Sunday, July 24, 2011

Eight is Great!

Happy 8th Birthday, Simon!

As a family, we picnicked and partied on our backyard lawn.

Jess kindly hung the canopy of streamers and balloons.

Simon's dinner of choice was homemade bean burritos and french fries accompanied by strawberry shortcake for dessert.

3...2...1....

 
Blast off!

For Simon's Birthday, we gave him his own room decorated with a geography theme.


Simon's baptism day.


As a special gift, Jess gave Simon a hymn book that was given to him by Pop while on his mission.


Simon's own set of scriptures.

Before his baptism.

Daddy and Simon dressed in white.

Monday, July 18, 2011

My Baseball Boys

The Padres stretching before their final game.

Simon and his teammates warming up.

Coach Warren, Coach Price, and the boys.

Coach Warren instructing the boys.

Coach Warren pitching to Simon. 

Simon posing in the dug-out.

Simon



Coach Warren suiting up the catcher.

Simon (catching the ball) and Coach Warren looking on.
Simon's first season of playing baseball was shared by Jess who coached his team, The Padres.  The two had a great time together.  Unfortunately, I was not able to attend many games or practices due to my three year old that liked to run and hide from me or play in the parking lot.  Jess and I have decided that we will make Brahm the official bat-boy next year to keep him busy.  I was able to attend Simon's last game, though.  Trophies were handed out, cupcakes were devoured, and fun was had by all! 

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Summer Vacation Part V

The day before the big Mexican Fiesta, we had a bit of a battle with the stomach bug. It ran through all of us save Grandpa and Brahm, but we did not let a little bit of toilet trouble get us down. In fact, we all made it to the Fiesta, even though anything that went into Simon was coming back up and out for all in the buffet line to see.

Another highlight for us was braving the heat and humidity in order to see Simon's favorite animals, the dolphins, on our last day before leaving. The children ooh'd and aah'd as the graceful creatures playfully leapt and raced across their pools with their trainers. Even though walking there with Nicholas on Jess' back meant a completely sweat soaked shirt for him and despite the constant complaining about the heat from the kids, the memory was was well worth it.

All good things must come to an end. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Mexico with Grandma and Grandpa Hanks.


Overall, we did a lot of relaxing:
Nicholas napping out by the pool.

Brahm hiding in the hammock.

Brahm sleeping on the chaise lounge.

Ava relaxing on the poolside canopy bed.

Jess and Nicholas swinging and playing in the hammock.

Grandpa relaxing after swimming.

We also swam everyday:
Ava

Brahm

Simon

Grandma and the boys


Nicholas and Grandma

Most evenings, we walked on the beach:
Grandma and the kids wading in the ocean water.

Warren family

Grandma and Grandpa smooching on the beach.

Sunset walk.

I took quite a few pictures:
Mommy and Ava

Capturing a photo on the beach.

We ate delicious food:
Ava at the Mexican Fiesta.

And, we had gorgeous views:
Grandma and Simon on the balcony.

The view from our balcony.

Simon posing in front of a waterfall.

A view of the Grand Mayan resort..

Sunset.