Jim's Birthday

Okay, so this is way over due but here is how we spent Jim's Birthday this year back in March.  We had some wonderful fun with our immediate family on Thursday, March 15 after he came back from a business trip.  Here he is opening up our gifts from the kids and me.  They got him a Toy Story kite.  They were all very excited to test it out!

The weekend before, Saturday, March 10 we celebrated with my family at our house with a nice lunch and then headed over to a park for some fun outdoors.

Here is most of the gang, my Mom is taking the picture.

At the park Evan also got to continue practing his bike riding skills with Daddy.

Everyone actually wanted to get in on the fun with his bike.  Here is Uncle Rhett testing it out...

and Aunt Debra!  They did pretty good too.  We were all impressed especially, Evan. :)

Here is the birthday boy sliding away.

The kids swinging,

riding horses,

 

and playing tag!

Then it was back to our place for some yummy cupcakes.

Here is a beautiful picture of my mom too...she was there to help celebrate Jim too.

Thank you family for helping to make Jim's Birthday a very special one!  Love you!

John's Incredible Pizza Co.

On Friday, March 16 our family visited John's Incredible Pizza Co.  It was actually my first time and really our first time as a whole family.  Jim had been there when the kids were smaller (he went with my Dad to pass time, while I hosted a baby shower), but the kids did not remember the experience, so for the sake of this post, it was our Family's first time. :)

Jim had taken the day off because he would be leaving in the afternoon to go on our church's men's retreat,  so we didn't have a ton of time to be together as a family and it was pouring rain.  However, the idea of visiting this establishment came to mind and we did it.  We were very impressed and the crowd was perfect on the weekdays along with a more reduced price for the buffet.  Everyone had so much fun and the food was delicious, except for the fact we had to scarf it down because the kids were so antsy to ride and play all the games.   Who could blame them really!  It also, was a fun way to help celebrate Daddy's birthday, which was the next day, that we would be missing because he was going away on his trip.

Here are a few pictures of the kiddos and Jim in action.  Fun times!

 Oh yeah, I was there too.  A final picture of the kids with Mommy (the action photographer, capturing having fun).

Disneyland Vacation

Our amazing Disneyland trip back in January for Evie's Birthday and a fantastic Family Vacation 7-10.  This trip has actually been my focus for a whole photo album in Shutterfly along with a few other Shutterfly albums.  This is why I have hardly been Blogging lately.  So where I actually have a ton of details about this wonderful time, the Blog is going to get the super condensed version and mostly just some of the best pictures! :)

Here is a cute picture of Evie as we drive to the airport with my parents.  Thanks for taking us bright and early to the airport Mom and Dad.

We had a real nice flight.  Everyone did amazing and while it was a bit of a juggling act with the two car seats and luggage trying to move around we managed and made it to our destinations.

One of the first rides of the day for our family once at Disneyland was Finding Nemo.  Here are Evan and I in the submarine.

Then we rode the Buzz Lightyear's AstroBlasters.  Evan thought this was cool until he saw Zurg.

One of Evan's favorite rides, by far...Autopia!  He loved being able to drive a real race car.

A family photo with Mickey and two nervous kiddos.  This was our first attempt at a family picture with a character at the park.  Memories!

Evie did get a little more brave after our visit with Mickey and actually gave Minnie a hug!  We were so proud of her.

As you can see we started to get even more comfortable as the trip progressed; here we all are with Pluto.

This is a picture of Jim and the kids at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, in California Adventure.  Both kids absolutely loved this place, especially Evan.  Just look at that joy on his face.  It was an awesome place to get out some energy and run!

Here is our super brave little guy with Handy Mandy.  He got his picture with him all by himself and actually smiled.  Awesome to see this progression through our trip.

Our sweet little birthday girl waiting in line for Dumbo.  What a beautiful two year old!

Here is a picture of Evie and Daddy on the ride.

Our trip included seeing the new World of Color show at California Adventure it was fantastic.  Here is a cute picture of Evan waiting for it to begin...

...and here is a picture of Evie and I after the show had finished, but they still had the cool water and lights on display so you could get pictures.

Evie on Toy Story Mania.  We all had a great time on this ride.  I just love how little she is in the seat.

Our picture with Buzz Lightyear while Daddy was waiting in line for his roller coaster ride.

Daddy had to ride at least one roller coaster, California Screamin' was it.  This was a perfect one because me and the kids got to see him blast off!

Evan picked out this cool jet for his special Disneyland toy.  He had so much fun running and pretending to fly it all over the park.

My little posers during a potty break near the Magic Castle!

Evan and Daddy on Gadget's Go Coaster.  They had a blast!  Mommy and Evie couldn't ride (Evie because she was too short and Mommy because she was prego) so we just took some pictures and watched the boys in action.

These were just two adorable picture of Evan hugging one of his newest favorite Disney characters, Bolt.

Overall, the trip was awesome and huge blessing to be able to spend time with family, celebrate our little girl's 2 birthday, and of course have fun at the Happiest Place on Earth. :)  Good times for our first Family Visit to Disneyland- Here's to many more!

No Training Wheels

I am way behind on all my blog posts.  Evan is basically riding his bike all by himself these days.  We still need to help him get started at bit, but no more Training Wheels and he can stop all by himself and even go in circles!  It is so exciting to see him grow and learn.    

It all began on February 20.  That was his first time getting his feet wet with Daddy and figuring out the bike balancing act.  He did awesome as you can see from the pictures below.  Thank goodness for Daddy's determination too; helping someone to ride a bike is back breaking work, especially for this prego mama. :)

Evie wanted to get in on the action too.

A lot of the initial practicing took place on the grass at Veteran's Park.  That way Evan would have a nice soft landing spot when he took his initial spills.

There's our little bike rider- so proud!

Our little Dora

 

Evie has started to enjoy dressing up.  Here she is in her Dora Costume that Grandma Shirley got her this past Christmas.  I think she looks so cute and grown up.  My baby is growing up so quickly!  Also, she is currently one of Dora's number one fans! :)