Happy Fourth Everyone!!!

The last days of June

Lillie is now 11 mos.! I tried to do her hair before church by putting in blue perm rods and covering them with hot sets. It lasted 10 min. before Lillie Kate pulled out her headband. She pulls everything out that I try to put in. She will have to learn one day.. won't she Marisa and Kalise. :)!!! Isaac will be three the end of next month he is getting so big. Toilet training is still in the process. His Nursery teacher tells me how much he loves music and playing instruments. And how he loves to sing. Thanks to Disney's "Little Einsteins." He loves the show. Thanks again Ces! Can you believe it has almost been a year since you gave him "Our Huge Adventure" for his birthday! He has loved it ever since. We are excited to be going on a trip up North for Mike's vacation. We will be visiting Cambria and Santa Cruz. We hope everyone has a happy Fourth! And we are proud to be living in such a wonderful country. We are grateful to those who have given their lives for our freedom.

Father's Day

Isaac making a cake for his daddy for Father's Day. His favorite part was licking the beaters clean. Happy Father's Day, Mike!!!

There was a little girl

I was looking through Lillie Kate's baby book and there is a page that you put in pictures of her eating. I haven't taking pictures of her eating yet. I feel like a slacker. Isaac has tonz of them. This is what happened on Father's Day. Daddy decided to give her the mashed potatoes and let her fend for herself. Lillie enjoys putting everything in her hair while she is eating especially on the sides. This it looks like she smeared it on as if it was lotion. We have take atleast two baths a day. After Dinner was all over, Daddy put her in the bathtub just like that! I asked Mike why she was in the bathtub with her clothes on and he explained that there wasn't a safe place to put her. You can take this comment two ways...
Mike didn't want everything painted with mashed potatoe hands or you can take it literally. Lillie loves to get into everything and really there isn't a safe place to put her because she always finds something to get into. Lillie turned ll months on the 19th! I can't believe she will be one in July.
..................And Mom of course was the lucky one to give her the bath she so deserved.

There was a little boy

Well, These pictures are self explanatory. We have been at this for two weeks. Or should I say we have been home for two weeks. Isaac is doing good. He has had one day without any accidents.

This was the end of the first week ... He really enjoyed the fish stickers and the Halloween ones.

One Upon A Potty!

Okay, so we relaxed a couple of days and then I decided that it was time to stop procrastinating and toilet train Isaac. We started Friday, June 6th. Mike is home on Fridays and I really thought that Isaac and I could use his support. Isaac was able to get two stickers on his chart the first day. He is in big underwear. I hope I can get through the next week and so on. I decided to make a very simple chart in which by the time he fills it in he will be potty trained and able earn his tricycle or bike.

The Last of the Wedding Daze of May!

The last several days of May led us to travel down to Temecula, California for Austin and Marisa's second reception. It was at Austin's grandmother's vineyard. Wow!!! What a fairytale. I had no idea that Temecula was known for their vineyards just like Napa Valley. Austin's grandmother took over Keyways two years ago and it is a very upscale place. Marisa had her reception in a new part of it. The flowers, lighting, and decorations were very elegant. I decided to put a few more photos for my dearest family members that couldn't come so that they would know what it was like to be there.

We were also able to have Marisa all to ourselves for a few hours before the reception. Austin had to help his parents set up and of course Marisa needed help getting ready. So.. Here we are in Old Town Temecula. Yes, Cesily and Josh we actually got dad to go into a Tourist Trap. My Dad doesn't like to go where the people are. We always spent vacations growing up driving as fast as you can through the tourist traps or on our own very private beach. But, he is the one that made the suggestion to go to the rootbeer factory. And.. of course tourist traps are somewhat misleading in their advertising but we enjoyed it anyway. I had an American Black Cherry. It was the best Black Cherry Soda I ever tasted. Marisa is sporting the newest style Hot Sticks Heavy on the Hot Sets.

