July

C-ya July!....So hard to believe that July is over, as is Summer vaca :o( Summer flies by way too fast here. My Beauties and I spent a lot of time shopping this month, and just being together. This summer we did not do anything too exciting; movies, shopping, restaurants, museums, exploring different parts of San Fran, time with friends and just chilling. Mariah worked about 29 hours a week, give or take a few. Our fellas joined us at the movies a couple of times (Sweet T had his own adventure, Jesse had a couple adventures of his own, along with lots of time spent at work), Jason and I spent some quality time together in the garage and with our friend Rich working on the jeeps. A friendship (mainly Jesse's, however it effected us all) dissolved in a rather harsh and memorable manner. I will say that I am proud of my Bear and the way he handled this heartbreaking situation with dignity and showed a great deal of respect, even though it was one sided - and he chose the right and moral way, instead of sticking it to the ex-friend legally. All in all memories were made....some fun, some nerve wracking, and some heart-wrenching. <3

San Francisco.... again....I have come to love the City by Bay, and drive there with my beauties often, for doctor appointments and just for fun. I can honestly say that my anxiety about bridges is getting better and I am now able to drive over them without holding my breath and white knuckling it (well as long as traffic keeps moving, even if it's just a crawl)...still lots of prayers though (or maybe it is just one long continuous one with a huge THANK YOU in the end).

Mariah at the Oral Surgeon 

Critters....Have to post about our none human family members too. Sterling (MJ's cat), Ella and Ana (our poops), and Jimmie (Jesse's ball python). Oops...Blight, Mariah's Beta is left out this time.

Discovery Kingdom....Last trip to Six Flags before school...This time Mariah, Jesse, Marcika and I went. It was a pretty fun day. We were talking and it has been decided that it has been far too long since all six of us have gone and we need to fix it. Season is not over yet :o)

Through MJ's eyes....MJ spent more time in Antelope with Yamannibah. She sent me these beautiful pics. 

 

Sweet T...Our Sweet T went on an adventure this month...he went to Spokane, Washington. He sent MJ the Bob's Burgers sign (she loves the cartoon) and me the bridge pic. I sure do love my young man. Hard to believe that he is an adult already.

Foodz....Mariah's and my little garden is doing really good, hoping to have zucchini soon. The girls and I stopped eating meat almost 2 months ago, I have been playing with recipes lately. We have had crepes, tofu "orange chicken", tacos and more, we have also tried new food in restaurants - several salads and breakfast quinoa. 

Walk through...Our Beauties getting their schedules, PE clothes, purchase Year books and all that fun stuff. I adore these two!

Jeep upgrade....Upgraded the axles on Big Red. New axles means new e-break, rims and tires. Have you ever put tires on bead-locks...rather fun let me tell you...

Tires in the house...is there a better place?

Cakes....Marcika, Mariah and I made another cake for charity. We loved the way this one turned out.

Parking just for us!

Eggplant...I know odd post, however I must say I am pleased with how well these beauties are growing. Especially since they were just flowers about two weeks ago.

Bee...This poor little fellow stung my thumb. I was taking my braid out and zinger. I was surprised that he hung out on my lap, completely cleaned himself, and then ran full speed up my shirt back to my hair. This is my first time being stung, I am thankful to say that I am not allergic.

San Francisco....Mariah, Marcika and I spent the day in San Fran. Spent a good amount of time on Haight St visiting the shops. We ended up having lunch at a Crepe shop, I had a salad, the girls had Nutella and strawberry crepes with whipped cream. We ended our adventure at a huge mall with hand-scooped ice cream sandwiches.

Fireworks....Celebrating Oakley's Birthday and the 4th of July. What an amazing way to end a full day, San Fran, bee sting, and fireworks! Loved that I was able to see this with one of my Beauties and Oscar, the rest of the fam decided to stay home.

June

June has been a wonderful month, packed full of first, adventures and loads of memories.

 Hope you are doing great and loving life!

Work.....Awe was able to snap a couple pics of while Beauty while she was working. She's doing such a great job and best of all she LOVES it!

