Matthew's Family Party

We celebrated Matthew's 10th birthday a day late with Grandma & Grandpa and Uncle John & Aunt Linda's family. We love getting together with our "big family" to celebrate these happy occasions!

A gift from Grandma & Grandpa
Getting the computer game he REALLY wanted!
from the Seamons
Happy Birthday, Matthew!

August 7, 2004

T-Ball!

Brad signed up to coach Adam's T-Ball team this year, and it has been so fun to watch both of them! Adam got to play "pitcher" which means you stand on the pitcher's mound, even though there's no pitching involved. It's a good place to be though because a LOT of balls come your way. Adam snagged almost all of them - including these!

Catching it off a bounce
Ready for the next one
Snagging a grounder

August 7, 2004

Matthew's Birthday

One of the best surprises ever was when Matthew's best friend, Jason, knocked on the door and told Matthew that he'd have to come outside to get his birthday present. When Matthew walked out onto the driveway, he could not believe his eyes. For real?? This is mine??? Is this a joke? The story behind the picture is that the Carrs were putting a full size court in their backyard and didn't need this portable hoop any more - so they passed it on to Matthew. How fun!


After the best present ever, Matthew, Jason and Adam headed off to the best activity ever - rock climbing at Rocknasium in Davis. Matthew loves this place, and it's always a special treat when he gets to go there. Of course we think he's a natural!






August 6, 2004

Lady in Pink

Camille and I snuck away today while the boys were in school for a visit with our favorite lady in pink. Brad's mom is the sweetest, gentlest lady you will ever meet and loves me just like I am one of her own. She has a special bond with each of the children, and Camille is her pretty princess. Nothing makes Mamoo happier than when Camille sings "You are My Sunshine" into her hearing aid or draws her pictures (that she can't actually see!). Every little girl should have a Mamoo that adores her!

July 23, 2004

Old Sacramento

What a busy week! Today we went to the Discovery Center History Museum in Old Sacramento with our free passes. (Hooray!) It's quite a quirky little place with lots of little vignettes for the kids to play in and a whole lot of interesting information that they weren't really interested in, but I was!

Underneath this glass floor there were artifacts from the homes of the state's more colorful citizens - it was just fascinating!

Matthew and Adam work in the printing press.

A model of one of the little log cabins people lived in during the gold rush.

Our own rush to find gold!

Standing on the deck of the Delta Queen with our loot from the candy shop.

July 15, 2006

Bowling with the Cardons

We love the Cardons! Brigham and Adam have become great friends, and we adore all their family. Today Gerilyn asked if we would like to go bowling out on the Air Force Base. We had a great time together and then shared a yummy lunch from the greasy grill!


Matthew tries for a spare.

Camille cheered for herself like this every time she rolled the ball.

See. . . we are having fun!

A serious pose. . .

and a goofy one!

Hamburgers, fries and milkshakes for all!

July 13, 2004

Aunt Natalie's Pool

Brad got home early from work and it was super hot outside, so we called Aunt Natalie to see if we could come take a dip in her pool. Technically Aunt Natalie is Brad's neice and the kids' cousin - so I don't know where the "Aunt" came from - but she let us come over and we took full advantage of the pool and their generous offer of a BBQ. Don't you just love family?

July 12, 2004

Donner Lake

This year we went to Donner Lake for our annual family campout. Although we didn't realize it, they were having a giant living history celebration that weekend, and we had a lot of fun meeting the characters and learning the stories of our past.

John and Conner wait for the festivities to begin.

The kids pose for a group picture.

Cookin' the good old way.

How's this for headwear?

Trying to strike it rich.

Posing with their hand-made dolls.

Taking a break on the lake.

Entertaining themelves until dinner.

Making beaded pouches to carry our valuables.

Camille learns to shoot a rubber band gun. . .

and play other pioneer games.

and we all head back to the (cold) lake.

July 9-10, 2004

A Mellow 4th

The fourth of July fell on a Sunday this year, and the Seamons were out of town, so it was a very mellow holiday. We went to church and then headed to Elk Grove for dinner and the big fireworks show. This was the year that they gave everyone 3-D glasses, and we loved watching all the explosions through them. John and Shannon came down, and we had the chance to introduce Conner to sparklers, which was very fun!

Oh, What do you do in the Summertime?

One of our favorite summer time activities is going over to Uncle Paul and Aunt Judy's for a good old fashioned swim party with our cousins. Mamoo sits on the pool deck and claps for each trick, Aunt Judy brings fresh lemonade from the kitchen, and the parents get a chance to relax and visit. Camille was firmly entrenched on the pool steps this year, but I don't think she'll be there for much longer!

May 15, 2004