End of 2011 Catch Up

It seems as the kids get older, I get busier and not as good as posting as before!! Here are a bunch of pictures from the end of the year.  We went out to Bates Nut Farm in October to pick pumpkins.  I was sick on Halloween, but managed to get one pic of the kiddos after they got back from Trick or Treating.  November & December flew by also! We were fortunate enough to go to CO this year for Christmas, we had a great time (even without ANY snow).

Riding the ponies at Bates Nut Farm in Oct

 This is the only "good" shot I could get of the three of them.  It was about 80 degrees that day and we were so hot!

 Lauren testing out the boy's bike :)

 In October, Great Uncle Bill & Aunt Doris moved to a retirement home about 10 minutes from our house.  We have been so happy to be able to see them frequently.  And Aunt Doris always has yummy snacks for the kids!

A picture of Great Uncle Bill at 97 years old.  He was a wonderful man.  He passed away a few days before Christmas.  I knew him as an easy going, always smiling, loving man.  I've heard Aunt Doris say that he was happy that we named Will after him, and he got a kick out of seeing his Great-Great Nephews in action.  We will truly miss him.

First Day of Preschool 2011

Drew & Will went back to preschool for their second year at the beginning of this month.  These boys LOVE LOVE LOVE school and their new teachers.  They are going 3 mornings a week and have adjusted well.  I've been enjoying spending the mornings with Lauren - although she still naps most mornings- or going to the gym to work out.  Here are some pictures from their first day :)
All 3 getting ready to go!

 Off to school!

 Lauren wanted to play and be a part of the class, too!

Summer Fun!!

Well the summer flew by for us!!  I can't believe it is September already and the boys are back in school! They are going to preschool for the 2nd year, three days a week and they love it!  We had a really great summer.  We got to see lots of family, go to the beach, Legoland, out on the boat with Papa- where we FINALLY caught some fish!! :)  The boys got to see all of their cousins this summer, which was also really great.  We celebrated Aunt Lisa's birthday in Moraga, and then Aunt Jenny & Emily came to visit.  All the kids love to swim & play.  Here are some pictures of us!  Also, I should note that Lauren started walking "for real" while we were in Moraga at the beginning of August.  Now she is running around after the boys, especially in the evenings after dinner.  I will post a video of her soon.  

Will in the car

 Drew & Will at Legoland

 Taylor and Me in HAWAII!!

 Will buried himself at the beach

 Popsicles!!

 Backyard fun

 Will's castle

 Our first hike on Black Mountain with Grandpa & Mary

 Drew & Dad on the log ride

 We caught a fish!

 AND a BIG Catfish

 Handsome Drew

 Drew

 Drew & Sissy

Update- Lauren Walking

I realized that I never posted the first video of Lauren walking with her little Lion push toy, so here is the link to view that (for some reason I have trouble using blogger to upload videos):
https://www.me.com/gallery/#100108/Lauren%20%26%20lion%204-21-11

It is now about 6 weeks from when she did that, and Lauren just learned out to stand up all by herself today!  What I mean by that is that she doesn't have to climb on anything or pull herself up to stand.  She also has just been practicing standing without holding onto anything for longer and longer lately.  Today we took all the kids to the grass to play and Lauren just stood there for a good 5 minutes.  I think with her balance getting better every day and her ability to stand up it won't be long until she's walking all over the place!! 
June 5th at the beach!!

We are doing well otherwise.  The boys have 2 more weeks of preschool, then we have lots of family visits and pool/beach time planned.  I'm really looking forward to summer!!  I'll be sure to post pictures soon of our summer fun!!

Easter & Disneyland

Oh, no, I'm falling behind on blogging!!  Poor Lauren, I just haven't had as much time to write as I did the first year with the boys!!  We had a very nice Easter here in San Diego.  Bobby was here for a visit, as well as my Mom & Phil.  (Due to her work schedule Peggy came down a few weeks later).  The kids all loved having so much action and attention!  Drew, especially, likes when we have a full house as he can get as much attention as he wants (or an individual is willing to give), and then move on to the next person.  More than once I heard him say "Papa, read me a book!".  So cute.  We all went to church Easter morning and then made brunch at home.  The kids were excited for the chocolate bunnies that the Easter Bunny left.  Lauren got her very own "girl" plate  ie: pink :) 

We were supposed to go the following day to take the boys to Disneyland for the first time, but Will came down with a bad cold, so the trip was postponed.  I was really bummed, as my Mom was going to go with us.  But it all worked out in the end.  Peggy ended up coming to visit a few weeks later for Mother's Day and she was able to come with us.  We left Lauren home for the day with Miss Lulu (our nanny) and took the boys up to Disneyland.  We had a total blast with them!! They both did great on the rides, we got mouse ears hats, and really had a magical time.  Here are some pictures from both events:

Lauren's taking steps!!

I decided to let Lauren play with our toy lion walker last night.   Lately she has just been climbing up and standing on everything and wanting to get around (walk with us holding our hands).  So I showed it to her and she stood up and took steps across the room with it by herself!!   It was so cute, each step she took she would look up and smile at me with this huge grin!  I took a video of it and will try to upload soon.  I think we'll have a little walker on our hands very soon :)

Few pics of the boys

Being goofy at dinner

Drew at the Motor Home

William at the bus

 Mom and the boys enjoying the pond in Indio!