Scooter's Jungle

This weekend we had the chance to go to Scooter's Jungle in Valencia for my nephew's birthday. It was such a fun time. I always enjoy seeing the family, but the real highlight of the day was this huge inflatable slide! They said the parents could play too, so...play I did. It was so much fun. The slide was big enough to fit all the kids and me, so we went down over and over, with only one major wipeout with Averi and me! Let me tell you....I ain't 16 anymore, because the next day, I was feeling it! Sore muscles! But, it was well worth it.

Photos from the day!

A picture of the kids and me. It isn't very often that I post myself, as I am usually the one taking the pictures!

My dad with Wyatt and Mary (Joanna's mom). My dad basically spent the day watching Wyatt so I could play! Much appreciated!

Wyatt in the toddler area!

Ben, my nephew and Birthday Boy. Does it get any cuter than him!

Ethan going down the giant slide!

Gavin on his stomach going down the giant slide!

My mom playing air hockey with Ben!

Averi loved this zip line!

The kids are still talking about it, and Ethan announced that he wants to have his birthday there! Somehow, since it is in Valencia, I don't think that is going to happen!

Kern County Fair

Pappa and Grandma took the kids and me to the fair on Thursday. It was a hot day, but we had so much fun. The boys had looked forward to going all week long. They earned their free tickets by reading three hours in a certain amount of days. They even cleaned their room without complaints and went to bed the night before without having to be prompted by Mom! Averi was really looking forward to seeing all of the animals, especially the black horses. She is obsesses with black horses lately for some reason. Here are some pictures of our day.....
Pappa and Wyatt relaxing in the shade.
Averi driving the blue car.
Ethan flying the plane. He really looked forward to this, and I could just imagine him pretending he was a Japanese Fighter in WWII!
Gavin also enjoyed the plane!

Wyatt smiling and cute as ever!
Averi petting a cow! Funny story.....as I was taking this picture, one of the girls was leading her cow down the isle. As this cow passed me, it smacked me in the head with its tail! I said, "What the heck was that?" My dad was laughing so hard as I realized I had just been swatted by a cow!
I found out that Averi has no fear of the rides. I went on the swings with her. During the ride, I looked over at her to make sure she was o.k., because they do go a bit high. She exclaimed, "I'm flying....I'm flying!" Funny girl!

All-in-all it was a great time!

Gavin's Soccer Game

Gavin is playing soccer this season for YMCA. I always enjoy this time of year, because I am such a sport fanatic. I really get into the games. Yes, I am the parent on the side line that actually runs down field along side the kids, encouraging them all the way! Steve laughs at me....but then I remind him that is what being me is all about!
This was the first game of the season, and I think Gavin has found his sport! It is so fun to watch him. He really takes it seriously, and he has become quite good! I have actually never seen him run so fast in his life, and he is just about ornery enough to succeed at the sport!
Here are some pictures of our family outing at the game. It was really nice to have Steve there, because he never gets to see many of the games. He is usually working every Saturdays in Fall, as his company heads into their busy season.

Of course we were rushed to get out of the house. I was panicked, thinking we wouldn't be the usually 1/2 hour early. In our rush to get out the door, we forgot the chairs, so everyone decided to sit on Dad's lap.
Gavin got a chance to play goalie for awhile during the game.
Gavin determined to steal the ball.
Gavin throwing in on the sidelines from a penalty.

After the game, he was so exhausted, and I was celebrating thinking...nap time! O.k. so I wasn't that lucky. I am really looking forward to next week, and Steve is wondering if I really will be the only parent running along the sidelines again!

Gavin Says The Funniest Things!

So today, I have been in a really ornery mood. Gavin asked me to play a game with him. So, I took out Brain Quest, you know...the game that is full of questions relating to a child's grade level. Anyways, I started to ask him a bunch of different questions, and just when I was getting ready to quit playing, one question came up that went something like this.....'Where did tacos come from?' Gavin raised his hand and said, "I know, I know!" "O.k. Gavin, what is the answer?"......."Taco Bell!" I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. I just thought to myself, lucky I am blessed with children to pull me out of bad moods!

Camping at San Simeon

We took this awesome camping trip to San Simeon State Park over the weekend. If anyone ever wants to know a perfect place to camp, this is it! The scenery is beautiful and the weather was perfect. It was such a good time. Our campsite was great, nice and flat to fit our huge tent, which is something I was a bit worried about since we didn't get to pick exactly where our spot would be. Last year, when we went camping up in the Sequoias, our campground was on a hill, and the only flat spot to put our tent was on the paved driveway! Anyways, I thought it would be really windy, since we were by the beach, but it wasn't. During the day, it was about 70 degrees, and at night, it did get a bit chilly and damp, but it felt so good to be cold. Ok, so I had just a little bit of fun with my camera, and took 159 pictures total. I wouldn't dare put anyone through that misery, but here are a few....ok, many of my favorites!

Steve's funny expression when he had his back turned to the ocean, and didn't realize the wave coming in was going to soak him with cold water!
Wyatt....not to happy about getting his feet wet! (The water was cold)
Averi became obsessed with rocks on this trip. This is her hugging a big one that she couldn't lift off the ground.

Wyatt on our morning walk...happy as a clam!
We drove a couple of miles up the coast to see the Elephant Seals. The kids were amazed at their size.
More seals sunning themselves.
I took the family down to the ocean on Sunday night to see the sunset. My boys had never experienced the beauty of the sun going down over the ocean!
I couldn't quite capture how beautiful this sunset was!

