When its 5pm......

and your 3 year old is throwing a temper tantrum,  just ignor him.   You may find him curled up, sound asleep on your bed a couple minutes later. 

( I know,  5pm and my bed wasn't made, I'm such a slacker)

California 2011

It has been so hot here in the valley the past few week, so a friend and I had the crazy idea of loading our kids up and headed to California for a quick trip.   I wish I would have gotten a picture of all of us,  loaded up in the car.  I am sure it was quite the site.   We left late morning on Thursday and got to the beach around 7:00,  this was my kids first time seeing the ocean.   The girls ran right for it. 

We found a little cove where warm water was running into the ocean. ( Not quite sure where the water was coming from)  But it made the ocean right there, just a tad bit warmer. 

Tate wasn't quite sure of the water at first, so he hung close to me up on the beach.

But then decided to get a little braver.

And of course, hunting for sea shells was on the girls to do list.

Tate figured out if you throw sand in the air and watch it come back at you,it gets in your face and  the sand doesn't come off easily.

't Bret just happened to be on the other side of the pier with his in laws, so we got to see him for a litte bit, but the kids were too busy in the ocean, so they didn't seem that interested in that.  (Bret you know they love you.) Wish we could have seen him and Amy for longer, but we stayed out a little too long.

We watched the sun go down, before looking for a few of our other friends who had been there for almost a week already.

First thing in the morning, we headed right for the beach, and Avery loved to boogie board, every moment she was on it.

Allie, just loved to play in the waves

They became quite the sand crab hunters, and got quite a collection.

And what would a trip to the beach be without building a sand castle/ fort.

Tate still wasn't quite sure of the water coming at him,  and as the  tide was coming in, he got knock down. Luckily it was at the end of the day,

Because after that had happened, he was done!   And cried and said he was ready to go home.

Which really made it easier to go home.  My friend that we went with, Rachele, found out that morning that her husband was in the hospital needing to get his appendix out, and was heading into surgery.  We decided to let the kids play throughout the day.  And left that afternoon, so she could get home to take care of him.  It was a short trip, but really was a lot of fun.  I think it needs to be a yearly thing. 

Sneak Peek- Beach Vacation

 I am so behind on blogging and there is too much to catch up on,so for now I just have one picture of mine and the kids vacation to the beach!   I forgot how much fun the beach is, and the kids had a blast.  More to come soon.

"Mister" Bug

The kids have been obsessed with looking for ladybugs lately.  Its the nickname of my niece Ella, who passed away recently.  Its fun on any trip to the store we look and see how many ladybugs we can see.  They are all over the place, and its nice to remember her every time we see one. 

A couple weeks ago we found these ladybug wings in the bottom of our dress-up box.  We have had them for quite some time, but the kids never paid that much attention to them until now.  Tate decided to ware them all day long.  He also insisted on having his picture taken too with them on. He's too cute.

Spring finally Sprung.

Just a little taste of what is going on in our yard.    I love going out in the yard to see what new has bloomed.  Hope you enjoy as much as we do.

This Makes Me Think Maybe????

Couldn't you just eat him up, this is my brand new nephew.  We took a drive to see him this last weekend.  I just took in every last bit of him, I couldn't get enough, and was very tempted to tell my sister that he was coming home with me. I am telling you this could be very dangerous.   

Yes, very, very dangerous.

"Remembering Ella" Ethans Run 2011

 Team Ella 2011

Bret and Amy had such a great support team this year at the run.  Here is everyone that was there when we took the picture,  I think there were even a few people that weren't quite there yet.

It was very cold while waiting for our races to start. My kids trying to stay warm with a little hot chocolate.

  You wouldn't be able to tell how cold it was by looking at Tate,  he kept taking his jacket off, because it covered up his Ladybug shirt!  ( Ella's Mom gave her the nickname of Ladybug, so we all had ladybugs on our shirts)

Ella's Daddy ( Proud he is MY brother, I look up to him so much)

More waiting for the races to start.

Inspiring Souls who are getting ready for the 10K!   I am hoping to join you next year.

Standage "Men" who ran this year. 

(Bret and Craig)

Standage Ladies who ran this year!  This really was the best picture we got out of all of those.

( Me, Ella's Mom Amy, Annette, Laura, Bridget, Brianne)

Some of Ella's Cousins

( I was lame and didn't order them shirts to match everyone,  so I put these together the night before.)

Tate and Annette,  someday I need to put all of the pictures I have of Annette holding Tate like this.   I thinks She is his Favorite.

Ethan's Run Tomorrow!!!!

Are you going???? Cause I am,  Running for Team Ella.

Come support an amazing cause, and help some amazing families, enduring heart breaking and miraculous trials.

Details

Kids Zone (bigger and better) 2 jump houses, an inflatable game, rock wall, face painting, and cotton candy. Children 4 and older will be $5 this year and that includes both the Fun Run and unlimited Kids Zone. All CHD kids are free (just show us your zipper).

Pancake Breakfast $5 or $20 per family. It will be provided by a scouting organization and proceeds go to Ethan's Run

Fun Run is 1.3 miles. We encourage friends and family of heart warriors to band together to represent their loved one.

10K is the same route as last year and chip timed!

1/2 Marathon goes through Las Sendas then out to McDowell road, around north east Mesa, and finishes back in Las Sendas. This 1/2M is also chip timed and in process of certification.

Please go to www.ethansrunaz.com or active.com to register and get more information.