The Grainger/Means weekend bash!

My friend Laura and her husband Chris invited us to their house this weekend on our way home from California. James and I were super excited to see them again (after having dinner together last saturday before our reunion) and we were looking forward to getting our kids together. We left Escondido early friday morning and arrived in Heber City, UT around 8pm. We set off a bunch of fireworks that night, then the adults played scattergories while the kids watched a movie. After the kids went to bed, we got to play Wii bowling, tennis and boxing. James beat me up in the boxing match...thanks hun! On saturday, we headed out to the lake on their boat and we played around on the boat for the afternoon. Later that night, we ate some yummy fish burritos, put the kids to bed, and played more Wii (we gotta get one of those, they're fun!). We had to leave this morning to head back to Denver; and despite the sunburn and sore muscles (from the lake) we had a blast. Thanks Chris and Laura, for everything. We hope you had as much fun as we did.




Kaylin and Justin tubing on the lake. They had a lot of fun on that thing.
Mommy and Mia. Poor baby had to wear a bulky life jacket. She didn't mind; she loved sucking on it.
Laura and Abby.
Fireworks!!!

My kids kept begging Chris for more.
All the kids (minus Abby and Mia) playing Wii. Jack loved Anna and Allison, even though he's shooting Alli.
Kaylin holding onto the boat trying to get used to the water.
Jack and daddy playing in the water.

I don't have any pictures of Andrew because my camera died and he was being a chicken. He didn't want to go into the water at all! I also got brave and went tubing with Laura (which is why i'm so sore). I'll try to get that picture from laura at some point.

Wrapping up Summer Vacation '08

Finishing up our summer:


Mia went swimming for the first time.


I got to meet up with my friends Sara and Rebecca and their boys for a playdate. Here is Sara with Nate.
The two Andrew's playing with Rebecca's son Alex.

In addition to Legoland, Knott's Berry Farm, Sea World, and the beach, we were able to fit a few more activities into the trip.

James, Jack, Mia and I toured the Stone Brewing Company in Escondido. It was very interesting, but mostly we liked the samples. Here's a picture of some big brewing things (I don't really know what they are, but they're huge!

I got to see my friends Andie and Barb three times during my visit. On our last night together, Barb invited us over to her house to make ravioli's and spend some much needed girl time with each other.

Here I am making one of the ravioli's from scratch.

Barb decorated her front patio so we could eat outside. It was beautiful!

So much fun!!!

This past weekend was my 10 year high school reunion in San Diego. James and I decided not to spend the money on the actual reunion, but we were able to plan a dinner with my friends (and our husbands) beforehand. We ate at a restaurant in Seaport Village and had so much fun laughing and reconnectiong. We had such a great time, it was hard to leave them when it was time for them to go into the reunion. Thanks guys, for such a fun night. James and I both had a great time.

In the picture above (Jason and Linze, Laura and Chris, and me and James). Laura and Chris invited us up to spend the day with them in Utah this saturday, on our way home from California. We are looking forward to seeing them again and letting our kids play.

Old Friends= Good Times

While on vacation here in sunny CA, we've been able to spend some time with our good friends, the Pinner's. Kaylin and Adora are only a few months apart and Andrea and I became friends while we were pregnant with these girls. We'[ve been fortunate enough to work together and continued to share joy in each other's subsequent pregnancies. Here are some pictures from today.


Kaylin and Adora being silly

Jack and Elliana playing nicely before he kicked her in the face and split her frenulum (that flappy thing in your mouth.) sorry ellie :(

Joe and Andrea's baby girl Isabella

Andrea and I being dorks in the kitchen. (why is my face so fat...ugh, kill me now)

So Cal Vacation

Andrew found his daddy's old stuffed ewok

Went to Bates Nut Farm (I love this place)

My in-laws bought us passes

Andrew loves lego Star Wars

Got a 3 month pass to Legoland and posed with Lego Thomas

Spent the day at Sea World

The kids posed for a picture

The kids and I are currently in Escondido for summer vacation. We are having a great time being spoiled by our families and being treated like tourists. We've enjoyed some theme parks, seen some fireworks, and spent time with old friends. Although we are having tons of fun, we miss daddy very much and can't wait for him to get here on the 17th.