Newport Beach Trip

One of the fun things we did this summer while we had visitors was of course go to the beach!  Around March of this year we found a wonderful little hotel, that looks like a dive from the outside, but the view is GORGEOUS and the rooms are cozy and adorable!  And the best part is that there is private beach access!!  Only the hotel and about 3 residences have access to this strip of beach.

This was our second time staying there, but it was of course Monea, Kayla and Nate's first time.  Here are some fun shots from our trip!

All the cousins

Lets see if I can get us all caught up....haha.  :) 

This summer we had the pleasure of the cousin's staying with us.  Monea and Kayla were here most of the summer, Nate was here about a month of it, and the twins Sam and Steno even visited for a few days while Auntie Kim had a business trip to take.  Jaz and Isaac LOVED having someone here in the house to play with constantly! 

Here are some pics from when all 5 kids were here.  There was lots of slip-n-sliding, sprinkler running, and even fireworks for 4th of July.  (WOW!  I am way late on pics...haha)

Pics from the summer

Things are pretty crazy around here most days lately, it seems. And obviously I am terribly behind on picture updating. Over the next few days I am going to try to get caught up. :) Here are some random pics from early in the summer. :)

God Rocks Worship Camp

I know I haven't updated in a while, and I have TONS and TONS of pics and stories, but this proud and joyful mama will do that later!  For now I just want to post some videos of the performances from our God Rocks Worship Camp BBQ night (we have had camp for the last two weeks ), and then, the thing that makes my heart burst with an overflowing joy, Isaac's baptism video.  Enjoy!!!    xoxo

The great butterfly expirement

*****photo overload warning*****

Jazmine got a cat for her 4th birthday.  (Daddy blames Mommy...lol)  Seeing as we already have a very old ferret, a goldfish, and Jazmine's cat (who has a disease that can be transmitted to other cats if we were to get another) Mommy was not to open to the idea of a pet for Isaac for HIS 4th birthday.  But he sure is cute.  And persistent.

"Mommy, can I have a cat for my birthday?"
"No bubs, Socks will get another cat sick."
"How about a dog?"
"Our yard really isn't big enough, plus the cat might get him sick."
"Well, a guinea pig?"
"We already have spooky, I don't think we need another animal in a cage right now."
"How about a bunny rabbit."
"Again, cage not such a good idea."
"Well, a BIRD is a great idea.  I LOVE things that fly."
"The cat would probably not be nice to the bird, and again, it's another animal in a cage.  I really really really think we have enough animals for now. It'd be different if we had a bigger yard or a bigger house."
"Okay, Mommy....maybe next year."

So, after that bedtime conversation this mama felt like a big old scrooge and chatted with daddy.  He came up with a butterfly kit.  Isaac loves butterflies, loves things that fly, and the best part is that we would only have them for a little while.  Let me just say, it was a HUGE HIT!  Isaac LOVED it and is hoping for another shipment of caterpillars this summer.  :)

Here are some pics of the time we had them and then the release.  Oh, and he had to say goodbye to each and every one of them.  Which was ten since every caterpillar resulted in a butterfly.  :).... oh, and on the last pic, you have to look VERY closely to see it, but there is a butterfly on Isaac's shirt.  It absolutely made his day!!  <3