Back to school?

My oh my how summer has flown by!! I am not sure where the time went exactly. I just know I am trying to find ways to fill in the remaining days.

For the first Tuesday in August, we headed to Thanksgiving Point Farm Country. The kids had a great time and loved looking at the animals.

Since the beginning of August Drill Team has also started up again. We had a crazy first week of practice learning two of our competition routines. They are both insane and amazing!! I can hardly wait to get them costumed and clean and ready for competition. We are going to have such a great year!

Finally, I have this final week to cram in just a little more. Tomorrow the Dinosaur museum, Wednesday the park, and Thursday, who knows, only the future will tell!!

Family Vacation To California!!

This past week our little family ventured out on our trip to California!! The main event was the Smithen Family Reunion held in beautiful Marina California. A fun beach city by the bay and near Monterey California a fun tourist hot spot.

Needless to say the drive there was the second worst part of the trip. But we did our best to get by. I made surprise bags for the kids full of treats and toys. The big hit of the trip were these magnet/map/snack trays I made for the kids. They were great fun and each included fun magnets to play with that provided some good entertainment throughout.

Stop one was Reno at the Circus Circus hotel. Not anything special just a stop. Then we continued onto Marina. The drive through California was beautiful. Marina is in the Northern area about 100 miles south of San Fransisco. We past a dozen or so fruit stands that now looking back, I wish we would have stopped at at least one. Oh well.

First night we got reacquainted with everyone and played Minute to Win It!! It was great fun! The kids had a great time and so did the adults.



On Day two we visited the beautiful Monterey Aquarium. It was so cool and well worth the price. The sea animals were beautiful and we all had a great time!!!


On Sunday we headed to Carmel Beach. Boy was it beautiful!!! The water wasn't all that warm. In fact the picture below is of us just as the wave unexpectedly hit us, haha!! Brooklyn hated the feel of the sand on her toes. I loved it!!! It was soft and warm and Andrew had a great time with his cousin Alex.


After our beach play, on the road again to Disneyland!!! What a fun time we had with the kids and we went on rides we hadn't really been on before that the kids absolutely loved. We stayed in a hotel close enough for us to go back and take naps during the heat of the day then went back and stayed late at night. We also got the chance to see both Fantasmic and World of Color. Both were so amazing and I can't wait to see them again in March!

Then the long journey home began. Lucky for us my dad has a condo in St. George that we stopped at and did our laundry (thanks dad!) It was really nice to come home with clean clothes. We had a fabulous time and I would do it all again in a heartbeat! Oh and the worst part of the trip, me having to sleep with Brooklyn to get her to sleep. She's a kicker :(

It FINALLY Feels Like Summer!!!

Today is June 23rd and it finally feels like summer. Spring took a long time to get here and then lasted even longer. It's so nice to feel the warmth of summer. Although I am totally fine with the 80 degree range and would be completely happy if it stayed that way.

This past week Brooklyn celebrated her 2nd Birthday!! Sadly, I missed her day while I was at drill camp :( Then only thing that even makes me feel a little less guilty is the fact that she is only 2 and will never remember. Right??? I can't believe how big she is getting and how her little personality is growing!! I just Love her so much!



Andrew will celebrate his 4th Birthday this Saturday!! He gets to do it by playing in his first t-ball game!! I can't believe he's old enough to play t-ball. He's such a smart guy and continuously makes me happy. He's a joy to be around!!



My children are the apple of my eye! I love them more everyday and am grateful to be their Mom! There isn't anything I would rather do or be.

Summer Begins!!!

So most people would kick off there summer by going to the pool, a water park, or a vacation. Nope, not me. I started my first day of summer at the high school for drill team practice. Afterwards, I decided to start the Insanity work out. Insane huh? Today it was only the fit test. Let's just say I didn't feel very fit once I was done. It was kind of a slap in the face to how I viewed my fitness level. However I have never done exercises like this. I'll keep you posted. Here's hoping to making it to day 2.



Today has also been kind of nice. In order to hold our spot at our day care that we LOVE!! We decided to keep the kids in part time so we can have our place when school starts again. This lovely free kid time allowed me to get insane, fold laundry, and shower. I do have to admit, it feels really weird not having the kids running around. It's a little to quiet without their giggles, little voices, and constant toy fighting. But at the same time, every Monday and Friday will be my little stay at home vacation. Or cleaning time which ever what ever.

Well that's all for now! Peace out and enjoy your first week of SUMMER!!

Graduation Day!!!

My nephew Jake made it!! He succeeded at passing high school and finally graduating. For a while it was a little touch and go but he did it with much prodding from me, a principal, his counselor, and all family members. I am so proud of him and his accomplishment and glad to see him finally do it! Way to go Jake!

Three years ago they started making the faculty wear robes. So here we are in our graduation attire together!

Me, Jake and Barry!

Proud Mama Cathy, Jake, and Me!