Bound to happen sooner or later!

JP lost his first tooth last night! It had been loose for a couple of weeks, so we knew it was just a matter of wiggling! Oh, and he was a very faithful wiggler indeed! Usually in the most germ infested spots. Like public transportation in San Francisco.

While we were sitting on a crowded bus, he announced to me and the other 10 people we were smashed against, that "now is a good time to wiggle my tooth!" Umm, no. Wait until we get back to the hotel and wash our hands. Meanwhile, keep your hands out of your mouth!!!

Also, this tooth was very bloody.  Wasn't expecting that!  Good thing I had a good grip on it and I think when I fainted, it actually helped with leverage to pull it out. 

Just kidding!  I didn't faint! 

Anyhoo, here is my big kid, loosing teeth and all.

So what is the Tooth Fairy paying for pearly whites these days?

Surrey ride down Cannery Row

A gal from my Mom's Group gave me a "Free Surrey Rental" from Bay Bikes on Cannery Row--with the clause that it expires on Tuesday!  Since Matt was in class for most of the day, I convinced Andi to go on another adventure of the week!

So, count them....yup.  6 kids (Caleb is in the Ergo on my front) and two peddlers, otherwise known as moms.

 Caleb wasn't too sure about the whole thing!

Naomi liked it.  Well, this picture is deceiving.  She got really cold and then fussy and then screamy.

 We stopped at a little break point along the bike trail towards Lover's Point.  The boys enjoyed climbing the trees.

 And Syd enjoyed trying to hold seagulls in her hands.

 Seal Harbor had many seals sunning themselves and we saw this little pup with his momma.

 After the ride, Andi and crew had to jet off, but I look the kids for a picnic at Lovers Point.  Everyone enjoyed their PB&J's, including a rascally seagull that swooped down and took Ethan's sandwich right off the table!

 Caleb gummed an apple slice.

Garrapata Beach

Wednesday's forecast was 70 degrees!  And when it gets that high, it means it is time to hit the beach!

So after a morning of school, Andi and I piled the 6 kids in her vehicle and headed to Garrapata Beach.  I didn't think that I had been to this particular beach before.  But come to find out, this is the beach that I stopped at when my mom visited in February.  Although it was SO COLD AND WINDY in February.  Today was much more pleasant.

We camped out right beside a little creek that ran into the ocean so the kids could play in the water...but not the ocean.  There was more wind than we expected!

Naomi by the creek.

Ethan stepping across the stones.

 Since it was chillier, the kids wrapped themselves up in their towels toward the end of our stay.

John Paul flinging seaweed.

The kids climbed on this rock for a picture.  I was kind of hoping they would have chosen a spot closer!!  But the zoom works decent.

 I liked being able to relax with the kids and they got to play in some sand and water.  The undertow of the waves is so strong along the coast, that I get so nervous with them near the ocean.  But this was definitely a good compromise!

Here's some of the scenery:

Caleb is 6 months!

Look at our smiley baby!  I have so much more to write about this little guy, so you will have to check out some of the previous posts...when I get around to them! 

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!

 Easter morning started with a delicious breakfast and Mass at the NPS chapel. Following Mass, there was an Easter Egg Hunt!  The kids (with their friends) were super excited!

 

 And they are off!

 I wish I would have gotten a picture of their loot!  They gathered quite a few candy filled eggs!

Squirrels, Caves, and Snakes! Oh my!

On a rare weekend that we had nothing planned, guess what we did?  We packed up the kids and drove to Pinnacles National Monument, which is a part of the National Parks.  Granted, we thought this park was a little closer AND not as busy!  Apparently, everyone in California was on Spring Break, had nothing to do on this gorgeous day, AND decided to go to Pinnacles!  We managed and managed with joy!

 We did quite a bit of hiking and our little explorers were up for the challenge! Check out the GIANT pine cones!  And this one is half gone!

 Naomi liked hiking on Mom's back.

 Caleb enjoyed hiking on Dad's front!

 Seriously, this boy is so good natured. (And incredibly cute!!)

Here's a picture of our fearless leader!  Check out the narrow trails.  Kind of made my heart skip a beat, but we all managed.

 We saw squirrels, lizards, bees, and even.....

 SNAKES!!  I heard there were snakes there, but I wasn't too worried.  Until.....Matt stopped to read a sign and I looked back and there was a snake on the rock right above/behind him!!!  Matt experienced my fear with my bumbling responses. 
Julie: "Matt.....step for-for-forward. Just st--st--step forward." 
Matt:  "What are you talking about?"
JP: "AHHH, SNAKE!!!!!"

Check out the rock formations!

 

 There were some rock tunnels that we went through.

 Narrow walk-ways.

 And now the caves!! We brought flashlights and the kids had a great time with it.  It was completely dark at times.

 My pictures in the cave were a bit blurry, but you can kind of see the steps we climbed up and through the cave.

 Naomi liked it, but she was really happy to be back out in the fresh air!

A few more of the sights that we saw:

 

 

 And finally ended with a little snack of raisins and we split 3 granola bars. Caleb finally crashed out right at the end! (We seriously didn't think this would take this long, but with the waiting because of all the visitors, it was 1:30 before we finished our hike!  We didn't bring a lunch.  So we stopped for pizza on the way home.  Good reward for our little exhibition team.)

I'm Back!

Ok, I am trying to get back into blogging with the prompting from my husband!  We've been a little busy! 

Since our last post, we have

• had great visits to Kansas and North Dakota.
• packed out our house in Nebraska and said good-bye to very good friends.
• traveled through 8 states.
• started homeschooling.
• moved into our new house.
• had a baby.
• many birthdays and anniversaries.
• vacationed.
• had visitors and explored around our new area.
• met many new friends.

Anyone still looking on here??????  Watch for some of our new adventures!

Only Half Crazy

Remember a couple of years ago when Matt ran the 10K race?  Well, this year he set his goal at running the Papillion Half Marathon.  And today, he met his goal!

Our friends, Davy and Erica, also ran the race, and I gladly volunteered to babysit!  No way, was I running!  Besides, who would watch the five kids?

Here are the cheerleaders at Mile 9.  They loved giving high-5s to the runners and saying, "keep going!"  It was really cute and inspirational.

 Here they come at Mile 9!  Matt in the red, Erica in the orange, and Davy in the blue on the right.  

 So then we drove to the finish line.

Here's Matt, followed by Davy and Erica, about 100 yards from the finish line!

 I think they look pretty good for just running 13.1 miles!

 So proud of you!

Preschool Graduation

As with many great milestones in life, John Paul has now graduated from preschool and we couldn't be prouder!  (I caught this great wave as he walked down to Pomp and Circumstance!)

 All three classes had their graduations together. The classes max out at 15 students.  They watched a photo video of the past year.

Sang some great action songs.

 

 Waiting for his name to be called....yes he very patient. 

 Oh, John Paul and his wonderful teacher, Mrs. C.  She was so good with the class and John Paul loved her!

 We had to get a graduation picture with one of his best friends, Lillian!!  These two, and Theresa, played together a lot!!

Way to go, John Paul!