Lake Anza

Danny had a day off work due to a dental school retreat. Danny dropped me off at the pool and came back two hours later with these beautiful pictures. I love that he always finds quick trips to take with the boys. He went to Lake Anza in the Oakland Hills with the boys. We live in such a beautiful place. There are beautiful places, fun places and always things to do. Sometimes you just have to seek and find them. This is Lake Anza.

Dating a Couple

Does anyone else know what I mean by 'dating a couple'? Let me explain. Once you get married you are finished dating. Hopefully you realize that you found the best man or woman out there for you. You love being able to come home to someone who you want to share your day with, helps lift you through tough times, enjoys the good, laughs through the stupid, and inspires you through this journey of life. Danny truly is that to me. Both of us are blessed with amazing friends, however, when we got married and had kids it was hard for us to find "a couple". Maybe it is that life get busier, kids take time, etc, etc. Well, for one reason or another, we always felt we were lacking a couple. A wife and husband who we both wanted to hang out with, with similar philosophies, goals, personalities, hobbies, etc. After years of searching, we are happy to announce we are courting a great couple. Stacey is into photography, hysterical, outgoing, fun, smart, a great mommy! And Erik loves cars, fixing things, is intellectual, a hard worker, laid back and together they are so much fun. Did I mention Scott loves Charlie and all his cars, trucks, trains and toys. So if you are out there in search for your couple, good luck and dont give up. There is sure to be one out there for you. And if you are planning on stealing ours or think this is your couple, remember that couple dating isn't the exclusive art that single dating is. Good luck fellow daters.

Charlie and Scott thinking about who will jump off and swim first

Stacey with her camera and adorable son, Max

Erik holding Tyler. Just one more reason they are a great couple. They take care of our kids.

Just a photo I love. Erik holding Tyler.

A vid

of Tyler crawling for my Utah family.

Antioch Water Park

Danny got invited to a night at the Antioch Water Park. Heather, Luke, Scott, Tyler and I decided to get wet and wild and had a blast. It was perfect for toddlers with little kid pools and even a little slide that Luke braved. Here are some pictures from our night. This one reminds me of moms wanting to talk while the kids just can't wait to get in the pool.

My 3 boys. Danny is the best dad. He has long days at work and always comes home with a smile and excited to play with the kids.Luke having fun.I think this is me explaining that I needed to get Scott out of the pool due to him pooping. Thank goodness for swim diapers. He never has accidents except for in the pool. Why?!? I guess I should be grateful he was the easiest child to potty train. No complaints. At least I can laugh about it. My precious little one Tyler. He lasted about 30 minutes before he was too cold.

Luke would have stayed all night in his little raft. He was having so much fun even though an older boy kept pushing him towards the waterfall.

Three Boys ending the night with some R&R.

This is what life is all about. Family and Fun. Thanks Oylers, we had a great time!!

Growing up in Walnut Creek

It is fun for many reasons to still live where I grew up. You run into people all the time who you have great high school or growing up memories with. I am blessed to have a great group of high school friends who regularly get together, are so much fun and who are full of love. They (I am not so good at it anymore with two kids and no time) do crazy emails back and forth that sometimes lead to 100 unread messages in one day. I need to start the GG's a blog. We were nicknamed the Gap Girls. Embarrassing to admit. My favorite email chain was entitled. "whatever happened to...." I have a horrible memory. I couldnt remember who people were. I am destined for alzheimers. Well, if you were wondering whatever happened to the GG's, here are some of us having some fun...

we haven't actually gone that far down hill. I hope none of my friends kill me for that photo. We were having an ugliest photo contest. I won the above contest. Someone would take a picture and the ugliest person had to chose someone else to do something. Here is a better picture of some of us. Later that night you might have even caught us on a karaoke bus in SF.
My favorite email chain was "whatever happened to"...talking about high school classmates. Well, here is an update on Ryan Baustinelli. He was MMA champion at the Gladiator Challenge "Summer Showdown". I told Ryan I would have gone if I was into MMA fighting or any fighting at that matter. I am proud of him even though I would never be able to watch him. I can't handle boxing or fighting or anything like that because I always feel bad for the person getting hurt.

