Beach Time

Here is Jorden and Sierra playing ball. JJ is the pitcher with Axel helping.

Here is our "parking spot" Kim and I enjoyed the sun, me a little too much.

Gunnar learned how to use the skim board. He did really well.

Here are 5 of the 8 clowns. Gunnar, Jorden, Michael, Bailey, and Sierra.

Gunnar and Michael racing the waves.

The Bunkers

At the end of our Spring Break we got some surprise visitors. JJ's best friend from high school, Jamon came down and we got together for a few days. It is so fun because their kids are the same ages as all of ours. Some even to the day. Here is Axel and Jackson hanging out on the skateboard. They thought they were so cool

This is Jorden, Jackson and Sierra.

Jayden and Michael

Bailey and Sierra

Trip to Arizona

We took advantage of spring break this year and went to Arizona to visit my brother Brian and his family. It was so much fun. They have a park right out their front door so my children were in heaven. Jorden was feeling a little under the weather so he spent most of his time on the swing.
Here is Bryce and Michael. Bryce loved having Michael play with him on the slide.
And here are two of the three babies all born with in days of each other. (See my January post of 2008) These two, Axel and Bryce are actually the two twins. They were born the same day, only hours apart and a few states too. These two where so fun together. They would hold hands and walk to the park together. It was fun to see them interact. We can't wait for AJ to come this way and get all three together.
Here is my niece Brynnly. I had so much fun getting to know her. And having her get to know me. Right here she is singing, "I love you, I love you, I love you," I loved it!!! She loves anyone who will sit and push her on the swing till she decides she is done. Which honestly I don't know if she would ever be done.
And here is a picture of the boys playing hoop with Uncle Brian and Aunt Tiffany. Okay Tiffany is just watching but they all had so much fun. Brian and Tiff, thanks so much for taking us in and letting us mess up your home. We had so much fun and can't wait to see you again.

Two wheel bike rider

It is official, Jorden can now ride a two wheel bike. It only took him a few tries and a lot of cries, (I know what you are thinking, Jorden, cry? No that just doesn't ever happen!!) But he finally mastered it. And thanks to Gunnar and our neighbor Bryce he can now start all by himself too. We are so proud of him.

More Baseball

As you can see baseball is a family affair. Many of Michael's games are at night. It gets pretty cold. (50 degrees out here) We all bundle up and enjoy the game. Most of JJ's family lives in our same town so they come bundle up with us. This is my brother-in-law Todd and my neice Eva. That face is saying, "Why did you bring me out here in the cold again? And at my bedtime?"
Oh so cute. This is JJ's sister Michele with JJ and Jorden.
And the rest of the troopers, Gunnar, Axel, cousin Reese, and Jorden.

Pinewood Derby 2009

Here we are at our second Pinewood Derby. Well Michael and JJ took first place this year. It was really fun. I have to say that this year JJ did a great job with having Michael help with the car. Michael picked the design, he wanted Bumblebee the Transformer and then he sanded and painted the car along with having the responsibility of spinning the wheels enough so that they would spin for a total of at least 25 seconds.
Here it is coming down the track at break necking speed. He took all of the heats that day until he raced his Grandpa's (Poppy) car. (JJ's dad joined us for the fun) Well Poppy's car smoked us. So now we have something to aspire to for next year.

Baseball Season is back

We are smack dab in the middle of baseball season. Originally I signed up thinking how hard can it be. We might have one practice a week for the older boys and then 3 games on Saturday, no big deal. Little did I know what I was getting myself into!!! I have 1 to 2 practices a week per child plus 2 games a week per child. Yes we are all baseball. The worst part about it however is that the coaches all have decided, (I do think they have conspired together) to have practices all at the same time, same day, and in completely different locations. This gives a new meaning to Taxi Mom for sure.

The boys do love playing though and Axel is a trooper to hang out at the ball parks with me. Michael is playing for the Texas Rangers. Here he is right before hitting the ball out of the park. Okay so it wasn't out of the park but he hit a pretty good one.






