Happy 4th of July!

It wouldn’t be the 4th of July if we didn’t hit up the La Cresta parade.

Raquel, sporting her cap from a field trip this year and a crown for the 4th of July. 

 

This was about the only time I was able to get Luke to stand still for a pic.  The rest of the time he was following Ethan around.

“Warren” aka Lawrence giving Drew some air..

 

so happy.  and don’t you love Momo’s hat in the background? :)

Papa and his bike…he rode all the way to Oceanside last week.  Go Papa!

looks just like Lance Armstrong, right?!

and the parade…..superdogs…..

….war heroes….

I have more pics from the Valdez’s annual party….so more to come!! :)

…..and even more beach pictures… (aka, longest post ever)

 

here are a few more pictures from the beach….

momo and her mini me.

luke and the ever popular muscle shot

we were trying to get a picture of them two of them.  Lila wasn’t having it…

one of my favorites of Papa and his boys

Luke was so excited about sand castle building. all. day. long.

 

love the gut.

Drew was in heaven.

I am sure you will be seeing this pic on Erin’s blog but I took it and I love it, so I am posting it.   :)  Is she not the cutest little thing?!?

 

Drew takes a ball everywhere.  EVERYWHERE.  Soccer is huge with him right now because of the World Cup.

My boys.

 

 

 

Trying to get all four kids with Momo and Papa is nearly impossible. 

Awwww……. :)

 

 

He had a permagrin the entire time.  This boy LOVES vacations!

and this is what Drew spent the majority of the time doing….

He saw some bigger boys and tried to join in :)

another year….another beach vacation done.  Thanks again to Momo and Papa……we had the greatest time.

some family love

we begged Papa for some assistance in capturing a family picture.  Rin Rin and I always have big plans for these every year.  Arranging outfits, etc.  and then once we are on the beach they always seem to be a big bust.  But then we get home and I look at them and I am so glad that we go through all the hassle.  We rarely get some family photos and I always love them.  Goofy boys and all :)  Here are a few of them….

 

 

 

Isn’t this a rite of passage?

The beach was a huge hit with the kids.  They built sandcastles for hours.  Drew (of course) ventured off to the water.  He was having a blast chasing the waves….

Jett joined the fun and it was some good times….UNTIL……

  yep, a wave.  knocked these boys over.  Luckily, Uncle Sean was there to save the day.

Apparently Jett got a mouthful

Poor babies….

Luke rushed in to make sure Jett was ok….no regards for his brother :)

and then filling them in on how big that wave really was

but all was forgotten in moments…except for the sand that was in every little crevice of his body. 

and yes, I was a bad mommy and sat on the sand documenting the whole thing instead of running to his side.  eh, he was ok :)

Total love

These boys and a girl just love their Momo and Papa. 

Thanks again Momo and Papa for creating a great vaca for us, once again…..

Little fishies…

We are very lucky to have some great neighbors who invite us over (OFTEN!) for pool parties.  The boys love to swim and take every opportunity to jump in the water.  Drew is a regular little marshmallow boy though because the child has NO fear of the water. 

Luke learned to swim last summer but my little cautious one is a bit nervous still.  A few more times and he will be off and swimming. 

Kaiden is his inspiration….he is a madman this year….cannon balls, diving…

Poor Sydney looks like she is going to get pegged by Luke’s water gun

silly boy….

I think he tried on every pair of goggles available.