Mann oh Mann

We went down to Redding last weekend for a work convention and we got to meet up with my sister Amber and her family -- their last name is Mann -- get my title? Funny right? Right?!?

Anyways - anyone who knows me knows that my family is everything to me. We are all extremely close -- and most of us live extremely close together. All but my oldest sister Amber -- she is still down in California. We used to live in San Luis Obispo together and we got to raise our girls together there for a while - but then they moved away and then later we moved up to Oregon. I hate it that we live so far away. Our kids have a special bond. Addie --my shy shy girl is her total self with her cousin Ella. I love the way they bring out the best in each other. They all watch out for each other and they have so much fun together. I really hate that we live so far away. So any chance we have to get back together -- we jump at it. I know I mentioned before that they met up with us to go to Disneyland -- but what you may not know was that it's an 7-8 hour drive for them -- and they only stayed 1 day!! That's love. :) And I would do anything for them as well. Just being around them makes me happy.

So when Sam said he had a convention down in Redding -- I said I would only go if Amber and Thomas were going. And they did -- so me and the kids went too. It was a short trip -- but we made the most of it and it was a really fun weekend. Here is a bunch of pictures from it....

this is from a cool children's museum.......

it was hot -- needed an ice cream break.............
inside a butterfly atrium -- Nia and Gwen are examining the different kinds of species.....
the little window they are looking at have a bunch of chrysalis's hanging -- while we were watching -- we saw two butterflies hatch out of them -- it was really cool. (i also love how the girls are always touching each other - so sweet)...........
The next day we went to this really cool park -- here is me and my sister Amber..........
the kids having so much fun playing together...............
the boys swinging -- Tomasi and Jackson..............
This was a cool water feature in the park -- it was a volcano thing that would errupt with water every 6 minutes (well it was suppose to be every 6 - but sometimes it was longer) .......................
the water exploding out of the volcano.............
addie...................
Ella and Nia.................
you can kind of see Gwenny here -- I had to crop the picture because Addie kept jumping in front of her......................
haha -- Thomas walked thru the water with Lisi and Jackson -- they didn't like it so much :)

** side note: Thomas is a wonderful uncle(and bro-in-law) -- he truly loves my kids and both me and the kids can sense that -- we're so glad Amber married him :)
We went out to ice cream at Leatherbee's (don't know if that is how you spell it??) - it was good :) ................................
back in the hotel -- we played cards, a tradition -- this time the kids played their own game.

Amber and Thomas also had my girls come stay at their hotel with them 2 nights -- they loved that.
The last day we walked out on this cool bridge. The ground is glass. Sam stepped in dog poo -- hahaha. We put our feet in the river (and other body parts ended up being dunked by Sam) -- the water was painfully cold -- but it felt good because it was hot!!
The kids posing -- this picture of Jackson cracks me up..............
the girls -- Elisiva (Ella), Gwendylan (Gwenny), Veisinia (Nia), Addie, and Tolisi (Lisi)
Now comes the hard part -- saying goodbye. I'm pretty good at shutting down all emotion when it's time to say good bye otherwise it's too hard for me -- but my children's little hearts break every time. And truth be told -- so does mine. Even looking at this picture now makes my eyes teary.

Until next time ---- and hopefully someday we can live close to each other again. Have I mentioned -- I LOVE my family!! :)

July = BUSY!!

I was really looking forward to summer because I wanted some rest and relaxation -- but summer seems to be more busy and crazy than the school year. But I am loving it -- I'll get my rest and relaxation some day -- but having fun with my family and friends is much more fun.

The month has been packed with play -- lets start with our.....

Visitors....

