Almost summer time!

The weather has been giving us a little slice of hope that it will one day be summer again! We got to enjoy the sprinklers, water table, and was able to plant our garden over the last couple of weekends. We are all really looking forward to summer!

Zoe is sure she can ride the bike just like Grey!

 This is what happens when you so long without playing in the water table. The kids forget how to do it. I had to remind Grey that he was just suppose to splash and play with the toys...not climb into and strip off his clothes.  He must get that from his daddy...

 Zoe's first time playing with the water table

 Poor girl has a problem with pants fitting...jeans, now swim suit bottoms. I can't believe that she already has to deal with the issue of trying to find things that fit her right!

 Grey and Andrew enjoying an afternoon on the splash pad

 My big garden helpers...

Grey was helping me move dirt from one barrel to another to get it all the way full

 Zoe's favorite part is to pick up dirt from one barrel and throw it into another.

 Sandbox time! (Grey got a police uniform and wears at least part of it daily!)

 Hmm...who has been eating sand? ZOE?!!!

 Eating watermelon and enjoying dinner outside. 

 Life is Good.

Sugarloaf State Park-Canyon Trail Hike

Sugarloaf State Park is close by and we try to get out here as much as we can. With saying that, it literally has been over 2 years since the last time we went (New Year's Day hike in 2010!). It is such a beautiful area, Zippy actually did some work here when he worked at the University in the GIS lab to do some mapping of Sudden Oak Death. He used to know the the park really well as he had to stare at maps of it all day long! We were looking forward to camping there this summer but it is uncertain whether or not there will be funding for the park so the campgrounds are closed as of now. I hope the state budget gets straightened out soon or else we are going to lose some beautiful parks!!

Grey had a blast climbing on all the rocks and jumping off any that he could find!

 Zippy makes me so nervous climbing with Zoe in the backpack

 It was a nice hike down to the bottom of the canyon and a long hike back up (especially when Grey didn't want to walk anymore!) He ended up in the back pack while Zippy and I took turns carrying Zoe in our arms!)

 Zoe wanted to climb the rocks like everyone else

 This one was the perfect size for her, she was so proud she could stand on it!

 my little guy is getting so big!

Soccer "practice"

Grey has been going to watch Zippy's soccer games and soccer practices for a long time and it was finally time he got to do it himself! We signed him up for Kinder Kickz, an outdoor soccer program. They have a little free time in the beginning, work on a skill, then get to have a massive soccer scrimmage (ever see 30+ kids, ages 3-5, try to scrimmage each other with 5 balls? hysterical).

He had been asking what day was soccer practice for awhile and finally it was the day. He made sure he had his bag packed to take to Grammie's with his soccer shoes, soccer uniform, sweats, and a jacket. I got to Grammie's and he was standing by the door fully dressed, with his backpack on, ready to go even though we weren't leaving for awhile. Grammie said he had been that way for awhile already!

When we got to the field, he was worried he didn't see any of the other kids (the fields were closed due to all the rain recently and they were practicing on a grassy patch elsewhere). As we walked up, he seemed pretty puzzled. I had him go out and start kicking balls and saying hi to the other kids...but he kept just standing still and looking around. I asked him what was up, and he asked me where the goal keeper was! At daddy's practice there is always a goal keeper and he was really puzzled that there wasn't one there. Too cute!

He had so much fun and asked the next morning if he could go again every day to soccer practice. During the scrimmage, he did push one kid, and Zippy and him talked about why we don't push people. Later that night, I was talking to him about soccer as we were getting ready for bed. He told me he pushed someone and when I asked him why he did it, he said he was trying to get the ball from him. (I am sure he has seen this done by other people...ahem, Zippy).

Listening to Coach Renee and Coach Spencer

 Playing Red Light, Green Light (on yellow, they had to lay down)

 Scrimmaging

 Zoe had fun but wanted to play, too!

Mexico for Momma!

Stephanie has been teaching in Mexico City for three years and I hadn't had a chance to sneak down to visit her until now! Zippy was the best daddy ever and let me go for 5 days while he stayed home with the kiddos. It was a much needed mini-vacation to refuel and catch up with one of my besties! We did a day trip to Tulum to check out the ruins but other than that enjoy palomas, micheladas, and ceviche on the beaches of Playa Del Carmen!

 Leaving rainy San Francisco

Our hotel was fantastic-right on the beach, live music, great bar

 In the hotel, looking out

 The walkway to our room

 Our door is hidden behind those stairs and plants

 Home sweet home!

 The view of most of the trip :)

 There was a guy who would use that net to catch fish then someone would run out of the hotel to get it from him for dinner that night...talk about fresh!

 Yumminess! I love micheladas :)

 Ready to snorkel in Akumal...if I go back to the Riviera Maya again, I would stay in Akumal. Great beach, great snorkeling, a little more mellow that Playa Del Carmen

 Tulum

 Iguanas everywhere

 Walk down to the beach at Tulum

 Seriously, iguanas everywhere!!

 We found the bar that Zippy and I went to every night on our honeymoon. It is still one of my favorite places!

 Enjoying my Stephy time!

 Late night snacks :)

 Helping the bartenders at my favorite bar. I can't help but giggle at guys with mustaches!

 Best. Ceviche. Ever.

It was a much needed trip and I am so glad that I was able to get away and enjoy my Steph again one on one. I missed my kiddos, but I would sacrifice and do it again ;) I do look forward to when they are a little older and they can come play too!