Do you think I would make a good fighter?? I bet I would get a record on running the other direction as fast as I could to escape.

If you went to high school when I did or want to join the fun, let us know what you are up to.

Go Toward The Light

In our church, we all have different callings. I teach a womens class. I love teaching and often gain so much from teaching. This weeks lesson is, "Words of Hope and Consolation at the Time of Death." This was a tough lesson for me. Tyler has a serious heart defect and made me think about life and death, but other than that, I haven't really had to deal with any unexpected deaths. I immediatley thought of our friends Beau and Heather. Beau lost his brother to AIDS at a young age. I look up to Beau and his wife Heather in so many ways. I wanted to share his story in my lesson. They let me borrow a book his mom wrote, which I didn't even know about, and which I think everyone should read. Go Towards the Light, by Chris Oyler, is about her family's journey as their son, Ben died of AIDS from a transfusion. It taught me the importance of treasuring each day with our children, helping them develop a relationship with God and being comforted by eternal life. When Tyler was diagnosed with HLHS my greatest fear as a mom was that he would be afraid of dying because of his heart. This book (also in a movie that I have yet to see) helped me realize that our journey in life, however long or short, can always be filled with peace. Thank you Oylers and Chris for such a great reminder!! I know that God places people in our paths for a reason and I truly feel like you helped me better understand my role as a mom to Tyler and Scott and as a wife to Danny.

slip 'n slide

The Louies had us over for a relaxing evening and yummy tri-tip. The boys had fun slip'n sliding. Doesn't it bring back great childhood memories?!? Scott and Cameron were into it.
Tyler cooling off.
How many watermellon shots can I get of the boys.

BBQ at the Freeman's

A toast to great high school friends, Lindsay and Jeff having us over, Kelly and Christian being in love, and the real reason Katie being home from NY this week. Fun times.Christian the Cornhole King....look at that form.
Lindsay and Tyler
Scott enjoyed the hot tub and enjoying his bubbly water.

Saturday at the Zoo

One Big Caterpiller for Scott!

One half an Oreo for Tyler!

Two happy boys......

CHD Awareness

Our heart hero!

I love this movie honoring CHD heros!

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=53c5a3dce2574b02f3359f&skin_id=601&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url

These kids truly are amazing and have taught me more about life, love and faith than I could have ever imagined. I feel blessed and honored to have Tyler in our lives each and everyday! I rejoice in what life has brought me. Both the good times and the bad have strengthened my family as we have grown to rely on each other and the Lord.

Boys Fest 2008

One of the best parts of lessons this summer has been getting to know the Pentlands. I coach Charlie, the cutest little 3 year old, and had an instant friendship with his mom. I love when you make a friend who you love hanging out with, has great kids and a great husband. They invited us to a 4th BBQ which was so much fun. As you can see it was an all boys party. Charlie enjoying his smore.
Scott and Charlie warming up on the concrete. I loved doing this as a little girl.
I LOVE Scott's face in this pic. We had a great time swimming.

Stay-Cation 4th of July

Danny had 3 days off work and I had 2 days off. We made sure to take advantage of our 4th of July weekend. We started it off with the Annual Woodlands Parade. Scott rode his bike and Tyler went in the wagon. Scott loves the firetruck and every year we make it to the Bucklews blaring patriotic music. We have yet to get past the Bucklews and finish the parade. Maybe next year. I love the feeling of the small family town and parade. I love my Tyler and he loved eating watermellon and hot dogs.

Congrats Paris and Knute on beautiful Elli who is 1 week old. I loved holding her even though it made me realize that stage is and was a total blur with Tyler.

Tyler Update

Tyler hasn't been to the doctor in two months....can you believe it?!? He is doing great. His head circumference is in the 50th percentile, length 25% and weight getting closer to the curve but climbing. We are thrilled. I have a feeling Danny and I will never have chunky kids. Anyway, we are so proud of our little man and how well he is doing. He army crawls but still not up on his knees. He is starting to stand holding onto objects. Rolls to his destinations. Loves loves loves Scott. He wants to do and watch everything Scott is doing. I love being a mom. I love having two little boys who are 1 1/2 years apart. It really is fun.