Family Bday Party

We hosted the June/July birthday party for Brett's family this year, which meant Poppy, James and Bryce were the stars of the show. We had a BBQ dinner with lots of outdoor playtime including another dry bounce house day and later some good bike riding time in the court. And then ice cream cake to top it all off. The big hit were the stomp rocket launcers that soar up about 200 feet in the sky--everyone wanted to get their big try at that one.







I get to be honored with the big boys today, yeah.




It is time for wet cousin madness!

I think I'm the one in charge here, I'm holding the hose!

Bryce's 4th Birthday Party

Bryce ate up all the attention that came his way on his long awaited birthday party. He picked the theme as Star Wars Lego. Joy made another great cake with big lego pieces of cake supporting little Star Wars lego guys having a battle. He had a group of his friends over for some lego party games (timed putting legos together team competition, relay races with legos, shooting foam darts to knock down lego towers, and lego tower building competitions) and play time in the bounce house. Because the weather was an ideal 80s, it was deemed a little too "cool" to put water in the bounce house. This also made Brett very happy because clean up of the dry bounce house is about 10x shorter than the wetter version!






Garrett served as marketing director of advertisement for the party.






Drew and Griffin take aim and fire balls at the unsuspecting photographer.






I'm just having a little meal with my friends Garrett, Noah, Cade, and Will.






Wow, great towers you guys, good job!






Ready, set go, copy this picture with your pieces of legos.






Swinging with Cade, somehow he keeps his shoes on...mine don't know how to stay on?






I'm crazy silly about all this attention.

The whole crew for the party...Griffin (far left) now wants to know when his birthday is...long time away...cry!

Another cake for Bryce and goodbye to a good friend

Bryce didn't mind sharing a little glory on his birthday with Big Jon, who was about to take a trip to Virginia where he was going to check out east coast living for a while . It was sad to say goodbye to a good friend, but we know that we will see again and stay in touch. So we had a wonderful dinner of some authentic mexican food prepared by Josh and Sam and good times hanging out and sharing some more stories while the kids entertained themselves.






Everybody is decorating their cupcakes...where did mine go?






I just wanna make sure that you all know that I get one of the big cakes while you guys can fight over those little cupcakes!






Oh yeah this IS good.

Garrett did you position yourself so that you were surrounded by girls?

4th of July

We had a window of opportunity on July 4th to celebrate as a family and so we took advantage of the four hour window that Brett wasn't working or sleeping to have a great BBQ and enjoy some fireworks in the daylight. Garrett was so proud this year, he saved up some money and bought some of his very own fireworks to try out this year. Of course he just had to get the Wolf Packs which is what Uncle Aaron had showed him how to use on our Pennsylvannia trip. Joy and the boys whipped up some fabulous jello and Scott provided a great BBQ spread. What an action packed afternoon. In the morning, Joy and the boys made a trip downtown to watch the annual holiday parade.






Scott, Jill, and Lauryn joined us for some BBQ and fireworks.






Daddy, I think this would've looked better at night when it is dark.






Mommy helped out so that Griffin didn't try to put it in his mouth...






Sparklers, just like in the old days.






Now this is a cool firework, it looks like a gun!






When asked later why he lacked a smile at the parade, Griffin said he had no recollection of such actions.






We got a good front row seat for the parade, sometimes it pays to be small and cute.






I've got my lollipop and I'm ready to watch some fireworks.






We made sure our curbside was nicely patriotic.

July 2011

July was a wonderful summer month. Bryce finally got to celebrate his fourth birthday! At the beginning of the month we adopted another cat and named him Theo. I should say we were adopted by another cat, but then once we took him in to be neutered, I guess we officially adopted him and he didn't run away. We celebrated our summer family birthdays at our house. Garrett finished up his Junior Giants season, both boys completed swimming lessons, and Bryce went to his very first VBS. We were home a lot which meant that we spent time outside, worked on projects, and enjoyed the weather.

Street Hockey

We decided to play some street hockey during the Stanley Cup finals, so that we could try and bury our disappointment of the Sharks losing in the Western Conference Finals for the second straight year. Well all the boys took to the street and even Mommy came out and joined us for a little passing, shooting, and scoring exhibition. Garrett likes defending the goal and keeps petitioning for some goalie gear...we'll see.






Get this puck outta here, you're not scoring on me!



I'm about to wind up for my slap shot.





I've got the best stick...No, I have the best stick...wanna trade?






Daddy tried to use his long reach to poke check the puck away from me, but I'm still not gonna let him get the puck.

Clear out, Daddy is shooting!

Daddy just disappeared, where did he go, his stick is here, but he just vanished...

GOOOAAAALLLLL!!

My slap shot isn't so bad either.

SF Giants

We took advantage of a day off together that had been planned since December when we purchased Giants tickets through a special ticket release and made a day of it in San Francisco. The Giants were playing the Washington Nationals and they came out on the winning side when Matt Cain threw a complete game victory. Bryce and Griffin enjoyed hitting in the mini-AT&T Park while Garrett played defense in the outfield (he's too tall to get to hit). Then we drove down the Embarcadero to have some Boudin soup and sandwiches and a nice stroll to the beach and good views of the Golden Gate Bridge. What an action packed, family-filled day it was.



Always one there is who has to make a sad face for a family picture...he's also the wet one.

Daddy, do you know what you're encouraging us to do at this point? We are going to get wet, and then we are going to fall down and get really wet, do you really want to do that?

We love to play in the sand...can we go to Hawaii again?

Yes we can!

We're always up for seeing historical military vessels! This was a cool American submarine...maybe we'll get to go inside next time?

Can you fit me inside this little box?

Mmmm, bread bowl soup, Daddy, I will share one with you anytime!

Showin' that Mommy and I are united as Giants fans, even if my favorite player, Buster Posey can't play because he is hurt.

We're all smiles with Daddy at the ballgame, of course the "peanuts and crackerjacks," help too.

I'm happy and I know it, so I will smile!

Griffin surprised the workers with his line drive laser right back at the pitcher.

Come on, give me a pitch to hit, I'm ready!

I put my entire effort into each of my swings, going for the fences.

Did you want to interview the two stars?

I'm just waiting for someone to hit the ball out here to me...of course Daddy forgot to bring my glove, so I've got to do it barehanded, he said it will build character, but I think I just don't look as cool.