Where are my keys?

Oh, here they are on my wrist.... These cute little things have become my newest obsession. You just attach your key ring on them, slip the fabric on your wrist and you will hopefully never loose your keys again! I am having so much fun making these and it turns out lots of people like using them too. I have been selling to friends and now some stores in the area are asking to carry them! According to Patrick, who was telling someone today - all I do is drink coffee, read and sew.... I wish!

here is an assortment of some I have made. I haven't been able to keep them around long enough to get a picture so I finally did it today.

a basket full of yummy fabrics.... I can't get enough....

and again, last week during my "week of projects" I was able to get 70-ish of these soccer ball key chain wristlets done to sell at tournaments and games to all the "soccer mom's" as a fundraiser for Emma's soccer team.

am I bigger than you now Mom?

Little man Jack is a little bit, hmmm how do you say this.... OBSESSED with who and what is "bigger" than someone or something else. He is trying to figure out the whole deal... like if he climbs a fence then he is "big". Or, if mom can do something that dad can't (dad would of course argue there is no such thing... ) then mom must therefore be "bigger" than dad. And the age and birthday thing is really huge for him these days as well. He is so MAD that he is still just 3 when most of his little buddies are 4 or 5. When his little friend Hailey had her birthday recently and turned 5 he about lost it. He says "it will be FOREVER to be my birfday". He loves to discover when he is "bigger" than someone -like some of his little buds at church since he is in the 2-3's class. What a goof. We recently made him even "bigger" by saying farewell (tear in eye) to the ol' crib and put up, you guessed it - a "big" boy bed. He has Patrick and Emma's old bunk bed but he isn't "big"enough for the top yet... bummer for him. We got this and many other projects crossed off the list last week while the "big" kids flew to Seattle to see Grandma Laura and Grandpa Don for the week.

Jack on his last morning waking up in the crib.

Going to bed that night officially "big"

Patrick and Emma getting off the airplane when they got back to Sacramento. There was no time for a picture when they left since I got them there in "susan" style.... meaning the plane literally left 30 seconds after they got on it! They had such and awesome time visiting grandparents and cousins in WA. They got to attend Laura and Don's church VBS program while there and they loved it. Spending such quality time together is hard when we live away from family but this will be a treasured memory for them. Thank you grandma and grandpa!!
Oh and yes, those are braces on Patrick's teeth.... he got those on last month... cha ching.

4th annual July 4th trip to Point Arena

On July 3rd we made a mad dash out to the coast to my sister Sarah's place in Point Arena to make it in time for the annual Firework show in the Cove. She and Nate decided they had too many people in town they wanted to hang out with so decided not to have their coffee shop open like they usually do that night. They had 17 people camping in their yard! So they got to sit with us on the rocks and watch the fireworks - which were amazing over the water. Our favorite ones were the ones that went a little off course and blew up just over the water! It was a fast trip but as always, a fun one.

Here is Jack holding the "prize"... the one egg the kids got out of their chicken coop

Waiting for the parade to start... This year it was back to the good old 20 minute parade. Last year, not so much.... it took forever and had all sorts of craziness but it was so funny and great. Naked hot tubbers and a sweet marching band from San Fran were the highlights last year!

Our campsite in Sarah's yard

Sarah and Emma checking out the horses on the ranch.

Charlie, Jack, Max and Nate's cousin Nicholas checking out the garden.

"Indiana" Patrick playing with some seaweed but it was really his whip.

Little freckle face...

Emma, Max and Jack playing in the stream down at the beach.

We went to the beach and thought the kids wouldn't last long.... we were so, so wrong. We finally dragged them out of there after like 4 hours. They had so much fun digging, exploring, building bridges and playing. It was the best day and the sun even came out for awhile. We were so not prepared and all ended up sunburned! It was great having friends along - the Bigelows came with for their 2nd annual trip - hope we can keep it up.

No more pencils, no more books....

Here is Patrick right before school got out at the Spring concert. He played in Advanced Band and despite breaking his pinky finger during Spring Break he was still able to participate. He is really good at it but of course doesn't always want to put in the "practice time". He is an 11 year old boy....

We are getting out first "traditional" summer vacation since moving here 3 years ago. The kids school moved from a "year-round" to a "modified year round" schedule so they got out June 25th and will go back on August 20th. Here are a few pic's from their last day of 5th and 3rd grade.

Here they are with Mr. O'Leary the PE teacher whom they LOVE. Because of all the budget cuts our CA schools are enduring we will be losing this wonderful man and many, many other invaluable teachers. No more music teacher, class sizes are increasing in order to make up for the loss of many other teachers. Of course the young, energetic, excited to teach - teachers were laid off as they have the least amount of years in district. So, so, so sad.....

Good buddies celebrating the last day.... from left - Andrew, Trenton, Patrick, Emma, Dustin and Jack in Hailey in front.

This year's last day of school picture with our absolute favorite crossing gaurd -
the lovable and wonderful Mr Benny!