First up were the Loftin's who came back to Albany to visit after their move to Utah last year. We had their cute girls over for a slumber party -- they had a ton of fun together - running around screaming, playing dress up and of course - a dance party. Then a healthy breakfast of donuts and chocolate milk in the morning. :)

Next was the Lundquist family. Tami and I used to work together for the San Luis Obispo County office of Education. We were pregnant together and we had Addie and Ella only 5 days apart. Addie and Ella would come to staff meeting with us when they were babies, had many a playdates and then when the girls got older -- we put them in the same preschool. They were such cute little buddies -- and we try to keep that intact with our yearly visits. We both have added more to the crew over the years.... with Gwenny, Ireland and Jackson. (and one more baby Lundquist on the way). We got to see them in SLO this year when we went down to Disneyland -- and then we got to see them again when they came up for their annual visit to Oregon for Tami's family reunion in Rogue River. I am lucky I get to reap the benefits of that. :) Two visits with them this year -- we are very happy about that!!

Christie, Christie!! Christie and I were joined at the hip until she rudely moved cross country from Cali to South Carolina my junior year of high school. Broke my heart. But the great thing about our friendship is that no matter how far away we are -- when we get back together is like we were never apart.

This year Christie and her family(who now live in Utah) came to Oregon because her dad was competing in a triathlon in Portland. So we got to meet up with them for a day at the beach. I swear it's my lucky month -- we get all our favorite people -- and they come to us!! We didn't have to go anywhere. :) It was great seeing them -- I love her whole family.
poor Gwenny tho -- I swear I put sunscreen on her - but she fried!!
Next up -- my beautiful sister in law - Raeleen. I was lucky enough to marry one of my best friends brothers. Raeleen and I were friends before me and Sam ever dated and she was such a huge support when Sam left on his mission for 2 years. And now she is my sister. How cool is that?!?! Anyways -- her cute little family moved up from Cali to Washington last year (or maybe the very beginning of this year?) Well she has to travel back down to Cali fairly often for doc. appointments for my sweet little niece who has cystic fibrosis. We get to be the pit stop between the two - so we get them on the way down and then again on the way up. This time on her way up she scheduled a few extra days to stay and play with us -- which we were thrilled about. Always fun when they are here -- and of course the kids adore each other.

Last visitor of the month was my grandma -- my mom's mom. She has not been up to Oregon since we all moved here about 4 years ago. Her sweet husband passed away last month and I think it was good for her to be able to get out and see family and keep herself busy and surrounded with loved ones. We wore her out tho -- dragging her from one place to the other -trying to show her all the great things about Oregon. She was a good sport -- and I think she had fun. I hope. :)
Birthdays

We had a bunch of baby birthdays this month -- except I only have pictures of my niece Elizabeth -- because her parents didn't have a camera -- NOT because I am playing favorites!! :) My other niece Victoria turned one too --but her dad is a photographer -- so he did the picture taking.

We also attended the birthday party of my "fourth child" Pete. He turned 1 as well.

Happy Birthday babies!!

It was also other family members birthdays in July but with everyone living so far away -- we didn't attend those birthday parties. But -- Happy Birthday to.... my niece Devyn, nephew Rydon, bro-in-laws Rusty and Richard. And if there is anyone that is not on my calander -- sorry -- blame it on Sam!! :)

Disc Golf

Sam has been taking the kids out -- to play disc golf. Jackson especially loves it -- why?? Because it is a new thing that he can throw and not get in trouble. He's got a pretty good arm too which is not really surprising -- he seems to just naturally get sports and picks them up fast. It's pretty fun to watch.

Swimming lessons

Swimming lessons is one of my favorite things about summer. We do it out at some friends from the wards house. They have a big back yard with the pool -but then they have a play structure and trampoline for the kids to play on while it's the other one's turn. It's so laid back and fun out there -- I always look forward to it. All three kids did lessons again this year -- but Jackson is not pictured because he goes in with me -- and since I am in the pool - I cannot take the pictures.

All three made big improvements this year. The teacher is this great lady named Ilynn who genuinely cares for the kids and is a great teacher. My kids love her and I think that really makes a difference.

Gwenny gets to have class with her cousin Maci -- and they are very cute to watch together. It's fun. Maci is the one to the left of Gwenny.