Our Family

Modeling our prizes from the Root beer factory.
The Reception at Keyways Vineyard: The wedding couple


Isaac

Marisa and Austin were lucky to get another cake. Okay well 2 cakes, three cakes counting the one in Salt Lake. Here they are cutting the chocolate GLUTEN FREE Cake. Yes, Cesily, Josh, and Kalise they had cake just for you. The other cake was Mango and it was the best cake I ever tasted. Everyone liked it so much it Austin's parents did not go home with leftovers.

Lillie with Grandma and Grandpa Vandersteen

Daddy with his hands full. He and I are planning to grow another arm before September comes.

The wedding couple. Marisa's hair was able to stay in throughout all the whirling and twirling on the dance floor.

Daddy whirled and twirled Isaac around on the dance floor.

Then, he moved up in the world and was even granted a dance by the lovely bride.

Marisa Dancing with Lillie.. my wonderful parents watching.

All the children decided to move outside and dance. Grandpa took Lillie for a twirl. Lillie of course being the Cinderella lost her shoe.

Isaac running among the grapes. Isn't it picturesque.

Lillie and Isaac in the vineyard

I even was able to get my picture with the bride. I had to make up for all the lost pictures on her wedding day in Utah.

And of course after the fun filled day.. My boys decided to head back to the hotel for some hamburgers, shakes and relaxation. How they came home hungry.. I have no clue.

The Lazy Days of May: Memorial Day!

Daddy showing Isaac a starfish

Well...Isaac, Lillie, and I were only home for a week and a half the whole month of May. Mike left on a business trip several days after we got home to go to Boston. We were lucky that he was able to take a long four day weekend. On the morning of Memorial Day we decided to go tidepooling as a family. Hiking up steep hills and through rocky beaches we were able to see tonz of starfish, crabs, and a few different kinds of sea urchins. The beach was beautiful.. We Love the Beach!!!

Mike found a little crevice between the big rocks that the kids enjoyed wading and splashing in. It actually sported a few sea creatures. Lillie Kate enjoyed trying to touch several of the creatures in the small tide pool. Anything that involves water makes Isaac a happy child. Isn't he sporting the world's most cheesiest grin.

Splashing, Spashing and more Splashing.

On the rocky beach.

Daddy and Isaac with their hats.

The Wedding Daze!

Marisa married Austin on May 17, 2008 at the Salt Lake Temple. The day was beautiful! It was followed by a luncheon at Joseph Smith Memorial Building.

The family.. they were great sports throughout the wonderful event. We of course forgot our camera. Josh and Abbie did a better job so refer to their blog.

The Lazy Days of May: Waterfight Anyone???

The day before the wedding we all met together to have brunch at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Grandpa of course was responsible for the entertainment. Here he is passing out waterguns to Zion, Dallin, Jacob, and Emily.
Grandma and Grandpa's yard also happens to have a drinking fountain in which all their grandchildren enjoy. It was very helpful in providing the ammunition for the waterfight. (Until, Zion, the oldest thought about the hose. They get to be so resourceful. :)!!) Most of the little ones, Isaac included thought that it was the best place to hang out.

Mike is never one to pass up a chance to get in on all the fun. They had a difficult time getting him too.

Isaac doing his part during the waterfight. He is solely responsible in getting himself wet too. But boy, do you blame him it is the only chance he has in serving himself his own drink.

It is such a serious matter.

And so much fun! I wonder if he is aware of the waterfight going on.

He had a difficult time when it all came to an end.

The Lazy Days of May!

Isaac, Lillie Kate and I were able to go to Utah early and celebrate my sisters graduation, wedding and birthday. We also loved playing with our cousins. This is Lillie and Tienna who are about one month apart. Tienna is so cute and has gotten so big. We loved seeing her parents as well. On May 10th we were able to celebrate Cesily's birthday. Happy 29th Ces! My sister Kalise is holding Lillie, Isaac is a super hero with a bubble wrap cape, thanks to his cousins Dallin and Zion who helped him learn the super power of flying around the house. Zion is sporting the red shirt.

Isaac modeling his mother's mascara on his eyelids right before church.