First Day of School

My babies are growing up. Avery started Kindergarten this year. Her teacher is Ms. Mills and the funny thing is, is that Nick had her in Kindergarten as well. With mine and Avery's personalities being pretty much the same we thought she would be better off in a different class. Ms. Mills is a wonderful teacher and I am glad she is in her class.






Kasen started 2nd grade this year. He was to "cool" to get a picture with his teacher. His teacher is Ms. Szalzwedel and she is awesome. I am glad I am able to pick my children's teachers and they both got great ones this year.

Here's' little man he wanted his picture taken to.

Charese Birthday

Happy 33rd Birthday to me! We had cake and ice-cream at my mom and dads and me and Nick were able to have a few hours of alone time. Although I am starting to feel old it was a great day.

Purple Dragons

Avery started soccer for the first time this year. Her coach Jessica Leavitt had the girls go home and each think of a name. Avery was so excited that she thought of the Purple Dragons and they picked her name.



As Avery is becoming older she is getting more and more shy and gets nervous. Her first day of practice she was so nervous and did not know what to expect that she just started pucking. She watched the rest of the practice and realized that she could do it and came back the next day happy and ready to go.

Avery loves soccer and her teamates!

The Sharks

Kasen had missed his first week of football and was concerned he would be behind in some way. Kasen never gives up and on his 3rd day of practice got the "shark". They give it out daily to the hardest worker, best listener and just a go getter. We are so proud of him. Kam wants to be just like him!

Vacation Cont...... Sea World

Our last day was spent at Sea World. We first watched the dolphin show which the kids just loved. Had a bit of the Cirque De Soleil tied into to it.


Watched the Shamoo show both in the daytime and the evening. We decided we all liked the night show the best.

They had a little music section where the kids could make a lot of noise. Of course Kamden was seen having a blast here!

Avery and Kasen enjoyed the starfish pond. They both picked up and learned a lot about the starfish. Kamden just kept saying they were yucky and would not go near them. They had all different colors and sizes. Kasen asked the attendant some really good questions.

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They were each allowed to pick a toy. Kasen picked action figures, Avery of course picked something pink, and Kamden had to have the balls.

They were all happy with there new toys and not one complaint.

We watched the seal lion show which was super funny. I love hearing Kasen just laugh.

Kasen loved Clyde (the seal)

This was the day show. Kind of hot but really exciting.

Kam enjoying his popcorn.

We rode a few rides.

Kasen and Nick loved this Atlantis ride. After 5 days of early mornings, short naps and late nights I can happily say our kids behaved just wonderful. We were on the go the entire time and had a lot of fun experiences. The kids were very grateful for all that they got. We had one last stop on the way home and that was in Palm Dessert were my sister just moved to. I love my family and am so lucky to give my kids these wonderful opportunities.

Vacation Cont.....San Diego Zoo

The kids loved the San Diego Zoo.

This was a big book about Polar Bears. Kasen loved standing there reading it. It probably had about 7 or 8 pages of info.

So funny. Just had to laugh!!!! Nick

Avery

Kamden

Kasen

I took this picture just for my mom. She loves tortoises and this was by far the biggest we have ever seen. The zoo was a lot of walking for me and Nick but the kids LOVED seeing all the animals.

Vacation Cont.......

After Nick's work was done in Hunigton Beach we went down to San Diego. We bought the passes called City Passes. It let you into Sea World, San Diego Zoo and Sandiego Safari Park. These pic are from the Safari Park.

Kids made hats at the park. This was definitely not our favorite place and will probably not go back. It was 97 degrees out side. Everywhere you went it felt like you were walking up hill. Not much shade and NO air condition.

It was neat to see the animals and the kids like these giraffes. This is more of a wild life and rescue park.

After a hot afternoon we headed back to out hotel which had a nice cool pool and we went swimming!

California Vacation

Nick had a buying show in Huntington Beach California. Me and the kids decided to tag along and we made it our family vacation. While daddy was at work.......We were at the BEACH.....
Just testing out the water.

The water was FREEZING! Kasen didn't even care. He spent a couple of hours running in the waves and bogey boarding.

Kam was enjoying the water until this wave scared him to death. After that he did not touch the water again. Instead he enjoyed chasing and feeding the birds. At one point there was about 20 birds surrounding our blanket waiting for him to feed them goldfish crackers. I thought it was a little scaryKam thought it was hilarious!

Kam chasing the bird.

Avery loved the water as well until a giant wave came crashing over her head. Her entire face was covered with sand. (couldn't get a picture because she was hysterically screaming). I had to get a water bottle and dump over her face to clear the sand. She had sand in every crack of her body. I had her swim in the hotel pool to try to get it all out of her hair. After that she enjoyed finding sea shells and making sandcastles.

I was a little nervous taking all 3 by myself because I was afraid I would lose one in the water. The kids were great and listened to everything that I asked. We ended up being there for over 3 hours.