Today is the first day for All-School Mass. The uniform is a little more strict...they must wear pants, their button down shirt, and a tie. I had to get a shot of this too!!
This is his friend Isaac.
Isaac comes over to our house a couple mornings a week while his mom goes and teaches her Kindergartners. It is working out nicely, we are sharing the whole driving thing..aka carpooling. One thing about catholic schooling...no buses.
Ed and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary on August 1st, 2008. This year, with the income I made from Pampered Chef, I was able to surprise Ed with a trip to San Diego to go to one of the racetracks that he has always wanted to go to - Del Mar. We are fortunate to have very close friends in our family. Jan, is a flight attendant and was kind enough to allow us to use her companion passes to fly there. We were able to fly stand-by and we got to fly FIRST-CLASS!! That was SO nice, especially for Ed, he had so much leg room! We were fortunate enough to get First Class on the way home too!! When we got to California, we were met by Jan's son John and his wife Pamela, they took us to their place and we were able to stay with them...another gift that made the trip possible! As you will see in the following pictures, we had a wonderful time. We are very thankful to John, Pamela, and Jan and Steve for their generosity and kindness...without them I don't think we would have been able to make the trip.
After our morning at the track, and our hike on the beach and up the cliff, we went back to John and Pamela's house. Ed did handicapping and Pamela was working on the computer. I chose to take a little rest :) I don't get to do that very often at home. After we got going again, we got dressed and went to lunch. We just grabbed sandwiches and sat on this beautiful patio. We are on the balcony, a beautiful spot for pictures!
The night before we had dinner, on John and Pamela's patio, with Adam Kitchingham, horse trainer, and Ariel Beca, a Farrier (sp?) that is someone who puts horseshoes on the horses and he also, runs the horses in the morning to warm them up. Anyway, we were enjoying John's homemade recipe for Daiquiris, and I mentioned that when we go to Arlington, Ed takes Tyler to the winner's circle because the jockey's give away goggles. However, Tyler is not a cute little girl, or a little boy anymore, so he tends to get passed over (he handles it pretty well, I might say). Anyway, I asked if he knew any of the jockeys? He said who do you want? I said, I would LOVE Tyler Baze - I always pick the horses he rides because of his name :). SO, he text's Tyler and he said "No Problem". 
SO, after we got the goggles, we wanted to take a seat for the last 2 races. For the previous races we would go from the Paddock (where they "parade" the horses before the races), to the finish line (where hopefully your horse crosses first)...back and forth all day:) Well, Adam has a box for guests and owners of the horses he trains. Well, we were all dressed up, so I felt like...special :) Anyway, we were sitting in our box and right in front of us there was a little commotion (positive), someone was trying to get this man to come with them...we thought nothing of it. However, when he left, Ed said that was Richard Jefferson (a past basketball player for the Arizona Wildcats and a current player for the Milwaukee Bucks). Anyway, I picked a horse, Ed put in his bets. My horse WON!! Then on the screen, we see the guy that was just in front of us!! He was in the winner's circle with the winning horse!! We congratulated him when he returned. Then we noticed he was with Luke Walton (another former basketball player for the Arizona Wildcats and a current player for the LA Lakers). I (being the shy person I am) asked to get our picture taken - I was still on a high from getting those goggles!! They kindly agreed. So, this is a picture of Richard Jefferson, Luke Walton, Pamela, and myself.
Ed, Pamela, and I found a little point to get a cute photo.
Ed and I ...same spot :).
A little higher up, away from the water.
OK?? Is anyone else a little apprehensive to go ahead with this??
Here we are at one of the higher points. We stopped another group of hikers and they were kind enough to take our picture. Ok...another "blonde moment"...while we were walking down the hill (it was paved for cars), there were paw prints that looked as if a dog had walked through paint and crossed the road. (I cannot take all the credit for this moment). Pamela and I thought that a dog actually walked through the paint, so when we saw the prints again, we were interested...how could the paint stay on the dogs feet that long - is what I thought. Well, Ed and John were quick to correct and not so quick to forget our "moment". Obvious to us now, they marked an animal's foot and led them the way people were supposed to go...OH NO wrong again...actually, I guess they have a stick with footprints on it to truly show where to cross the street. I am still laughing as I write this. I am sure most of you reading this will find NO humor in it, but I still do!! It was a great morning!!
I know my pictures are out of order...but AFTER we went to the track for the morning work-out (see following pictures - Morning at Del Mar) we went to Torrey Pines State Park. We walked the beach. As you can see there was some "Marine Cover" - not until a day later did I learn that "Marine Cover" is NOT something caused by the marines, rather "fog" lifting off the ocean, one of many "blonde moments". The "cliff" on the right side is where we are headed, there are paths that wind up and over it.
Ed and I found this cool little cove in the side of the cliff. It was amazing to see the different layers!! I don't think the pictures did it justice.
John tried to back away to capture the magnitude of this cliff. We are still in that little cove.
These are our friends and gracious hosts, John and Pamela, for our trip. 
Ed, John, and I climbed down to the water. Pamela opted the safer option and stayed on top, someone had to be available to run for help...just kidding we were in no danger :). But, I love how you can see the ocean and the cliff in this shot.
On the morning of our actual anniversary, we were able to go to the track but go "behind the scenes'. Adam Kitchingham, a trainer allowed us to come to his stables and see the horses warm up! It was so cool, because Ed was able to recognize some of the other trainers and even a couple of owners. It was so neat to see Ed get excited like a little kid.
Here is a view from the other side of the grandstand, we were watching the horses, run, jog, trot etc...by. It was an amazing experience to be behind the scenes. Every time we go to the track, I realize that there is more to it than just the horse and jockey, but seeing how many people have to work together to get 1 horse out to the racecourse to run a race was simply amazing. After the warm-up we at breakfast with Adam and a friend of his Ariel - he helps warm-up the horses and also puts on shoes for the horses...you know their horseshoes.
