Kelley comes to visit!

We were so blessed to have a fun week with Kelley! She and I played and relaxed. We went whale watching, to a spa, out to eat, to the beach, exercised, played a Jane Austen trivia board game and talked a lot. It was absolutely wonderful! Come back Kelley!

Family camping trip

We had a fun, relaxing and beautiful camping trip to Big Sur! Hoping to make this an annual tradition.

Just a 5 minute drive to this beautiful beach. It even had areas of purple sand.

 Me too Audrey!

Whale watching and swimming lessons

Swim lessons at the Monterey Sports Center again this year. The kids each did two sessions and made great progress. I wish we had regular access to a pool so they could practice more, but I haven't found an affordable option. These three LOVE the water!

  We went whale watching as a family--successful Groupon this time! We were very cold, and I got a bit queasy on the way back, but we saw some humpbacks and a TON of dolphins. It was fun! 

Tide Pools with the Bernards

I have been so happy about Beth and her family moving here. We live about 25 minutes apart and try to get together as much as possible. Today we went to the tide pools near the Pacific Grove lighthouse. We found hermit crabs, regular crabs, starfish, barnacles and tiny fish.

Children's Discovery Museum

Nothing like a Groupon gone wrong: I bought a Groupon for the San Jose Children's Discovery Museum planning to use it on a school holiday. Welp, my calendar got so full that I couldn't fit it in before the expiration. So we went anyway and paid the difference. Sigh. It was fun, but totally not worth the drive. Or the full rate.

Campout, berry picking, here comes summer!

Summer coming soon--we went berry picking and made jam, dessert and ate strawberries constantly! We went with the Bernards girls (Beth, Claire and Adele) while our boys were at Father-Son campout. However, Declan got injured and had to go to urgent care, so Ian got dropped off with us as we were headed out to the farm.

  Luckily Declan didn't have to get stitches--he fell off a play structure and split his forehead open. They closed it with tape and he had to keep it dry for a week or so. He was so brave!

One day after school we stopped by a nature reserve called the Frog Pond. No frogs, but I guess it was the wrong time of year. It was a pretty hike! 

 My cuties in their new PJs from Grandpa and Grammy. Lately they seem to love hanging out on my bed, snuggling in the covers and piling the pillows. It's one of their favorite places to be!

 Declan graduated from preschool! Ha. Anyway, it was cute, and he had wonderful teachers.

Here is my first summer break lunchtime with my kids! They are enjoying the break from school and I like having them around. Mostly. 

Grandparents and Mother's day

In May, Grandpa and Grammy Brien came to visit! They brought us Mary Lou's piano, which we treasure, and spent some fun time with us in our town. We even got to swim at their hotel pool! One of the highlights was learning how to fish from LouLou of LouLou's Griddle in the Middle, at the Wharf. We love this family!

 Declan's preschool had a Mother's day brunch, which was very sweet. I love spending time with my little guy--I can't believe he'll be a Kindergartner soon!

 Audrey had her piano recital, which was pretty torturous, but not because of listening to new musicians struggle. The plan for the recital kept getting changed, it was out in Salinas, and then it started an hour late. So after Audrey played her songs, we ditched out and went to Olive Garden. I don't recommend that restaurant after eating there, but I did get this lovely view! A somewhat miserable day made better by mommy-daughter time. (The boys were home sick.)

Happy Birthday Declan!

Declan turned five at the end of April! The Egers and Bernards came over for pizza and cake, and Declan got the present he has wanted for the past two years: a power wheels car!

April family life

I'm not even sure how I have pictures from April, because we spent the middle week moving into our new house. Our first house was sold by the owner, so we had to find a new rental. It was stressful and exhausting, and extremely time consuming. But we managed to have quite a few fun times during the month.

We signed the whole family up for the By the Bay 3K, but I got super sick after moving, so Declan and I stayed home. This is on our new front porch/driveway.

In our new home, Declan being a goofball. I love his face.

A rare selfie. This is me pretty exhausted but happy the move is over. Still have a lot of work to do to feel settled.

Selfie of her own!!

My kids are always hiding in the paper towels when they go to the store with me.

Making jam. We were about to run out, and my kids won't eat store bought jam. It was a fun Sunday morning activity to do together (we have afternoon church this year). This is in our new house.

In our new backyard, we have a lot of deer. We have seen a few brand new fawns, which has been fun. We even got to see this one nurse!

I had a birthday! It was during move week, and even though I spent most of the day loading and unloading our possessions, I got to go out to lunch with Mr. B while Beth watched Declan, and I got lots of lovely attention. These books were my gift from Mr. B--super excited to read them!