g is for greta

I know. The trip was in July. I had an extensive plan of posting our activities from each day with corresponding pictures. Gonna have to ditch that. I’m too far behind. The best part for the kids was getting to do really fun stuff with their cousins.

A day at Kangaroo Zoo. They loved playing on all the huge inflatable stuff. (Check out Mason. He is in some sort of zone doing the robot? Not really sure. Never have been with that child.)

The kids went fishing in knee deep water and each caught their own trout.

First time to see a rodeo.

Swimming until their fingers and toes looked like prunes.

Playing in the gutter after a downpour.

And just plain playing…

..until they could play no more.

They still miss their cousins.

-g.

I realized (now that I am home from my August vacation) that I still haven’t posted pictures from our July vacation or some misc summer pictures. Then there was Ethan’s first birthday party last month, too. I need to just buckle down and do it. I’ll give you a taste of what’s been happening around here before I sign off to get Corinne ready for her FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN!!!!! I know, right?!

Playing in the cheap-o pool

Helping me around the house (I promise that they wanted to help. I don’t force them to do such things.)

Anywho, there are plenty more pictures where that came from. I promise to try to catch you all up on our fun/crazy summer before fall arrives.

-g.

I mean no disrepect when I titled this post. Shortly after Tony and I got married, his abuelito passed away. We flew to San Jose for the funeral. It was the first time I had met many of his extended family. It was a blast! They were so fun to be around. I can honestly say it was the best funeral I have ever been to. I think it is because we believe in our religion that we will be together forever as families so death isn’t as final. Everyone was sad and in shock, but no lasting misery existed. Early last month, Tony’s Grandma Rice died as previously mentioned on my site. It, too, was a shock but a nice opportunity to see relatives and close friends. Here’s some pictures of the family:

The babies (William, Ethan, and Mitchell)

The younger boy cousins (Mason, Daniel, Zachary, and Sam)

The ladies (Emma, Jackie, and Corinne)

The Rice Men (Papa Tom, Mason, Ethan, and Tony)

I love my husband’s immediate and extended family. They have always been there for us and love our children like they are their own. It means alot. I married well.

-g.

***WARNING: LOTS OF PICTURES TO FOLLOW!***

We had a really fun 4th of July this year. Tony’s Abeulita from San Jose was in Cleveland visiting so we headed up there for the weekend.

We went to a parade in Lakewood. Mason could have cared less. Even when they threw candy. Doesn’t he know he’s supposed to get it to give to his sweet mother?

Ethan got into the spirit by chewing on his stroller strap and waving the stars and stripes.

Since we were so close to Lake Erie, we walked over to take a peak. Then we drove to a pier so the kids could see the boats, waves, cityline, and walk on the rocks.

It was all a bit much for Ethan, as you can see.

What’s the 4th without a cookout? Tony’s parents hosted the party. We had some s’mores (I know that July = HOT but who can pass up the combination of fire, melted marshmellows, and CHOCOLATE?)

Mason had fun playing in a tent and with cousin Daniel.

We also went to the hospital and visited Grandma Rice. She was in such good spirits. The kids loved the view of the city from there, too, and still talk about it. Plus the fun rides in the elevator while the adults talked. We left late so the kids got to ride home in their new pjs from Great Abuelita.

Unfortunately, Ethan was the only one who fell asleep. The older two twerps were awake the whole way home.

-g.

I know. He’s already 1. I’m just playing catch up. Too many happenings this summer to keep up. Here’s the pictures of my peanut at 11 months:

Can you say “teething”? The boy chews on EVERYTHING!

The kids wanted to get in on the picture-taking action:

-g.