Happy Birthday to Me!

A few days before my birthday (and the start of school) we decided to meet the Panttaja's at the beach.  It took quite a bit of time to get there because they decided to close a bridge in San Fran, but when I heard Tyce say "WA-DA!!" I knew it was going to be worth every minute (and that we were DEFINITELY related!).  And it was.  We had a fabulous time getting sand between our toes, listening to the waves crash and taking in all of the smells of the salty sea.  All of the kids were in heaven, which easily made us elated too.

Lodi Lake-n it

We had a great time today.  We decided to head to Lodi Lake & instead of swimming, the boys wanted to get some paddle boats...actually Oshyn decided he wanted to get his own kayak and the rest of us got a paddle/peddle? boat.  I wish I had a picture of the pure joy and accomplishment on his face when he was able to maneuver that kayak all by himself without any trouble.  It was great!  We met up in the middle and followed each other around.  Beau would've been proud of me as I let the boys jump in the water to cool off (no swimming allowed in that section :) Lodi Lake was an attracter for us to move to Lodi and has proven to be a good time many times!

Drive-in

There's nothing like watching a movie in the back of your truck, in your pjs, way past your bedtime.  We had a plethora of treats and a crazy toddler on our hands.  We count ourselves lucky to still have a drive-in movie theatre within driving distance and for being able introduce our kids to the "old days". Ha!

Weekend Get-away

We had a great little trip to Reno to see Grampa and Tutu (and Scott as a bonus!)  We spent the day at the water park, where Oshyn & I were able to see who was the most brave on the ginormous slides.  I think he won because more than once I was screaming my head off.  It was so much fun.  After we tired Grampa and Tutu out :) we went home and got ready for a fabulous dinner in the city where they stir fried all of our delicious food right in front of us.
Even with all of that entertainment and excitement, I think the boys favorite part was being able to hit golf balls from the backyard and seeing/riding in the little DitchWitch.  Easy to please!

I am thankful Reno is just a small drive away.  Thanks Dad and Sue!

Excuses

for lack of posts from Team Nobmann--
It's summer.
I wiped my computer of all pictures (on purpose--no worries).
It's summer.
We moved.
It's summer.
We had no internet until 2 days ago.
It's summer.
We've been busy and have a lot of catching up to do...but it will happen--

Maybe when school starts :)

Jelly Belly...again

 

When you live 45 min. from the Jelly Belly factory its hard to resist going through their free tour through the jelly bean making process.  I've been plenty of times, but far enough apart in time that I think its almost like a new experience for the kids.  And who can complain when you get to meet your cousins there AND get free jelly beans at the end?  Not me.

Backyard giggles

Nothin' better.

Making do

WE MOVED!

After nearly seven years we said goodbye to Rutledge Drive.  We moved into our condo when Oshyn was just 6 months old and we were a family of three.  With all of that history and all of the effort we put into making it our home, you would think there would have been more sadness in leaving.  I think the excitement was so grand and we were so ready for more space (going from three to five) that we all adjusted without one tear shed.  We moved to a house about one mile north of where we were, so we were able to keep the same ward at Church, the same elementary school for Oshyn and preschool for Cruz, and most of the same shopping, etc.  We now officially live in Woodbridge instead of Lodi, but it couldn't have been much more convenient.    It was so easy that I kept waiting for the moment to come when someone would say, "I wanna go back to our old house".  It happened after about 2 days in our new place.  I really wanted to hear what it was that Cruz was missing.  It turns out that he just had forgotten this new gun that a neighbor gave him.  That was it.  And I haven't heard it since the gun was retrieved!

It is amazing the peace we feel here.  The quiet was so apparent the first few nights that I had a hard time sleeping!  I've since gotten used to it and love our little retreat back away from the road.  Who would've thought living off a round about would be so pleasant?
I love that our house is one story.  The boys don't mind playing in their room as much because I don't think they feel as though they're banished so far away from everyone.  They can peek their head out and know what's going on.

Laundry is a kazillion bazillion times easier being inside and minus the stairs.  I actually wash, dry, fold and put away in the same day (most of the time)--and it doesn't even feel difficult.

 (No one was excited :)

The kitchen is spacey, the bathrooms both have showers/tubs, and Tyce doesn't even have to sleep in a closet (although ours is big enough that he can, need be!)
The backyard is a dream made even better with a trampoline left by the O'Connell family.  The boys spend hours out there doing all sorts of great boy/brother stuff and I am able to go in and out without worrying about them in the street or bombarded by the whole neighborhood gang.  Wow.

As you can tell, we have a sweet thing going.  We feel so blessed and fortunate to be here.  We are so thankful we fell into this house at the right time and that we were able to get a renter so quickly for our condo.  Don't pinch me--I'm liking this dream.    

Take me out to the ballgame

Oshyn had a blast playing baseball this year.  He had a bunch of buddies on his team (the Orioles) & learned a ton about the game.  Cruz played on the leftover equipment that I had fond memories of as a kid "watching" Chad play and Tyce went from parent to parent talking and making friends.  The season lasted FOR.EV.ER!!  Here are some pictures of the baseball star...

 

Anyone thirsty?

Skatepark

We're back from Texas and enjoying the skatepark before the teenagers wake up!

Summer is HERE!!

After returning home from Texas yesterday we realized that the cold, rainy weather was gone--FINALLY!!  The pool beaconed us twice today and we listened.

Texas Nobmann's

We were so fortunate to be able to move in with the Texas Nobmann's for a great LONG weekend.  We hadn't seen them in about 4 years so we were way overdue and had a FABULOUS time.  The boy gene is running rampant between Beau and Sean which makes for a testosterone filled house & lots of fun!

 There was a fantastic splash pad/pool/waterpark just a few blocks from their house.  Lucky for us it was nice and hot, which was VERY welcomed by this family--coming from a June cold California.  We LOVED it!!!!!  

Every year I do a family calendar with pictures of all of the Nobmann grandkids.  Asher was adamant about my picture taking.  He kept saying, "Take a picture for the CALENDAR!"  I think I may just have enough for a personalized "Asher" calendar (18 months worth!)

We played hard with cousins--outside on the tramp and hose, wii mania, eating good food, loving on Grandma June & Grandma Annie, and throwing a few kids around.

We went on a great walk near Sean & Katherine's house next to a river.  As we would walk by people you could hear them exclaim to each other about the number of kids we had--and that they were ALL boys.  So funny and awesome.

Harrison turned 8 and was baptized while we were there & little baby Jonathan was blessed the next day.  The two most special reasons we made the trek to Texas.  What great days to be able to share with family.

The boys were great little travelers as always.  They are a pleasure to take somewhere and turn their life upside down (in a good way) for a week or so.  Can't wait to do it again!!