Placerville, California

We decided to take a little trip to Placerville, California and go to Apple Hill Groves. It was a 2 hour drive and well worth it! We spent the day picking apples, golden raspberries and blackberries. Besides Bennett's jogger/stroller falling on its side in the dirt; yes he was in it and yes he's fine, we had a great time and the kids can't wait to go back in October to pick pumpkins.

How in the world did people ever travel without a DVD player in the car! Thank goodness for modern technology!

Here is a little pond where you can go fishing. It also had a fudge shop there, apple donuts and fritters and tons of great produce.

My little pumpkins!

Tire swings are the best!

Garrett loved these old tractors and was trying to figure out how to get this one to move!

Lex's first day of 2nd grade

What?? 2nd Grade!! How did that happen?!? I can't believe Alexis is starting her first day of 2nd grade. She has really grown up so much over the summer and I am so proud of her. She is such a great example to her little bro's. and we love her so much!

Gooooooaaaaaaallllll!

We have been spending some time on the soccer field twice a week for Alexis' soccer practice. Garrett and I usually kick the ball around while Trish coaches and Alexis practices. Bennett usually tries to cruise over to the dirt for a snack or to roll around to get as dirty as possible.
About two weeks ago while at practice I was keeping Garrett off the field and turned my head to check on Bennett, I saw he had found an extra soccer ball and was dribbling it around in front of him. I could not believe it, he had only been walking for about 5 days! I tried pulling out my cell phone to take a video, but when I tried setting him up again, he just wanted to pick up the ball.
I have seen him dribble the ball a few more times in the last two weeks but every time I get out my phone, he has moved on to something else.

This Thursday I finally was able to take a quick video with my cell phone to document him in the act. I think if he works on his game a bit for the next 5 weeks he will be ready to play on Alexis' team.
Sorry the quality is not so great, that's the best my cheap cell phone can do.

Garrett and Lex

Innocent or up to no good?? I'll let you decide. Garrett loves hangin' out with his buddy Halen!
Lex is ready to go to soccer practice. Would you want to mess with this girl? She is really such a good player and I love coaching her team. I played soccer for so many years and it has always been a dream of mine to coach a girl's soccer team. I had the opportunity to coach as well when we lived in Boston and I love it!!

Alexis turns 7 , let's bounce and girl's night out!

Alexis had some of her favorite gal pals over on her birthday. L to R: Hannah, Alexis, Savannah and Belle. They decorated purses and played the Wii! She had such a great time and I can't believe how grown up she is.

Move over Louis Vuitton! You don't have anything on these girls and their sense of style!
Alexis wanted to go Horseback Riding for her birthday. So her and I went on a Mommy/Daughter date the day after her birthday. Here she is getting ready to take off on her horse named Ranger.
So my friend Alyssa's Dad had a huge party at his house. We had an awesome barbeque and then just spent the night playing in the bounce houses and riding the zip line. Here's Bryan and Lex getting ready to head down the zip line.
Bennett bounced the night away. He thinks he's pretty tough and to be honest, he is!
There goes Garrett! It's a wonder this kid hasn't broken a bone yet!
The kids spent most of the night bouncing on this! The adults all had races through it and unfortunately, Bryan kicked my butt!

Girl's night out! These girl's are the best and I feel like I have known them forever. From left to right we have: Kelli, Jolee, me, Alyssa and Erinn! Can't wait for the next GNO!

goofin' around and having fun...

I wonder what they're thinking?
Garrett is such a little love bug!
Muscle mania!
These are the only bears we came across.
Poser...or dork?? I vote dork!!

Mr. Bennett!
Superstar!!

Shoe Fetish?

So our little Bennett apparently has a shoe fetish. No matter where we go he will find shoes and crawl around with them on his hands. I have never seen a kid do this before and it's actually pretty funny. If there is a room full of shoes he will go around trying out each pair on his hands. He will then choose a pair and take off with them. Yes, he is walking but still never misses a chance to crawl around with shoes on his hands. ( no worries, when he is done I thoroughly wash his hands!)

Swim Lessons...

Alexis loves to swim and has made tons of progress this year. Way to go, Lex!!
Garrett loves the water but is very cautious of people he doesn't know. So it took a lot of work on my end to get him to get into the pool and actually go with one of the swimming coaches. He finally found a girl coach he liked and then he had no problem getting in! Today was their last day of swimming and he jumped off the diving board into the big pool!!

Sweet, sweet donuts!

Bennett is lovin' his powdered sugar donut!