Neighborhood camping at Dos Pics

We were all so excited that it was time for our neighborhood camp out!  We love camping with our neighbors and this time we were back at Dos Picos, one of our favorite places.  Grandma followed us out there to help set up and have dinner.

I handed her my phone so she could take a picture of us and she some how got her face in the stamp shape and put it on the picture.  All of us were in one shot! :)

The first night all the families enjoyed their own meals and then we all gathered around one fire pit and talked into the night.  Wonderful.  The next day, as per usual at Dos Picos, the kids were invited to make God's Eyes with Range Kyle.

We really love Ranger Kyle.  He takes his job very seriously and puts all his passion into activities for the kids, it's really sweet. 

Here's one of Tatum's God's eyes, I think she made three.  She loved it!

Garrett and I loved some time to go on a bike ride alone!

There was a water fight of course.

And then Ranger Kyle set up three different activities for the kids in the large park area.  Here's the balance beam,...

and the big ball,...

and the tub they would shove about 5 kids in and roll around the grass.  This was not one of Tatum's favorites. :)

Saturday night was a group dinner and everyone contributed.  Delicious! 

And we spent another fun night around the campfire, telling riddles that everyone had fun trying to guess.  And glow sticks of course! :)

Some memorial weekend family fun

Garrett was still in Taiwan and would be flying in to LAX, so we headed up to Irvine since Shawna and family were visiting.  Ty had a cold so he stayed home with Grandma while Tatum and I went over to Heritage Park to meet up with Shawna, Elliot and Alia.  She's the cutest little thing!  Tatum loved following her around the park and pushing her in the swing.  Tatum is a wonderful baby sitter already.

Elliot caught a nice picture of us with his fancy camera.  I love seeing Shawna and even though we never have enough time, it's great that our friendship picks up right where we left off, so wonderful to have those friends.

Garrett got in late from the airport and it was amazing he was up and functioning the next morning, but we headed to Knowlwood for brunch with the Jazayeri's and the Andersen's.  Fun!

On Sunday, after we got home and Garrett got back to our time zone, we met up with the Lizano's and the Rose's at Stone Brewery.  Sadly I didn't take one picture of the kids, but here are us mom's holding all the dolls and toys while our kids climb the rocks.  It's always so much fun hanging out with these two awesome families.

On Memorial Day, we went on a hike to Blue Sky reserve.  We're not avid hikers and I wish I could say the kids enjoyed it more.  Easy hikes are best, in the shade. :)  This one was pretty good.

We thought we could hike up and over to the Ramona lake but after the heat started hitting us, we thought differently. 

After a snack stop, we headed back to the car and ran into this guy.  A stink beetle and he was giving us the butt! ;)

To cool off, we got out the slip n slide and pool. 

We all had turns in the pool!  A wonderful weekend!

An early Memorial Day visit with Dad and Uncle Tom

While Garrett was in Taiwan for work, Grandma and I decided to take the kids out to see my Dad and Uncle Tom's graves before the busy holiday weekend arrived.  We headed to the ocean side to see Dad first.

Tatum had been learning some patriotic songs for a show at school so she sang God Bless America to Grandpa.

Then they both said a prayer to him, it was really sweet.  I wish these two could have met my dad, same with Garrett.  But he's with me all the time so that comforts me daily.

Here's the view from his grave site.  I bet the sunsets are amazing!  Those were always his favorite.

Then we headed to the bay side to see Uncle Tom  He's way up at the top!

And he overlooks the bay and skyline.  Both got pretty lucky to get in here at Rosecrans, I think it's full now. 

We stopped at Stone so Grandma and I could toast our long lost guys, and the kids could play and look at the pretty fish.  We had a wonderful visit and all before the crazy crowds hit that weekend!

A belated birthday and an overdue visit

Look at this most adorable little sleeping face.  This is Sage, Shauna's new baby.  We got to watch her one day while Shauna was at work.  She was coming to dinner that evening and Sage couldn't be home alone that long.  Her and Harley bonded and got along really well.  And Sage was just like a little cat, curling up on my lap every time I'd sit down.  Love her!

Not that she slept all day, but since she's a puppy, she needed lots of rest time, especially since we're a much wilder household than she's use to. :)

After dinner, we sang happy birthday to Shauna, even though this was well after her special day.  She celebrated her real birthday in Hawaii, lucky girl. 

We made her favorite cake for her, chocolate cake with mint chocolate chip ice cream in side.  Yum!

And that Friday, our long lost friends, the Mahoney's, arrived!  They moved to Pennsylvania a few years ago and this was a very overdue visit.  First stop, we took the girls to the Birch Aquarium.  Here's Tatum with Julia and Ellie, checking out the starfish.

These three got along beautifully.  So cute!

These two have known each other since birth and have always been such wonderful friends.  No matter the distance, we'll definitely keep this friendship going.

After the aquarium, we headed to Ali's house to enjoy her community pool and have dinner.  Fun!

The next day we checked out the Poway Farmer's market, thought we'd ride the train but the line was too long, so we just walked around the park, checked out the booths, got slushies, and then headed to Rubio's, per Mandy's request. :)

I sure do miss having this girl in town.

Home for some fun and then the Mahoney's went to a pool party with some other friends and took Tatum. 

So I had a date with these boys!  We went to sushi and had a wonderful time walking over to the restaurant and then walking back and checking out all the different houses down below Poway Road.  An adventure!

Sunday we lounged around and then headed to the Bernardo Winery for music and wine. 

The kids loved the open field and this swing.

Then we headed back to the house where we had a BBQ with some of the Mahoney's friends.  Here's our entertainment for the night.  A rockin' girl band!

After a long day, the girls cuddled up and watched a movie.  These three were so sweet together, we'll really miss having them around.

Slumber party fun!  We just hope the Mahoney's will make another trip out here before too long!

Mother's Day!!

Mother's Day actually started on the Thursday before Mother's Day for me.  Ty had me over to his preschool for Moms and Muffins.  The kids had baked the muffins and offered us coffee and juice, such a sweet man I have.

Ms. Cullison read us a book...

and then Ty gave me this handmade necklace that has a heart made out of his thumb print.  I loved it!

Friday I was invited to the Mother's Day tea in Tatum's classroom where the kids stood up and sang us three songs.  So adorable.  Here's Tatum with Destiny and Sophie.

Tatum made me this hand print frame, I love it!

Here's Tatum with her friend Kailey, such cuties!

And Tatum with Mrs. Kirchmeier, a wonderful teacher.

Tatum also made a place mat for me with cupcakes on it, answering all sorts of questions about it.  I was the right age this year! :)

That afternoon, Tatum, Grandma and I went to The Grand Tea Room in Escondido for tea!  Such a beautiful place and we had a full meal with scones and cream, little finger sandwiches, quiche and desserts.  Yum!  We also ordered a few types of tea and loved them!

This little lady kept reminding us of things you should never do in a tea room.  Such as burp, fart or yell.  Such a grown up.  The three of us had a wonderful time and Grandma and I even had a glass of wine!

Getting silly in tea hats!

That Saturday, Garrett and I celebrated our anniversary at Rancho Bernardo Inn where we lounged all day by the pool, enjoyed lunch, had massages, and sat in the spa.  Wonderful way to celebrate 9 years!

Then we headed out to dinner at Cheesecake Factory, yum!

The next morning, after church, Grandma and I enjoyed a mimosa brunch with lots of love and gifts.

Such a wonderful family I have and I need to remember to be thankful every day for all of them.  An amazing weekend!