Camping fun

Brent had promised the kids that they could go tent camping this summer. I had "opted" out, so he went with Anson, Sydney, and Camden Hatch. They drove up to Mount Diablo, pitched a tent, and hiked, climbed, and ran all over the mountain. They all slept in one tent together, which the kids loved, and Anson took his big telescope to look at the stars. The kids had a blast and would love to do it again. Brent hopes to go again, but for maybe longer and with me next time. I may just sit out next year too, as I got to go on a girls night out to dinner and a chick flick with Lora!

Last day on the beach

Our last day in Tahoe Grandpa Reich drove up and got to play at the beach with us. Everyone was very excited and we spent all afternoon playing in the water and sand. Even I got in the water and floated in an inner tube (which I got stuck in!). Brent took many trips out in the boat with the older kids that were staying at the lodge, the adults just floated inside the docks and laid around on the beach. It was a very fun afternoon.


We are so thankful for Grandma and Grandpa for inviting us up to the lodge this summer. I really had a good time being able to show my kids what I did growing up and seeing some really old friends and faces again. We hope to do it again another summer!

The traditional mini golf game

As part of going up in the Summer, we always went to play mini golf at this really old place. Although it was corny and falling apart when I was a kid, it's still there! (I think it's the only one in town and that is why it has survived so long...) Danielle went with my mom and a group, so Brent and I took Ben and Hannah. We paid for 29 holes. It was only about 20 holes too long for these two little ones. We tried to make if fun for them, but eventually they would throw their balls into whatever device was there, watch it go on the green, then pick it up and put it in the hole. Needless to say we were done very quickly and were able to play a few games in the arcade while waiting for everyone else.

A trip around the lake

Our second day we decided to drive around the lake to Emerald Bay. It's only about a 45 minute drive, but the view is just awesome. The kids loved hearing the stories about the castle on the island and of course were climbing every rock they came to.

The official lookout

The totally UNOFFICIAL lookout!
There is a beautiful waterfall near the lookout to the bay. When Brent and I were first married, we climbed all around on the rocks around the waterfall and goofed around. Well being 7 months pregnant there was no way I was about to do it again. Yet Brent was determined to have some fun. So he took our children with him! Yes, my children climbed down the side of a mountain with their father to the bottom of the waterfall. I was at the top praying, crying at times, that they would all be ok. It's not that I don't trust Brent, but those are my babies! Any one little slip and it could be disaster. So my pregnant, emotional brain was working overtime on all of the terrible outcomes that could happen. Needless to say, they made it down there ok, hollered up to me to show me where they were, and then climbed back up. Will they be doing that again...doubtful.

Kids at the bottom of the waterfall.
Of course they absolutely loved it. Happening again? Highly likely.

My family back with me at the top.
I was still a little upset, but so grateful they were all ok!
(Yes I'm dramatic. I've always been!)

If you go across the road there is actually a hike that takes you to a bridge that lets you see the waterfall higher up. It was a tough hike, but Dani and Brent went together after climbing to the bottom. Will I be able to convince my adventurous husband to do this one next time, probably not. Most likely he'll want to do both!

So am I crazy? Do I over worry? I let you be the judge.

Enjoying the lake!

Monday afternoon we hit the Lake! We brought up our little boat and Brent and the kids went out past the dock area. The kids got to jump in and swim around near some rocks and where there was a little more water. Our only rule: Life jackets must be worn if you are in the boat! We didn't have one big enough for Brent though...

Ben LOVED playing in the sand. I normally hate sand, but he was so happy and then we just made him go back in the lake to rinse it off.

Taking the plunge!

Brent really wanted all of the kids to jump off of the dock. There was about a 5 foot drop before you hit the water. We weren't to sure that they would go for it. First the girls watched Brent.

Then they all decided they could do it!
Hannah

Danielle going with Daddy.

And even Ben!

Danielle went a few more times, but once was enough for Ben and Hannah. We were very proud of them though! I thought they were very brave since the water was pretty cold!

Lake Tahoe here we come!

This year we were fortunate enough to be able to go up to Lake Tahoe for a few days with my mom. As a child I spent a week in Tahoe every summer at Zephyr Cove, a Presbyterian Conference Ground right on the water. Everyone that came up stays in a big lodge, we cook all our meals in a huge kitchen, go to the lake to play all afternoon, and games and puzzles all night. I have very fond memories of it and wasn't sure if my kids would ever get the chance to experience it. I was very excited when my parents said that there were rooms still available if we wanted to go up. We couldn't stay for the whole week, but we wanted to go for a few days and were so glad that we did.

