Swim Season 2010

Another swim season under our belt!
This year was just as HOT and a little busier with the addition of Petunia.
But we survived!
I have said it before and I will say it again: I LOVE watching these boys swim. It doesn't matter what place they take, its fun to watch. (Its especially nice to see them improve and get a medal for placing 1st through 3rd-- but I just love to see them out there in those little Speedos moving those little bodies)

This year both the boys were able to swim in the season finals; Bubba placed 5th or 6th in the 25M Backstroke and Tubbs placed 5th in the 25M Butterfly.

I was happy to see them both make it in at least one event. Bubba was an "alternate" for the 25M butterfly and 25M freestyle finals, but didn't get the chance to swim since the 1st through 8th place contenders all showed up to compete.

This season Luke introduced the boys to "swim tattoos" courtesy of a black sharpie marker.Throughout the season most of the other teams had all sorts of stuff written/stuck to their bodies with their team name, cute phrases... so we got creative.

For the championship the "little" boys had "I'm on fire" written inside of a flame. (Maybe Luke should open up a shop "Bakes Ink." Luke gave the girls cupcakes on their arms.

Petunia loved wearing the boys' goggles in between races. (Yes--these are Tubbs' big goggles of choice for competition!)

Most teams sold snow cones at their meets for $2 - $3. But Rio Bravo Greeley had it right....a mobile coffee/lemonade cart with "shaved ice" was at their meets and they were oh so delicious! (There was lots of bribery through the season that consisted of shaved ice or snow-cones!)

There was plenty of time for the boys to swap DSi games....and sharpen their "vidiot" skills!

I just LOVE the physiques in these flattering Speedos.

Tubbs getting out of the pool after his race.

Both boys competed in the 25M butterfly finals. Great job boys!

Both of these "Bubbas" competed against each other in the 25M backstroke in the finals.

Looking forward to next season all ready. (Should be REALLY fun with a toddler approaching two) :)

Oh Brother!

Petunia really loves her brothers. (One day, in about 10-15 years, I am sure she will look back at this post and roll her eyes in disbelief!) Nevertheless, its true now.
Petunia is always the first one to wake up each morning. When one of the boys finally roll out of bed, her eyes light up and she crawls/walks over to them excitedly.
Bubba and Tubbs are completely different with her. Bubba(in usual fashion) likes to antagonize and treat Tooney like she is a doll. Tubbs on the other hand really seems to look out for his sister like she is his only his responsibility.
Yesterday, Petunia walked up to Tubbs and grabbed him around hips. Tubbs was laughing and trying to figure out what to do since she wouldn't let go. It was so cute to see how much she loves to be close to her brother.

Petunia knows how to get what she wants by sweet talkin' her brother at lunch. It works--Tubbs shares some of his churro with her! :)

All is sweet and quiet until Bubba jumps in.

This picture pretty much sums up our house on a regular basis: chaotic.

Resemblance?

These rascals may not look like their mother (especially the blond, blue eyed one), but at least they can more than pass as siblings. When they scrunch up their noses we call it "the curly" nose---and they do it so well.
Petunia just got "the curly" nose down and it makes us giggle every time we see it.

Here is a close up Petunia's curly nose. She is such a pill.

Rubicon 2010

The guys' annual Jeep trip to the Rubicon--- Its been a summer tradition for the past five years since Luke "converted" my dad to "Jeepism."
The guys only took one Jeep outing this summer so I think Luke is a little disappointed. But the summer isn't over yet, so we shall see.
Of course when the guys head out the door with the ice chests full and camping gear loaded up, the girls head out the door to do some shopping.
Roseville, hands down, my favorite place to shop. It has almost any place I would want to go and its all close. They also have the only Downeast Basics store in California, so that is quite nice.
So, needless to say, I HEART shopping when I visit my family!
The rigs flank Grandpa's ol' GMC. Ready to hit the road!

Cousin Holden shows Petunia his sister's Jeep




This was the first year the kids tried the rope swing and they LOVED it. I would have been a nervous wreck. Apparently Tubbs didn't let go one one swing and came back and smacked the tree. (Wish I had that one on video)
This year my brother Bert joined my dad. I know he isn't crazy about the whole "rock crawling" thing, but he went...because my mom made him. haha. The boys brought the BB guns Grandpa got them for Christmas and they all took turns shooting cans. (Who knows what else they shot but the only evidence I saw were soda cans)



Whatcha aiming at Tubbs?


This kid will do almost anything for a chuckle.

And of course, the best part of camping...nap time!

Meanwhile--the girls were shopping...and shopping...and eating...and shopping.
Grandma Baer treated us to Cheesecake Factory the first night the guys were gone. Such a treat. We even had to try out their new Red Velvet cheesecake which was very rich. (The cake part/frosting was the best part since I am not big on cheesecake.)


