Lawrence's take on NYC!

 The highlight of this past summer was our East Coast trip. It was driven by baseball (next post!), but a great way to explore a part of the country we probably wouldn't have done as a family, and we had a BLAST!! Per usual, our trip started out with a hiccup. After our first red-eye flight, our hotel reservation was canceled (even after I called to notify them of a late arrival), so we found ourselves tired, hungry, and homeless in NYC while lugging around Ryan's 50-pound baseball bag (that had no wheels), which looked like a dead body. We ended up at an OLD boutiquey, quirky hotel which looked scary from the outside, but we all ended up loving :) All part of the adventure! 

We carb-loaded for days, eating bagels, pizza, and pasta for every meal, explored the city, rode the subway, and had a lot of laughs and fun along the way! 

Bus tour after no sleep! 

We all jammed into the elevator to go to our room at the Chelsean not to be mixed up with the Chelsea Hotel. Hahaha

View of the Empire State Building! Owen busted out his sktch pad :)

Only one night of rain! 

Ryan is 13!

 We officially have another teenager in the house! It is easy to forget how young he is since he is so mature and wise. Ryan continues to be so even-keeled, kind, organized and patient. We are coming off an epic summer of fun (another post coming) so celebrating Ryan's birthday was such a great way to end the summer! 

We celebrated Ryan's birthday at the beach with his entire baseball team and a few school friends. Naturally they spent most of the time playing whiffle ball but would run back and forth to the water. Best part - they met two of their favorite Padres players on the sand! He has such an amazing group of friends, I am so happy he's spending these years having this much fun :)

Arraez and Dias! 

Ryan, Zach and Preston played in an over-the-line tournament on the weekend. It was hot, ditry and so fun! 

Ryan's big present - a Super 73 ebaike. He got it early and has spent the last few weeks riding all over town with his baseball friends - they are quite the biker crew! 

Ryan's bday fell on the first day of school - at least he got to see his friends at school and practice :)

Love you buddy - I hope this is the best year yet! 

Owen is Eight!

 Sweet, crazy, and fun O-dog is EIGHT! He is also officially half of Emmy's age for the only time ever. He is full of life and fun. When he isn't playing baseball or Nerf guns with the neighbors, he is drawing something. He is an impressive little artist. As much as he is so mature and grown up, he still loves to snuggle and I love and cherish that more than anything. 

We celebrated his bday all week! First, we celebrated with all his friends playing laser tag!

Then Nana and Papa came down and took him ice skating! Followed by a family dinner and a special present arranged by Ryan :)

And then a birthday celebration before we headed to Phoenix for a Spring training game and Ryan's tournament! 

Love you buddy. I hope this year is the best one yet!

SWEET SIXTEEN!

Happy 16th birthday to my sweet Emery Jean. To say time has flown would be an understatement. I know I cannot freeze time, so I am trying to enjoy every single moment. I could not be more proud of my amazing daughter. The choices she has made, her positive influence on others, and how she sticks to her guns about how she feels are all not easy as a teenager. She is the kind of girl I wish was my friend when I was 16. As much as I wish I could keep her little and home forever, it is exciting to see what she does next and I have full confidence that she isn't just going to survive but thrive and be successful is everything she chooses to do. Happy sweet 16 to my strong, beautiful and smart girl!