Christmas with Papa & Nonna

We celebrated Christmas with my inlaws a week early this year. They were heading up north to visit with my BIL and his wife during the Christmas week. We had a yummy pizza dinner and they brought over presents for us and the kids. Including a drum set for the boy & a piano for the girl (pictures to come later). Here are a few pics of the night:

Beach trip Day #2 - Pismo!

Saturday we woke up and started getting everything together for our big day at the beach. We had planned to stay in the sand and water ALL DAY. David had bought a lil bbq and we were gonna have hot dogs, chips, fruit, and had our lil ice chest full of drinks. We were also waiting for my inlaws to show up to spend some time with us. So we made a quick run to the grocery store (and Starbucks!) and headed to Pismo. The kids and David got in the water as soon as we set up camp and I busted out the camera and my book to keep me busy :) We all ended up getting sunburnt that day but other than that it was a blast! I think we were out there from about 10-4!




We packed up our stuff, drove my inlaws to their car, and headed to our other fave beach restaurant - McClintock's. MMMMM David's parents had never eaten here so it was alot of fun to share it with them. The food here is sooo yummy and the servings are HUGE. One of the unique things they do here is have a guest hold a cup on their head while a server stands on a chair behind them, BLINDFOLDED, raises the pitcher up high and pours ice cold water into the glass - well HOPING that they make it! So we volunteered David's dad to be the lucky participant. He had no clue what was going on so it was hilarious to watch :) We also had them sing Happy Birthday to Colby - a lil early :) He got a yummy dessert, his picture taken, and a coupon for the lil gift shop and for our next visit. He picked out a stuffed buffalo and named him BUFFY

Lacie took the above picture of my MIL :)

Day #2 was coming to an end and it was really hard to believe that we still had 5 more wonderful days to enjoy!

Independence Day

I've mentioned before, that we go to my inlaws for the 4th every year to BBQ with family & friends and to watch the big college show. What I didn't mention, was that we were pretty anxious about this year's event because we would be seeing (and possibly speaking to) David's brother and his new wife for the first time since their wedding back in February. There has been quite the load of family drama between us and then for about a year now and we were just not sure how things were gonna go down. Unfortunately there was drama but fortunately (I guess?) it happened and ended fairly quickly (with their leaving) and we were all, somewhat, able to enjoy the rest of the evening. Everyone ate & chatted, the kids ran around and played, we got ice creams from the ice cream man - good thing cause it was definitely a warm night! We also celebrated Lacie's bday with everyone there. Poppie & Mammie bring her cake every year and this year they had enscribed it with their nickname for her - BUTTON (get it? cause she's "cute as a button"? :) )And then it was time for the big show! It was gorgeous as usual and this was the first year that we ALL got to sit outside and enjoy it - in previous years we had the kids inside watching through the windows because it is SO loud. Colby did get a bit nervous but overall did WAY better than expected. Here's to next year! My baby sister - poor thing, she fell at school earlier that week and got an owie :(
Doesn't the ice cream look JUST like my mom? we got a chuckle outta that :)
The kiddos waiting for the show to start- Ethan, Baby H, Isabelle, Lacie, & ColbySinging Happy Birthday to Button - I love Colby's face in the background
YAY Sparklers!!!
The following 2 photos were taken by my friend Doris (Ethan's mommy)