Yah, it's been a year

Holy Moly.....
 
  Do I even remember how to do this?!?!  I know, I know, it has been about a year since I last updated this thing.  I guess that's what 4 kids will do to you.

  I will get some pictures etc up and running by next week and TRY, try, try, to be better at updating this like I used to.

Our 1st Camping Trip

Since Joe and I have gotten married, I have been really wanting to go camping during the summer like I used to as a kid.  Well those days finally arrived, and we took our 1st family camping trip.
  We camped with one of Joe's cousin's up by Twain Heart or Lake Don Pedro.  We had practiced camping in our backyard, so that the kids could get used to sleeping in a tent, which I think really helped them out. The road to get there was a very little one lane dirt road.  You had to use 4 wheel drive and go at a snails pace to get down the mountain.  There are no "designated" camping spots there, it's kinda whoever shows up.  We really we "roughing" it too.  No facilities, no trash cans....it was true camping at it's best!  We found a spot right next to the river and set up camp right next to it.  Even though we have a big 2 room tent, I ended up sleeping in another tent with Miles while Joe slept in the big tent with the other kids.
  All the kids played in the river ALL day.  We went for a creek walk which was so much fun.  I forgot how much I love doing all this stuff.  The kids were okay throughout the trip.  They had lots of fun, but also whined quite a bit.  I think it was pretty successful for their first time though.  Next year, I would love to go to Lake Shasta and camp there for a week or so!!

the river  

 the campsite. the trailer barely got down. lucikly they have good 4 wheel drive.

 my tan boy

3 months passed

The other day my little Miles turned 3 months old.  Sometimes I still can't believe I'm a mom of 4.  Miles, by far, is my easiest and best baby!  I'm trying to get him on a sleeping schedule, but this boy likes to sleep.  Everytime, I put him down for a nap, I think he will be up all night wanting to play, but it hasn't happened yet (knock on wood).  He usually takes 4 naps during the day and sleeps from 9:30-3:30 then wakes around 7 am.  Sometimes I bring him into bed with me for morning cuddles and he goes right back to sleep til about 8.

He is my first kid to not like the carseat at all.  In fact, that is really the only time he cries.  He is also my first kid to really love his mobile above his head in the crib.  He kicks and moves his arms all around and talks and smiles at it.  Super cute!

I think he is going to have strawberry blonde hair and blue eyes.  But its hard to say with the hair, he is pretty bald!!  I do see red in it though when I look at it!

 The picture above is my favorite picture ever!!! lol

 
I'm finally feeling pretty healed from the c-section, so I've been starting to get back into shape.  My 10 year high school reunion is coming up in November and I'd like to look pretty good for that! I'm doing a 30 day challenge thing and I've taken pictures, but I'm not sure if I want to post them on here yet.  I guess if it is a noticeable difference then I will!!!

Beach Day

Joseph has been asking me to go to the beach lately, so the other week, I took all 4 kids to the beach for some fun in the sun.  Joseph absolutely loves the ocean, and he was pretty brave out there, letting the waves crash against him!!  Luckily for me, we went the day that about 100 jr. lifeguards and lifeguards were being trained, so I felt really safe!!  Constance and Julian on the other hand, aren't big fans of the ocean, so they spent most of their time digging in the sand.  I of course am totally okay with that cause that means I only have to watch 1 in the water.

  (there's all the lifeguards in the background!!)

Joseph's volcano

 Julian is all about eating the sand.  He doesn't care at all, and I used to tell him no, but I eventually gave up.  It just makes for some sandy diapers for a few days!!  ha.

Gizdich Ranch

I must say, we are quite lucky to live so close to everything.  The mountains, the beach, Gizdich Ranch.....

Since it is berry season, I decided to take the 4 kiddos to pick some strawberries, boysenberries, and ollalliberries.  We started out in the strawberry field where there had the best looking strawberries I have ever seen.

Julian thought it was more fun to have the bucket on his head than it was to actually pick the berries!

I didn't get any pictures of us picking the boysenberries and ollalliberries, but basically I picked 5 lbs of berries by myself while the kids ate them!! :-)

When we got home I had my first jamming experience and boy was it fun!

For my first time, I'd say it was successful!  I also made Strawberry-passionfruit jam (the passionfruits were from our vine) which turned out pretty good too!!

Constance's Dance Recital

So, I'm a little late with this post, but back in June, Constance had her 2nd dance recital.  And I have to say she stole the show!!  She performed 2 dances, a tap dance, and a tumbling dance.

She did great and during the tumbling dance she picked her wedgie the whole time.  Don't worry, I got video of it!! :-)  I love how she doesn't have stage fright and loves to dance!

While waiting for her next dance, she noticed that if she talked into the fan it would make her voice sound funny.  It was the perfect thing to keep her entertained!

Busy

I will be getting all my pictures together and will post an abundance of photos for everyone to see.

It's been too long and I hope to get back into blogging regularly.....please be patient lol.