playing at the park

We had such a good time playing at the little park in Newport off of PCH. Its not to shabby to swing and climb while looking out at the view of the Pacific. I guess we do love it here.
Again, a day of firsts. Luke decided he wanted to climb to the top of the big, tall structure. I looked over 3 minutes later and he was way at the very top! I ran over, kind of panicked, thinking he was going to be really nervous at what he had gotten himself into. He just calmly said, "Im ok Mom, I climbed up her all on my own. It's not scary." It hit me that he's getting so big and so grown-up. Things have come so far for Luke over the last 7 months since his diagnosis. It is amazing to see how well he is doing with all his therapy... and in huge part to his GF/CF diet. He is doing things and saying things he would have never done, even a month ago. It makes me feel so blessed and overwhelmingly happy. Hope has been given to our Family and I relish it.

Beach play with the Jackman's

We took a little early evening trip to Newport the first day Jenn and her kids were here. It was the most fun I've had at the beach in a long time. The kids were so good and had such fun running all over the place with each other, splashing in the water and rolling in the sand.
That trip is the very first time that Luke braved putting his feet in the water. He has always been so afraid of the waves and usually won't even go near the wet sand. So this was a big trip and a momentous occasion, I was so happy that I had my camera, though I got a bit carried away.

Round 2

As stated yesterday in my personal blog, I took the kids to the Pumpkin Patch again yesterday. I was a bit grumpy yesterday and thought the kids could use some pony rides and running. We had a great time with Sam and Vanessa, they're so much fun.

My happiness

Just wanted to share that I started a new blog of my own. If you'd care to come visit feel free.
http://mylittlehappinesses.blogspot.com

Pumpkin Patch... Round 1

Today Luke desperately needed a nap but was really fighting me on it. So , in the spirit of good Parenting skills, I bribed him. Initially Dave and I wanted to take the kids down to Laguna and walk around all bundled in our sweatshirts as its the first day in months that warranted wearing one. But when I threw that one out there to Luke he did not bite in the slightest. " I don't care about the beach" So I had one that I knew would work. "If you take a good nap we can go to the Pumpkin Patch when Daddy gets home" Done. He was in his bed asleep in 3 minutes flat.
We had a great time... all 15 minutes of it. It was really windy and once the kids went on the $5 pony ride thats all they wanted to do, so we thought it best to head out before we were broke. Ella walked up to about 25 different pumpkins and either hugged or kissed them. And Luke really enjoyed the pony ride, he thought it was really cool and kept saying, "thank you for giving me a ride, Pepper."
I am sure we will be back soon as it is a tradition to go with my whole Family each year. We have been doing this since Johnson's Bro's opened years ago so its really fun to take the kids here.

What a brothers for

The kids love to slide down the skate ramp that Dave built. Yes, my 30 year old Husband built a skateboarding ramp. I was just watching the kids playing on it and sliding down it so I ran in to get my Nikon. Luke was so sweet with Ella. Helping her up, although she is an amazing climber and I think he was more of a hinderance than a help, and sliding down together. When they got to the bottom they would laugh and do it again. These are the most joyful moments of my day!
I am so thankful that Luke has a Sister and that Ella has a big brother. My Brother's and Sister's are the reason for who I am today and make up so many of my smiles in life.


"I wont let you fall Ella"


A big Brother will always lend a helping hand


This is love

"The Butterfly Park"

The plan was to go  with some friends to the Butterfly Park in Huntington, the kids were really excited. But when we got there it was having some work done on it and was closed. Luke was wondering what was going on so I said," We went to the wrong place, the Butterfly Park is in another place. We'll go over there now" The little white lies we tell our kids. Crisis was averted and he happily replied, "OK Mama, lets drive there" When we pulled up to a park which was close by they both ran out of the car cheering for the Butterfly Park!!!! 

We had a great time. I don't know why we don't go to the park more often. I think we got so spoiled with all of the awesome, new parks in Chicago that its hard to be satisfied with the older, dirtier ones around our house. The kids are happy with any park, I need to just bite the bullet and walk down the street to the old park in my neighborhood. I am committed to doing it more often.

Samantha and Ella doing what they do best

Luke and Paige playing in the dirt. Obviously Luke thinks she is pretty awesome.

The first take she fell head over feet and kind of rolled down. She got angry at the slide but thought she'd give it another chance to do its job.

Lukie and Sam. They love eachother.

My beautiful boy

He was so happy they had a slide and pretty much went down it the entire time.

Cutie pie