Monday, January 20, 2014

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Seattle

Yesterday we took the ferry over to Seattle. Had lunch at The Crab Pot, Randy bought Seahawk jerseys for him and Lucas, then we spent the rest of the afternoon at the aquarium. On the walk back to the ferry we stopped in a few shops and the kids road the carousal. It was a busy day, but we had a great time. 
Almost to Seattle

Some lovely 49er fans offered to take our picture

and I offered to take a picture of their flag :)

Lunch at the Crab Pot

12th man (and little girl)

Our little scuba divers

Our orcas

Riding the carousal

Seattle is nothing but football right now - Lucas is there somewhere!

From the Space needle to Safeco field its all green and blue.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Christmas 2013

Our annual trek to California was pretty fabulous this year. We were able to cram in more than usual and it all flowed and worked out really well. I was very proud of the kids; they were great travelers. We spent the first few days in the East Bay Area with my cousin's family, then down to my parents, then up to Sacramento for a weekend, then back to Merced, where Randy's mother and sister joined us for a few days. The weather was beautiful and we couldn't have asked for a better ending to 2013!
Ollie, Frances, Lucas, and Ryan before a walk to the park

At the park
We got into Merced on the 23rd so we didn't have much time before Christmas was upon us! Basically unpacked and started celebrating!
Nicholas and Lucas on Christmas Eve (the game of the season was Mine Craft)

Michelle made everyone beautiful aprons - because a few got dirty making Raviolis!


Making said ravioli.

Four generations

Master Chef

The loot

Little pillows of goodness

Jeff's homemade bread

Christmas baby

The kids

Opening gifts

New jammies

Christmas Grandma Rose

Also, new jammies

Christmas morning

Santa loot!

Lucas got what he wanted!

That evening Lucas lost tooth #3. His picture is describing to the Tooth Fairy what happen to his tooth- He bit into a cookie, his tooth came out, and he swallowed it!

Celebrating Gabby's 8th birthday!

Eating icing. Yum!!
The weekend after Christmas, we drove up to The Beard's in Sacramento. Susan and Dan drove over from Monterey and we had a nice reunion. Kevin and Fairlight took us all to Fairytale Land where the kids had a blast! It was a great visit with Kevin cooking us great meals, drinking good beer, kids playing, and meeting the newest member of the Rhoads' clan, baby Freida.
All six of the kids together on King Arthur's throne.

Down the slide

Lucas

The crooked mile

The Rhoads'

The Burbank's

Me and Fairlight

the court

The kids

The Humboldt Crew

The girls

baby and bamboo

Playing in the "off limits" bamboo

The gang

Our little elves

Such a good big brother
Randy's mother and sister came to Merced for New Year's. We had a great evening of celebration and New Year's Day was a big party with lots of family.
The Burbank's

The guys

The gals

Yahtzee!

New Year's Eve dinner - Ribs!

"Ringing" in the New Year!

Cheers to 17 years!

Prom date

The Butticci's

Getting ready for the big toast!

Watching the ball drop

Happy Birthday, Cathy!

Good lookin' couple

Cheers!

Happy New Year!

Cuties

Nick's getting pretty good at this photo bombing thing

Jump roping in the New Year

Go Lucas!

Don't touch the snake!

Watching Jeopardy
 ( No wait! It was home movies :)

Cousins

The Tietje's

Dad and Mike recreating an old photo from childhood

baby wrap

All of us in the aprons Michelle made. Amazing!

Soaking in the sun


Jeff took Randy fishing and they caught "a big one!"

Grandmas

Lucas coordinating all the paper crowns

Cheers!

The "catch" (Best fish I've ever eaten)

En route to WA selfie
A fantastic two weeks. Lots of friends and family and travel and sun. Couldn't have asked for a better way to end 2013. Here's to a fun filled, happy, and healthy 2014! Cheers!