Gunnar is playing for the Chicago Cubs. He absolutely loves is and is doing really well. Isn't this a great shot of him. He looks so "mean and serious", yeah right, just looking at this picture makes you smile.








And last but not least here is Jorden. He is playing for the Oakland Athletics. Yes the A's!!! He loves that he gets to play baseball just like his brothers. And I have to say his hand/eye coordination is pretty good too. He just might out-do his brothers.

Pay It Forward

Pay It Forward...My friend Misty is playing a game on her blog and I decided to do it too. So this is how it works - The first 3 people to leave a comment on this (my) post will receive a hand made gift from me during this year. When and what will be a surprise. There's a small catch...You knew there would be didn't you? Post this on your blog then come back and leave a comment, telling me you're in. Fun, huh? Remember, only the first 3 comments receive the gift. Come on! You know you want something from me!!

I apologize for having gone missing from the blogging world. We have been busy, busy, busy. But this should catch you all up a little. We are doing well and still miss our friends in Ohio.

Here is Gunnar saying his line in his program. He said "Shawl on his shoulders, letters in his hat, that is Abraham Lincoln, and that is that." We were so proud of him. He memorized it in no time and loved being on stage with all the attention on him. It was a really cute program and very entertaining.

The boys got this ramp from Grandma and Papa for Christmas. Michael is mastering the art of bike jumping. Isn't this impressive? Look at the air he is getting on this jump!!! He was so excited that he actually got up off the ramp that he insisted I take a picture for proof. So here is the proof.








Axel just being cute. That is what he does best. He wanted to ride his bike just like Michael.













Gunnar and Jorden just hanging around. I love that we have trees in our yard. My boys would be lost without them. I think every boy should have a good tree to climb.

Here is my cutie pie, this is where we find him the most. He has learned to climb on everything but his most favorite is on the table. Now if I could just get him to get into his seat all by himself. That would make one less thing for me to do. Oh well. But doesn't he look cute???

In January the scouts had a wonderful opportunity to walk the Mormon Battalion Trail here in Temecula. They had stops along the way to tell them about it. They even got these cool rifles to carry through the hike. Michael came home very tired but he had a good time. JJ went also but was the picture guy so you don't get to see him decked out in his scout gear. We have definitely become a scouting family.

Well our Michael turned 9 and still toothless as ever he is growing up so fast. We can't believe he is 9 already. We sure love him. He is the best big brother anyone could ever ask for.

Our Christmas and New Year were great this year. We got to spend it visiting lots of family and playing a lot. We even got to celebrate my Grandpa's 80th birthday smack dab in the middle of all the fun. At this time of the year I would be truly remised if I didn't say how thankful I am for all the things I have been blessed with. A great job, renters for our Cleveland Summer Home, four wonderful boys, a home to live in, food to eat, and a great family. What more could anyone ask for or need. (A girl? maybe?) (No I am not making an announcement!!!!) Any way we hope all of your holidays were great too. Happy New Year!!!

Santa delivered a trampoline this year and the boys have been on it every day since. I love this picture of the three boys. They love each other so much. I am so grateful for that. What better friends can one have then their brothers.

Christmas Morning

Christmas Eve

We let the boys open one present on Christmas Eve. This year Axel go two books. It was fun to watch him actually open up his present.











The boys got Bionicles. They loved it.














Here are all the cousins waiting for the go sign so that they could open there presents.

Me and my honey on Christmas Eve














Jorden playing the wiseman in the Nativity play. I just loved this picture, check out those ears.













Here is JJ with his gorgeous sisters. It was fun to see all of them.

Cousins

My sister Kim and her son AJ came to visit and stay until Christmas. Axel and AJ are 2 days apart. They had so much fun stealing each others toys. But I do think they really liked each other. How fun to have cousins your age. We did miss having the third baby of our trio here with us, little Bryce. But we will see him soon.