Take Me Out to the Ballgame

We got to go with Jafta and India to their first Angels game. We all had such a great time. Jafta was a little sad that he couldn't go play on the field. Mark took about a million pictures so I hope they post some.
Tanner and I wore red to support the Angels and Kipp wore green with an A's hat to support Oakland (shout out to Di). Tanner had a great time but he had a little freak out during the fireworks.
We were so busy having fun with the 3 kids that I didn't get a picture of all of us. My mom held India most of the time until she got her dance on. She loved cheering with everyone. I think she had the most fun.

We headed out at 9:30 and saw the fireworks from Disneyland on our walk out. Those didn't scare Tan because he couldn't hear how loud they were. It was the perfect ending to a great night.

Starting Fresh

I know a lot of you parents are excited that school is starting next week and I am excited too. As some of you know my mom and I share a teaching contract so she is in the classroom for 1/2 the week and I am there the other 1/2. Today we spent the day setting our classroom up. This is the 3rd year I have been in the same room but there is something magical about setting it up at the beginning of the year. I love that teaching unlike many other jobs has a clear beginning point and an ending point.

As a teacher you are fresh and excited for the new year. The room is clean and filled with bright colors. It's like the room is just waiting for twenty 6 year olds to come in and begin to learn. The possibilities are endless.

Happy Back to School everyone. Here's to a great year.

A Fine Flight

So many of you gave me great ideas for a fine flight. Rule #1: Bring your mom. My mom was the best and she has never ending patience with Tanner. Here are a few things that worked for us...
Tanner got 2 new books. I wrapped them up as gifts and he loved opening them and reading them for the first time.
Of cource we has softie and magenta along for the flight. Kipp had bought Tanner a DVD player that was worth every cent. He did not move for 30 minutes.
You can see in the background that he has a milk cup and a cup for apple juice. We also brought a bunch of his favorite treats.

My mom brought a flash light that was fun for Tanner when all the lights were off. She also brought a special book with Tanner's name on it. He put stickers in it and colored in it.
Tanner loved opening and closing the window shade. He must have done it 100 times. He also loved taking a trip to the bathroom to wash his hands and look around. Over all it was a good flight. I wouldn't dream of flying alone with Tanner so big thanks to my mom and thank you for all of your tips!

A Busy Week

13 people
1 family
1 house
1 HOT week
We had such a fun week up at Michael and Jodie's house. Here are a few pictures that give you an idea of all the things we did on our trip. The first several days it was very warm, but the second to last day it rained! Here are the 5 cousins in PJ's and a Batman suit. These 5 kids have a love for one another that should be an example to all of us. They bring each other great joy.
My brothers and I at the First Starbucks ever. We all enjoyed a cool drink on a hot day.

We went shopping in Pike's Market and the kids were troopers. The boys and Alex got a kick out of all the fish. The fish scared Tanner a little bit.

It was so hot and as Mark as their example the boys took their shirts after dinner. Please look at India in her pink boa and 1 high heal.

Did I mention these kids love each other? Jafta wanted to do everything that Caleb was doing. On this day we packed lunch and played by the water in Kirkland.
Tanner finally got to see the rain and he loved it. I played with him outside for a while then I left him on his own. He loved feeling the rain hit him on his head. Jafta kept telling us that the storm was coming. We were just happy to have a break from the heat.

On A Walk In Washington

We have recovered from an amazing trip to Washington. The first day we saw Jen, Sydney and Kipp's Aunts. So this was our first full day with our family in Washington. Mark and Kristen got in late the night before so they slept in while we went for a morning walk. Alex and Caleb loved showing us the trail.

We walked through the forest for a while until we came to the clearing. It was called the Pipeline and as we walked we could see people's farms. The kids loved the animals.

We had so much fun and I will continue to post and show pictures of our trip.

Tanner's Frist Date

It was love at first sight! Last week Tanner met his new love interest. Sydney is 6 weeks old and I think Tanner reminded her of another wild toddler that she lives with.

Jen drove hours to meet us at a beautiful Burger King! We stayed there for a long time. For me this is the new fine dinning. I would rather eat here with Tanner than at a nice place. He is such a monkey and loves to climb around.
Jen looks great and I loved all of the advice on how to handle things with 2 kids. I saw Jen about 5 months ago and it was so good to see here again. There is something so warm about being with an old friend. Jen and I met in 1996 and my life has been blessed by her ever since.
So Tanner is a smooth guy. For their first date they just met for drinks. He likes to keep it casual.


It is hard to remember how small babies start out. I can't believe that we are going to have one of there around next year.
I may have said, Be gentle, to Tanner about 100 times. With Carson around I know that Sydney is used to some tough love.
I love how he is looking at her in this picture. These pictures will be fun to pull out 20 years from now when Tanner and Sydney really are good friends!
We love you Jen and Sydney!!

Our New Favorite Beach!!

We had a family beach day on Saturday at baby beach in Dana Point. Derek and Jackie came with us and had a blast. Kipp rented a stand up paddle board and we all took turns on it.
Tanner is getting another surf lesson from daddy. Dana Point has a big jetty so there are no waves at the beach. That is why it look like a lake. Tanner loved to play in the water and he wasn't afraid to walk right in. Kipp brought a boogie board that doubles as a Tanner size surfboard. Watch Tanner in the video below. You can hear him yell with delight. He almost loses it during one turn, but he holds on. Finally saying, "All done" at the end.

I need your help

Hi Mom friends.
Last fall Kipp and I fly to Boise to see Kelle and Aaron with baby Tanner. Tanner was 7 months old, he was crawling and pulling in but not walking. Our flight was pretty empty and we sat by a mom flying with her son who was around Tanner's age. So it was a fun and easy flight.

On Tuesday my mom and I are flying to Washington with 17 month old Tanner to see Michael, Jodie and the kids. We are so excited, but I need tips on flying with a monkey rather than a baby. I have a bunch of different snacks for the trip. I was wondering if anybody knows if I can bring juice boxes on the plane? Kipp is buying Tan a backpack leash so we can run him tired before we board the plane. We leave at 6 pm so he should be getting tired at that time.

This time we have to take his big daddy car seat too. Alright moms, please share what you have learned about flying. Thanks!

What a Man!

Let me start by saying that my husband rocks! I have been pretty sick this summer and Kipp really does everything in our home. He is teaching Tanner how to do it all too. Right now he is working on the floors while I update my blog. Here are some pictures of him in action.


He dusts too! What can I say, I have 2 great guys! Lucky me!!!

North Beach

Tanner loves being a local at North Beach. He loves this beach. He can do the slide all by himself! He had fun on the swings with his grandparents.


Hanging out in his beach chair. We are having a great summer. We hope you are too!!