Ethan's Got Game

Ethan has mad skills. I think the video speaks for itself.

Living a celebrity life?

Apparently, because today I found out that I get my (ok Greg's) dry-cleaning done at the same place as Manny. (We had a very intense conversation. It went a little like this: me: hello. Manny: Hi. or maybe he said hi and I said hello. You'll have to ask him, I'm sure he remembers.) and fro-yo at the same place as Matthew Lillard. He was actually REALLY nice, asking about the kids (I was with a friend), holding the door open, etc. Who knew? I'm cool.

A nice story

Wait a minute. How is Greg having lunch with the kids? And why are the kids all red and sweaty? And why does Ethan... have a Pasadena Fire Department sticker? That's interesting. Maybe mom locked the keys in the car while she was pumping gas. Maybe she called Greg who drove at Mach speeds to get there. Maybe the nice gas attendant, along with the 15 or so other nice people also pumping gas, tried to calm mom down, while calling AAA and the Police. Maybe 5 minutes later, the firetruck and police car arrived, sirens blazing. Maybe the firemen were REALLY good-looking. Maybe AAA also showed up and together, they got the car open. Maybe Ethan didn't really give a care, and maybe Kate was sobbing. Maybe they were both soaking wet in their own sweat and maybe they downed their juice boxes in 30 seconds flat (what are the odds I had those? I NEVER carry juice boxes). Maybe dad arrived to save the day and take us all to Tommy's. Maybe I'd like to have some words with the people at Honda who thought that automatic locks while you're pumping gas is a good idea. And maybe I'd like to thank the nice men and women of Pasadena who saved our lives today. Maybe.

Still loving summer

Happy Birthday, Bumpa!

Everyone has that person in their life that they look up to, adore, want to be like, etc. For me, it is my grandpa. He is the kindest and most humble man I have ever known. He has never in his life even thought of doing anything but the right thing. I honestly couldn't even begin to think of my favorite thing about him, so I will just say the first 2 that have come to mind. He loves and absolutely adores my grandma, as well as all of his children and grandchildren. Second, this man always has a good joke to tell, and I don't recall ever hearing a repeat. Well, this wonderful man will be turning 90 this November and we figured August is an easier month to get everyone together, so we had a party for him this weekend. As a side note, we affectionately call him "Bumpa." I guess one of the grandkids couldn't say grandpa, so Bumpa it became. Wise words from Bumpa- "Water is for baptizing. For everything else, there is Diet Coke." My family All of the cousins (well, minus a few, but most of them). The whole party.

cousin Sean, me, cousin Steve, cousin Caitlin, SIL Kira, brother Jimmy, brother Matt

Again, the chair. If you must, zoom in on her hair clip, and well, I won't be embarrassed if you want to tell me how cute it is. Ethan could not get enough of the balloons. Or all the attention. I'm sensing some mischievous activity going on... 3 out of 4. Not bad. The man of the hour Thank you, Bumpa, for being the man that you are. It was fun celebrating you. And lots and lots of thanks to my mom and Aunt Jane for all of the many hours and planning luncheons that it took to put this together. It was fabulous!

Rough and Tough

My brothers and their wives were in town this past weekend for my grandpa's birthday party (which will get its own post) and my kids are finally at the stage that my brothers can appreciate. They had so much fun playing with them. My mom has these stool/ high chair type things that Kate loves to play with. She sets both of them up, sits in one and wants Ethan to sit in the other. I think she likes that they're her size. I just love the face she is giving here. Interpret how you will. I promise this looks higher than it really was. He loved flying high. He was squealing the entire time. My mom and Jimmy Don't you want to know what he's thinking?

Grandparents come to visit

Doug and Janet were here last weekend and like always, I was having too much fun to take many pictures. We took a return trip to the beach, of course, and enjoyed p e r f e c t weather. umm... perfect spiral? I think so...The next day, we took a trip to Toys 'r us and I think the adults had even more fun watching the kids than the kids themselves. They each got to pick one toy. Kate had no problem picking hers. She has not let go of this dolly since. She feeds her, rocks her, burps her, and mostly just gives her "loves." Ethan got a basketball hoop and won't let me post a picture of that until he's perfected his shot. He also got a bonus gift- a lawn mower. He is so in love that he wouldn't let go of it on the ride to my parents' this weekend. This picture was taken during lunch right after the trip to toys r us. I think I may go there every morning from now on. They were p o o p e d! Great visit. I can't wait for another!