Catch Up Blog: Fourth of July 2015

Hello all - this is going to be another catch up blog for my memory purposes :) I am hoping one day to take these blogs and make them into books for my kids to look back and remember all the things we did and how much we loved them.

This Fourth of July was so much with Grant being a little older, the kids were able to play more and get around. Our holiday actually started the night before with the annual City of Norwalk firework show with Scott's family. This is a tradition we do every year. We have only missed two years when both kids were first born because I didn't want them to be around that many people. This year it was more crowded then ever. We were able to find a spot and had a light dinner. We then took the kids to the game booths, dance floor, and got a picture on a real police motorcycle. Both kids were in awe of the fireworks displayed and it was just nice to be with family. Big thank you to Aunt Dorothy that got Hunter the awesome light up sword. That was a huge hit around our house for weeks :)

The next day we did our usual visit to both families. First we went to the Ekstroms house for their annual Fourth BBQ and Pool Party. Although the kids were not pool kids that day, they did really enjoy the trampoline. It was a day full of great food, games, and most important family. I am always so thankful for my family because we all just truly love being around each other. It is also so much fun to see all the kids play and interact with one another.

After we stuffed ourselves at my family's party, we headed out to Hawthorne to visit with all of Scott's family. They had a neighborhood block party and the kids had more fun in a mini bounce house. My kids sure do love to jump :) We are so fortunate that although we do not see all this family as often, we gel right back once we are together. We ate some more, and then all the kids and adults received an awesome firework show, thanks to every ones contributions. It was a very nice evening had by all.

I just love the holidays, no matter which one, because it makes you really sit and remember what is most important in life....FAMILY!

Now my favorite part---PICTURES!

The Perfect Weekend

So I promised I would be back J Being a working mom my weekends with the boys are everything, and we always try to do fun things and take full advantage of the time we have with them. Because before you know it, it is Monday morning and we are back in our routine of waking up early and going to work. Although, sometimes it is nice when we don’t do much of anything and just lay around the house being lazy and just truly enjoying each others company.

 

This past weekend was the perfect mixture of both. We were able to get things we needed to get done accomplished (grocery shopping, Costco trip, ect…), go somewhere fun and exciting with the kids (Knott’s on Saturday Night and Heritage Park on Sunday), and be lazy (Scott and I watch a whole movie during nap time on Sunday – We haven’t watched a movie uninterrupted in 3 years, it was heavenly).

 It was literally the perfect weekend. Which was well needed considering the past weekends had been pretty busy and our next month of weekends are jam packed with activities, including a weekend trip to San Diego/Sea World and my cousins wedding. I am so excited. We have never taken the boys to Sea World and it has always been one of my favorite places to go, so I am super excited about taking them. We haven’t done a vacation yet this summer so we thought this would be the perfect opportunity. I, of course, will be blogging about the trip once we get back.

I saw a quote on Pinterest and it said, “While we are teaching our children all about life, they are teaching us what life is all about”. This really struck me. I feel that I complain A LOT about my children. I mean I have a 3 year old and a 1 ½ year old (both boys). They are the epitome of energy! Plus they both seem to be going through somewhat of a defiant stage. But at the end of the day, I wouldn’t want my life to be any other way. I may yell (yes I sometimes yell) and get frustrated, but I also love and comfort them, and those are the moments I hold onto to. They are literally my life and everything Scott and I do is for them, and I couldn’t ask for a better life than that J

Now onto my favorite part the pictures…Enjoy!

 

 

Catch up Blog: Fathers Day

Hello again - I told you I was going to be better about writing :) This is going to be a catch up blog about Fathers day. I have been busy at work and home (Surprise, Surprise I have two kids haha:) so every once in a while I need to play a little catch up with big events.

Also, this blog gives me the opportunity to state how grateful I am for the fathers I have in my life. Rick Hosmer, my father in law, I am not just thankful for the great dad you are to Scott but grandpa you are to the boys. I am thankful for the example you provided to Scott and helped shape him into the wonderful man he is today. My own dad and Poppy to the boys. There are not enough words to express how grateful we are for you and all that you do for our family. The boys are always so excited to see you and play monster trucks. I am eternally grateful to our Heavenly Father for choosing you and Mom to be my parents. You have shaped me into the woman and mother that I am. We love you so much. And last but certainly not least, my husband Scott Hosmer. I am blown away everyday at the patience you have with our children. I am thankful that I have you as my partner in life. You balance me out in so many ways and make me a better mother. My dream was to be a mother and you have made that a reality and for that alone I will be eternally grateful. I love you more than any amount of words I write. You are beyond the best dad I know, and you can see how much the kids love you just by how they look at you. You are the best example to them, and I know if they continue to look to you for guidance, we will raise two fine boys.

Now that I got the mushy stuff out of the way, we did a couple different things to celebrate Fathers Day. On Saturday, the day before Fathers Day, we went out to dinner with my family - it was extra special because we were able to spend some time with my nephew Noah who was in from Indiana for a few weeks - and then went back to my moms so the kids could play and we could hang out. I know I have said it before, but the best times my family has together is when we are just together. Nothing fancy, just sitting on the porch talking and enjoying each others company, while we watch the kids play. It really doesn't get better than that.

On Sunday, I got up and made Scott and the boys breakfast. We didn't buy anything for him, because just a few weeks prior, he got a brand new car :) I thought that was a good enough present haha :) I did make him this really cute picture of the boys to put on his desk at work. Once we were done with church, we just vegged-out at home and hung out with the boys until it was time to go to dinner with Scott's family. We went to our favorite Pizza/Italian place in down town Fullerton, Angelos and Vincis. If you have not been there, you need to GO! such great food and pretty reasonable prices. We had a great time with his family and it was nice to reconnect with Scott's sister Liz and her boyfriend Jonathan. The kids are always so excited to see them. It was a night filled with great memories and really good food!

All in all the holiday was a success. Although we should try and let our fathers know more often just how appreciative we are for there presence in our lives. We shouldn't just wait for a holiday to remind us of that.

So thankful for all the extraordinary men in my life that have been examples to me at different times in my life.

Now for eveyones favorite part, the pictures :)

Picture Day (Take Two)

Hello All! I am going to post this blog and a couple of catch up blogs from some of the big events that have been going on with us. I must preface this by saying that I have only taken Hunter to a portrait studio one other time and wasn't really impressed, but I found a killer Groupon for a package at JC Pennys portrait studios and thought I would give it a try. My moms birthday is also coming up and I thought she would love some updated pics of the kids.

Take 1 - happened two weeks ago and lets just say it wasn't pretty. It was nap time and snack time and the babies were not being very cooperative. We didn't get a single picture. So we rescheduled thinking a better time would make for more cooperative babies. Not exactly the case. At least this time we were able to get some pictures, although the only way the babies would take pictures was if they were sitting on someones lap (the reason my mom had to be in some of the pictures), or eating snacks (the reason all of Grants pictures, he has his hands in his mouth) haha :) Although it was alot of work and energy (I think you get a 10 minute sitting fee, it took us an hour) we did get some pretty cute pictures. Can't wait for my prints so I can hang up in my house.

All in all for the price and the great service at JC Penny we got the pictures we wanted. Here are a few of the results:

I think he was mid-chew :)

Hunter did awesome...Look how big he is getting...My little boy is growing up :(

Isnt he so Handsome??

Cheesy Smile :)

Scott and I did GOOD :)

So Serious...this was Grants face most of the time

My sweet Girl Lauren...Love her so much

COUSINS :)

Nana and the kids :) - Happy Early Birthday Nana!