first I thought, "You're CRAZY!" Although, after thinking about it, I decided that it probably would be easier on him to have them out camping then to be cooped up at home. At home they would've been reminded of me more (as I am usually the one doing many of their normal routines), whereas camping they'd have plenty of new places to explore, and things to do. Needless to say they had a blast, and the boys did great for Kevin. I made Kevin promise to camp only where we've had cell phone service in the past, and so they went to Dillon Beach. I was able to talk to all my boys daily, which was nice. And they all slept wonderfully in our new 5th wheel, which I admit I was EXTREMELY jealous that I was not apart of the first camping trip in our new trailer- but how could I complain when I was getting to do something I really wanted to do!? Ryan, Mark and Nora also went with them. (Kudos to Mark as well for braving a weekend alone with Nora- I think that's so great!) :)

The boys were excited to get down to the beach for some fun!

Tyler now says "Cheese!" for pictures
Fun in the sand

Isn't Nora a cutie!?!?

Ryan brought a shovel, and him, Mark and Kevin took turns digging this masterpiece, haha

Their campsite-- there's our new 5th wheel! Better lookin, eh?

Elijah was brave enough to hold a crab! I'm surprised...

Tyler practically squeezed one to death... I'm NOT surprised, lol!

Elijah took this of Kevin-- isn't he so handsome!?

Elijah and Ryan hanging out in the trailer

Tyler playing in the trailer

Elijah enjoyed climbing the rocks- it's hard to tell, but he's up pretty high Kevin said

Tyler cheesin' it so cute

The boys took turns crawling in and out of this cave, or "tunnel" according to Elijah

New-To-Us

I have some catching up to do!! Well, let me first announce that we sold our trailer. It was good to us, and we definitely got our money's worth (it was a 1978!!!). When the fridge went out on it last summer, Kevin and I began considering getting a new one. All year we've been camping with either ice chests or blocks of ice, which had worked out nicely, but hasn't been the most convenient. Well, long story short it all fell into place for us. We sold ours to a random person who left a note on our door one day saying they were interested (we didn't even have a for sale sign on it!), and bought Kelly's parents' 5th wheel, which is amazing. Literally too good to be true for us... we feel so spoiled. I'll admit though it was sad seeing our clunker go. The heater, fridge, and oven didn't work, but it was our very first trailer. We got that when Elijah was a newborn, and took him camping at one month old. It has many fun memories. But, I know our new one will have even more! :)

This is the couch area of the old trailer, which folded into a king-size bed The kitchen/dining area of our old trailer (and bathroom in back)

The kitchen/dining area of our new trailer, which is a 1992 I believe

This is our queen size bed in our new trailer (it's not made so it looks messy, but is super spacious) and the bathroom area

CHEESE!

(look at all that laundry on my couch!! YIKES! Now you know what I do with alot of my time during the day, lol!!)

What a mess!

The other night we gave the boys some chocolate ice cream cones and went outside. Neither of them ate even half (not big ice cream fans, my boys- I know, it's odd!), but they had a blast and got messy! ;) Then, we had some fun on the trampoline-- AND some drama.......

Okay- let me warn you before you watch this: it's a bit disturbing!! Both boys love rolling on the big ball in the trampoline, and rolling off it, or falling over off it... it's something they do all the time. The other night Kevin was helping Tyler do it like big brother, then Elijah did it and hurt himself- I caught it on video. Rest assured, he's COMPLETELY fine, but the video of it creeps me out everytime I watch it!!

San Francisco

Last Sunday we took off after church and went to San Francisco for the day with Danae and Jaron. It was fun walking around Pier 39, although being a weekend it was SUPER crowded. We got a late start in the day, so we weren't there for too long, but it was fun hanging out together. That was the first time we've hung out with Jaron and Danae by ourselves for the day. We went to the Rainforest Cafe for dinner, which both Tyler and Elijah loved. Elijah's been there before a couple times, but it's been a while. They both ate in awe, watching the scenery and thunderstorms (for those who haven't been before- there will be actual "thunderstorms" during dinner, where the lights flicker, and it sounds like it's raining.... a really neat experience).

Elijah and Danae being goofy
I think Jaron and Danae should've bought these beanies! ;)
It was a fun day, with a fun group! :)

Danae's Bridal Shower

Can it be that my little Danae is getting married!? I remember when she was just 12 years old! Last Saturday, (I'm behind because my computer's been acting S-L-O-W!) her mother-in-law to be and some friends threw her a bridal shower, and I was lucky enough to attend. :) It was fun to watch her be blessed with tons of gifts. The event went really well, and I'm so excited for her and Jaron!

Our beautiful bride-to-be Miss Danae
We had fun hanging out :)
Danae and Melissa

Danae and her soon to be mother-in-law, Brenda

Such a cutie! This is Cayden, Melissa's son

Isn't this cake beautiful!? It was yummy too!

Happy Birthday, Pa!

Happy 60th Birthday Dad! Hope you have a wonderful day! As Papa said, you are now 30 years old in each leg! ;) We love you!!!

Hangin Out at Noe and Pa's

Kevin took these pics with his iPhone, but we thought they came out so adorable. This one of Tyler and my dad is just priceless. :)

Pa and the Boys

My dad, a.k.a "Pa," reading to the boys before bed, which is always special for the boys to have someone besides me or Kevin :)

Happy 4th of July!

Last night we went up to Jackson with a bunch of friends and family (including the Larue's, Katie and Kevan, Steph and Nora and her parents, Kyle and Kelly, and the Edens were there too!) to watch their firework show. Some may wonder why we'd drive 45 minutes away to watch fireworks when we have them in our own town (although as it turns out, this year they are being cancelled!). Well, in Jackson you sit on a grass field, and they literally shoot them off right over your head. It's incredible. Both boys enjoyed them very much, and neither were scared. Tyler was unsure at first, but eventually even got bored, and just wanted to climb around on us. Elijah kept screaming things like, "Look! Blue! Yellow! That was a big one! Red!..." It was precious.

Being silly on the way there

Tyler and Kyle
Elijah and Kelly

Nora and Steph

Tyler enjoyed the glow sticks and cheetos Uncle Kyle brought

From L to R: Ryan, Kevan, Kyle, Kevin, Caleb

Bottom Row: Elijah and Luke

Elijah, Kelly and Tyler

Katie (and the baby!) and me

Kevan, Katie and "Baby Riley"

Ryan made antennas with his glow sticks :)

The blurry object a couple times is Tyler's finger, lol. And the thing that looks on fire was an American Flag that was a firework that lights up with all the colors and everything, then eventually burns out... really neat!