The Watts Family

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Summer Satisfaction part 1

This was one of those summers of all summers...it was fast, crazy, busy and loaded with happiness...and of course I haven't blogged any of it, nor do I have time to blog all of it, so I will summarize the best I can...Enjoy!

We went to Utah, Florida (Paul and I) and California, driving a total of 4,000+ miles. Paul drove with me to California and then left the next day to get back to work in Texas. The kids and I spent almost a month playing with cousins and siblings... Let the Fun begin!

Taking a turn about the yard. We've put many miles on those wagons.

Winter and Zachary

Wouldn't be a complete trip to Placerville unless we visit the City Pool

4th of July Fire Works with cousins Maya, Skye and Rowan

Lake Tahoe is a must while we are in town

the twins Amy and Dolly

Ruby and Ivy, perfect swimming buddies.

Zz, Wendy and Ruby

Here is the Old Lady who lives in a shoe. This is just "some" of the cousins.

Stinson Beach California. One of our favorite spots. The day couldn't have been better, not too hot, not too cool and we only lost 2 kids! ;) We played in waves, sand and sun with Merry, her kids, Mom, Joe, Dolly and Teddy until the sun started to go down.

I let Ruby live it up with that cast on, it was overflowing with sand by the time we left. She had it on long enough, so my Dad cut it off when we got home.

Yosemite! One of my favorite places on earth!

Camping with 4 kids single mom style. One of my proudest accomplishments.

"Can I look through your goggles Grandpa"

Eliza's homemade leash for Ruby. What will she think of next? Such a great helper.
This was right before our hike up Vernal Falls, and I'm happy to say me and my kids made it to the top, with Ruby in my arms! I passed a lot of people who thought I was crazy for carrying her all the way up. It was difficult but I was determined that even if it took me all day, I was going to make it to the top with my baby! I was floating on the clouds as I approached the top. My biggest regret is that I didn't get any pictures, my camera had died on the way up.

Always a nice sight to see from my rear view mirror...peace and quite, for a moment. We had to do a lot of driving in Yosemite since the closest campsite we found was 45 minutes from Yosemite Valley. Totally worth it though!

Feeling free, alive and on top of the world... Yosemite does that to you. We stayed up on this Granite Rock for hours, nobody wanted to leave this breathtaking place. You saw God's hand in everything around you.

The misfits. I love them.

Eliza and Rowan and the ever beautiful Yosemite Falls

Here's my crew that hiked to the top of Centennial Dome. I'm one proud Mama!

This picture was literally taken 5 minutes after we got to the camp grounds. Lyla and Ruby, two peas in a pod.

happy little hiker

Jazz Hands

Grant+Glory+Glacier Point=Happiness. Good bye Yosemite, until we meet again!

Harry Plopper!

Two HP fans! Grant said this was his favorite thing he did this summer

" The family the Potters together, stays together" -Aunt Martha

Die Hards! Waiting in line for several hours to save us some good seats. Thank you Bonny, it was quite a night to remember!

Bonny, Harry Potters biggest fan, and the ring leader of this fantastic night! Thanks again Bonny! She also made our shirts! (That handsome devil behind us is my brother William)

This was only a few of the things we did in Cali. I didn't include, spray parks, Sly Park Lake, Folsom Lake, Lake Natoma, and I still need to post pictures of Florida and Utah! More pictures to come...hopefully before next summer ;)

End of Summer bonus!

We spent several fun filled weeks at my parents house in California this summer, and it was a little sad leaving knowing it might be a year before we saw everyone again. Little did we know we would get lucky and get to have her come to Texas just a couple of weeks later. My Aunt Deborah flew her out so she could see my cousins Zach and Max(future stars I might add) perform in a couple of musicals. Lucky for me, my Auntie D lives in Austin.

Swimming... We did this daily.

Just a couple of floaters.

It was great to spend a few more days with you Mom, thanks for the griddle, we use it almost daily.

Hello new school year, nice to meet you

6th grade, a new haircut and too cool for school. He got to choose an elective this year and he chose band. I was informed the other day that he chose to play the baritone (small tuba). This should be interesting...

Eliza finally getting to wear the outfit she laid out weeks ago. She couldn't wait for school to start, waking me up twice the night before all anxious for the morning to come.

I can't believe that I have 3 in school!

Zachary my Kindergarten baby! He was thrilled to be starting school. I really agonized whether or not to send him because he just barely turned 5. I was worried he wouldn't be ready, but he was dying to go. Over a week into school and so far the teacher hasn't called me. That must be a good sign right? He loves it and seems to be doing great.

Saying good-bye. Ruby and I miss those big kids but we are loving our carefree days together. She won't start school for another 3 years...thank goodness! I know it will be here in a blink!

Friday, June 3, 2011

Time flies when you're having fun!

Eliza's BFF and daily walk to school buddy, Grace!

Older and wiser!

Wow! I am awesome! My last post was the first day of school and this post is of course the last day of school. I am on a roll! Unfortunatley the most consistent thing about me is my inconsistentsy, espcially when it comes to my blogging. My goal for this summer and coming year is to blog more, at least more than twice a year, even if it's only a picture or two. Happy summer everyone!

Monday, August 23, 2010

It's that time again!

Where did the Summer go? Where did my babies go? The old cliche, "They grow up so fast" is truer every year. Grant started 5th grade this year. A whole new school (they have Intermediate School here for 5th and 6th) and 4 new teachers. Eliza started 2nd grade and tells me she can't wait to make new friends. It was definitly a bitter sweet morning for me. Just another sign that my kids won't stay little for long.

I am in love with his blonde locks!

They look so grown up here to me.

First day of school outfits:

Grant insisted on black high top converse (we could only find low top in his size) and of course Grant's signature piece, a Star Wars shirt.

Eliza planned out her outfit and hair ("two braids, wrapped into buns with pink bows) weeks ago. She even decorated her lunch bag with all sorts of girlish designs and swirls.

I know a lot of Mom's pick out their kids clothes each day for school. Some day's I wish they would wear what I pick out for them too, but I think it's important to let kids express themselves (within reason of course)so I rarely intervene when it comes to what my kids choose to wear. I actually love that Grant and Eliza have their own individual styles, and try to nurture that. For example, even though none of Grants friends own a pair of converse he was set on owning a high top black pair (unfortunatly we never found any in his size, so he settled for low top) We took him shopping at the mall and offered to get him some popular "name brand" shirts. He wanted nothing to do with them, which I was actually quite pleased with. He said he thought it looked stupid to have the word, "abercrombie" written across the front (not that we shop there, but there was a huge sale). I was actually happy that he didn't care for it, and even though Star Wars shirts aren't MY first choice, they are SO Grant and in a contest with Abercrombie, I'm glad Star Wars wins.