Back to School Again

 

Here we go again - back to school.  This is sure to be a memorable year.  Diego is in 8th grade (how did that happen?), Jules is officially a junior high student, Elise will be making her First Communion and Confirmation and Paolo will be navigating through 1st grade.  When summer comes to an end, I definitely long for the structure of the school year.  It is nice to have some moments when the house is quiet and I can feel like I am accomplishing the daily tasks of a household.  I know that every school year has it's challenges, successes and failures and even though I am not working out of a textbook, I am learning right along with them.

 

 

Elise just looks so grown up.

 

 

I would like to think this is Jules' way of saying "7th gade, no problem".  6th grade was a little rough so we are hoping and praying for a better year.

 

 

STRONG.....

 

 

......but SWEET.

 

 

Ava may not be heading off to school yet but she is ready for just about anything.  Here she is showing off her "silverwares".

 

My goal for the school year is to be ready and prepared when the kids come home - ready to help with homework, listen to problems, give them time to play.  I want to let go a little more with my older kids and help them learn accountability.  I want to stop every once in awhile and just enjoy this milestone year.  Before I know it they won't be all at the same place anymore!  The thought makes my heart jump :)

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Happy Birthday Honey!  You are a wonderful husband, an awesome Dad, a dedicated firefighter, a blossoming businessman, a fantastic commish, a faithful son, a devoted brother and friend, a fun, happy person who makes our house a fun, happy place.  We love you!

More Summer Fun

A sweet ending to our summer - Disneyland!

 

 

There is something so magical about Disneyland - at any age.  We have not been since Paolo was a baby.

 

 

Ava looks a little unsure!  This reminds me of a picture we have with Mary Poppins when Jules was a baby.  Same face :)

 

The only teacup I can handle - one that doesn't move!  What a sweet cup of tea.

 

It was fun to hang out with Bryce - or Brycey as he is known to Ava.

 

I think I took a picture of every princess that went by.  It was so fun to watch Ava's face because she is so in to princesses right now.  This is Mark's favorite :)

 

 

I could not resist a picture of the chimney sweeps.  Diego used to watch Mary Poppins and do the entire dance of "Step In Time".  I have it on video somewhere and maybe someday I will find it and insert it here.

 

I really enjoyed the time I had with Ava when the others did some bigger kid rides.  She would have been content to ride the Merry-go-round and the Dumbo ride all day.

 

 

Mark's Dad and Lorraine were so helpful all day - sittting back with kids that were too small, saving seats for the parade and even taking kids back to the hotel that wanted to leave early (you know who you are Diego!).  It was every bit the fun, exciting, exhausting day we expected.  Thank you Tata Joe!

 

After Disneyland we decided to head south to San Diego for a couple of days.  We surprised the kids with the news about the boat. 

 

 

 

They made themselves comfortable right away!

 

Sunset Cruise.

 



 

 

We got to see some old friends.....

 

The Gomez family was staying on Mission Beach so we got to spend some time with them.  They are just like family.  The kids played and played and played.

I don't get many photo opps with this cool cat anymore.  He was missing having his big cousins with him at the beach. 

 



 

I guess this was the best I got with Elise!

 

I love goggle shots.  She wanted to wear them while she played in the sand - love it.

 

Looking so grown up.

 

It was nice to have a little trip with just our family.  We are so blessed to have cousins or friends around when we go out of town, but I think it is good to take time with just us.  On the day we were leaving, Mark was getting the boat all cleaned up so I had the kids off the dock and out of the way.  They spent a good hour perfecting this....

 

 

Now if I can just photoshop Ava in there :)

 

 

 

Sweet Lucia!

 

LUCIA MARIE GONZALES

July 31, 2012

 

 

We are sooo excited to have our first cousin on the Gonzales side. She is tiny and sweet and beautiful and we love her so much already!