A few of the cousins eating lunch with Petunia at the Galleria Food Court


Petunia and cousins Natalie and Autumn


I had Edward and Jacob keep me company while Luke was gone.


Modeling hats with niece, Natalie


Relaxing on the back porch, waiting for the guys to get home.

Swimming in the pool after the guys get back!


A few of the cousins the night before we head home.

Teaching Grandpa how to play the DSi before taking off for home.

Thanks for the hospitality and all the love. Looking forward to the next trip up!

Petunia - 11 months

This little gal is getting too big for her britches. It drives me wild to think her first birthday is next month.
Holy cow!
She'll be twirling her hair like mama and back-talking me in no time.



She weighs almost 22 pounds and wears size 18 months clothes. When we leave the house we make sure to put shoes on her feet now that she can walk. I cannot believe she wears a size 5/6. (She is following in Bubba's foot steps who is almost in men sizes and is only eight.)

Trying to stay cool at the boys' swim meet

My Rock Star

Girlfriend has some good size hands (aka paws) on her!

Nothing like a nap after eating....

Petunia LOVES cheese pizza


A new friend she met at Target

A trip to the eye doctor with Luke meant she got to try on some Juicy Couture glasses

Gotta Have It

Just give me the beverage and no one will get hurt!



I can always count on Bubba's hyena laugh in the background when something funny happens!

San Diego 2010

Its been about 3-4 years (I think) since the last time we went to San Diego. EVERY time we go Luke and I tell each other we need to come back more often. One of the most important reasons to go is family; my 90 year old grandma and my aunt/uncle live there. Its tradition to meet up with them for the first or second night we are in town at Hometown Buffet for dinner. That way everyone can eat whatever they want... and make as big of a mess as we want. It works out pretty well.


Anyways---this lil' 4 day trip was jam packed. We had so many things we wanted to do!
We left early on a Wednesday morning and headed to Legoland in Carlsbad. We have been here 2-3 times before and we all enjoy it because its so family oriented.

It was so nice to actually be wearing sweatshirts in the morning while it was scorching hot back home!



By the facial expressions below, you can see why I am worried about this kid getting behnd the wheel in another 8 years....

Apple Fries! My favorite thing about Legoland.

Getting ready to go on a roller coaster together for the first time. Loved it. So did the boys....surprisingly.

Of course it wouldn't be a family vacation if someone wasn't feeling well. On the way down Bubba was complaining about his ear hurting. He has had ALOT of ear infections and he has never complained...which meant "swimmer's ear."
Great.
Lucky for us we were able to call our doctor and he phoned in a prescription to a pharmacy by our hotel. I love our doctor!

Day 2 - We had Park Hopper tickets and the second day was free so we checked out Legoland's Water Park and New Sea Life Aquarium. All I can say is I am glad the second day was free because I didn't particularly think either of the new parks would be worth the upgraded admission. (Of course, mom is the party pooper and the kids loved it!)

Petunia and I had to get a picture with the princess.

I wanted to stuff a bunch of these Lego foam-thingies in the stroller and take them home...but I didn't. They were so neat.





Day 3 - San Diego Zoo
As a child we went to the zoo alot. I think every time we came to visit family we went to the zoo. I don't think I have ever been to another zoo because I didn't think anything could beat this zoo! :)

This trip we were lucky to meet up with my friend Sarah and her two kids who live an hour from SD and have season passes to the zoo. Sarah and I became great friends in 9th grade but ended up moving to Oahu the summer before our senior year. I was so sad!!

The boys got along great with Sarah's little boy and Petunia had a lil' friend who is celebrating her first birthday in a few weeks.
It was perfect.


Help meeeeeee......

Posing with my favorite hats:


The fam damily at the end of the day.

After walking every square inch of the zoo we all headed to "Fuddrucker's." Then we parted ways! Thank you Sarah for coming to see us with your cutie pa-tooties. I had a wonderful day.


Day 4 - Old Town
First stop in Old Town was the Mormon Batallion Historical Site. We had heard from a friend the week before it was fabulous and they weren't lying. I LOVED it...and the boys really had a good time. So, if you are ever in SD you have to save an hour and do the tour. Its funny, entertaining, interesting, thought provoking.....
You won't be disappointed.

Panning for gold after the tour.




Afterwards we walked over to Old Town Mexican Cafe for lunch. Luke says the salsa was the best he's ever had. I might have to agree. Then we tried a fresh, warm flour tortilla made with chocolate from the "Coyote Cafe."
Very interesting! :)
So--as always, I hated to leave San Diego.
We left Saturday afternoon saying the same thing every time: "We need to visit more often!"
There were other places I wanted to take the kids, but it will have to wait for another trip. The weather was of course very cooperative. Only one day of overcast skies and it was a NICE break from the heat at home.