The Weekend.

How weird that just by looking at this picture I get all puffed up with pride. He had a hit on Monday and to me it felt like he hit the running run in the world series for the Cubs & the smile on his face matched.
My little slugger.

It's ladybug hatching season and we have tons in the backyard so the kids grabbed their bug cages and had at it the other day. I love the teamwork that the twins have.

Their conversations are hilarious.

Ty on his own.

We got their hair cut on Sunday, a bit painful for my but the result is super cute.

My attempt at trying to get a good picture of their new cuts.

Eric & I even managed a little time out.

We took the kids to the park for a picnic...

And then went to Palm Springs Stadium to watch Ben pitch the first game of the season for Palm Springs High School. They love Ben & Joe!

Whitewater & the skate park

Last weekend we went up to Whitewater again for some hiking. Cali had some high ambition for chasing & carrying sticks.

'I can get it...'

She was growling the whole time.

Daddy spotted a frog, riveting entertainment.

Ty is all into the skate park. He has no fear & loves to watch the older boys do all the tricks.

Luke & Mace would not be left out of the fun.

The Longhorns

Ty has officially started baseball, now we only have 12 more years until he graduates high school to go to games, practices, tournaments, as sports consume our lives, etc.......I am actually super excited and he loves it although at this point it is a bit of cluster ball but some of the kids on his team, 7 & 8 year olds, are so good. He is on the Longhorns and has been wearing his hat every day.
This is his first time up to bat and he was playing in right field (and by playing I mean waving to his fans, checking out the grass, checking out the clouds, the chicks, scratching-essentially what actual ball players do I think!) He loved every minute of it, especially eating sunflower seeds in the dugout & chanting with the team.

Just a random picture of Luke & Mace, Eric has told me it is haircut time....I hate haircut time.

Our friend from Minnesota, Jon, was in Vegas for a few days with his soccer team and came down to visit us for a few days. The kids could not get enough of him!!! They LOVED him.

Jon & Mace throwing up a 'what's up dog?' for the camera. One of Mason's favorite sayings, along with 'what-cha doing?' & 'Oh yeah baby baby'. Gotta love it.

While Mommy is away...

Eric did a great job with the boys while I was in Kansas visiting my sister. On Saturday he & Kerri took our boys & Roman up to Whitewater off the 10 for some exploring & hiking. They had such a blast that we all went back again last weekend.

Always curious and looking for something new.

The trout ponds. Kids can fish on Saturdays.

Lucky #7

My lovely little sister Missy flew me to Kansas City last weekend to meet grandson #7-Drew Hollis Benjamin. We had such a great time lunching, shopping, playing with little boys, baptising (Eric & I are Drew's godparents), babysitting, and visiting.

Since Eric didn't go, Brendon was by co-godparent of the evening.

This is Kristen, (or Kik-in as Ethan calls her) Ethan and soon to be Drew's nanny. Missy's lucky enough to have found such a great girl to watch her precious boys. I think she has a lot to live up to with the Emily history but she's doing great so far!!

Big E by the stuffed dog. It kind of confused me once in a while but didn't run around, grunt, snore, sniff, sigh and toot quite like the real fur babies.

Not super hard to watch a 2 year old over night when he goes to bed at 7:30 and just wants to 'Mow-watch' the last hour of the night. (That's Ratatouille to those of you who don't speak 2 year old.)

A very happy 2 month old Drew.

Miss & Jono have 2 Boston Terriers, Daisy (pictured) and Buddy. They are super cute but made sleeping on babysitting overnight a bit difficult as they prefer to sleep under the covers, next to you, and very-very loud, see above about dog, aka: fur babies, nosies. (and smells)

The main reason for the visit, adorable baby Drew. Thanks Miss & Jono for such a wonderful weekend!!!

A bit more Pearl

Once again, the Hershberger boys, big fans!!! We all went out to dinner at Fisherman's the night before they left.

Ty had to squeeze in just one more picture.

Pearl's first trip to the pool. I think she liked it!

Eric and Chad enjoyed the bonfire.

Eric & Chad's friend from home, Bryce, came out from the LA area to see his buddies for the day, he ended up with 3 new little buddies of his own.

Eric & Bryce

Niko treated us to some music when we had some people over last weekend. She is really good and we all enjoyed listening to her and we're looking forward to many more song nights.