Kayaking

On Saturday we went kayaking courtesy of our friend Richard Traynor. It was such a great time. Jarod took us all on several turns, and his sore arms the next day were proof. It was such a blast. It was difficult to convince Jack that we had to be done when it was time to go home. The kids loved it, and it was great to get out and do something new and fun as a family. A BIG shout out to Richard for letting us monopolize his time on a Saturday afternoon, and letting us use his kayak!

I gave Jack a turn with my oars. He was dying to hone his rowing skills.

Brother Traynor was nice enough to take Carly and Josh on a turn in the lake.

I love this smile.

All my boys

It was such a beautiful day. I had a hard time turning around in the kayak to take pictures. I was sure I would tip us all over into the water if I turned anymore. This isn't a great picture, being that they are cut off, but I just loved Carly's smile. She was having so much fun. While we were waiting to have a turn, the kids and I were playing with the water guns we brought. Carly was very brave to get into the COLD water and swim around a little also. We had all the kids put their swim suits on in case they wanted to play in the water. Jarod had debated about putting his on, but decided against it. As we were getting out of the kayak for the last time, his flip flop got stuck and he fell full on into the lake. I couldn't stop laughing. Ah the irony. We were both just glad he had taken his phone and wallet out of his pocket before beginning our adventure.

All in all, it was a perfect day. There's nothing better than having new adventures as a family. Life is sweet.

Junior Firemen

Yesterday a group of us went to the fire station to take a tour and have a picnic. The boys had a great time. Josh has consistently told me that he wants to be a paleontologist when he grows up, but yesterday he was torn after spending the day around the fire trucks.

Josh is attaching the hose to the fire hydrant.

Everyone got a turn to spray water from the fire hose.

We even got to take a ride in the fire engine. I think Josh's smile says it all. We had a great time!

Father and Sons

Jarod had been looking forward to the Father and Sons camp out with our church for months. The last time he went Josh got sick, and made a mess of the tent, etc., and they ended up coming home at 2 in the morning. Needless to say, he was a little nervous when it came time to leave with two boys this time, and we had had a bout of stomach flu in our home that week.

Jarod's dad went with them this year, and so he was privileged enough to sit in the vomit stenched car after Jack got sick on the way up the mountain. Jarod was able to clean things up enough to make it to the camp with the windows rolled down, and everyone was feeling fine once they arrived. It was a good time for the boys to be with their dad and grandpa. They weren't exactly prepared for the primitive nature of the camp, so after having to 'go' like men in the woods, Jarod was running out of changes of clothes for the boys. All in all they had an enjoyable time. The only real snafu of the whole experience was when everyone was leaving the camp, and they had to drive their cars through a ditch/creek to get back on the road. Jarod's car was damaged, and now he's pimpin' it in his own minivan rental while his car is repaired.

We are excited for next year!!

Baby Shower

While we were in Utah my sister in law Kathleen hosted a baby "sprinkle" for me. She is very talented and crafty, so it turned out super cute! I had a great time. She found some boy-ish stencil ideas, and she and my brother spent many hours getting them ready for onsie painting. It was such a cute idea. The stencils were cut out on freezer paper, which we ironed onto the onsies. A little fabric paint later, and now I have some fun onsies for baby boy...that's right, we still haven't settled on a name yet. Maybe something will stick in the next ten weeks.

T-Ball

We are getting excited for summer! Josh is participating in a 9 week T-ball program, and when we arrived at the first practice, Jarod was roped into being coach. They are having a great time with it so far!

He had fun playing catch with Daddy waiting for practice to start.

At his first game, Josh hit the ball, ran and picked it up, and carried it to first base. Priceless.

I'll Give This Another Try

(Swim lessons in Texas...they were a hit!)

As a close friend of mine pointed out, I'm coming up on the year mark for my last post. She suggested I rededicate myself to the blog on the anniversary of my last appearance here. I've decided to do that in the form of pictures. Our year has been very eventful, including a move from Texas to California for a job completely unrelated to Jarod's previous job, and the anticipated arrival of our fourth child due to make HIS debut this July. We have been very busy and extremely blessed this year.

Carly's dance recital...we were so proud!!

Josh turned 4

Jarod and I took a day trip to Santa Cruz while we were in California settling on a place to live before our move.

We spent my birthday in California and ate BBQ at Bubba's, where I braved the mechanical bull ride.

My parents helped me drive the kids to California and get settled in our home while Jarod was in NY for job training. We spent 6 weeks without him, and he was sorely missed.

We stopped in a couple places to get desert pictures for my mom's 1st grade unit on the subject. The breaks from driving were welcomed.

We had a visit to Ventura Beach. Jack was content to stay by me in the chairs. I didn't make it into the water because I had a fever that day. It was fun to watch the kids play with Daddy in the water and sand.

The water is COLD here in California.

Carly preparing to go to her first day of school! I admit it...I got misty eyed. I'm so proud of her. She is such a good little student.

We are posed in front of General Sherman, the largest living organism.

Cute kids, huh?

The kids were expressing a little distress while we were posing for this picture. I finally realized that we had disturbed a bee hive...We were quick to get down after the camera clicked.

There was a county fair, and we enjoyed looking at all the animals. The kids can name all the products we get from cows now.

Petting the goats

Using the hand pump

Little fireman

It was getting really hot.

Carly turned six! We went to Dewar's on her birthday and opened family gifts there.

She had a birthday party in the park, and she had invited a few friends from her school class. It was a lot of fun, and they were all really cute.

We took a little trip to Tehachepi to pick apples. They lasted a long time, and they were golden DELICIOUS!!

Kerilynn and Dave came for a weekend visit and we ate breakfast at the Black Bear Diner. They have huge portions!

We also took them to see the Giant Forest. I love that place!

Jack turned 3!! We had a little party at home, and he was very excited about his How to Train your Dragon toys.

Carly had a school Halloween carnival. They were all so cute in their costumes. Grandma Tess was very sweet and made Carly's princess dress.

We love camping!! (we don't especially love smores, though....too sticky)

Tough guys

We spent Christmas with my whole family. It was the first time we'd all been together since my wedding. I was really excited about it. Since we were travelling that far, we opened gifts before we left town.

While we were there, we went to the Dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point.

We also went on campus to revisit our old stomping grounds. Now when we're in town, the kids are always excited to see BYU!!

At the Bean museum. Quite the taxidermy exhibit...

Carly's friend Alex had a pony at her birthday party. It even had a crown on. Carly loved it.

At the beginning of March Kerilynn had her baby, and the kids and I made the drive up to hold that sweet Chloe.

Cute, right?!

Over our spring break/Easter vacation we went to Utah to be with the whole Skinner clan again. On our way there we stopped in Las Vegas to take the kids to the Shark Reef. They had great displays.

I loved the tunnels where the sharks are swimming around and over you.

The octopus was awake and moving like crazy!

The jelly fish display was neat also. Reminded me of the displays at Monterey Bay Aqarium. We are excited to make more use out of our membership there.

Grey reef shark

We set up an Easter egg hunt for the kids. Actually, we set up two hunts for the kids, since they found the eggs so fasat the first time, and they wanted to do it again. It was so fun to watch them run around in the cold mist to find their candy.

We also dyed eggs. Didn't want to miss out on our traditions, even if we were out of town!

Jack makes the goofiest faces. We've caught him practicing a few times.

Easter morning. The Easter bunny hid the Easter baskets this year. Isn't he a stud?

So, minus quite a bit, that was our year. I'm feeling pretty good now that I'm caught up. One more thing to cross off the list.