We took highway 88 up there. This is a more scenic route than highway 50.
One of the beautiful stops.

Arriving at the lodge, Hannah helped Brent blow up the kids sleeping bags.

Our first dinner.

The kids were beyond excited. We let Dani sleep with mom since my dad couldn't come up until Wednesday. She felt very special the whole week and mom says she was the BEST roommate ever! She was quiet, did everything she was told, would get up in the morning, get dressed, make her bed, and read quietly until my mom woke up. Mom says she'll bunk with Dani any day!

Movin on up...

With Aubree on the way, I have been having trouble sleeping in the trailer. I couldn't get comfortable on the bed anymore, and it was becoming difficult to climb out of bed. I moved into the house for a week by myself and Brent was miserable. He couldn't sleep and kept having nightmares that I had died, left him, etc. I was just gone. (It made me feel good that he missed me though!) So soon after the whole family moved in. The kids were sleeping on an air mattress in my mom's craft room. It took up the whole middle and you couldn't walk in the room at all. Needless to say, my mom wasn't doing many crafts. We talked to my parents and dad suggested we just take all of the craft stuff out so that my kids could just have the room. Well, Brent and I didn't feel comfortable taking over my mom's one big fall/winter holiday hobby, so we asked if she would consider cleaning out a corner and we would put the kids there. She agreed, with skepticism, when Brent suggested that he make the kids a triple bunk.

Saturday we started. Mom and I hit the craft room...
(Craft room after we cleaned out the room! I wish I had taken a before picture!)

The bins of JUST Christmas crafting things.

Brent was hard at work outside in 101 degree heat building.

I was so impressed that he finished the main structure in one day!

He brought it inside in pieces and assembled it.

And the verdict is...THEY LOVE IT!

After we took pictures, Brent put up a board so Hannah and Dani wouldn't fall out. He will eventually cover that whole front side and we bought linoleum sticky tiles that look like moss (Ben's bed) and rock (for the girls beds) to make it look like a little house. Ben will have an extra opening on the side to crawl out of, Hannah will have a window, and Danielle can peek over the top.

We are so grateful to Grandma who gave up a corner of her personal space to accommodate us! She has been super patient and understanding these past 10 months. We love her very much and are so happy that we get to see her everyday!

Thank you Grammy Reich!

It's hot so...

Why not bake?
My kids and I were bored one afternoon and it was so hot I didn't even want to go outside to swim. We had the air on and the kids wanted to do Something, so I said we could bake. I actually love to bake, but it's so warm I haven't done much lately.

Here are some of our cookies! We made chocolate chip and white chocolate w/ cranberries.

I've always let the kids help, but this time I let the girls roll the cookies too.
We had to wash hands MANY times because they kept forgetting they couldn't lick their fingers.

While they were baking, I asked the kids who they might want to give some cookies to since we didn't need to eat them all! They made cards for some friends and family that they wanted to deliver the cookies to. We also made some pumpkin bread for Brent because there was too much sugar in these cookies for him to eat.

The kids had fun, were not in front of the TV, and although I was sweating, we were able to stay inside. Once the weather turns cooler, I'm sure we will be doing this much more!

Anyone want some?

They are sort of cute...

After our horrible night of 'accidents', I have to say that at least my kids were understanding and helpful. We had a nice morning after cleaning everything up. The girls helped me with laundry, Ben played quietly and helped pick up his toys when he was done. They even played nice together. I was able to rest most of the day and I was very grateful for their behavior and understanding that mommy was pretty tired. I love them and know their transition from going from three to four will be good. They are very excited for their little sister to come and are already pledging to be VERY helpful when Aubree finally arrives.

A visit from the Pee-Pee monster

Tuesday evening Brent called to say he was pulling an all nighter at work. He had a ton of paper work to do and HAD to get it done, and didn't see himself being able to do it unless the store was closed. The kids and I were ok, so I gave him the go ahead. I was able to get the kids showered and in bed. I watched a little TV, caught up on some blogging, and piddled around until 11pm because I couldn't go to sleep.

Around 11:30 Ben started to cry. He has night terrors occasionally, so I figured he was in one. I picked him up and took him to my room. My dad came in to see if there was anything he could do to help, but Ben just cried as I held him. I asked him two or three times if he had to go potty and he didn't respond. He was sitting between my legs with his feet dangling over the bed. After a few minutes, he cuddled his head into me and fell back to sleep. I figured he was done with his crying for the night, so my dad went to pick him up when he noticed that his legs were wet. Wet? What do you mean wet? You guessed it! He had peed. All over himself. All over my bed. All the way to the floor. GREAT! We cleaned him up and put him on a little matteress that we use for our port-o-crib on the floor. Then dad helped me change my bedding, spray the side of my mattress, and clean the floor.

