Back in the O.C....

So after we had try outs for little league we decided to take a roadtrip back home to the OC...and our old stompin' ground, Seal Beach! We used to live just 10 minutes from the sand...daily trips after dinner weren't uncommon for us, and Taco Surf was and still is a favorite! We always have to visit slick at the head of the pier...and if the kids get to put their toes in the sand, they are putty in our hands!!

These signs bring a smile to our faces...

Brody had Baldy and Sammi had Skippy...they all posed with our favorite seal, Slick!

We found what appeared to be a bunch of small sand sharks spawning off the pier and eating a TON of anchovies that were swimming in a HUGE school. We also spotted three VERY large jelly fish that were swimming very close to shore, and yes...there were people in the 57 degree water....uh, oh!!

The kids were loving this...as was Daddy (me too!)

Time for a quick pose with their favorite forty year old, aka Daddy!

I will never tire of these pics, Daddy and Sammi hand in hand on the pier! Sammi kept stopping to look through the slats at the ocean...it was pretty amusing!

Mommy's turn to pose with the munchkins!

Just one big happy family!! The beach is amazingly calm to us...we just can't help but smile when we are by the ocean!

Brody saw this pelican coming in for a landing...we all watched it splash into the Pacific and get a big fishy snack! This picture was just as it was taking off...it flew over us, and over to the south side of the pier to look for more fish! Nature is amazing!!

Gotta catch these moments when you can!! Me and Daddy are the shadows behind them...see me holding the camera?! Hee hee

And Brody is home...he loves the beach. He could stay all day and play in the water and search for sea shells! He was sooooo excited!

I took Baldy and Skippy out of the bag to get their pic on the beach while the kids were playin'!

Sammi with the sand between her toes!

They were watching the foam from the ocean getting closer....

Lots of giggles and lots of fun!

We picked the best day to head to the beach...

The feeling when the tide goes back out and your feet sink...you know it, the kids just giggle and hang on when this happens!!

This is what life is all about!

Fun in the sun...

and then we stopped in the old 'hood to see some GREAT friends, the Martin's!! This is Mackenzie (almost 11), Sammi, Hailey (almost 8), Cole (4 1/2) and Brody! We miss then sooo much...but so blessed that we have kept in touch since moving 4 years ago!!

Little League Try Outs...

Brody had his first try outs for Little League today! Brad admitted later in the day that he thought he was more nervous then Brody! Brody admitted to being a little nervous too, since it was his first time with a pitching machine!! He had fun and is so looking forward to playing ball again soon...it's all about having fun!

Brad gave Brody a little pep talk before his turn to try out...

Daddy might have given Brody a pep talk...but Sammi was his personal cheerleader!!

Time for fielding...

Up to bat...Brody Byers!

and off to first base!

We Brought Vegas To US!!!

We were so happy to hear that Aunt Heather was coming to Cali to visit her neice for her 20th birthday...because more often then not, we get to see her too! She stopped by the house for some playtime for the kids, chatting for us....and lunch before hitting the road back to Nevada!! We were soooooooo happy that we got to visit with them...the kids had soooooo much fun. We wish they lived closer...sad me. The kids loved playing on Brody's bunk bed...they were all giggles!

Some girly hugs and a crazy little man having fun!

Brody was pretending this was an action shot...the girls made him pull them around!

Brody thought it was his turn so had Hailey (2 1/2) pull him around too! Nice guy!!

Brad took a quick shot of us girls and Brody on the stairs before having to say good-bye!

We LOVE visits with the Smith Family!!

Every Little Girl Wants to Be....

What does every little girl dream of being when they grow up??

A gymnast?? Nope!

A fashion model?? Nope...

Hmmm....what would these be used for??

A hair stylist!! Yup!! Our Sammi thought her bangs were getting a little long, even though she got a hair cute two weeks ago! So she took it upon herself to cut her bangs and hide in the playroom today! When I caught her afterwards...she told me not to worry cuz she had more hair, and then showed me her long hair IN THE BACK of her head!! Silly mama.

Happy Birthday to You....

Brad had a great 40th birthday! He started by going in for an MRI on his back...followed by an hour of physical therapy!! That man knows how to party!! We relaxed as a family during the day and then hit BJ's for dinner! We all enjoyed our night out....and ended it with a big ol' PIZOOKIE!!!

Brody loves to color and do the games on the kids menus...

Sammi in Monkey See Monkey Do mode...just like her brother!

Let's Get This Party Started...

We celebrated Brad's 40th birthday one day early with Grammy and Pappy, and Uncle Scott! Of course we made Brad BBQ....yummmmmy. It was a fun afternoon!!

Daddy's relaxing with his midgets!

Uncle Scott has the duty of playing with the kids outside!! He wore them out!!

Daddy waiting for everybody to come join him at the dinner table!

When you turn 40 you need the "big guns" to help blow out the candles!

Those darn candles that won't blow out...

Uncle Scott had the best seat at the table...right between the kids!

It was a long day in the kitchen...but all worth it for my favorite man!

Daddy reading the card that the kids made him!

Brody is SUCH the ham! Uncle Scott might egg him on a bit....ya think?!

Our Newest Family Members...

We just had two new additions to our family. In the form of fish of course! Brody picked out a dwarf catfish named Dino, and Sammi picked out a Gold Barb that she names Tappy! They love their new fish...as you can see!

Our Little Gymnast!

Our little gymnast Sammi is so excited every Wednesday at 10:45am when she gets to head to the gym! She listens to everything her coach tells her to do and loves EVERYthings about gym class...including her outfit!! Of course, it's pink!

Sammi listening to her coach with her friends Lucy and Mateo!

Sammi working on that vault "punch" jump!


She was doing her "froggy" jumps in the hula hoops! Go Sammi!


Of course Sammi ALWAYS has a minute in her day to pose for Mommy!

Ok, so this mat is taller then Sammi....can she do it?!

But of course, then she jumps off the other end! (Ok, she did get spotted by coach to get up!)

Look at that form! She loves the beam!