Oh the trouble they would cause....

The Hees Family stopped by our house today on their way to San Diego. It was so fun! I had not seen Tara since she was still pregnant with Molly and I was pregnant with Eva. It worked out perfect, we are almost in the middle of their journey. They stayed and had lunch and played for a while. Cody and Georgie had a lot of fun. Tara, George and I decided that it might be a good thing that we didn't live too close to each other because the boys could be trouble together. Thanks for stopping to visit! We loved seeing you.

Georgie, Cody, Eva, Reilly, and Molly

can't believe we got this picture.

See what I mean...silly boys!

For some reason I always end up with the crying kid. 

Water Wars!

Kevin and Cody had their real first water fight today. Kevin was hosing somethings off in the front yard and he came in and told me I'm going to start a water fight. I wasn't sure how Cody would react when Kevin sprayed him down. He loved it. They had a great time!

Getting sprayed!

Spraying his daddy! He thought it was so funny.

Beach Day

Today we went to the beach with my leader from CBS, Roya and her son, Caleb. Caleb is Cody's age and they were in the same class together. Lynne and Isla also joined us. It was a cloudy, cool day, but the kids had fun playing in the sand. I am trying to get Cody to the beach a lot more this summer. Up till this point we have not taken advantage of how close we live to the beach.

They all played so nicely together. 

Girl time and 5 months old

Today I got to spend some special girl time with Madison and Ashlyn. For Madison's birthday we gave her a Color Me Mine gift certificate so today she redeemed it and Ashlyn and I got to join her. We had a great time painting and talking about their summer plans. It is so crazy how quickly they have grown up. Madison is 10 and Ashlyn will be 7 in September. The years are flying by. Thanks for hanging out with your Auntie for the morning. I had a lot of fun with you. Love you girls!

Madison's final product. She is so artistic.

Ashlyn and her cute dog Max, he's a piggy bank.

I decided that we needed a birthday plate. 

It was so much fun to paint!

Today is also Eva's five month birthday. I seriously can't believe that she is already five months old. She is rolling over and loving it. She did raspberries yesterday for the first time. We were in Target and she was in the Bjorn facing Cody who was in the cart. She just busted out with them right at Cody. He was cracking up and so was she. It made our trip to Target so fun. Eva is getting such a personality of her own. She adores her brother. He will sit real close to her and laugh until she starts laughing, then he says mom sister's laughing at me. These two are so silly sometimes. 

A couple of silly gooses!

Happy 5 month birthday Evangeline Lily!

Being so sweet with her. Love his little face.

I am in love with her!

Addy Graduates!

The kids and I went to Grammy and Grampy's house tonight (maybe for the last time, they sold it and are moving) to celebrate Addy's graduation from high school. We had a great time celebrating with Addy. We are so proud of her. She is headed to college in the fall, Northwest Christian College in Eugene, OR. We will miss her so much but know that she will do awesome and have so much fun.

Eva was really excited to be there...She was having

a bad hair day.

Cody being a stinker for the picture.

Brady graduated from eight grade on Monday night. We weren't able to make it to the ceremony so we got to celecbrate him as well.

Looking good Brady!

Isla's Birthday and Sharing Trucks

Today is Isla's birthday, she is 4 years old. She and Cody have been friends since Cody was born. They have always gotten along so well and Lynne and I hope that it will always stay this way. We decided that we should get cupcakes and go over and sing to her. We went over for a quick visit played, sang, ate cupcakes and Lynne and I had petite fours. It was a fun little treat.

Happy 4th birthday Isla!

After nap we were playing in the playroom and I saw Cody share with his sister. It was so sweet! He was playing with two of his favorite cars and he turned around and said here sis you play with this one. I hope he will always be this nice to her....a mom can dream can't she.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to a wonderful dad to my children and a fabulous husband. We love you, Kevin Michael Rausch. Happy Father's Day also to our wonderful dads. We wouldn't be who we are if it weren't for you. We love you both so much.

