Camping!!!!!!!

We did it!!! We camped for the first time Labor Day weekend.  We got the coolest tent ever from Costco and we headed up to Caswell Park in Ripon.  It's only about an hour away but that is what we wanted just in case we had to run home.  I grew up camping in a tent trailer and Spencer is an Eagle Scoot so we knew we could do this! We set up camp and then started cooking dinner.  

 After dinner we went on a flash light walk. 

 Then came back for a camp fire.

 Then it was off to bed.  It was hard to control Mr. Carter since he still sleeps in a crib and he all of sudden had freedom in the tent.  It was also a little tricky since we only have one air mattress and I thought the kids would sleep on the ground..... well we woke up with an extra person in our bed (Aubrey).  Funny story that night: Spencer had already fell asleep and I was up with the kids and then we started hearing some strange sounds so I woke him up.  He looked out the tent and said "get the kids and dog and get in the car fast"  what?!?!? I was freaked out! He was calm and just kept saying "get in the car now its something big."  Well we all get in the car and he turns it around so he can light up the camp sight.  It was about 5 raccoons in the bushes but since there were so many he thought it was a bear.  We were all okay but it sure made for interesting night of trying to sleep.  One of the reasons we picked this particular weekend was because they have an air balloon festival in Ripon called Color in The Sky.  It was fun and very colorful.  The kids loved the balloons.   

 It was a successful camping trip and we can't wait to do another hopefully soon.  We did have one other minor speed bump when we left.  I told Spencer that I was going to run to restroom before we left and that he should just bring the car to come pick me up since it was all packed up.  Well that is what he did and as we were driving out of the park I said "did we get everything?  We have the kids, my camera and the dog right? where is the dog????"  He must have jumped out and tried to follow me to the rest room I was freaking out again while Spencer was calm (that is the story of our lives) we drove back to camp spot 49 and there he was with the ranger and like 4 other campers taking care of him.  It was pretty funny after we found him!  Once we were all in the car we headed home with great memories and dirty kids it was a success.

 Later that weekend on Monday we meet up with my family in Modesto for my brothers birthday.  It was a fun weekend!!!

Preschool

We officially have ourselves a little preschooler!! Aubrey is attending Merced Parent Preschool.  Her first day was Wednesday August 29th.  This is such a fun opportunity for the whole family because we all get to volunteer.  It is a preschool at the adult school so basically I'm the registered student but Aubrey goes to school.  I have to work 1 day a week and one extra day a month.  We also have to attend a once a month nightly meeting and the school parties.  Oh and we also come up with the curriculum two days a semester that means, coming up with the art, discovery, snack, book and song.  Yes it's a lot and I was very over whelmed at first but now I love it.  School is Monday-Friday 9-11:30am Aubrey can go as little at 1 day a week or all 5 days.  Aubrey LOVES it!!!! Every morning she is excited to go.  I thought we would do 2 to 3 days but since she is having so much fun we have been doing more like 4 day weeks, I love the flexibility of that.  My volunteer day is Wednesday and I love being there with her.  I love that I get to be so involved and planning a day is like planning a party so you can only imagine how much I like that!  I'm so thankful that I can do this with Aubrey and can share her early educational years.    

 Right before pictures we had a bit of a melt down so that is why her eyes look a little red.

 I made it so that my extra day was a Tuesday (my work day) that way either daddy or nana have to volunteer.  Daddy did the first extra day in September and he also loved it!  

Aubrey has made a new best friend, Kati.  They are so fun together!! We have become friends with there whole family so that's fun for us too.  

So proud of our little girl!! 

 The weekend that Spencer was in Utah was rough.  It was just the kids and I at first.  Staying in the house with the kids and me by myself overnight is not my favorite thing.  We did manage to have fun despite everything going on and we did adventure out to black bear diner for dinner and an ice cream sundae.    

 Sunday we drove up to Sonora and spent two days with my parents and brother and they made me feel so much better.  We went to the park, nature hike, boating, shopping, ate home cooked meals and a day in Columbia.

 Carter in his new backpack

 Our first time ever on a horse carriage.  It was so much fun!! The kids are still talking about it!

My little models

Once again so grateful for my family and the smiles they put on my face!

Teddy Bear Clinic

Friday August 24th was the annual teddy bear clinic at the library.  Aubrey's favorite event ever! We look forward to this every year.  We especially like the bandage station!  

 That night before Spencer left for Utah we went out for a much needed night out with the kids. 

Our Dear Sister Carol

Spencer's very sweet sister in law lost her battle to Cancer on August 22, 2012.  It has been a very sad and hard time and that was another reason I have not blogged in awhile.  She was such a sweet person that loved and cared for everyone.  It's so hard to lose any loved one but the fact that she was only 48 makes it very hard.  She was married to Spencer's oldest brother Craig.  Right after we got married we moved up to Utah for Spencer to complete his bachelors degree and their family also moved up to Utah at that time so we were able to visit with them at the holidays that we were up there for and on some other special family occasions.  Also I'm so happy that we were able to see them on there last visit to California last summer and she was able to meet Aubrey and Carter.  I stayed in touch with her through e-mails and Facebook and I feel honored to have known her.  She was so sweet and loved life.  Even after finding out she had cancer and had only a short time to live she made the best of it and continued to send us sweet messages.  Spencer and all his other California siblings and parents were able to make it to Utah for the funeral and said that it was beautiful and a wonderful tribute to her life.  Life is so short we should all slow down and hold our love ones close.  We love you Carol and will miss you deeply.

Papa came to baby sit!

I'm so grateful that my parents live a little closer, it has been great!!! My mom comes down once a week and watches the kids for me while I go to work.  She does so much for us and the kids just have a blast!!  When ever I go into Carters room to get him up on my work day and he sees that I have my uniform on and says, "Nana coming, yay!"  A couple weeks ago she had an appointment so Papa came to fill in and when I got home I found them like this:  

They had made crowns for their craft it was super cute and I love how they all had them on when I walked in the door.  Nana does lots of cool crafts too I need to take more pictures.  We love you Nana and Papa!

where have we been???

I can not believe it has almost been a month since my last post!!!! What the heck! Well we have been super busy with the new school year starting.  Spencer is teaching this year 5-7:30 Monday and Wednesday and Aubrey started preschool.  I thought my life was crazy when I had little babies around the house now I feel like I live in the car and it's only preschool!!!!  Aubrey started parent preschool which means that I volunteer one day a week on top of a monthly meeting, school parties and one extra volunteer day a month.  Thank goodness both Spencer and my mom have offered to help with the volunteering so once we get the schedule down it should calm down.  Also something new this school year is that I was asked to be a table leader at my moms group, MOPS.  I have been a member for 4 years and love this organization.  I'm very exited about being on the leadership team though it is way out of my comfort zone.  I'm continuing to work one day a week on top of my other obligations so as you can see it's a busy life right now.  I probably complain a lot more to Spencer but in all honestly I really love the busy life so here's to a great school year and bunch of past posts that I need to catch up on.