Sterling....Such a sweet boy!

Andy Black.... Marcika and I went to meet and see Andy Black. Colours was his opening band, they were pretty good. Andy was awesome. I was shocked at how down to earth and friendly he was. There was another Mom that was to our right and we banded together to keep our Beauties from getting whammed, she was pretty funny. At one point she looked at me and said, "I eat fan girls for breakfast." MJ and I couldn't help but laugh. All in all I had a great time with my Beauty!

Last day of celebrate us.... On the way home we went to the Fresno Temple!! :O)

Bald Mountain....Jason, friends and I went to Bald Mountain. It was so beautiful up there! 

Day Two and Three of Celebrate Us.... We took a trip to Slick Rock, played in the water, explored, saw a couple of butterflies, a pretty good size snake, several lizards and more beauty than possibly be captured. From there we headed to South Lake Tahoe where we stayed at The Landing Resort and Spa. We ate dinner at Scusa, an Italian Restaurant and breakfast at Red Hut Cafe (both places we have never been to before). We headed homeward, stopped and watched Now You See Me 2 in Rocklin. Loving our time together!

 

I almost rolled the jeep, Jason was a tad scared. He came up to the window after assessing the situation and said, "I don't know if you are going to be able to get out of this." Heavenly Father had me in his hands, all is well, no damage to me or Big Red.

Day One of Celebrate us....a trip to Half Moon Bay and Barbara's Fish Trap, then a quick run to Sacramento, then home to grab the kiddos and to the theater to watch Finding Dory.

Garden....Mariah and I planted a garden, in our front yard. Kind of an odd place, but it works for us. We are growing 2 types of tomatoes, zucchini, yellow bells, fresno peppers, and Japanese eggplant. We are growing green onions and garlic in the house too. Can't wait for harvest time. ;o)

Food for thought... I saw this sign today and it kind of called out to me. It is true though, we often get stuck in the past, be it our own sins or the wrongs that we feel others have done to us. Either that or we focus so much on the future that we fail to see/recognize what is happening in the moment. I think it is important to remember the past, learn from it and move forward. Equally important to remembering the past is looking toward the future, making goals and striving to achieve them. I think most important of all is living each day to it's fullest, making memories that can be recalled in a dark time making those times just a tad easier; embracing your loved ones, making sure they know how wonderful, important and needed they are. As well as taking the time to truly enjoy the beauty that surrounds us, the many gifts that have been lovingly given to us.

Shopaholic! Mariah loves, loves, loves to shop.....from clothes, to makeup to home decor...she better get a good paying job when she's older is all I have to say. :0)

Six Flags, Discovery Kingdom... Toby, Mariah, Oscar and I went to Six Flags. It was an amazing day, the weather was perfect, the company was even better. We actually took the time to see the Dolphin show, I am so glad that we did! They are such spectacular animals.

MJ, my sweet went to spend time with Yamaanibah! I know she had a great time and I am happy that she was able to spend time with her friend.

Jason had a work trip in San Francisco. I'm happy that he was able to go see a Giants game, it has been awhile.

Cake-4-Kids! Mariah and I have made and delivered our second cake/cupcake order. It is a lot of fun baking with my beauty. This time it was a tad nerve wracking...the ladies helped themselves to the cupcakes so I had to quickly bake, frost and decorate 30 more and I had 4 hours to do it in. All in all the strawberry cupcakes with vanilla buttercream turned out great!

Whoot whoot! Mariah has a job!! Our beauty has started her working career at the pizza place in WinCo. She loves it, and I am sure once she gets her first check she will love it even more.

He's 21! Happy Birthday sweet Jesse Bear! Where on earth has the time gone? I cannot believe that our baby boy is 21! We were blessed to be able to celebrate this fine young man as a family. His choice....Red Lobster :0) a man just like his pop!

He was just sung too...I missed him blowing out the candle.

First day of Summer Vacation 2016! (June 3rd).....After ortho appointment we went to the new San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. The place is huge! It has 7 levels containing art, there are even outdoor art exhibits.