Happy Halloween!

We're still here, in case you missed us! Just been so busy that we've had a hard time taking pictures and then uploading the ones we do manage to take. Happy Halloween from the Brother Ninjas!

First Day Of School

Well, it's hard to believe, but today was LT's first day of third grade. He's in a combo class again, this year a 3/4. He is the only one from his class last year in this year's class. Hopefully, he will make some new friends! The summer flew by with a lack of blog posts. Rest assured, we were quite busy. So busy, we hardly took any pictures! I just now downloaded what we had and there was actually more than I thought, so heres a brief recap. We had a fun trip to Disneyland with Grandma & Grandpa and Cousin JT. I think everyone had a great, if tiring, time! We were having so much fun we only took a few pictures.

When we got back, we had a party to celebrate our 35th birthdays. I mean, it only happens once! We had our favorite food truck pull up to the driveway.

And a singer in the back yard

We managed to show Grandma a few sights also. The traditional strawberry picking and tossing kids photos

And a very chilly trip to the beach!

Grandma even did a little exploring

LT went to overnight camp! He went to a mini camp, just 3 nights away, in this beautiful YMCA camp in the Santa Cruz mountains. He had a fabulous time and didn't miss us at all. Next year, he may do the 2 week camp!

On his bunk with his cabinmate from home

1st Day of Jr K Summer Camp for DT! Waiting for the bus like a big kid. Well, except he won't take a bus as a big kid...

We also did a bunch of time at the pool and went on a weekend camping trip, along with visits to Monterey, Santa Cruz, Oakland Zoo and more. Plus, an overnight in Napa for our anniversary! TT has been mountain biking and I have been doing my boot camp and master's swim along with some running. We've just been having a lot of fun, and been very busy. Now it's time to settle down and get back in the school routine!

Beginning of June

Somehow time has flown by and the summer is half done already. We seemed to have been very busy so far! At the beginning of June, TT's parents came down for a week and did a Grandma & Grandpa camp with the boys. I think everyone had a good time. We celebrated Grandpa's birthday and visited some wineries in the beautiful Santa Cruz mountains.

LT also got very into building forts at the end of the school year. They take up the boys' entire room. I have LT would sleep in there and DT did a few times also.

Here you can see the important provisions: allowance, library, hex bugs, drawing supplies, snacks... all the good stuff!

I'll have to come back with some more posts to catch us up!

May Races and Camping Trips

The first weekend of May, ST participated in a triathlon in Napa with a group of moms from LT's elementary school. After the race, a random guy took a great photo of the group, and sent it via email later on. 

While the moms were away for the weekend (apparently there's some other stuff to do in Napa as well) , TT and another dad took the kids camping. The kids just love camping and hiking. 

Last weekend, TT participated in a mud/obstacle race, and yes, there was camping involved again. Everyone had a great time, although at one point, someone said she's done camping for the year. We'll see.

A 4 Year Old!

Happy birthday to DT! He had been planning his birthday party for months and months, changing his plan every few days. We finally nailed down the idea of "Lego Hero Factory." We gave each kid a hero to assemble and I made some cupcake toppers of the logo. We had DT's favorite food - Blue Rock BBQ, of course! DT really enjoyed himself. It was a special day for him!

The Hero Factory he desperately wanted! And yes it does say ages 9-16.

DT has already started planning next years party! Currently in the lead is a Skylanders party, followed by the exact same party as this year.

Hawaii 2012

We had a wonderful family vacation to Maui for Spring Break. It was just awesome.We had a good mix of relaxing and adventuring. I even managed to read 4-1/2 grown up(ish) books. I think we would like to go back again!

The kids loved the pool, of course.

Nakelele blow hole

 Lahaina Banyan Tree

Whale watching, I promise we were all very happy!

TT's advertising shot for the other boat

 Our own private waterfall

 And another waterfall...

 The beautiful beach

And because I know you'll want to look at more pictures (Momsie gene), here's a link: Maui 2012

Egg Hunt 2012

Time for the annual Hunt on the Beach! We had the place to ourselves again this year.




LT requested harder hiding spaces. Maybe they were a little too hard?


Family picture!


A new friend


It was such a beautiful day, I decided to go on in ...


Meanwhile, the boys were having some fun

Snow!

One month ago, we made a foray to "the snow", as people say around here. We rented a cabin for the weekend and went up with our neighbors to Bear Valley. There wasn't that much snow, but it was a lot for our kids! They all had a blast.

Day in the SF

On President's Day, we drove up to SF to see the Walt Disney Family Museum in the Presidio. The reviews said it wasn't that good for kids, but really we all enjoyed it. Then we walked over to Chrissy Field. It was beautiful! We couldn't stop taking pictures with the bridge.




Action shot


Family photo, do you see everyone?