Uno, Dos, Tres...

Tia Daphne we love you!

Thank you for always coming over, taking such great care of us and for always being willing to run around and keep us entertained!

Tanner says: Daphne you rock!

Our little ET

We love you!

Toy Story 3

So we took the kids to their first movie- Toy Story 3. Really, they did great! Once they adjusted to the idea of the 'big' picture, we all enjoyed ourselves.


And in case you didn't really get a glimpse of Reese's outfit - let's revisit it:


Yes, they dress themselves. I try and let go of it... but she is still pretty friggin' cute.

Mothering Magazine

Watch out this could be in the next issue of Mothering Magazine. Not really, but it looks like it right? Attachment parenting for your doll -

Carrying her doll in a blanket sling.

Fort Bragg & Beyond

So just a few weeks back we took a trek to the north. We had the opportunity to first stop in Santa Rosa and stay with some friends of mine from my college/ Girl Scout days- Then we continued north to Fort Bragg to go camping with the Roots.

A ball of 'Roots'

We stayed at MacKerricher State Park with some of our favorite people. The kids were at a great age to take camping. No longer are they crawling and eating dirt, they were just rolling around in it! They had a great time hanging out, playing games, riding their bikes and playing with new friends...





One day we took a trip down to Glass Beach. It was not as spectacular as I remembered from college - but still amazing what an old dump can turn into.

Two peas in a pod.

Mommy Lissa giving a rock skipping lesson

It's not just a clever name.

The sun even came out for a bit and we had the opportunity to spend the morning at the beach. We flew kites, made sand castles, threw Frisbees- It was great!


One night some of the male members of the group went out on a fishing trip to bring back dinner- here is the fan club anxiously awaiting to see what they were able to bring back.
All n' all it was a great trip! We stopped on the way home and visited another great friend and his family at Oz Farm in Point Arena. I wish we had more time to stay and explore - but it was great watching the kids run through the farm and eat fresh veggies right off the vine.

Thank you to the Roots for including us in your annual tradition - and who knows maybe we'll join you again in the future!

Potty Training

ahhhhh - potty training. I could write a small novel about the experience thus far- but sadly we are not done.

not. even. close.

we have success some days- some days not so much. But I won't torture everyone with the in's and outs of the bowels of my children. Things I don't want to even discuss that much.

It all started with an intense 3-day boot camp at home - we had lots of time drinking juice and running around the house.

Inflatable slide - or in home jungle gym.

we painted our toes and fingers like big kids

Got lots of practice sitting on the potty -

Making yummy snacks and drinks...

And wearing our big kid undies. (cute tushies - eh?)

This is what happens when you give your kids straight juice for the first time - in the efforts to get them to drink more, so they pee more - etc.


more to come soon.... I just hope there will be success soon!

San Diego

WARNING: Lots of pictures to follow.

So the end of June we took our first extended road trip with the kids to Southern California. Why? Well to celebrate the marriage of Melissa's cousin Bonnie. Congrats Bonnie and Will! From spending our first night in Long Beach and enjoying some time at the beach - we had the opportunity to visit with Grandpa Jim and Grandma Mary. Celebrating Father's day together.


From there we headed South and rented a place in San Diego. We spent a few days in the city, going to Sea World, Balboa Park and hanging out at the beach with the Roccanova's.

Sea World was a HUMONGOUS hit. (See video below - where did he learn the word from, why Sesame Street of course!)

Looks like an Olan Mills shot to me.
Visiting with the Walrus and Beluga Whale.

Went to the Children's Discovery Museum in Balboa Park. They had a great toddler area for the kids. While Reese was off playing on the computer, Tanner spent is morning like this. With is little tongue poking out and working very hard on the conveyor belt.

We spent our last morning in San Diego at Sea World again trying to burn off some energy before we hit the road and headed north.
Riding some rides...

before we made the trek north to San Francisco. We had the opportunity to catch up some friends, and visit again with the Colorado and San Francisco Roccanova contingencies. Our kids love their cousin Gabby.

Picnic in Golden Gate park -

enough sittin' they were off and running...









stay tuned - San Francisco / Pride celebration Part 2....coming soon!

Look, a Princess!

Earlier in the month we had the opportunity to celebrate the marriage of a wonderful family friend. What a great day - catch up with old friends, and even my kindergarten teacher! (Mrs.Green!)

The wedding was beautiful- and the kiddos had the opportunity to show off their new clothes that Auntie Cori brought back from her recent trip to Greece. They kept running around saying, I'm Greek!

The wedding venue was amazing- a little spot called Nestledown in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Crazy beautiful, and a great spot for kids. Train rides, a play ground and open fields to run around in. It was a great celebration and a beautiful day .

Driving over we were trying to explain 'wedding' to Tanner & Reese- I am not sure they totally understood until the Bride came walking down the isle and Reese exclaims "Look Mommy, a Princess!" and she was right....

A beautiful princess indeed...

Snacks to help keep a quiet toddler during the ceremony...

Happy Family.
(We never got a shot with all four of us looking, so I decided to pick the one where Mel and I look the best!)

Auntie Cori and her 'greek' niece and nephew