My Babies are Skiers!

Our second day of skiing Matt and Andy went up early while we packed and slowly made our way to the mountain.  My binding broke on day 1 so I didn't feel like renting another board and I was SORE!

I started skiing when I was 3 and we really wanted to try and get the kids on skis early too.  Luckily the weather was perfect.  I think it was close to 65 at the peak so we didn't have to worry about the kids being cold and uncomfortable.  My parents took Abby up for the first round and we were a little nervous that it might be a disaster but before we knew it they were cruising down the mountain and Abby was all smiles.  As soon as she finished she said she was ready to go back on the ride (the chair lift!).  G & G took her on another run and then Matt and I put on their skis and jackets and took Abby up for a run.  So fun!

 Even though we didn't have very high hopes for Zack skiing since it was close to nap time we gave it a try anyway and he totally exceeded our expectations.  We figured it would be a lot of stop and go and we ended up just going all the way down the run.  He did great and loved it!

Enjoying the chairlift!

Practicing his stance.  He is a natural except he will have to switch to a snowboard soon!

And, of course, a video of the kids skiing!

Siblings

It was great to have Casey visit and Andy come spend lots of time with us over our trip.  W love seeing our siblings and enjoying quality time together.

The Martin and Hughes kids:)

Andy meeting us at the airport.

Lunchtime on the mountain

And, it wouldn't be a visit with Casey without some juggling and she even brought the unicycle down.  Matt gave it a shot and decided it wasn't quite his thing.  Casey, on the other hand, is quite impressive!

Happy Birthday, Matt

We were able to use our timeshare in Big Bear, which is about 2 1/2 hours from my parents house for a few days and got to hit the mountain for Matt's birthday.
  It was a beautiful day, about 60 degrees, and not crowded at all!  Matt, my dad, brother and I got up  early and spent the whole day on the mountain while Grandma watched the kids.  It was such a fun day and could not have asked for better conditions!

Matt got a free pass since it was his birthday and we celebrated out at dinner and with an ice cream cake. Yum!  He even got a new board and bindings for his birthday.

Visiting Friends

Some of my dearest girlfriends are in San Diego and it is always great to spend time with them and their families.  Sunday we drove up to Temecula have lunch at Oscar's with Courtney and her kids, Zach, Makenna and Brandon.  Kelly her sister in law and son Adam also came too.

Katie & Courtney

All the kids with the newest addition, Brandon

 After lunch we headed a bit further North to Murrietta for an afternoon and dinner with the Archard family.  The kids played great together and the adults had a lot to catch up on.

Katie & Jenn

McKenna surrounded by the little ones!  She was 4 when Jen and I met and now is a beautiful high schooler.

The following Saturday, St Patrick's Day, we made it up to see the Potter family.  We had a great night!  I love getting to catch up and enjoy old friends and share our new lives and families!

San Diego at its Finest

It had been quite a while since the camera had been out of the bag and I certainly made up for it in our first day in SD alone!  We got in Friday evening and got settled and Casey, Matt's sister, drove drown from LA bright and early Saturday morning.  My dad brought home a suburban so we all piled in the car and set out for a beautiful day exploring San Diego.

First we headed across the bridge and explored the beautiful scenery around the Hotel Del Coronado.  It is the first time I have been to a San Diego beach in so long!  It is so different than the Hawaii beaches but they are so beautiful in their own way and they always make me feel like I am home.

We weren't quite dressed for the beach or the perfect 75 degree weather but the shoes came off quickly and we made due.

You'll notice in probably every picture Zack has a grimy, white stuffed animal.  He became attached this trip an NEVER let it go..until we lost it.

 

I love this picture and the background!  After the beach we took the ferry across to downtown San Diego and got a pedicab to Seaport Village. 

Mothers and Daughters- I am a lucky girl!

With no time to waste we grabbed some authentic San Diego/ Mexican tacos at one of the restaurants.  Soooo good!!!  There were tons of entertainers and vendors and plenty of people watching to entertain us.  The kids ( and the adults) loved having Auntie Casey around.  It is so nice that she is a short drive away and we are so thankful she made the trip!

We did not bring the stroller because we figured the kids would want to walk and there would be enough hand to carry them.  So we strolled and ran and people watched all the up and down the walkway and basked in the sun while we waited for our boat back the Coronado and our car.

Two of a Kind

We wanted to have to have kids close together so they would be close and grow up together....so far mission accomplished.  It is fun to see them interact and enjoy being together.  They both are so unique and fun in their own ways but as siblings they are totally in sync.  It warms our hearts!  Siblings are the best!

Here are some recent pictures of the kiddos.

I 

 I love this one!

 Not the greatest picture but a testament of how they love to cram in small spaces together.

Another Great Visit with the Chiavaccis

Laura and family come to visit every February and we love to catch up over the last year (in this case it was only half a year since we got to see them over the summer).  This year, they stayed at Turtle Bay and it was a great opportunity to get up to the North Shore.

Laura and Katie- Hard to believe we aren't still 16!

Jack (8) and Zack (almost 2)

Abby (3.5) and Katie 5

All four kiddos

These two just love each other!

Eating ice cream

Until next time....