Sisters In Vegas

In August I was able to take a getaway to Las Vegas with my two sisters, Marina & Brianna.We had a great time! We saw the sights, caught a show, ate great food, and sat by the pool. I am so thankful to my mother-in-law, Linda for taking care of the children while Jason was at work when I was away! Our Hotel.
Mandalay Bay has a great pool area. There are about 4 pools, plus a giant wave pool and a lazy pool. We especially enjoyed the lazy pool, which allows you to float around in a loop of continuously flowing water.
Dinner Out
One night we went to dinner at Diego's. The food was excellent! We loved the guacamole, which is made tableside so you get to choose the ingredients. Also, the mojitos and sangrias were yummy!
The Wynn
We went to check out the new Wynn hotel on orders from our father. It was my favorite hotel as far as decor. Sorry, Dad. We were not able to check the golf course out for you.
Bri & Her New Friend
We had a fun 3 days. I was so thankful for the opportunity to spend time with my beautiful sisters!

 

The Fair

On July 13th, we took the children to the Orange County fair. We especially enjoyed the farm animals. Mercy was excited to see the dairy cows. When she went for a closer look one turned and MOOOED very loudly in her face, frightening her. Joshua was able to pet some baby chickens and watch a litter of piglets nurse. Joshua and Mercy found a new friend!

Joshua's first time driving a bumper car all by himself.

Mercy dragged Jason on the bumble bees.

 

The Fourth of July

This year Jason & I hosted my family's annual Fourth of July picnic and firework show. We set up tables & chairs in the front yard, & had way too much food. By firework time we had about 30 people! This was the first year that Joshua stayed outside to watch fireworks.

We also were celebrating my sister, Marina's birthday!

Mercy's first sparkler!

 

More Pictures From the Wedding

Jason and Michelle

After we dragged Joshua off the dance floor to leave, he was dancing in the parking lot.

The handsome little guy.

The Mother & Son Dance

 

Joshua & Mercy Hit the Dance Floor!

Once Joshua and Mercy got started, there was no stopping them!

Aren't they cute!

Joshua dancing with the ladies.

Joshua danced with me, but moms tend to cramp their sons' style on the dance floor so that didn't last long.

Joshua really knows how to get down into himself!

 

Introducing Mr and Mrs Isaac Reyes!

Catherine and Isaac enter the reception hall.

The cutting of the cake.

The happy couple.

 

A Sad Day For Swallows

Our family does not have any pets, but we do have a family of swallows living under our front stoop. Every March, for at least the past eight years, swallows come to nest at our home. This year we have been fortunate enough to have two hatchings of baby birds. The first family of birds came in March, patched up an old nest from last year and welcomed their babies sometime in May.

In May, the second set of birds came. We watched as they built a new nest next to the old one. I had noticed for the last week or so the mother bird sitting on her eggs. Sometime this past weekend the eggs hatched. We came home on Sunday night and found tiny, paper thin egg shells under the nest and five baby birds. Joshua and Mercy watched the adult birds feed the babies, and the baby birds wriggle around with their mouths open waiting for their mother to return. Then, last night Jason and I found one tiny bird on the ground under the nest! It was barely alive. I wanted to put it back, but Jason said that we should let nature take its course.

I felt sad for the baby bird and its mother. Of course, I don't know if the mother bird felt anything for her lost child. But having watched these birds toil over building a nest, sit day in and day out on the eggs, and then feed the babies' seemingly endless appettites, I couldn't help but feel saddened.

"Yea, the sparrow hath found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God." --Psalm 84:3

A Present for Dad!!

The children made Jason a pencil holder as an Un-Father's Day gift. I say un-father's day because Jason does not like or care to observe Father's Day (I don't know, ask him). Still Joshua and Mercy had a great time painting the popsicle sticks for the pencil holder.

Joshua was trying to give Mercy a lesson on mixing colors.

It was Mercy's first time painting. She didn't like her hands dirty so I had to wash them every five minutes. But in the end, she had paint everywhere: up both arms, all over her play dress, in her hair, & even on the bottoms of her feet!

Joshua on the other hand is an old pro at painting, not to mention a bit of a neat freak like his dad; so he was virtually spotless!

Our Day @ Mouse Land

Yesterday, we went to Disneyland! It was a wonderful day to go. The temperature was about 77 degrees with a cool breeze; but best of all, the park was not very crowded.

Joshua splashed around in Bug's Land, while Mercy napped. He was soaked!

We all rode the giant caterpiller.

Shortly after this picture was taken, Joshua told me, "Mom, this is the best day ever!" Which made me laugh since earlier in the day he fell and skinned both his knee and elbow and told me: "Mom this is the worstest day ever!"

The Mad Hatter's Tea Party.

Aunt Marina, Mercy, & Joshua.
This was Mercy's first ride on the Teacups. She loved it! She kept saying "Whoa! Whoa! Whooooa!"

Overall, it was a fun day. We rode Buzz Lightyear, Autotopia, the Storybook Boat, the Teacups, Alice in Wonderland, Soaring over California, and the Caterpillar ride.!

A Day at Carbon Canyon Park

Last Saturday we decided to enjoy the beautiful day that God gave us and head to the park; so, we packed up a picnic lunch, some outdoor toys, and a blanket and off we went! Joshua at the playground.

Mercy, Jason, & Joshua contemplating a swim.

Mercy reading "The Squirrel and the Nut"

We spent the day eating sandwiches, drinking mint iced tea, playing "Joshua Rules" badminton, tossing the football, flying paper airplanes, and generally just lounging and frolicking in the park.

The Davis' in Chicago

This is the family at John & Katie's rehearsal dinner. November 4, 2005