I finally got to bed around midnight, but I slept horrible. I woke up every hour to each sound because Brent wasn't there. I kept expecting him to come home any time and I just kept waking up. He finally came in around 4am and as soon as he was in bed, I fell right to sleep. 7am came really quick and woke to find Hannah standing at my bedside looking at me.
Hannah - "Mom, I think there was an accident last night."

Me - "Did Ben pee in the bed too?"

Hannah - "I don't know. But my underwear are all wet."

Me - "What?!"

Hannah - "I think I was so so tired that I didn't wake up. I'm so so sorry mommy!"

Me (thinking you have got to be kidding) - "That's ok sweetheart. Sometimes accidents happen. We'll clean your sheets."

Me (thinking again) - REALLY! COME ON!

Dinner at the Firehouse

We had a special dinner at Firehouse 91. It was something my parents won at a dinner they attended and had decided to take the kids. The night it was suppose to happen, my dad couldn't get off work so I went instead.

When we arrived, we had time before dinner to play on the firetrucks. The fireman answered questions and let the kids climb all over.

We then went in and had spaghetti and meatballs with the firemen. At this firehouse there are 6 men (engines) on duty at all times. One of the engines had to take off twice and the kids got to watch the men get ready and take off. The 3 other firemen stayed and took the kids upstairs to look around. When they came down, one of the men offered to take the kids on a ride in the fire truck. They were all so excited!!!

We got them all strapped in, headsets on and everything.
They pulled out and the fireman driving turned to his left to look at traffic and...
SAW A FIRE!

That's right! A few blocks away a fire had started. He jumped out of the truck and ran inside.
While he was gone, we all just sort of stood around watching the smoke when we realized
'The kids are still in truck!'

We pulled them out as quickly as we could, (they all understood that something was going on and helped us). Right as we pulled them out, the firemen came running out with their gear. Both engine and truck had to go to the call.

We waved from the street as they left. The kids were excited to watch them go, even though the sirens were so loud that they had to covered their ears.

The only sad part about the whole evening is that I didn't get any pictures WITH the firemen! We had agreed to take pictures after dinner, so I didn't get any photos of them!
We had a great time and hope to take Thank you notes and cookies to them. Hopefully we will get some pictures then! We are so grateful to Grandma and Grandpa for this opportunity and to the firemen who made us the yummy dinner.

Um...OK

Ben has been struggling to get down for a nap. "I DON'T LIKE NAPS" is what he tells me everyday. But if he doesn't get one, he has night terrors in the wee hours of the morning because he is over tired. Monday he was struggling to sleep. About 30 minutes later this is how I found him. I had heard that eating makes you tired, but I'm not sure this is what was meant!

Happy 3rd Birthday Ben

Our little guy turned 3 yesterday. He knew it was his birthday from the moment he woke up. We sang to him, gave him his presents from mom and dad, and constantly asked him how old he was. But, we didn't celebrate it like a normal birthday. We actually attended another birthday Saturday for my cousins little girl who also turned 3. We told Ben before the party that even though his birthday was that day, it was also Sammy's and that we were going to have her birthday party first. He did so well! I was very proud of him. He got Sammy's presents for her, but didn't open them or get in the way. He sat right next to her while she blew out her candles and probably sang the loudest of anyone. Everyone was impressed how relaxed he was considering that Saturday was his actual birthday, yet we were celebrating Sammy's.

Later that night, Brent took the girls to see Peter Pan the play with his parents to Berkley. So I asked Ben what he wanted to eat and he said McDonald's. We went and got him a happy meal and then came back and watched Bolt together on my bed. It was actually really nice and he was just so happy with the fun day that he had. He had felt special and had received just two new things and he was happy.


Well of course we did celebrate Ben's birthday. Sunday evening we had some family and close friends come over for dinner and cake. Ben again felt very special.

He received his most prized possession, Mac from the movie Cars. We had bought one for his cousin Nolan and he wanted it so bad! He had asked my mom for one, so she "HAD" to get it for him. :) He even slept with it that night.

Ben had a piece of cake and wanted to eat it with his fingers.

Then he decided he liked Grandma's ice cream instead.

Hannah, Camden, Sydney, and Dani enjoying their cake.

It was a fun evening. We are so blessed to have Ben in our lives. He is a ball full of energy, silliness, and love. He loves to cuddle with mommy in the morning, make silly faces at his sisters, and climb on everything! His smile brightens my day and we love having him in our lives. Happy Birthday Ben!