Swim, Swim, Swim

Today we braced ourselves for yet another swimming day at Michelle's. It seems as though all the kids want to do is swim! I guess I shouldn't expect anything more when it's 100+ degrees outside! Michelle was so great to have us over again, along with Jo Ann, Maddie & Sophia. We had a little bit of a cool down the last few days with the temperature only in the 90's! Feels great outside, but the pool was a bit chilly. The kids didn't last in the water for as long as they normally due, and everyone was a bit purple after wards, but we still had fun for a while. Jo Ann brought a nice lunch for us and we sat outside, ate lunch and the kids played in the dirt, rode bikes and just enjoyed each others company!

Michelle, Jo Ann, Alyssa, Maddie & Sophia

The pool was too chilly for Jaden today, but he is always content to just be outside!

Alyssa playing in the dirt

Maddie & Sophia swinging

Playdate and First Pedi

Jaden standing all by himself - doesn't need to hold on much these days!

Alyssa & Aidan playing Hi Ho Cherry-O

Awww ~ this is relaxing!

Alyssa's first pedicure!

Today we had some of our good friends, Michelle & Aidan, over to play. I was actually supposed to work today, but due to our super low census, I was put on call. Although I was hoping to be called in for time and a half pay, I was happy to stay home. The kids had a blast! Aidan and Alyssa always play so well together! They enjoyed a few games of Hi Ho Cherry-O outside, ate popsicles and Alyssa got her first real pedicure, thanks to Michelle. She sat there so patiently and had her nails cut, filed, cleaned and polished with a pretty pink color! She was so good, I just might have to take her for her first salon pedicure! Although, it'll take me a while to justify the $35 pedicure for a 3 year old to dad!

Alyssa & Aidan almost zonked out ~ what a busy day!

Jaden's Baptism

Today we celebrated a very special day, as it was Jaden's Baptism. We decided, as we did with Alyssa to have it a little later than the normal infant Baptism. It took a little time to plan a date where all of our family would be in town for the occasion. The baptism was at St. Joseph Husband of Mary Catholic Church at 3:30pm. I spent the whole morning cleaning the house and preparing to have everyone over for dinner after the ceremony. Needless to say, it was a very busy morning! Thanks to Nanny and Opa who kept Alyssa overnight so that we would be able to clean and cook with only a few interruptions with Jaden.

We were so blessed to have Grandma and Papa, Nanny and Opa, Uncle Charlie, Uncle Jeff, Grandma and Grandpa by the Water, Miss Linda, Aunt Christina and Uncle Wayne, Hayley, Lilyanne and Brayden here to celebrate with us.

We arrived at the church with just enough time to take a few pictures, say a few hellos and take our seat. The actual ceremony was only 30 minutes. There were a total of 4 baptisms today. Jaden was so good and quiet for most of the time. He started getting antsy, as he wanted to get down and crawl around in his white tuxedo. Of course, mom wouldn't allow that! I must say, the only time he cried was when the Deacon accidently poured the water in his eyes. He didn't like that very much. I was so proud of how good Alyssa was, too. She sat quietly in the front row with Grandma and Papa and watched the whole ceremony. When one of the ladies started singing, she actually pulled out the hymnal and pretended to follow along.

After the ceremony, we posed for a few pictures. It didn't last too long, as Jaden was burning up in the 100 degree heat in his suit. It was also dinnertime, so we headed back to the house for a yummy dinner.

After much excitement and a very busy day, the kids ended the night by going to bed very early!!

Grandma and Grandpa by the Water (Jaden's great grandparents)

Nanny and Opa with Alyssa and Jaden

Grandma and Papa with Alyssa and Jaden

Jaden looking handsome in his tuxedo

Alyssa reading the hymnal

Me and the kiddos

The family

Lake Mead

We had a surprise visitor this weekend all the way from Florida. Uncle Jeff flew in for a short visit and to celebrate Jaden's baptism this Sunday. He's very into boats right now so we decided to take a trip to Lake Mead to the marina. It was a nice overcast day, therefore making the 100 degree heat with extreme humidity at the lake, a little bearable! We spent most of our time walking around the marina looking at the boats. Alyssa loved all the carp, ducks and the huge sole goldfish. We walked around the marina for a while before we headed off to Boulder City for lunch.

