First Camping Trip of 2013

This week we made it out for our first camping trip of the summer.  The weather called for rain but I was hopeful that the weatherman was wrong like they usually are.  We decided to head to our favorite campground which is also close to home..just in case they got it right.  Just across the border into California....

We hit rain and dark clouds the whole way there.  We got there and it was chilly and a bit drizzly but we set up and embraced the misty air.  We even took a walk to the hot springs and then picked up some extra wood...just in case.  Although it was dark, it was still very beautiful.

 The river was clear and even higher than when we were there last.

The kids had fun walking around exploring and finding all kinds of treasures.  Sadi was in heaven with all the "wishers" (pine needles).  The entire campground looked like this....pretty sure we wished for it all!

The next morning was hot!  We had breakfast and headed out for a day of hiking.  We headed for the falls, which I'm not sure we actually reached.  The trail head kind of disappeared and then turned into several trails all leading straight up this boulder mountain.  We found these falls and called it good.

Although really pretty, it was almost impossible to reach...well with little kids and one blind dog.

 We headed back down the river and found a nice place to let the kids get in the water and play. 

Kelsey found a nice rock in the river to chill on.

 Sadi had fun finding ALL the rocks for us to carry back for her that were soooo pretty.

We spent the nights around the campfire telling stories, eating s'mores, and just enjoying being together as a family.

We hope we get a chance to go camping again before the summer whizzes by...fingers crossed!

10 Years

Thursday June 20, 2013....Matt and I celebrated our 10th Anniversary!  We had originally wanted to take a trip somewhere but  as life often goes you have to go with Plan B (which we did not have). We played it cool, but we both had a few surprises up our sleeves that were not revealed to each other until that day which made it pretty memorable.  Matt got up early before I woke and picked up Kyle to come out for the day and help tend the little kids so we could go spend the day out together.  Matt surprised me with a new ring!!  I love it!

We bought a light lunch and took it to the park near Bower's mansion.  We hiked a bit and then found found a table made just for us...

We went shopping in Reno and then it was time for me to pull my surprise on Matt.  I had put directions in the GPS and he had to follow them to our destination.  I had booked us a Suite in downtown Reno for the night.  His bag was already packed and in the trunk...he had no idea, it was great!

The hotel had sent up a bottle of champagne and a card from the General Manager of the casino wishing us a happy 10th anniversary...was a nice touch!

We decided to go to Olive Garden for dinner since that is where we had our wedding dinner.  Yes, I realize this photo is ridiculous...ridiculously funny!  At our wedding dinner our guests made us do this with a bread stick (it's actually in our wedding album).  We decided to recreate it (outside where no one would see us of course).  I could not stop laughing.

Over dinner I gave Matt this new watch.  "No measure of time will be enough time with you."

I also gave him a list of 10 things I have learned about being married...the funny version (my own).  It was meant to make him laugh,  which he did. Later that night we ripped up the dance floor...we have pictures of that, but those are strictly for blackmailing.  Anyone who knows us knows we love to laugh.  I am lucky to have someone who can make me laugh until I cry.  I love you Matt! 

Birthday Party

Kelsey didn't want a "party" this year...something about hanging out at home with your family at 17 doesn't sound fun anymore I guess?  Instead she wanted to spend the day with some of her "besties" Katelyn and Jessi.  They took some pictures for me of their day out.  They went to the movies,

they went shopping,

I was feeling sad about her being 17 YEARS OLD then I saw that picture they took (above) and was like yeah she's only 17...made me feel better.  Kelsey chose to go to Texas Roadhouse for dinner.  Looks like it was delicious....

Of course if it's your Birthday you have to get in the saddle and be sung too.  Looks like they had a fun waiter too.....

One more year until she is officially an adult...unreal!

17 and Father's Day

Kelsey's Birthday landed on Father's day this year so we had a very busy day.  Daddy had to work early..and a long day(12 hrs.).  Chase and Sadi got up early to wish him Happy Father's day and give him a few surprises.  They kids picked out a new shirt for him, made him a book all about the best Dad in the whole world (turned out super cute),

 a few days before we made these ties out of his favorite candies for him.

 No Father's day is complete without a new tie right?  A better look at them....

After Daddy left I baked a cake and we finally woke Kelsey at 9:30 (which in her world is equivalent to 5 a.m.).  We loaded her room with balloons...carrying cash with them...

and gave her breakfast in bed.  Chocolate chip pancakes with bacon (her favorite) and strawberry milk.

The little kids were dying for her to open this gift they picked out for her.  Kind of a joke around here because every time she flys somewhere she talks about how gooood the ginger ale is!  We never buy it (kind of hard to find to be honest)  so we refer to it as "the sky high juice".

We did buy her a few gifts, but she didn't really ask for anything so most of her Birthday was ca$h.  She got a new dress she wanted,

 some new shades and a swimsuit cover up,

 a smash book (which I am totally jealous of), and a few other little things.

