June

June has been the busiest month of the year so far for my work. Almost twice as busy actually, which is great. Hunter was sick the first week or so of June, but other than that, we have had fun BBQing and swimming and getting ready for our camping trips. One of my best friends, Julie packed up and moved to Sonoma to be close to family and her boyfriend in San Francisco. :( She will be missed, but she promises to visit and I'll hold her to it.

One Saturday my dad and some other family friends took Hunter on a tour aboard the USS IOWA, an old battleship, and he has not stopped talking about it since.

Father's Day was a flop this year. I woke up sick with a stomach bug and fever. So we all just laid around the house all day, watching movies; or at least attempting to watch movies. Sorry, Chase. But we re-celebrated another weekend with my parents and for my dad's birthday with dinner at Tap's. Mmmm.

Hunter's last 2 weeks of preschool were the best. They had crazy hair day, pajama and a movie day, make your own pizza day, water day, a field trip to the fire station, and a graduation party. So exciting!

We also celebrated a very special day for Monte and Nancy with a vow renewal for their 10th anniversary. It was Hawaiian themed in their backyard, just like their wedding was. Only the small family they had then has grown into a huge group now and the blessings through time are so clear. Hunter, being the oldest boy, was the ring bearer, and Skyler and Riley were the flower girls. Such a beautiful day of love and nostalgia.

On a much sadder note, we had a horrible tragedy take place in our family this month. Sunday the 23rd, I got a phone call first thing in the morning from my parents saying that my youngest cousin, Jake was killed in a motorcycle accident. The rest of the family and I are still in shock and when I think about it, it feels like it was just a nightmare and it isn't real. His funeral service is planned for next month when my parents and other relatives return from their trip around Europe. There will forever be an unfillable void at the kids table. Always a comedian, always kind and sweet, a man of God and someday we will be reunited in Heaven. He will be dearly missed but too well loved to ever be forgotten.

May

This little girl melts my heart.

 

Mothers Day started at Nana and Tom's clubhouse for a delicious annual mother's day breakfast cooked by the men. (Tom and Grandpa Pierce included)

And concluded at the Riggans' pool in Tustin for more family fun and food. Didn't get any pics from the second part, shame on me. :(

Palm Springs, Memorial Weekend

As much fun as always, if not more. The baby girls are not babies anymore and watching them play together (near each other :) is so precious. 

Oh, the wigs! My newest business venture and obsession. Don't worry, if a wig party hasn't come your way yet, its sure to soon ;)

Great Grandma Converse continues to amaze us with her energy, positive attitude, and loving spirit. She is such an inspiration to me and I am so blessed to have her be such a big part of my and my kids' lives. Happy Birthday, Grandma!

 We found another fun thing to do in our neighborhood... This great bike path that runs along the lake, so beautiful and the kids loved riding in the chariot together. Next time we will be sure to wear bathing suits, though. Couldn't resist a dip in the water and playing in the sand.

April

Chase and I celebrated our 5th anniversary this year with a trip up to Oxnard at Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach. We ate amazing meals, soaked in the jacuzzi and took an 8 mile tandem bike ride along the beach. It was so nice to spend some time alone together.

Hunter finished up his t-ball season and brought home his very first medal :)

Skyler is growing and growing. She makes the funniest faces and her hair is getting longer and curlier. She is such a doll and almost always happy and smiling and waving at everyone she sees.

We spent one weekend afternoon fishing at Prado Regional Park with Nana and Tom and Grandpa Gene.

I finished up my most recent project; painting the handrail.. I love the result

My parents bought themselves, Hunter and I Knott's Berry Farm passes and they've already been twice, and I've been once and we all had soooo much fun. There are so many fun rides at Camp Snoopy for the kids, and Hunter's most memorable experience was the robbers on the train!! He could not stop talking about them and how he said if they took his money, he would throw them out the window! HA

I have been really busy with the salon the last few months and continue to get new clients, which is awesome! Chase's work has been very hectic the past month as he is in charge of not only meeting tight deadlines, but also training all the new guys. He always keeps a good attitude even when he works 70 hour weeks! It will slow down again eventually and we have some vacations coming up over the next few months to look forward to. 

March

Happy 1st birthday to our beautiful, sweet, loving little princess! We celebrated the special day on Saturday, March 16th at our house with an "A your adorable" party with friends, family, lunch, cake, presents and alphabet games.  Skyler loved playing with her new pink, girly toys, all the attention she received, and her first taste of cake :) Thank you to everyone who came out to help celebrate the joy she has brought to our lives.

Easter started out at Nana and Tom's for a delicious breakfast and egg hunt. We got to spend some quality time with Grandpa Pierce also and squeezed in a game of darts.

Then we headed down to Danny and Cherlyns in Newport for lunch, another egg hunt and a special guest appearance! Skyler loved the Easter bunny except for the 2 seconds it took to take this picture. Too funny :) Chase whooped all the guys in some beach bocce ball, and the kids loved playing in the sand and on the playground and swings. The weather was beautiful and we all had a great day.