Pumpkin Patch Pictures

The cute little pumpkin patch about 1/2 hour from our house... it has a little train to ride on!

Luke loved this tracter.

John kept choosing pumpkins that were three times his size - and trying to pick them up :)

Out of order picture... here is our family band... they get quite loud!

I think Luke and John thought it was their job to collect as many pumpkins as possible in their wagon.

the happiest place on earth :)

backpack strap broke while we were walking (quickly) to make it to the Aladdin show at california adventure... apparently it was funny to document my carrying of a broken backpack while pushing the double stroller and power walking :)


on main street, usa on our way to watch fantasmic and the fireworks

we decided to join the parade :)

john clapping after seeing nemo for the first time on the submarine ride!

i was apparently super-excited to be on the first submarine of the day!

it was an awesome trip... makes you want to live in anaheim... except for the whole: southern california/traffic/pollution/population/craziness aspect!

my boys

all matchy for church :)
cracking himself up

growing up too fast

rattlesnake

every night we pray: St. Patrick, protect us from rattlesnakes

on Saturday, after a way-too-close encounter with a rattlesnake in our front yard, my dear husband brought our little family onto our knees to praise God and say a prayer of thanks for protecting us (especially Luke) from this creature. Greg and Luke were playing out front while John napped and I was hanging clothes on the line. It was time to come in and Luke ran ahead to the house. Greg, following behind, yelled out at me to keep Luke in the house because there was a snake that Luke had just ran past! The snake was stretched out and still, but once i started bringing things to Greg (snake boots, jeans, shovel, pole, camera, etc.) it started to sense the movement and coiled up, started rattleing and aggressively sticking its nasty forked tongue out! Luke and i watched safely from inside as Greg did battle with it - we couldn't shoot at this one because it was up against our house: didn't want to do damage or be faced with a richocheting (sp?) bullet! We couldn't feed the meat to our pig or the neighbors because at one point the snake got so mad and bit itself!

i am so thankful that my dear husband was home and incredibly brave and that Luke was protected from the snake. we have lots to be thankful for.

thank you again, St. Patrick, for protecting us from rattlesnakes!

a post... finally

ok, after at least three months - here are some updated pics :) (no good excuse for not posting recently... we've just been busy having a fun summer!)

here's Luke fishing at odell lake

he did what many people haven't been able to do - catch a fish at odell lake!

Here is John at the tennis court at Nana and Nonno's condo :)

matching shirts

not really a great picture of the boys, but their matching shirts are super-cute!! (thanks nana!!)

sooo much energy these days....

my three-year-old is quite the hand-full lately! -- playing musical instruments -eating the frosting while i try to frost brother's birthday cupcakes (ignore my funny face!)

- trying to go home with nana in her suitcase

-running into everything and everyone with his plane

he's a year old!!

Happy First Birthday John!

working on his laptop

ready for church on John's birthday (last Sunday) fun presents from Nana and Nonno

"party" with neighbors

my cutie - he can make quite a mess in a hurry, but he's a keeper :)

i can't believe he's a year old... i love him so much!! Happy Birthday John! God has richly blessed me with the gift of being his mama!!

we have his 1-year doctor visit on wednesday, so i will know his stats then... but for now:

- has 7 teeth

- says "hi"

- waves hello and goodbye

- HATES diaper changes

- loves his brother

- almost walking on his own, 'cruises' around

- eczema is still around, but way better

- doesn't really like to be held by anyone except mama, daddy, and nana

- eats all foods we have given him (except bananas) but would pretty much just prefer to nurse :)

azure standard

i love me some azure standard :) they've got an awesome giveaway going right now! check it out!

more birthday fun

action shot of cake decorating

still hanging out in sink

happy third birthday to Luke!

pancakes for breakfast - with a candle how to occupy your 11 month old while making your 3 year old's cake -- put him in the sink

Adorable suit from Aunt Angel & Uncle Bob

New shirt from Nana & Nonno - Luke asked for blue & red frosting and starburst to decorate his cake - so that's what he got :)

happy happy birthday big boy - we love you so much!

pics from Christmas..not sure if these were ever posted

mom commissioned me to cook a bit for them over Christmas

my parents' three grandsons

fun in santa clara

you just never know what he's up to... Luke is about to be three!! - in this picture he is just pretty excited to have mac & cheese for dinner (he had it for lunch, too that day!)
Visiting Amanda :) ... I've got baby John on my lap & Mandy has her daughter

the whole fam-damily :)

long time, no post ... here are some pics

he's 11 months!!

sometimes we like to hide in the playpen - upside down - we're fun like that

farm show

sorry about the cell-phone quality of the picture, but here is us at the farm show... yes, Greg was wearing wranglers and Luke was wearing cowboy boots - we love dressing the part!

Some Christmas

my parents' three grandsons!

baking baby Jesus' birthday cake