Our present life

We are currently living in Manteca, California away from the cold winters of Chicago. We moved to California almost 4 years ago and started this blog in an attempt to keep in touch with our family and friends in Chicago or elsewhere. We miss everyone from the midwest but we love those who have become part of our life in California. Kevin is a teacher at Ripon Christian High. He also coaches girls volleyball and soccer and stays busy playing the sports he loves as well. Janey is a nurse 2 days a week and a mom the rest. She works at DMC on the pediatrics floor. Mason (5) and Talen (2) are growing daily and loving life! Enjoy our blog and follow us if you like!

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Birthday Boy!

On Friday we celebrated our Talen's 3rd birthday!! Hard to believe he's three already. We had a fun little party friday morning with his friends.  Talen wanted a tractor party and a tractor cake, he's a little obsessed with tractors. Every time he sees my dad he asks to have a ride on the tractor and he even asks Papa in Chicago for a ride on his tractors when we skype.  Here's a few pics of the party, judging by the smiles on his face, I think he had a pretty good day:)

The spread, complete with a bulldozer truck and sand pudding.



Pin the boulder on the bulldozer
 
Buddies


 Happy 3rd Birthday Talen!! You've grown so much this year! Your vocabulary seems to get bigger every day.  You've learned so many new songs and ryhmes from storyhour this year and even made a couple little buddies without my assistance.  You've mastered the potty (not an easy task;).  And you always seem to make us laugh.  Your personality is so different from your brother with your goofy grins and silly expressions.  You play so well independently, yet you always look forward to your brother coming home from school so you can play with him.  I love how you still like to cuddle with your mommy in the mornings and I love listening to your prayers, that seem to go on forever, at bedtime.  I'm so thankful for the gift you are to us and I can't wait to see what new things you learn this year, we love you so much Talen!



Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Surprise Getaway

 Two weekends ago Kevin surprised all of us with a short little getaway for the night.  Friday afternoon he came home, sent me to get Mason from a birthday party and packed the boys bags for the night!  When I got home the car was packed and all I had to do was pack my own bag before we left.  He had booked a room in San Jose and found a few fun things to do while we were there. We got to SanJose a little after dinner time and walked around Santana Row - a nice outdoor shopping center.  We got some icecream and walked in a few stores.  Then the next day we got breakfast and headed to the San Jose Children's Museum.  It was such a fun place for the boys.  We had a hard time peeling Talen away from the fire engine. They also had a cool water area which the boys loved and an exibit on fossils that Mason enjoyed.  We headed home around noon since I had to work later that day, but it was such a fun little trip.  Kev did a great job surprising us all!

Waiting, somewhat patiently, for the doors to open:)

Firemen in training

                                                                        
The bubbles exibit

 
 
The water exibit