Kevin got to spend the morning and early afternoon doing one of the things that he loves most, fishing. He, his dad, brother, and cousin Brady spent the day on the water. The weather wasn't fabulous but the fishing was great. They caught just about every kind of fish that is biting right now. The only problem was that most of them were too small to bring home. He did however catch an awesome Thresher Shark.  We have yet to enjoy it, but I know it will be good.

When Kevin arrived home he showered, we picked up dinner from Fratellos, and we headed down to the bluff. We ate with my dad, mom, brother, and family. Dinner was so yummy as was the company.

The kids got Kevin some new BBQ tools, some seasonings, and marinades. We decided it was the perfect present since he got a smoker for his birthday. We also made him a picture collage from Costco which we framed and I made something with their handprints.

It was a fun day. I dropped the ball though and didn't get a picture of Kevin and the kids. I did however get a picture of him and his shark.

Kevin and his shark!

Helping Bob!

Bob was meeting Kevin down at the boat to repair the bilge pump. Cody wanted to go. He grabbed a few of his tools and jumped in the truck. When I got down to the boat a while later with Eva this is what I saw....

He is the cutest kid. He had a great time. Thanks for putting up with him Bob. He thinks your great!

She did it!

Eva has been so close to rolling over for a few days. She did it today! Cody and I were working on his workbooks and she has on her play mat. She was up on her side. I looked down to help Cody and we looked back up and she was on her tummy. She was looking around with the biggest grin on her face. She was so proud of herself. Cody and I cheered for her and she seemed to smile bigger. Way to go Evangeline Lily! Mommy, Daddy and Cody are so proud of you.

Cody is working hard and you can see Eva up on her side in the background.

The proud little girl!

I love books...

Cody has started to love books as much as I do. It is so cute to hear him in his bed at night re-reading the book that Kevin or I read to him right before bed. So I decided it was time to try the library again. The library is right across the street so I loaded the kids in the stroller and we headed over there. Cody picked a few books and enjoyed doing the puzzles. We had a good time and I am sure that he will enjoy all of the books that we chose.

Doing puzzles! They are so much more fun when they belong to someone else.

Some of the books that we chose, Curious George is one of his favorites.

Happy 12th Birthday Logan!

Kevin and I remember the day Logan was born. How could that have been twelve years ago. We love you Logan! We are so proud of you and the young man you have become. Your cousins adore you and think the world of you. Here are a few pictures from his party.

The girls were so excited when Eva was born.

Now it is even.

Cody loves the keyboard.

Eva had a great time and was totally entertained.

 Logan's lego rock band.

 Cody and the birthday boy!

 I am pretty sure that Logan has been waiting for this moment since

Cody and Tyler were born. Nerf war against the girls.

They caught the girls and had them in jail. Too cute!

Thank you sweet Julia and Meghan!

Yesterday we got a package in the mail. Cody said it was for him, but really it was for me...I mean Eva.

Meghan sent a package of adorable clothes that were Julia's. They are all so cute! I could hardly wait to put Eva in them. I found an outfit that would fit her right now and she wore it today. Thank you Auntie Meghan and Julia! We are so blessed to have you as friends. We wish you lived closer so that we could see you more often. We love you!

Just a few of the adorable things we received.

Cute girl in a cute outfit!

Thank you!

I just love them...

Sweet sleeping baby!

He was so excited that she was finally awake.

He adores her!

Riding his new scooter.

Crazy full day....

Happy birthday Auntie Mindy! We had so much fun celebrating with you tonight.

Earlier today we went to see Dr. Mike for Cody's three year well visit and so that Eva could get the rest of her four month shots. Both of the kids did well. Cody got two shots in his legs and Eva just had an oral shot. Both kids are healthy and developing well.

Cody is 38 inches tall (64%) and 33lbs. 8 oz. (69%).
Eva is 25.3 inches tall (85%) and 14lbs. 8 oz. (56%).

