Sumer Fun with Friends 2011

This summer we were able to spend lots of time with friends while KC was back home in Monterey working. We went to the Wild Animal Park with the Schallocks. Darrin won tickets (he wins things all the time) and Devin invited us to use the extras. We had great weather and a fun day.

Preston stayed with us for a couple of days (to fill Seth's need to see him). We went to the park one day and had a great time.

We spent time with the McKameys playing at their house and then we ate at McDonald's. From the pictures...I'm not sure if the kids had more fun at the house or at McD's. It's always good to see them.

Summertime Fun 2011

Let summer time begin..... The kids were done with school. We knew we were moving into the PG Coast Guard Lighthouse house. KC had some time off this summer....things couldn't be better.

Starting at the bottom of the photos:

We met Grammie and Papa A at the awesome Santa Barbara zoo. It was a much bigger place then we expected and lots of cool things to see. Then, after we had lunch and a play day at the park with the Chase's in Santa Barbara. It was the first time they met Wyatt. The cousins love to get together and play.

Then at the end of June we took a road trip down to SD, over to the Meekers for some more cousin time and then out to New Mexico for Kursty and Colton's wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony in Phoenix and a wonderful reception in Deming. We all had lots of fun!

We headed back to SD where we celebrated 4th of July with the Grovers, Abby, Holly, the Suzy/Danny Nelson's and the Valdespinos. We had a BBQ and watched fireworks from the high school in Santee. A great day and night!!

Then, KC flew home to go back to work. He was back in Monterey for a couple of weeks but will return for the kids birthday party.

*Fun time at the SD Fair with the Valespino's. The kids love the animals and rides. We always have fun!

*Picture of Hanna in bucket at Grammie and Papa A's in the backyard having fun with the slip-n-slide.

*Picture below with the girls and 2 of the Pelton girls, Ruby and Sunny. Dress-up is so much fun!

End of Olson School Year June 2011

These are some pictures from the end of the school year activities at Olson. Cali's class did a fun "camp skeeter" where they got to do fun camp activities for a few days. Both Seth and Cali danced on the last day of school and we sat out on the lawn for lunch. The kids even got ice-cream sandwiches and that is what is all over Hanna's face. The last picture is Seth with his friend Braedon Schnute. Although we were not terrible fond of this school we did end on a high note and we will certainly miss Mrs Glenn (Cali's teacher) and Mrs Wood (Seth's teacher).

My Little Helpers

Seth and Cali took a big interest in wanting to learn how to take care of Hanna and Wyatt after bath time. Cali wanted to help Hanna get dressed and Seth wanted to learn how to put a diaper on as well as his pajamas. It was so sweet and super helpful to me. Unfortunately, it only lasted about a week. Seth and Cali got tired of wrestling with the little ones about getting dressed, etc. It was nice while it lasted.

Wyatt is Here!!! May 16, 2011

We started this journey last year in October when we got the phone call from mom and Jack that Tressa had another baby and that he was being put up for adoption. At that moment KC and I knew that we were his family. It didn't take much time to think about it and we asked if we could possibly be a candidate. The process started.....fingerprinting, home evaluation, background checks and paperwork. We were also waiting for parental rights to be terminated so that Wyatt could leave the county. Tressa and Tim still had visitation rights so he had to stay in San Diego. In the meantime, we visited him when we went to San Diego. He was always happy and interactive with us. Finally, May came and rights were completely terminated. His case worker personally drove him to us on May 16th. He adjusted so well and so quickly. He has always been a great napper and sleeps very well through the night. The only thing we had to work on was his eating. He was only eating baby food and drinking milk from a bottle. It took me a few days to eliminate the bottle but he did pretty well with the transition to a sippy cup. The solid food transition has taken some time. I am writing this entry in November and he still struggles with a few little issues with eating. All in all though he is a great eater, uses his fork most of the time and will try new things.

So, from May to November we have taken him to AZ and NM for Kursty's wedding and to meet the Knoop Clan. The kids and I spent the summer with mom and Jack where we got to see lots of friends, go to the Wild Animal Park, celebrate Cali and Seth's birthdays and much more. We then moved into the CG Pacific Grove house by the Pt Pinos Lighthouse. What an amazing experience it has been....a better school, neighborhood, location, view, etc. We took a Nor Cal road trip and saw lots of big trees. Wyatt is blending right in and getting comfortable with us. He has been a joy to our family and a wonderful addition. The adventures will continue!!

Pictures: Wyatt learning to eat table food, Hanna pushing Wyatt in the swing, the Chases and Knoops in Santa Barbara with Grammie and Papa Anderson and Wyatt's 2 year old pictures.

Seth & Cali at their Spring Sings

Thanks to our awesome Olson Music teacher Mrs Pelton (also a close friend) the kids were able to perform some fun songs. Seth's class did patriot songs and Cali's class did the "Sound of Music" songs. They were 2 separate nights and both a lot of fun. Cali is standing with Kelly Pelton.

Child Labor Laws??? We don't listen to those in this house.

Hanna is becoming quite the little helper and I LOVE it. She is always willing to help with something. Here she is putting away the utensils (in her favorite outfit) and vaccuuming the stairs (don't hate me because our rose colored carpet is sooo pretty). Thanks Hanna for keeping the house so clean.