Ollie's birthday weekend

Since Ollie's birthday is Monday we decided to celebrate it today. We made pancakes and watched movies in the morning and in the after noon we decided to hook up a projector that was borrowed from a friend to the play station 2 and play  video games on the wall. I picked up the Italian job at a yard sale and we have been driving ( quite badly) most of the after noon and evening. We took a break to BBQ hot dogs on the grill and have a nice dinner. I made some brownies with pudding and cherries on top for desert and we lit candles for Ollie. It was a fun time!

Little one graduated from preschool!

Tonight we went to Sylas's preschool graduation.  It was so cute! He was dressed in a button down shirt, vest and dress pants. He looked so handsome. They made graduation caps for them and they sang two songs and said a poem. Then they one by one came up and got there certificates. Monday will be the last day of school for Sylas. He has made a lot of good friends and done a lot of growing at preschool this year. We are so proud of our little preschooler! He has done well this year. I can't believe next year is Kindergarten.

Sunday

Sunday after we left Cerritos we went down to Balboa islandu to visit my mom's  side of the family before we headed home. My Aunt and Uncle had gathered the rest of the family together at their beach house. We got the kids changed into t heir swim suits and into the pool they had. I loved that the swimming pool was under the patio since the kids had gotten sunburns earlier in the week. While the kids played in the pool and on the sand Ollie and I took out one of the Sea-duos out to play in the ocean a little. we got out into the open ocean and saw a bunch of sea-lions on a buoy. It was so neat to see. we played around a little and then headed back. We didn't realize we were gone so long. I drove the sea duo on the way back and it was fun. My brother took my mom out on the other sea duo and my niece went out as well. It was a lot of fun but I was so burn when I got back.
We had a nice Barbecue lunch and then sat outside and caught up with family. The kids had a blast playing the sand and then had fun in the play room.. I wish we had been able to spend some more time with all the family on that side but it was so nice to see them all.  It was fun taking pictures with the kids and Grandpa! I love to see the growth of the kids each time we visit. I can't wait to see them all again!

Family Reunion

Friday Marked the first day of the family reunion, we had to get up a five to make it down to Cerritos from Beaumont in time. We had everything packed and ready to go so we could just put the kids in the car and go. We got there in time and had breakfast with the family. It was nice to see everyone. After breakfast and devotions we put on our family shirts and went to the park to take pictures. We played a game and went back to Grandma and Grandpa's house for pizza. After lunch it was off to Jon and Katies for swimming. Most of the David Mathis family left after swimming because we needed to get the kids to bed on time so they could get up early again and have a long day on Saturday.

Saturday we got up a little later since the traffic not supposed to be so bad. Papa and Jess went down ahead of us to start making waffles. Thankfully they did because it took us 2.5 hours instead of the 1.5 that it was supposed to take because the 60 on ramps were closed and when we figured out how to get on it went down to two lanes. We had to make a potty stop too because of all the traffic. When we finally got there we ate a quick breakfast, made our lunches and headed off the the California Sciencenter. It was really neat to see. The place was huge and we didn't get to see it all. First we went and saw the space shuttle and found some other fun things after that. We had lunch in the rose garden and then went back in to see the rest. Six hours was a really long time to be there so we left a little early because the kids were getting tired and so were we. We had hamburgers for dinner and we played some games before signing happy birthday to Grandpa.
Sunday we got there around 9 for devotions and sweet breads. After singing  and reading we had brunch and said our good byes before heading down to balboa island to visit my mom's side of the family.

Tea parties and fishing!

So the other day we wanted to do something fun with the kids so we decided that the little girls would have a tea party and the little boys would go fishing with the big boys. We made cookies and cupcakes for the kids. The boys took their cookies and cupcakes with them fishing and the girls would eat theirs with their tea. After lunch we packed the big boys and little boys up to go to the catch and release pound in my sisters housing area.
While the boys were fishing the girls got dressed up and had tea (chocolate milk) cookies, cupcakes, and fruit salad. The girls( except two) have their own tea set! The also have pretty tea hats they made!
They had a great time but the boys got a little burnt! We forgot how hot it was out there.

Fun at Auntie Sarah's house!

Today we are finally all together! My brother, Shannon and their kids came today! It is great to see all the kids together! They are having such a good time together. We have 9 kids and 8 adults in this place but we are having a lot of fun. We had nachos for dinner and we watched turbo. Ollie and I escaped on a walk around the neighborhood. It was a nice evening to walk around. We came home and got the kids ready for bed. Papa told them bible stories and we got them settled in for the night. Some of the littles didn't even make it through the story.

SO CAL

Today we are down in southern California with family. We have a family reunion coming up this weekend and we came down early to spend some time with my sister and my parents. My brother and his family fly in tomorrow! I am looking forward to seeing them as well. It is great to see all the kids play together. I wish we all lived closer and the kids could play with their cousins more often. Life has taken us all over the United States and I know that we have benefited from seeing a lot of this country. I still wish my family had a closer connection with my extended family. Everyone is growing so fast and we only see each other once a  year if that.