Flying high!

I know I tend to put out like two or three posts at a time. I am hoping to be better at updating so I don't have to spend three hours on the computer checking everyone's blog and updating our own. So here's to updating more often. Here are our boys flying high. Good thing we have a high ceiling.

Sarah learned how to do "So Big". She was going around the house doing it one day. It was really cute. I need to figure out how to put videos on here. We took video of her being "SO Big" with Whitney.

This morning all the kids wanted to climb on Whitney's back. After, Sarah kept trying to get Whitney to chase her. What silly kids, all four of them.

Happy July!

This was actually taken in June, but it doesn't really matter. Whitney was playing outside with the kids, kicking the balls back and forth. Sarah found her own ball and tried to lay on it.

We got a new van!! I am very excited! We got it the end of June. It's a 2009 Honda Odyssey. I love it! We are going to keep for a very long time.
This is the first time we went as a family to the Jelly Belly Factory. The factory was actually closed for a cleaning so it was an abreviated tour, but the kids still got free samples so they were happy.


Another first. Our first family reuion. It took place in Trinidad, ca. We camped in the Emerald Forest. It was very pretty and quite chilly. It has been a while since I've been camping so I didn't pack extra sweatshirts and blankets. But we survived. The kids had a blast. We went to Agate Beach. It was really pretty.

The kids had fun digging on the pebble beach. Whitney showed the boys how to skip rocks on a small of water on the beach.

Caleb's welcoming committee!! It was us (minus Whit 'cuze he had to work), Jed and Shannon and crew, Mom, Dad and Spencer. It was also almost 11 o'clock in the evening. But it was great to see Caleb. It took the boys a few minutes to warm up since they didn't remember him. Sarah had no trouble going to him though.

Welcome home Caleb!! A little side story. After the airport we went to Mel's in Vacaville and had dessert. Sarah fell asleep on the drive and didn't wake up the whole time we were in the restaurant. On the way home (about 1 am) I see a police car pull behind me. I look down and realize I hadn't turned on my headlight. I quickly flipped them on, he flipped on his lights and pulled me over. I apologized. He asked to see my license, obviously heard Jacob whining about wanting to go home, and let me go. Thank you officer!

Now Jared is potty trained. One day Sarah wanted to be a big girl. So she lifted the lid to the little potty, bent down, swung her leg over, and landed like so. How cute is that!

Diana and her girls came to visit. So we went to Pena adobe and fed the ducks. But there are so many geese that we didn't let the kids out of the car. I remembered Shannon sharing her last experience. So we rolled down the windows (don't you love that on a minivan?) and the kids fed the ducks. By the way, that is our new van.

Here is Katherine and Chloe feeding the ducks out of their cool van too.

Happy Birthday to Jared! Jared got the raw deal this year. I was tired of planning parties so we just did a family dinner for him and Whitney combined. I don't think he noticed the difference. Though, I decided that next year we will start rotating birthday parties and do boys one year and girls another. I heard that idea and thought it was a good one.

This is his haul. He loved all the gifts. Thanks Fam!

Jared got a Thomas cake and Whitney had blueberry cheesecake.

My cute guys!

We went with some friends to the San Francisco Zoo. The kids had a fun time. OK, I did too. Sarah saw the lions and started growling at them. It was pretty cute.

Whitney has four more shifts and then he is off break-in. We are very excited! We hope to go to Clear Lake next month for a little family vacation. Other than the reunion we haven't done anything. The kids had so much fun doing that, that I want to take them camping again. I hope we get the chance. Also, Jacob will be starting preschool on Monday. We are both very excited.

The many faces of Sarah

Sarah came up with these faces by herself. I finally decided to catch up them in pictures. She is seriously the cutest Sarah June ever!

I love this little girl so much. She has been such a blessing in our family. She has all of us wrapped around her little finger.

Book Recommendation

I just finished, "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch. It was a very good book. It was very moving. I thoroughly recommend it. When you get to the end, though, I would suggest a tissue. If you know anyone who is dying of cancer, recommend it to them too, or someone who has lost someone to cancer. A very good read!

The glasses

My mom sent me a box of baby stuff and these infant glasses were in there. My family had fun with them.

I strategically did not put them on. I know blackmail when I see it.

SHE WALKS!

About two weeks ago Sarah started talking like eight or nine steps in a row. She walked back and forth between Whitney and I like ten times. Since then, she walks a little more and crawls a little less each day. She has also learned to stand on her own. This makes me sad because I realize she will no longer need to do the stinkbug walk. A shame, that. I love you Sarah!

Happy Birthday Sarah!

This is Sarah's 1 year picture. I took it in the backyard. The background is our brand new fence. Yay!



We did a butterfly theme for her birthday. This is the cake.


The following are Sarah opening her gifts.

In this one, she spotted the biggest Care Bear, which was at the bottom of the bag and heaved it out.

All her presents. And Daddy.

Instead of blowing out her candle, Sarah grabbed the flame. We thought we would have repeat of Jacob's second birthday, but she didn't even flinch. Happy Birthday, my baby girl.

Sarah wasn't too sure about the cake. She picked at it mostly then dumped the piece on the floor. I figured she was done. She had fun getting messy though.

This was Whit after all the clean up and mowing his parents. po wittow boy.

This is Jared waiting for dinner to be ready. Another po wittow boy.

Update Time!

Okay, going back to April, this is Jacob's 4 year picture. He is such a goof sometimes.

This is Shannon's baby Rachael. I don't think I spelled it right. Anyway, she is a little doll. The boys wanted to hold her and kiss her, and Sarah got jealous when I was holding her. I thought it was funny.
Check out this hot pink Mac and Cheese!! It actually turned out quite yummy!!

Now we come to the day of Daddy's graduation!! Yay!! This is the Memorial Fountain. It has a brass name plaque of all the fallen officers.

This is Whitney's company marching out for their inspection by the Commisioner of the Highway Patrol. Hoorah!

That's Whit in the middle waiting for his words of incouragment.

He had his hat down low so it was hard to see his face under the brim of his hat. Dad got inventive.

Whitney receiving his badge!!
Don't look too happy, babe.

I got to pin the badge on his chest. We were both crying. I love him so much...

... I guess it's kind of obvious, huh.

Whitney with his parents.

I'm so proud of my honey!!

The Lowe Men.

Whitney and his two roommates.


Yay! Here we are!! We have finally arrived!
WHitney and his family, minus Caleb who comes home in two months.

Whitney gave a speech at his graduation party. He did very well.

And today, he starts in Oakland. He works through Thursday this week, then has a 3 day weekend, then starts with his FTO on Monday. You're awesome, Whit!!