Independance Day 2010

I'm not putting my pictures in any order. I'm just going to "journal" what we did this past 4th of July.

July 3:

Went to see Eclipse, the big movie! We thought it was pretty good.

We drove to Manteca (have you heard of that place before?) Its a small town in the Central Valley. My sister Traci, said there was a good fireworks show. So we met her for a delicious dinner at Red Robin. Then we headed over to the stadium for some fireworks. It was a pretty cool setup, they had all the regular concessions, kettle korn, shaved ice, hot dogs, margaritas - no thank you for obvious reasons :)

Anyways, we just had a blast hanging out, playing, and talking.

The best part of our night was Chloe. She is sooooo afraid of things. The kids were all playing a little way off and it was getting dark. They let off a firework to let the crowd know the show was starting, and all the kids screamed an ran back to their parents excited to see the fireworks.

Poor Chloe had no idea what was going on! She burst into hysterical screams, not sure where to go with all the kids running everywhere. When she got to us, her little heart was beating out of her chest and she was just shaking! She kept saying " wanna go home, wanna go home"

Oh my! She finally calmed down, and by the end was saying oooh and aaah like everyone else.

We made it home safely at midnight!

July 4

Made it to 9:00 church after getting home so late. Had some great lessons. As I get older I appreciate more and more just how lucky we are to be in this country! I was touched by the words of the songs Star Spangled Banner and America the Beautiful. It is so wonderful to be in a country where I can make my own choices and believe what I want to believe!

Went to a rad BBQ with some friend in our ward. Good food and good laughs, you can't beat that!

July 5

My first nephews birthday! I just had to say that! Happy Birthday Conner! Went to a ward pancake breakfast. Riley decided it would be fun to kiss a boy on his cheek. twice. Seriously?

Anyways, we had an awesome weekend of celebrating America!

Who needs Raging Waters?

We've got our own mini waterpark back here!

This was Riley and Chloe's first time with a slip 'n slide. I'm not sure they were fans. I was! I showed them exactly how to do it, when I got up Riley says,

"but Mom you're all wet"

Uhhh, ya, that would be the point

Maybe they'll appreciate it a little more next time

Concert in the Park

There is a really great park in San Jose area called Vasona Park and all summer they do free concerts. I used to go to them back in my old home town of Modesto, but I haven't been to one in seriously years!

So we rounded a few friends, put a little picnic together and headed over! Not to sound all old, but it was just lovely! Great weather, good food, and good company!

The girls dancing away to the music!

The lead singer had this big furry hat, and let the kids take turns wearing it. funny.


Anyone else in San Jose wanna come next time??

Our Weekend

We had a pretty fun weekend planned. It was Fathers Day, and I had the perfect present and the perfect dinner. The weather was going to be nice. Toy Story 3 was coming out.

Here's how it turned out.

Friday Night:

Mike was questioning me on why I had spent that much money (what? he never does that? sense the sarcasm). So, I decided I would show him what I bought for him for Fathers Day, knowing he might disapprove, because he usually does. I think my husband is the hardest person to buy for, I rarely get it right.

When he first saw the new Barbecue I got him, he smiled and said "Thank You, but I think I'm going to return it." boo. Why? He says that this particular grill got horrible reviews, yes, he's been studying up on them, which is why I bought him one, it should've been perfect! I'm bummed.

Saturday Morning:

Mike found a similar grill for not much more that got much better reviews. He takes both girls with him to go get it. So sweet, I really, really wanted to exercise, I did, it kicked my tush. Now I feel better, because he got his gift!

First showing of the morning, Mike and Riley get to go on a Daddy/Daughter date to the new Toy Story Movie. So cute. Riley got to pick out her own snack and everything.

Saturday Afternoon:

Riley has a primary swim party to go to. She is very excited to see all of her friends there. It was really fun, I got to chat with friends and Riley got to swim, swim, swim, and do bubbles. I wish I had a picture of her eating blueberries, because the amount of blueberries she ate at this party was going to haunt us the next day. (she was eating these blueberries, like they were going out of style, holding them in her hand while swimming, going back and forth to grab a handful, over and over again, I should have been a better Mom and realized what was going to happen) She was just having so much fun!

Sunday Morning 4 am

I get woken up to a child with a very upset stomach, she says its because she's hungry, so I bring her some crackers and a drink of water. Well this wasn't enough. She came back to room 5 minutes later, and says "Mom can you sing me a lullaby song and rub my tummy" I let her crawl in bed with us and we fall asleep.

