Happy 11th Birthday Lexy!

The birthday girl at my mom and dad's

Eli and Colby with Raif waiting in line

Bailey on It's a Small World
Jaymee in much better mood

Raif and Colby on It's a Small World

Kelly and Lexy and Jaymee (in not such a good mood)

We celebrated Lexy's 11th birthday with a little trip to Disneyland. It was sweltering hot, but there was not a whole lot of people there. After the trip to Disneyland, we went over to my mom and dad's for some tacos (at Lexy's request) and some ice cream cake from Trader Joe's (which by the way is delicious).

Grandpa Jim Would Have Been 80 Today!

My sister Kelly and I with our late Grandpa Jim

My Grandpa died in March of 1994, but would have been 80 today. He was such a special man to so many people, and we still miss him dearly. I write this in my blog so both my sister's and my children will know how much their Great Grandpa meant to all of us. He had one of the biggest hearts and his love for his family was unsurpassed.

One of the BEST kid's toys

Bailey's princess car (a great 1st birthday present from Aunt Beth and Uncle Ken, and still used daily) Raif's 1st Christmas present from Grandma and Grandpa, up until now Bailey has used, but Raif will probably start to fight her for it.

These little cars/trains are truly one of the best kids toys out there. They come in all shapes and sizes, and are such a great toy. Lots of buttons and the kids get exercise inside the house. Bailey has used hers since the day she got it on her 1st birthday, and it's still going strong after almost 2 1/2 years of daily use. Raif loves his train and can push and pull on many of the buttons already to make music and noise. My brother-in-law told me that there are some toys you will hear when they are long gone. He still hears this Elmo driving car thing (Jaymee is now almost 13). Mine will be the princess music from Bailey's car. I hear it in my sleep, one of the perks they don't warn you about as a parent!

Mohawk anyone?

Raif's hair is finally long enough to get into a mohawak. Okay, it's a sad attempt at a mohawak, but I just love his little curls.

Sleepless Night

Raif had a very rough night last night, he was up for who knows how long. This is a picture of him this morning at 9 a.m., which is 2 hours after he normally gets up. His sweet little face is how I know I can get through another one of those sleepless nights.

4th of July

Bailey's graham cracker designs
My attempt at star decorated cupcakes, I forgot to order Sarah's this year. Check out www.fortheloveofsugar.com for Sarah Witt's beautifully decorated cupcakes.

Sarah and Paige

Bailey with one of the many water balloons on the beach

Raif and me after his sand eating

Colby with our little sand eater

Raif chillin with his cup

The day before the 4th. Raif helped me make the cupcakes. He got to lick the spoon.

We had a wonderful 4th of July this year, Raif's first. Raif helped me the day before by making cupcakes while his sister was sleeping. She said she "didn't want to make cupcakes," but I knew she would when she woke up so we decorated frosting covered graham crackers, my Grandpa Jim's favorite, when she woke up. We celebrated the 4th of July at the bay on the peninsula with the Irelands, the Jacobs's and Sarah's friends Sarah and Travis from up north. Check out their blog for some more fun pictures of the day http://www.aaronandsarahireland.blogspot.com/ We were at the beach for many hours, then ventured over to the Hertzog's for a BBQ. We didn't last long and then came home to enjoy the fireworks from atop our roof. Bailey was so excited to see the fireworks and then immediately fell asleep upon hitting her pillow.

Our 7 Year Anniversary

Our Wedding Day 7 years ago
Our 7th anniversay dinner at Mastro's Ocean Club in Newport Beach
(I must start taking these pictures before the bottle of wine!)

I always see people in their 20's and think to myself, I still look pretty young. I don't think I've changed that much since we got married. And then...you look back at your wedding photo and think, Wow! I look so different. And I know this will keep changing, but I'm okay with it. I love where Colby and I are now and can't believe how much we've accomplished and enjoyed over the past 7 years. We've lived in Hawaii, traveled all over the world, moved 6 times through remodels and what not, two of which I've been pregnant, went through puppy training, had two children, lived with our in-laws, gone through two remodels, and we still love each other even more than when we got married (I'm confident enough in our marriage to speak for him on that one.) We are so blessed to have found, enjoy and have fun with each other. We both have wonderful role models for what marriages can look like, both parents have been married for 40+ years. We have learned from both of their marriages and taken what works for us, and changed what doesn't. We are looking forward to the journey ahead of us.