Huge carp

Fish in the Water

Today we decided to go to the clubhouse and go swimming with a few friends of ours. We met some of our best friends, Jo Ann, Maddie and Sophia for a lunchtime swim. By the looks of our stroller, you'd think we were going on a trip, not a 2 hour trip to the pool! I've come to stand by the motto that it takes longer to pack, load the truck & kids, unload the truck and kids, unpack all the belongings, than it actually does to do the activity we have set out to do! Oh well, it's all in fun I suppose! We arrived at the pool and swam for quite a bit before we had a picnic lunch. After lunch we decided to swim just a little bit more. Daddy and Uncle Jeff came down to the pool to join us for an after lunch swim, also.

Alyssa had a blast swimming and playing with Maddie and Sophia. Jaden, as well, was just as content to be floating around in his blow up crab or playing on the side of the pool with his toys and shovel.

Like any fun activity lately, it takes a bit of time to get everyone out and ready to go home! Thanks Jo, Maddie and Sophia for a great day at the pool!

Daddy being silly

Alyssa so tired after a long day of swimming

Jo Ann, Maddie & Sophia

Jaden playing on the side of the pool

This is everything that we had to pack for the pool!

Daredevil

As everyday passes, Jaden becomes more and more daring! His new fascination is climbing into containers and over anything that might be in his path. Today he decided he didn't want to go into the garden through the door, but that he might try to climb into the toy bucket and over the wall of the garden. Therefore, entering head first! He didn't make it all the way in, but pretty close!

Bridgeport, CA pics

Sunset view from our deck

Alyssa driving the boat

There were deer all over

As promised, here are a few pictures from our trip to Bridgeport, CA.....

Photos of Kids

Jaden likes to walk by pushing the walker instead of getting in it.

Jaden taking a rest

Jaden walks holding on to everything

Alyssa dancing!

Alyssa and Jaden playing so nice together!

Desert Turtle

Yesterday while Andy was doing major yardwork in the backyard, he came upon a creature. At first he thought is was a weird colored rock or a bag. Turns out, it was a little desert turtle. It had made a small hole underneath our rosemary bush to keep cool. He broought it out into the grass for us to see. Alyssa was so excited that there was a turtle in our backyard! We did a little research online and found out that they like to eat mostly vegetables, so we put out a little tray with water, salad and carrots. The turtle gulped the water, but didn't eat any of the lettuce. Alyssa decided to name him "Mr. Turtle." He hung out in the backyard all day.....behind the BBQ, behind the recycling bins....anywhere there's shade! Before we went to bed last night, Andy put him back into his little home (the hole) for the night! Now we're trying to decide whether to let him be or try to keep him as a pet. We aren't even sure how long he's been in our yard!

Hayley's Birthday

Grandma, Jaden and Alyssa

Jaden loving his boat

Alyssa & Hayley

Lilyanne

Grandma & Grandpa by the water with kiddos

Tonight we went over to my parents house to have a small birthday celebration for my niece Hayley. We barbecued dinner and swam in the pool. My mom bought the newest and greatest in the cupcake world.....ice cream cupcakes from Cold stone! They were delicious! Alyssa and Jaden had a great time swimming with their cousins!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAYLEY!

Catch Up

So here it is July 14th! As you may notice my last post was back on June 8th! In the midst of all of our travels over the last month, I haven't had much time to squeeze in my blogging. I promise, I will get better with this over time!

Because there is absolutely no way to play catch up, we'll have to use our scrapbooks to capture the moments of the last month. Pictures are always a good second! Our travels over the last month have included a week spent in Boston with Andy and Jaden. Alyssa spent the week here in Las Vegas with Nanny & Opa. She had a blast, and of course, Nanny had an exciting adventure planned for each day we were gone! The movies, swimming at Karen's pool, trips to the park, McDonald's, etc. She definitely had much more fun here!

We concluded that trip, came home, unpacked, did laundry, worked and started packing again for our trip to Bridgeport. A 6 hour drive there and back, lots of fishing, boating, hiking, playing in the dirt, making smores, and here we are.............back home! Time to unpack and do laundry, yet again. It will be nice to stay home and get reorganized in life again. I will definitely post some cabin pictures soon!