Wyatt and me on our morning walk. It was a bit chilly this morning, but it still didn't stop the boys from getting wet in the ocean.
Steve and Averi relaxing on our morning walk.
Averi....on yet another rock!
Gavin on our morning walk! You can't tell from this picture, but he is actually soaked!
Same with Ethan! The boys got so tired of me taking their pictures. They said, " Mom, that's enough, we just want to get wet!".....Whatever! Averi being cute!
The first day there, I took the kids to the beach while Steve set up camp. I found this rock, and I made Steve come back to take a picture of Averi and me on it. Why, because it is purple! Yes, I fell in love with this rock, because it is my favorite color, and to be honest, I have never seen a big purple rock before.
Here is our campsite. It was kind of funny. We met this really nice family from Lake Isabella. They were camping right across from us. They had four kids...two boys, ages 8 and 5....then one girl, age 3...then a ten month old baby boy! I thought how ironic! Anyways, our children made fast friends with them, and our campsite turned in this photo! All six of the kids just kept running back and forth between the two campsites! I would get some strange looks from people walking past our campsite, and I ready to post a sign saying..."Stop staring, they aren't all mine!"
Ethan and Gavin getting wet on our morning walk.
Momma's little camper!

Kids by the rocks!

I loved this huge log sticking out of the ground!

It was such a great time. Steve and I both didn't realize how much we needed a little get-a-way from Bakersfield until we were actually there and relaxed. I didn't want to leave, and even when Steve was taking the tent down, I was hesitant to get out, because I was so relaxed and cozy, I didn't want to return to hot Bakersfield! However, when we got home, the weather was so nice here. Let's just cross our fingers that it stays that way!

One of the highlights of the trip for me was being able to introduce the kids to things they have never experienced or seen before, like the beauty of a sunset or swimming in an ocean where the seals are only twenty yards out! There was this protected area roped off down by the beach. I got to teach the kids that it is a protected area, because it is where the Snowy Plover birds come to nest. While teaching all this, I laughed, feeling like to true liberal tree hugging person that I am!

The kids really enjoyed themselves too, and when they got into their sleeping bags at night, they were out like a light within a few minutes! I slept like a baby the whole time too, of course it helps when I have my air mattress! I am really looking forward to going back next summer, and Steve and I have been talking about making this campground our Labor Day tradition!

Thanks, My Fairy Godmother!

So, I was doing homework with Ethan yesterday, and I started opening the mail. In there was a huge surprise. I was immediately brought to tears, as I realized that I must have a Fairy Godmother! Some people are so thoughtful, and as I sat there speechless, in utter confusion and awe, I realized there would never be enough words to express my thanks and appreciation! I just do not know what to say. Except thanks, a million time over. Whoever you are, your sacrifice has been much appreciated. I can't even express in words my feelings....I could go on forever about this thoughtfulness, but I do not think that there is enough tribute that I could give.

So, this weekend we are going camping. Yes, the Smith Family is actually getting out of Bakersfield! I know, it is a miracle. I have been looking forward to this trip forever, (and Steve and I had actually had decided that we couldn't go.....up until yesterday.) I haven't even told the kids we were going, because we have had to cancel too many outing lately, and I cannot handle the disappointment on their faces. So, as an extra surprise, while the kids are at Pappa and Grandma's on Friday, I am going to pack the truck and get everything ready. When they come home on Saturday morning, I am going to tell them that we are going on a drive, so hurry up and get into the truck. Then, when we finally get out of Bakersfield, I'll surprise them with the news. I can't wait to see the look on their faces, or hear the excitement in their voices! So, whomever made this possible, I pay tribute and give you a huge Thank You!!!!

So, as for another thought.....I just have to say that I feel so lucky and blessed to have such a wonderful husband. Not only is Steve a hard worker, but he has always pulled his weight around the home. I think there is nothing more sexy than a man who will change diapers, cook, and whom isn't afraid to fold laundry! Oh yeah, and vacuum, clean bathrooms, help kids with their homework, mow the lawn, wash the cars....etc Anyways, Steve has been nothing but supportive of me lately in my quest to beat this lame autoimmune disease that has taken over my body. He has literally done everything he can to make sure that my environment is stress free. I haven't cooked a dinner in over a week! He never complains, and at the end of the evening, he always finds time to massage my aching muscles, give me a foot rub, and tuck me in goodnight. I am so lucky and blessed! Oh yeah, and he even reads the Twilight series, (more than once) so we can have some good discussions. Anyways, I love you Steve, and appreciate you more than I can say. Oh yeah, did I mention how sexy I think he is? LOL!!!

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school. The boys were so excited that they didn't even finish their breakfast. They are so ready to go back to school, and have learned not to say, "I'm bored!" around me, cause I put them to work! Gavin will have quite an adjustment going from kindergarten to first grade, and being at school for more than just four hours. Ethan was a bit hesitant as he entered his new classroom. I think he has some anxiety about a new teacher.

We walk to school always on the first day, and usually after that until it gets too cold for Averi and Wyatt. I enjoy doing this, because it always gets me up and going in the morning.

As for me....well, I had...lets just call it a little breakdown on Sunday. With these health problems I have been having, I have been doing really good about staying away from certain foods, mainly caffeine, MSG, and chocolate (even though that has been the toughest). However, I still haven't managed to learn how to stay away from stress. These last two weeks, since I started my medicine, I have felt pretty well, except for an MSG incident, and I have been out of pain for the first time in four months! It has been so nice. So, on Saturday, Steve and I started talking bills, life, etc, and I immediately started stressing out. Pain started shooting down my arms and legs, and lasted through the sleepless night, along with a major headache. On Sunday, I skipped church to get some rest and try to overcome this episode. I ended up throwing up a PB&J, immediately looking to see if I had eaten any MSG, which I hadn't. I tell you...these autoimmune disease are weird! Anyways, it was one fun two days for me. I am feeling better now. I just have to master stress! And anyone who knows me, knows I am ornery enough to learn how!