Wet Weekend

We've been getting a ton of rain these last few weeks. I don't remember the last time we had this much rain so many days in a row. It is nice to be lazy and actually have a season but it it tough enough these days finding clothes to fit on a normal day let alone when it is pouring rain. And schools aren't exactly equipped for multiple days of rain. AND Sadie doesn't do well being stuck in the house all weekend! So I am looking forward to a dry day.

Anyway, we still had a great weekend and managed to be busy (as we always are). We played in the rain, we baked, Emmy had gymnastics (she moved up to level 3!! Holy Shit) and got her ears pierced! We always talked about getting them done when she turned 8 (It didn't really matter to me when) but she wasn't always interested until the last month. She mustered up some courage on Saturday so we went for an early birthday present. She looks so pretty and so old and has been very responsible about cleaning and turning them (this weekend at least) and can't wait to buy all kinds of cheesy earrings :)

We found a million puddles to jump in 

 I hope they always love each other this much :)

 A little hot chocolate and marshmallows to warm up. I love how Ryan never minds wearing pink "girly" things like Emmy's old robe 

These two LOVE to snuggle 

Ba"nana" bread from scratch 

Getting some energy out

The big day - my pep talk 

Ta da! 

White pillow

I have to admit, it took a long time (like a whole year) to really learn how Sadie was going to fit into our family and how we were going to establish a routine. But now that we have figured her out and she has figured us out, I can't imagine our lives without her! She is still a puppy (and probably will be for a long time) and we can't trust her with some things and people, but when we are all home as a family, just us, she is honestly the sweetest best dog ever! She loves when we are home, gets sad when we leave and thinks she is one of the kids. She has totally caught on to the whole we relax on the couch thing at night and LOVES to snuggle. She pushes herself into tight spaces on the couch between us and steals our spots if we get up, or even reach for the remote. But her favorite thing ever is our white pillows! Everything we own is dark but we decided to by a few white pillows for our couch and of course those are her favorite. She seeks them out, nestles in them and sleeps on them all night. I've been taking so many cute picture of her snuggling and recently noticed they were all on the white pillow! We've been down to one after one exploded in the washing machine (during the whole lice incident) and just picked up 2 more. I've never seen her so excited!

A few completely adorable pictures to prove her obsession with the white pillows. :)

I mean seriously? She is smiling in this picture!

Happy New Year!

We had a number of things going on for NYE this year. We headed to the Norgarts for dinner and then to the Conklins like we do every year for some late night fun. We all almost made it to midnight! Needless to say, we were exhausted on Sunday. We hung out at the bay and played around the house. I really loved how much time we were able to spend as a family this last week. Such a great way to start a new year! We have to much to be grateful for and look forward to. I think 2017 is going to be an awesome year! :)

A little kick the can ice cream

Part of the crew

 

  

Us at midnight 

 

New Years Day

They sure LOVE riding their bikes! 

Christmas 2016 - part 2

The day after xmas we loaded up the car (I mean loaded) and headed up to Westlake to see not only Marc/Kristen, Julie but the Murrays! We've wanted to do a big xmas since we moved to CA 24 years ago. We had  BLAST!

And we're off!

More presents!

 

Emmy knit Marc a scarf and was so excited to give it to him :) 

The New Yorkers

Matt trying to keep up with the kids on their scooters!

 Manhattans at 1p? Why not!

Auntie Julie gave Ryan a water gun then conveniently left for Florida before she had a chance to get wet ;)

All we did was EAT and DRINK!

Katie introduced the kids to snap chat

AND put them to bed every night. She is the BEST!

A little yoga in the backyard. Coming to the Cove really is like a vacation :) 

This doesn't happen to often!

The Murrays 

Emmy and Ryan took a bunch of awesome polaroids 

Smores! 

Since it was 75 degrees we heated up the hot tub. Ryan started swim lessons 3 weeks ago and in that short period of time he has learned to put his face in the water! One of my biggest parent lessons to date - don't assume your kid won't like something. I almost didn't take him when the spot became open because I thought he'd be terrified. Boy was I wrong. I am so proud of him.

 

Trying to swim like a dolphin

We ordered $80 worth of food from In and Out for lunch. That is a shit load of hamburgers. 

Moose glasses to make our Griswold Christmas official

Everyone was sad to leave. Emmy was especially sad to leave Katie which is why I have already started looking into Air bnbs in SD in July :)

Our drive home was pretty long but everyone (including Sadie) hung in there!