7 am

Tummy still hurts and the diarrhea starts (sorry if that grosses you out) but my poor little girl was not doing so hot. After some food, she says she feels better and we go to church. Well it doesn't get any better, she sits by my side for all 3 hours of church. Tried to go to her class, she came back 5 minutes later. She naps after church is over, wakes up and pukes, uugghhh! And still running to the bathroom all day after. Poor baby, that's the worst feeling ever. She starts feeling better, and the rest of the day goes great!

I made Mike stuffed salmon, a yummy wedge salad, and some tasty buttery rolls, with a Key lime pie from scratch! A beautiful dinner, if I do say so myself.

We end the day with candyland, books, tickle torture, and the kids don't make a peep going to bed. Now Mike and I can enjoy a quiet evening.

Sunday night 9:30 pm

Riley's up. She has thrown up all over her carpet and herself. I think you can picture the rest. Darn Blueberries.

The girls decorated a mug for their gift to Dad.

Happy Fathers Day Mike! We love you! Hope you had a great day! I'll buy us a crate of blueberries next year!

Shrek at the Drive-In

At our camping trip last month, Riley's friends had brought those happy meal Shrek toys. They say funny things, and ever since, Riley has been begging to go see Shrek.

Well the drive-in (while not totally in the best area) is the only place we can go as a whole family to a movie. We just put the back seats down, bring our blankets, pillows and many varieties of snacks and wait for the movie to begin!

We of course, needed to go with our friends (the ones that had the toys)!

It was a little cold that night, but overall a great time!

Swim Class

Before

During

After

Riley started her 2nd year of swim class this year. I accidentally signed her up for level 2, instead of level 1. I got a little scared when the teacher was asking kids to jump off the wall and swim to her. I knew that Riley would just sink! So, luckily, being the "unafraid to talk or voice her opinion in any way" kind of girl she is. She said "No, I don't want to do that" And the teacher didn't push it.

I talked to the coach, and they moved her down a level, and now she feels perfectly comfortable doing the level 1 activities.

I remember when I was a little girl, how much I loved swim classes, and swimming especially. I hope she enjoys it too!

Her FIRST, Last Day of School

I've read a few other blogs with posts of their childs last day of school, and read their sad sentiments. I've never been a super sentimental person, and thought, pfffft, whats the big deal, they'll go back in the fall!


Well, there I was sitting at my childs last day of her FIRST year of preschool, watching her laugh, and scream, while jumping with her friends in the bounce house.... and.... I started tearing up. I heard someone call her name, and I flashed back to when we chose her name, and thinking how tiny she was then, and how big she is now! And that the growing will never stop.

I was just in awe at how fun and sweet and innocent and simply wonderful she is. And how easy it is to make her laugh these days (seriously, try it, she'll laugh at anything)
So, for those super sentimental Mama's out there, I feel ya!

Anyways, I just love my little girl! Here are some pictures of her last day:

Riley with her teacher, Miss Bri

Riley and her buddy Esmeralda

Cute face painting, she chose a rainbow

She had, um, 4 snow cones!!!
It was a very fun day!

I just got this message in my e-mail!

Hello Riley,
You have been assigned a talk on Sunday June 13 in Primary (during closing exercises, 11:40-12). The theme for the month is "The Holy Ghost Testifies of the Truth of All Things."

See you on Sunday!

Thanks,
Sister Lopez

Her first talk in church! I can't wait, and yet I'm totally nervous! Any of you "older Mom's" have any advice??

Our Camping Trip

We went camping for the 2nd year in a row up in the Santa Cruz Mountains. We are so glad that our friends were willing to have us again this year with their family! We were even lucky enough to have my sister and her kids join us for 2 days! We stayed for 5 days this time, and made it pretty much without any catastrophes. We did all the normal stuff, take a look at some pics!

Chloe helping to get all our stuff set up in the tent

The girls were so happy to see their friends

Riley fell asleep while everyone else took a hike, when she woke up, she was so disappointed that she didn't get to go, so me and her went together. I enjoyed this time so much, we had a really great conversation the whole way up!

Dad's getting her all pumped for the hike.

This hike was .5 miles, and half way up Riley gets tired! Guess I need to get her out more often

Can one ever get enough s'mores??

We hit the beach on a beautiful Day!

Here's my baby Chloe - isn't her little bum the cutest!?!

We hiked a 4 mile hike (aka "The banana slug hike") Because of all the banana slugs to be found! Sorry I didn't take any pics of these, I think they are gross.

I love this hiking backpack! Chloe slept for an hour in this, while on the hike!

The kids got their feet wet in the river, and in Riley's case, her entire pants. Can you picture the screaming and discomfort as we still had quite a ways to walk with her soaked pants??

We didn't let Chloe go in the river, she's just a little too little, so we entertained her with pictures and climbing. I love her little hand on my neck here :)

The hike ends in the big trees. So cool!
That was our last day! What a good time!!!