Family Photos 2013 (March)

My friend, Aubrey Antis (http://www.antisphotography.com), who is an amazing real estate photographer, wanted to try out family photo shoots.  So, she took a few shots for us.  Unfortunately, the only pics with the entire family also have the letter N in them, courtesy of a Mother's Day gift for my mom. (I've included Mom's gift at the bottom--my maiden name is GINOS, pronounced Guinness.)

Morgan, 6 3/4 years

Carson, 20 months

Sadie, 4 3/4 years

The Ginos Family--these are each mounted to canvas and hanging on my mom's wall.  The best alternative to a family picture when we live in 3 states.

Spring Time (a lot late)

Wow!  A lot happens when I get behind!

Daddy and Carson cutting strawberries.  What would normally not be a blog-worthy occasion.  Check the next picture, though.

Yeah.  I wonder just how many he stole before breakfast got on the table.

Daddy and his little helpers!

 The water table--endless, wet fun for all ages!

April 2013:  Twin Day at school!

POPCORN!!!

I've all but given up on my old, slow shutter speed, pain to drag around camera.  But, I haven't given up on taking pictures and capturing memories.  Yet, I still don't have a smartphone (mixed emotions about that one), so I carry around the next best thing--my iPod touch.  So, the picture quality may not be great, and there is no flash (remember, no smart phone), but, I get to capture all the memories I want, because it's so convenient.

So, please hang in there, as I attempt to "catch up" on 2013.  Chances are, you've seen most of this already on Facebook or Instagram.  But anyway, here goes!

Carson, our little "fix it" man.  He loves to tinker with anything and everything!  Always curious about how things work!

The countdown chain for (hopefully) Brian's last test, began in January.  We all had fun watching it shrink over the next 4 months.  He took the test on May 1st, and, results came July 12th!  HE PASSED!!  Brian completed his ASA, EA, FSA and CERA credentials!  Way to go, sweetie!

One morning, I came downstairs to this precious sight.  Morgan and Sadie were having a "reading party", as they called it.  Sweet big sister, Morgan, was reading to little sister, Sadie.

Only this kid can pull off a pink helmet and a purple tricycle!

Trains, trains, trains!  Oh, how he loves to build!

Our friends from Colorado were in CA to spend a couple of days at Disneyland (back in Feb).  We met them for dinner and then took them over to the Big Orange Balloon at the Great Park!  Thanks for a fun night, Wrights!

Left:  My version of organizing Legos; Right: Sadie's (according to the Lego brochure) version of organizing Legos.  And, sure, enough, if you look in the booklet, step one shows a picture of all the legos in a pile.  Below:  Sadie followed the instructions and built this car entirely by herself!  

Carson and his "blankie".  Sometimes, I won't let him drag the big one all over the house, so he finds a suitable replacement: the burp cloth from the same print, and cozies on up

Even though he has very little hair, Carson insists on fixing it with Mommy!

We made a city one morning for the cars to drive on.  Such a hit with this girl!

California "snow" (i.e. hail).

As I was talking on the phone with my sister one afternoon, Sadie proceeded to pull out a random assortment of ingredients, solutions, objects.  She was "experimenting."  Good thing powdered sugar and soap don't react to water!

My new shoes!  Love them!

Carson watches his sister practice piano every day.  So, he decided to join in with his own book, The Napping House.

Countdown to Daddy's (hopefully) last exam!  (Which, it was!!!)

Every spring, when strawberries go on sale, I stock up with 24 jars of freezer jam!  By the end of the day, I don't want to look at strawberries for a long, long, time, but, the year's worth of jam is done!

At Easter time, Sadie and I were talking about how Jesus died on a cross.  I'm sure the conversation went much deeper than just that, but, apparently, that's the main point she got out of the lesson!

This water table is a big hit, with EVERY kid!

Puzzle time

April 30, 2013.  ONE day left!

Don't you sit in the laundry basket to watch a movie?

Morgan's (age 7) drawing of Christ.

T-Ball

Wow!  It's been a busy summer!  Hence, why I am just now journaling Sadie's SPRING T-ball season!  

Sadie and a couple of friends, along with Coach Daddy, played T-ball last Spring.  Some days, she loved it, others, she sat on the edge of the practice field and pouted. And, yet, some days, she refused to pull her hair back, insisting her hat would keep it out of her face.  

But, for 8 weeks, I was a T-ball mom.  Here are a few pictures:

Sadie and Carson, reading to catch the next ground ball headed their way!

It looks like Sadie got it!

Throwing it back to the coach!

Our right-handed Sadie Bug insisted on batting left-handed.  

When things got boring in the outfield, Sadie would find her friend, Jenna, and stir up a conversation!

Mother's Day "Lemonade"

It's amazing how hard it is to catch up when you get behind!  But, as we all know, life happens, and, some things have to be put on hold for a bit.  

Morgan's 1st grade class invited all the mothers in for a presentation back in May.  The kids had made us each a hat (see below), and prepared lots of things for the mothers to enjoy.  Her teacher, Mrs. Barta, had been working with the kids for quite awhile on this "secret surprise", as Morgan referred to it.  

The class recited the entire book, I Love You Forever, by Robert Munsch, with each child reciting a different line.  I was quite impressed because the kids had to memorize their line without taking it home for their mom to help!

They also sang us a few songs.  It was a great morning and I'm so glad I got to share it with my sweet Morgan!