Super-Sized Memorial Day Weekend!

We decided to take a break from cleaning, shopping and preparing for the baby and just let the boys have a super-duper, fun-filled Memorial Day Weekend!  And boy did we deliver!  We managed to fill every minute of their day with activities and by Monday night they were spent...and so were we!  But it was worth it.  In three days we celebrated a graduation, enjoyed 2 BBQ's with family and friends, had a s'mores bonfire with cousins, went to the pool twice, had dinner with friends, and oh yah, Christian also squeezed in a 13.1 mile half marathon.  Whew!  I'll spare you my usual detailed blog and just post some of the fun pics (bummed that I didn't get any of the yummy marshmallow roast)...

The biggest news of the weekend was my sister Melanie's graduation from Cal State Fullerton.  This is a major accomplishment and we are so proud of her!  CSUF is Jen's and my Alma Mater so we're double proud. Way to go Mel!!

We didn't attend the actual ceremony but joined the family lunch celebration afterwards.  I left Gav at home with Christian so it was a date for me and my boy Jack.  Here we are with all my sisters and Jen's girls...

The studs Christian and Obed at the finish line right after their half-marathon in Laguna Hills!  This was the first 13.1 mile run for both of them and they both killed it in under 2 hours, putting them in the top 30% of runners.  I am so amazingly proud of my husband...

Thankfully, mom and Joey were there to help me handle the rug-rats while we waited for daddy to finish the race.  The boys were so excited to see their daddy in the race....

The big finish!  Christian really kicked it into high gear at the end and finished strong.  Jack and I were screaming so loud!

It's over!  He's so tired but still manages to have daddy-duty...

Jack wanted to wear his track suit so he looked like a runner just like his dad.  But he wouldn't go near Chris because he was "sweaty and smelly!"

Gavin didn't seem to mind the sweat...

The Fab Five!  These are Jack's friends from school and they have all been best buds for almost 2 years now.  One of the families invited us all over for a BBQ and we had a great time!  We always have fun when we are together....the kids and the parents too!

The boys enjoying a little Popsicle after and awesome lunch.  It really is so adorable to get the boys together.  They love being with each other and for the most part they get along really well.  They are all big kids with tons of energy so it's a great fit.  I hope they remain friends for a long time...

 

 

Gavin joined in on the action...

 

 

 

 

Man, did they make a mess of the house!

 

The parents!  I really enjoy spending time with this group of people.  Everyone is so nice and funny and we genuinely enjoy each others company.  That is so rare to find.  We're like a support group for families of all boys.  There are no little girls in the group....yet!

Jack was beyond exhausted after the party...

But Gav wouldn't leave him alone.  Little brothers can be so annoying!

Memorial Day at the pool!  We had a super fun BBQ with family and friends.  Jack loves hanging out with Kendall because she's the cool older kid...

Ella and Everett joined us for a swim...

Me and my girls "lounging" by the pool!  If only we could relax like that - haha!  I agreed to a strategically shot photo of my preggo belly...no thighs allowed!

Lisa and her little man Jaxon...

Papa and Amelie enjoying the pool...

Auntie Jenny is so much fun! 

Daddy tried to relax in the pool to ease his aching muscles but of course Gavin wouldn't let that happen.  But they both look so happy...

Me and my beautiful mom...

Tony and his girl Kendall making a big splash!

Christian and the kids making a splash of their own! We all had so much fun in the pool that day!  I was sad to see the weekend come to an end...

Happy Summer Everyone!

Getting a Head Start on Summer!

We've had a few crazy heat waves here in the OC.  A couple of days even got above 90 and that's just uncalled for in May!  I would be happy if it never got above 75 with a nice cool breeze, especially now that I am very pregnant.  But rather than sit home and bake we made the best of it and started our summer fun early this year.  Why wait until Memorial Weekend to enjoy the pool!  So last week we got our white bodies into our suits and hit the pool. And even though I hated putting on a bathing suit, I'm glad I did because it felt so amazing to sit in the cool water and take the pressure off my aching body.  It was such a fun and relaxing afternoon and the boys were in heaven!  The pictures are great but you will notice I am happily absent from them...no need to document my preggo body in a suit!

34 Week Update and Family Celebrations!

I hit my 34 week mark on Tuesday and I finally feel like I can say I am in the home stretch! Seeing as how I gave birth to both boys at 39 weeks, I probably only have about 5 weeks left...I hope!  I'm getting very big and swollen and just really uncomfortable so I pray the next few weeks go by quickly.  But on the other hand I feel like I need more time because we have so much to do to prepare for the her arrival.  Even though I am beyond exhausted, I have a very strong urge to nest and organize.  So the next 2 weeks are going to be spent getting the boys settled in Jack's room together, preparing the nursery, cleaning all the baby gear and washing all her clothes...she has tons!   Our goal is to be done by June 2 so I can spend the last few weeks eating ice cream with my feet up...dare to dream right?!

In addition to preparing for the little princesses arrival, we've been spending a lot of time with family and friends just enjoying spring time in SoCal.  Last Sunday we celebrated Mother's Day and Christian's 41st birthday at our house.  I love when we have our entire family together in one place...especially my brother Jess, his wife Donna and baby Charlie.  It's always special for me and our kiddos love all the cousin time! 

Celebrating all the fabulous mommies...

Da boys making brunch...or should I say the boys watching Joey make brunch!

How they really feel about Mother's Day...

Party time...

Auntie Donna and "baby" Charlie....

Me and the hubs...

Me and my boys!  I literally took 12 pictures and this was the best one I could get.  But I'll take it!  They are always adorable to me...especially when they let me dress them alike...

With my mama...

Cousin love...

Our attempts to get a beautiful shot of Mimi and her grand kids.  As you can see they don't all cooperate at the same time.  But the outtakes are hilarious...

My mom and her babies...

Happy Birthday Christian!  I made his favorite Poppy Seed cake...

Here are the two souls that this mama cherishes on Mother's Day and every day!  Man, I love these boys...

...even though they are wild kids!  Gavin loves to play rough with his bro....can you tell?  I love that they have so much fun together. They really are best buddies!