Sundays.

Sunday is still my favorite day of the week. There is just something about it and I don't know why, but I look forward to this particular day each week.

The weather has been so nice these last few days, it's hard to stay inside. I keep finding myself trying to do all my indoor stuff outside. Taking the laundry basket outside to fold clothes in the sun, or take my laptop outside to work, and then there is always changing the diapers outside too......just kidding on that one.

Michael is so happy to be outside. He will literally stand at the sliding door, bang on it and babble at me (words I can't quite make out) to let him outside to play. We don't have a yard for the kids to play on per-say, but we have a deck in the back that is completely fenced off....he will play out there until I drag him in for the night. Nicolas, even though he is only 4 months old enjoys it as well. He is content to just look around at the sky and the trees.

All this great weather makes me want to start gardening, to bad we are anticipating some more cold weather in the next few weeks. I've got my seedlings started, but they won't be ready to transplant for at least another month.

Yellow Pear Tomato, Sweet 100 Tomato, Santa Fe Mild Peppers, Carnival Mix Sweet Bells, Banana Peppers,  Rosemary, Basil, Purple Basil & Marigolds.

rough start....wonderful end.

The only problem with messing with a child's regular routine is the aftermath that comes with it the following day. Both the younger boys didn't sleep well last night, and I can only assume it was because of the trip to Modesto. They are pretty much robots when it comes to a nightly routine in this house, so throwing it off even a bit can be a catastrophe! Needless to say, I didn't sleep all that well either.....oh well, it was worth it!

On the brighter side of things, Tucker was able to come home earlier than usual today. He brought me a flower that he picked on the way home....I just love that! So much better than a bunch of flowers from the flower shop in my opinion. Michael loves when Daddy comes home.....he just lights up and goes running to Daddy the moment he hears the front door open.

Tucker made a nice dinner for all of us, and we had a nice night just being a family. I just live for these days!

Life. Is. Good.

a trip to grandmas.

It's been over a year since I have seen my grandmother. The last time was at Thanksgiving in 2009. Michael was just three months old when she saw him for the very first time.

Today was a special day because we had the opportunity to take a day trip to Modesto to visit Grandma. My sister went with me and the kids, which was wonderful because she helped me so much! This was the first time Great-Grandma got to see Nicolas too, ironically at about the same age as Michael was when she first met him.

Here is a picture of Michael and Great-Grandma in 2009

Here is one of Nicolas and Great-Grandma taken today (2011)

There was actually another pic that I deleted (wish I hadn't now) that had Nicolas with his fist in his mouth just like Michael did in his photo with Great-Grandma.

It was so much fun to watch Michael wander around the house.....getting into anything and EVERYTHING. This is where my sister was super helpful, if I was busy with Nicolas, she would take Michael off my hands without me even asking....she was wonderful!

Each Thanksgiving, the family takes a walk thru the Walnut Orchards that my Grandmother lives on to pick up left-over walnuts and enjoy each others company. Today, we tried to take a walk in the orchard, but with the nearly 80 degree weather (which is a huge change from what we are used to these last few days) we decided to stay at the house. Nicolas was getting way to hot in his stroller.

Staying at the house was just as fun, Michael got to play in a bowl of water.....his favorite thing to do since he was little is splash in water.

Michael Splashing in a big bowl of Water

Playing with the hose at Great-Grandmas House

Michael's famous "cheese-face"

After playing for the afternoon, we enjoyed homemade taco soup that Grandma had been cooking that day, and had a quick chat then it was time to get back on the road and head home. We all decided to plan on trying to visit every month or so from now on. I'm looking forward to it. Life is too short not to take advantage of spending time with family.

The drive back is approximately 3 hours between Modesto and our house. The boys did really well with the drive especially on the way back......they were wiped out!

Even though the trip was alot of fun. It's nice to be back home. The boys are now sleeping soundly in their beds, and I am comfy sitting here in my sweat pants, which I tend to always put on the minute I get home.

Anyway, Tucker should be home soon, and I can't wait to show him these cute pics and tell him about our day. But for now, I will kick back and watch a chick-flick and enjoy having the house to myself.