Disneyland

Our family cleans JJ's office each week and instead of paying a cleaning service our family gets paid to do it. We put the money in a special savings account and then use it for a family vacation. This is something my parents did while I was growing up and I love doing it with my kids now. Well we set a goal to earn enough money to go to Disneyland, and after a few months they did it. We took the 3 older boys and they had a great time. They all went on every ride, even the fast ones and for the most part they all loved it. In fact they can't wait to go again.

Jedi Training

The boys couldn't wait to go to the Jedi Academy and train to be Jedi's. It was really fun. Here are Michael and Gunnar fighting Darth Maul. They did a fabulous job and one again Darth Vader walked away without bringing over any young Jedi's to the dark side.

Happy Birthday Jorden

9 months old and loving the beach.

Yes he still has the dog.

No matter how many times you are told or how many children you have, they grow up so fast and I still can't believe how time flies. As I looked back through his pictures I just couldn't help but wonderer where all this time has gone. Jorden is now 5 and I must say, for the most part, completely wonderful. He is full of personality and completely stubborn, but we sure do love him.

Happy Birthday Axel

Here he is coming home from the hospital. It is hard to believe it has been 2 years already.

Always a happy baby!!

I just loved this picture. When he puts these on, he walks in the room and says, "howdy y'all". He learned that from Gunnar. I just think it is so cute.

And here is the birthday boy, 2 years old.

Halloween 2009

The tooth fairy appeared yet again this year. He gave out tooth brushes to all the adults that came trick or treating. He is such a trooper. All for the cause!!!

Here are the boys, Michael-Optimus Prime, Jorden-Bumblebee, Axel-Tigger, and Gunnar-Wolverine. They had a great night and love the most that mom has let them use their costumes for dress ups. Axel of course had to be bribed with candy just to put on the costume, but doesn't he look cute?

Luau 2

Here we are at the PCC enjoying some good eats and great entertainment.

Everyone needs a picture with he who needs dum dum's.

This was by far our favorite part. The fire dancers!! They lite knifes on fire and put on a great show.

The Crazy Man's Hike

So my cousin Steve and his wife Jenny told us about this great hike in Hawaii. Here are the particulars, first you must leave your house at 5:00 in the morning so as to get to the base of the hike before the guard comes. Apparently you can't go on this hike if the guard is there but he doesn't mind if he sees you on your way back down. Second be ready to get the quad and calf work out of your life. This is an old Military lookout that they place metal steps all the way up the ridge of the mountain. If you have ever had the desire to walk "straight up" a mountain, this is the hike for you. We literally walked straight up at certain times climbing the stairs as though they were a ladder.

This is at the very top, JJ, Steve, and Michelle (Jenny's sister) didn't think the top of the mountain was high enough.

Here is the gang that made it. JJ, me, Stefany, Steve, Jenny, and Michelle. No that is not a bra on the top of my shirt, that is the only dry spot on my shirt. Yes I sweat a lot. Apparently this was one of the only days on the windward side of O'ahu that didn't have wind. I have never sweat this much before.

This is a picture from the freeway showing the ridge we hiked up. You can vaguely see the stairs to the right of the lamp post and follow it up the ridge.

Yosemite 1

We spent a week in Yosemite with JJ's sister Michele's family and their mom. It was so much fun. The boys loved to camp and climb on all the broken down trees. We hiked to some beautiful water falls and really had a great time. We can't wait to go back.

Yosemite 1

Gunnar jumping from a tree stump. Oh what grace!! Behind him you can see the tent cabins we stayed in. They come equipped with beds and a night stand. Talk about luxury.
Here is Axel chasing a squirrel. He wanted to catch it so bad. The squirrels were so used to people that they would get quite close to you.

Here is Axel's main stay while we hiked around Yosemite.

All the cousins, Wyatt, Michael, Gunnar, Alli, and Jorden

Yosemite 1 (Half Dome)

So my sister in-law thought it would be a great idea to hike up to the top of Half Dome. I don't know what I was thinking but after 8 mile of stair climbing just to get to the base and then facing death to get to the top, I have to say this was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I actually can't wait to do it again.
Here is a picture of Half Dome from the almost base. Yes I say almost because this is the worst part of the hike yet. We still had climb more stairs and do a lot of little switch backs just to get half way up.
I just had to have a picture by this sign. Why do we not read and obey them?? I am with my brother in-law, Lance, sister in-law, Michele, (the one with the great idea) and Nephew, Wyatt.
Here is the picture of Half Dome from our camp. I still can't believe I hiked to the top.
Now here is the "half way" spot looking at the cables that you hold on to for dear life to climb to the top of Half Dome. Yes I really did do it and yes I can't wait to do it again. Thanks Michele.

Brian and Tiffany came for a quick visit and we thought it only appropriate that while we had all the cousins in one place we should take advantage of it and grab some pictures. Here are the 3 triplet boys. All born within two days of each other. Bryce on the left, then AJ, then Axel. They are turning two already and it is hard to believe.

Oh aren't they cute!!

Here is the famous cousin line up.

The one and only shot with all of their faces showing. Back Row: Jorden, Brynnly, Aiden;
Front Row: Bryce, Axel, Michael, Gunnar, Chace, Elliot, and AJ. What a cute bunch of Cousins!!

Lake Tulloch

Our last trip of the summer was with my family to Lake Tulloch. This has become a highlight trip for our family. My parents rented a house on the lake and we all stayed there except my brother and his family. They said something about having a baby about that time so they passed on the trip. I guess we will let it slide then. My cousin Michele and her family stayed with us too, which was totally fun to meet them and play. We swam, ate, tubed, skied, wakeboarded, knee boarded, had water fights, played diaper ball, (don't ask), jumped off rocks and the deck of the house, put up a rope swing off the house and found a rope swing out on the lake. We were so busy and had so much fun we can't wait till next time.

Yosemite 2

While at Lake Tulloch we took a day trip over to Yosemite. We wanted to show my family how beautiful it was.

JJ climbing all the way through the toppled over Sequoia

The Whole Clan

Lake Tulloch

Jorden demonstrating his new skill on the knee board. As you can see he has learned how to hold on to the "big kid rope"

Michael the knee boarding king.

Yes, even I went in the water this year. Check out that rooster tail. I am amazing.

Gunnar waving to the crowd. He just got his cast off the day before we went so he had to take it easy and only use the knee board with the rope connected. (We promised the doctor we would "take it easy")

Look Mom no hands!!!