We were able to see the horses up close an personal! I think this horses name was "Run for Cover".
Right after we took this picture, the horse spooked a little because of the flash! To be honest - the horse spooked me a little!
I wanted to get shirts for the boys before we left and Pamela mentioned a T-Shirt store. We made it 3 min. before closing, but the doors were LOCKED!!! We pleaded with the clerk to let us in, finally they gave in and we had to shop fast!! After our shopping spree - we had dinner at one of John's favorite burger places - Hodads. It was down the street from the store. There was so much food- the most outrageous onion rings and a bacon cheeseburger that was SO good, but so big I could only eat 1/2! Ed and I got shakes, we had to eat them with a spoon because they were so thick!
Hodads is a restaurant with A LOT of personality!! There are license plates ALL over the walls, some personalized, but from ALL over the country! Also, there was this VW bus coming out of the wall, you can eat your meal inside OR take your picture in it as we did!
This year vacation Bible School had a "Science" theme. Jacob was able to go into the Pre-School class! Because I was a crew leader, we got to learn the moves - Jacob picked up all the moves to the first song - therefore making it his favorite! He had so much fun. However, on Wednesday he woke up with Pink-eye and could not attend. So, we watched the music video and we danced anyway! It was crazy-hair day at VBS, since Tyler went with crazy hair, Jacob wanted crazy hair too. So, here is Jacob with his crazy hair and goggles doing his favorite VBS dance...POWER! "Play that air guitar Jacob"
Joshua and Grandpa had a "talk" one day after Grandma and Grandpa came to help out with the yard work. We were given a gift from them to help out with the yard work. We are not completely sure, but we think Joshua may have "whispered" something in their ear about making Daddy's life a little easier by getting a riding mower. Grandpa gave us a call and said there was one waiting for us...Thanks Grandma & Grandpa!
I am really not sure which boy is most fond of our new toy/gift!
Someday boys...you will be fighting to see who DOES NOT have to drive and mow the lawn!!
Joshua loved being outside and listening to the fireworks.
Ed was helping the kids do their sparklers. We made sure everyone had gm shoes and pants on...well that was the rule for the kids, as you can see...Ed is invincible ha ha ha!!
We had a really nice group of friends for our celebration. Here is Charolette and her oldest daughter, Madison.
We had the Martinez family, Julio, Charolette, Madison, Lincoln, Reagan, & Kennedy, Ed and Gayle from down the cul-de-sac, Sheila, Brad, and Rachael from next door, Vicky, Dave, and Nathan, and of course Ed, me, Tyler, Joshua and Jacob. We all had a great time!
Lincoln and Tyler enjoy the special attention from Ed to do the sparklers.
Tyler, Madison, Lincoln, Olivia, and Jacob sat on the curb and watched Ed and Julio set off fireworks. It was great because our neighbors Dale and Judy put on a marvelous show each year. Last year was our first year here, and this year we were ready for the show. We were able to contribute with our own fireworks too. I don't know who enjoys it more, us or the kids.
Vicky and Dave were able to make it out with Nathan. He wasn't too sure about the fireworks, so Vicky had to set-up camp in the house in front of the big window. She still got to see the "show".
Joshua LOVED the fireworks. If you were to close your eyes during a fireworks display, we think that is what Joshua can see. Not only did he like the really bright ones, but he truly enjoyed the loud ones as well. He loves to be startled! Nathan on the other hand, wasn't too fond of any of them.
Rachael is our wonderful neighbor! She was over with her mom and brother, Brad. She was helping Jacob with his sparkler.
Our neighbors, Gayle and Ed were able to come over and join us too. You cannot see it, but we carried our fire pit over to the vacant driveway next door and set up camp there. We made S'Mores and prepared for a great fireworks display.
Tyler, Joshua, and Jacob loving being around friends and excitement. We have come here since 2005. You pull into a huge field and park you car along with a bunch of other people and wait until it gets dark. There are concessions if you like to have "fair-type" food. People putting off fireworks, like sparklers and other light emitting ones. 
Here are Joshua and Jacob, just snuggling. Surprisingly, July 3rd was a little chilly.
This year we were joined by the Martinez family and the Peterson family. Here are our kids!
Jacob enjoyed passing the time by blowing bubbles.
Tyler and Abbey enjoyed passing the time by playing catch. Once the fireworks started, everyone snuggled into laps and settled on blankets for the great celebration of our country's birthday!
My friend, Charolette, and I decided to take our 6 kids to the beach. (Joshua stayed home with dad, we have't figured out an easy way to get him across the beach). We left around 5pm and stayed until after sunset. It was the best idea! The kids all got naps before we left. We stopped and ate McDonalds on the way and enjoyed a great evening on the beach.
It was so beautiful to see the sun set. There is just something about sunsets and water that puts a "calm" on all your stresses. Even if it is only fora few brief moments!!
How cute are these kiddos? Lincoln, Tyler, Madison, & Jacob
How sweet - those cute, cute feet! Jacob, Madison, Tyler, and Lincoln (we tried to get Reagan and Kennedy, but we couldn't get everyone to cooperate).;
Here's my girl - Reagan. OK. she really isn't mine, but she always makes me feel good, because she shows so much excitement to see me. How could I not love that face :)
Here we are working together to get as much of the kids buried in the sand!
Jacob and Madison were enjoying themselves!
The kids found a hole and tried to bury themselves. So, I just came to help, "buldoze" the rest of the sand to fill the hole and cover them up.
Here we are, right before the sun set, playing in the sand!! This is the life!! L-R Tyler, Madison, Jacob.