After nap time I got the kids ready for a surprise birthday dinner for Auntie Mindy's birthday. Uncle Todd had planned it at Hapa J's. We had a great time. On the way there my sweet boy blew me away. We were sitting in traffic and Cody asked me what was going on. I told him that sometimes there is an accident ahead and that is why we aren't moving very fast. He said, "Oh no mommy! Are they ok?" I said, "I am sure they are." He said, "Mommy, we should pray." I tried to choke back the tears. That made me so proud. He is a very sweet boy.

The only picture was of the kids and Poppy at dinner.

We were also celebrating Logan getting his green belt.

Way to go Logan!

Happy Birthday to you....

Happy 3rd Birthday, Cody Wyatt!

My dear, sweet boy....we are so proud of you. You have become such a big boy. You are so much fun to be around. You love your family, your friends, and any one who will talk to you. When you were a baby I said that you would one day be a politician because you were shaking hands and kissing babies. Things haven't changed much. You love to talk to everyone. Your newest things is "Hi, what's your name?" It is hard for me to think that we have to teach you that you can't talk to strangers. You want everyone to be your friend. You have been such a great big brother to Eva. You have been so sweet and caring. We can't believe that you are already three and that you will start preschool in the fall. It seems like yesterday I was in the hospital having you. Your daddy and I love you very much. Keep working hard on being a good listener and a good boy.

This morning for breakfast I let Cody choose what he would like. He chose a cinnamon roll from JC Beans. I was happy because it meant that I got a latte. He ate the whole thing and was licking his fingers. We spent the day at home playing with his new toys. We played Candyland, Shoots and Ladders, he and Eva played in his new tent and lots of other fun things. Cody ate his normal lunch of PB&J and apple. I gave him his choice for dinner. He thought and then said I want spaghetti again (he had it last night). We ate spaghetti and had a giant cupcake for dessert. We got Cody magnetic blocks and Eva got him a new helicopter. It was a fun day. We are finally all done. I told Cody that today was the last day of his birthday. We are moving on...Auntie Mindy's is on Friday and Logan's is on Monday.

We love you, Cody Wyatt Rausch!

Cody and his yummy cinnamon roll.

Cody was showing Eva what you do when you go camping.

He is so excited for Carpinteria.

What a yummy cupcake!

Pretend City

What an amazing day we had today! I had found a great deal on Living Social for a birthday party at Pretend City and I couldn't pass it up. Cody had loved it so much when we had gone in December that I thought it would be so fun to have his party there. The deal not only included 15 kids and 15 adults, but passes for the kids to come back again. We invited 15 friends and had an amazing time.

We started off in the party room for an hour. We played a fishing game and each child got a prize to take home. We had pizza, fruit and juice. We sang Happy Birthday to Cody and then ate cupcakes and/or fish cake pops. We then headed out into the main room to play. The kids all had a great time and it wasn't very crowded which was nice. Cody loved running free and playing in all the different parts of town. He told me that his favorite thing was the sandbox. They had a story time and the "beach" and then a beach party that followed. It looked like fun.

Our family, the calm before the storm.

Cody was making sure the fishing game worked before everyone got there.

Gianni and Milo had so much fun in the garden.

Reese and Emerson enjoying some pizza. They are so cute!

Isla, Tyler, Cody and Slayder smiling for a picture.

So cute!

Tyler and Luke coloring on the wall. So much fun to break the rules!

Getting ready to sing to him. He loved being

the center of attention.

I love the look on his face. So precious.

He was singing to himself.

Loved this, the paint on the wall was like a white board so the kids

got to write and draw pictures. They loved doing this. 

Look Daddy I caught a lobster!

Maybe some day he will be a firefighter like Uncle Kyle and Uncle Mike.

Cute little Makenzie!

Isla loved that hat, I'm surprised Lynne got it off her.

She looked so cute in it.

Story time at the beach with Gavin and Isla.

Eva was such a good girl the whole party. 

She loved stretching out and playing when we got home.

Thanks to all my friends for sharing in my special day with me.