She wanted to spend the day shopping, which we did...she bought nothing with all her money.   Sooo like her!  We then headed over to Daddy's work, we had promised to bring him dinner.  We took him some of his favorite Chinese food.  The birthday girl with Daddy....

Since we were at Daddy's work we decided to bowl a bit.  They put us on lane 17 which Kelsey thought was cool...they had no idea it was her birthday.

We had to leave Daddy at work, and headed home for pizza, and then cake and ice cream.  Kelsey chose red velvet cake this year.  It was deliciously rich.  Not sure what this girl wished for this year, but hope it comes true!

Season is FINALLY...FINALLY...over!

For most people here Baseball ended on June 1st.  We thought it would be ending for us too...not when you make it to the playoffs.  We had to cancel vacation...twice.  Our season FINALLY ended on June 14th.  Chase had an awesome season of baseball!  He has become really good...I'm not just bragging because I'm his Mom (alright maybe a little).  When you spend every single night at the ballpark, you tend to not take as many pictures....I have no idea why.  I do have alot of film though.  Here are some highlights of his season:  We saw a lot of fielding...

Chase spent a majority of the games in the infield playing first base, pitcher, and shortstop.  He did see some outfield time...

He made more outs than I could count, and when it was time to hit, he usually got it on the first ball.  Batter up....

We did see a few of these....

 Strike!  He ran a lot of bases.....

Slid home sooo many times!  Ah the laundry...I don't miss the laundry.

The most exciting game had to be the game that determined the championship game.  It was INTENSE!  Bottom of the 6th (last inning).  Tied up game.  Chase is up with bases loaded.  2 balls.   2 strikes...no one is breathing.  It all rests on his last pitch....he hits!  Brings in the runner, and we are in it! 

 One happy kid.....

After playing 2 weeks in a row, winning 5 nights in a row it came down to 2 teams.  We lost one, they lost one..one final game.  It was also a clencher...the Giants barely won, we came in second.  Such a fun season to watch!  Those boys cried like it was the major league...Chase said it hurt to get so close to winning :(   Although it has ended we had some great moments at the field.  We reacquainted with some old friends...

 Chase and Wyatt...the duo.

We also made some great new friends.....

Chase and Cohen

These two had their own dance they made up for the victory games they performed for everyone after each win.  They're looking forward to next season already!

Birthday Surprise

This week I celebrated my Birthday....I love Birthday's.  Usually my birthday is just another day, seems weird to plan your own party right?  So this year I was pleasantly surprised when the kids/Daddy actually planned something for me!   Matt had to work but the kids had a day of fun planned for me.  They took me out to a movie....

Epic movie..cute and funny.  Afterwords they took me to lunch at In N Out burger...yum.  Later I took Chase to his baseball game and we stood in the pouring rain until FINALLY they decided to reschedule.  So we went home soaking wet and played some dominoes...even though it was my birthday they didn't let me win..

I did make a cheesecake for dessert...everyone deserves cake on their birthday.  It tasted better than in looks.  Even Chase and Sadi who claim they don't like cheesecake wanted a second slice.

It was a great day, just wish Daddy could have been there too :(

Summer Cut

Sadi and I have been talking awhile about getting her hair cut for summer.  Her hair is so long and so thick I really have been dreading summer hair (pools/lake hair).  She has wanted Rapunzel hair for so long that I really thought there was no chance she would go for it, but as always she surprised me and asked for really short hair.  I made her wait a few weeks just to make sure she wouldn't change her mind.  Since she wanted it short we decided to donate her hair to locks of love.  The before....

and after, WOW!  What a difference.  She looks so different but she absolutely loves it, and has thanked me several times for getting her "locks of love cut".  I told her some lucky kid gets to have her hair too.  Seriously check out the width of that hair!

 It was so cute, I decided to get mine cut too.  It's gonna be one cool summer around here!

Fishing Derby

Last weekend was the annual kids fishing derby.  This has been tradition ever since we moved here.  Although Kyle and Kelsey are too old to fish, it is still a fun day for the whole family.  Our kids were more successful this year catchin' them fish!  In fact I was just getting Chase on camera when Sadi and Daddy returned from their end of the river (they split the river by age group, so it was one parent with each) she had already caught her limit!  We then all got to watch Chase reeling in his catch.

I didn't actually get any real pictures with my camera, I had to take photos of Chase with his new iPod(per his request), and then had to be the fish handler for everyone since no one was brave enough to get "slimy" so these are from Chase's camera.  At the end of the day, a nice fishing day!

The kids all had fun, and were even awarded free fishing rods for attending...bonus!  Chase is dying to go again since fishing is "so easy".  Ahh....my brother(the fish biologist) would laugh at our fishing skills.