September Upate

Well the word is out by now. Gino and Giada will have another sibling.  

Gino is dead set on it being a boy and naming it King Kong.

 Chickens are still a big thing around here...they are drawn, held and loved.

 When Giada is at school on Tuesday's Gino has lots of fun with Nana.  We try not to tell Giada all the things that happen without her. Although she loves school, she surely doesn't want to miss out.

 Congratulations to cousin Emily. Looking forward to the big day next year! Love from Lodi!!

 Birthday donuts for Pops, and Birthday dessert with Matt. Lots of September birthday's in our family.

 Pickle time! We finally made them this year. Usually it is in August, but the crop wasn't ready.  We even tried some bread and butter ones this time.

Our days with Stella are always full of adventure. Gino and Stella ask me 100x when it is time to get Giada from school, and she is equally excited to see them at pick up!

 Grape Festival! This year Nonni took all her grandchildren and we were so happy to make memories with Cole.  Watching Cole get so excited when he pet the animals was certainly a highlight of the day.

 

Giada of course wanted to pet the snake. She wondered if it was the same one from the birthday and learned how to tell if it is a boy or a girl from this back dew claw thing by the tail. Claw means boy!

Gino was displaying his new signature move. Smile and eyes closed...hope this phase passes quick!

 

Brave Giada of course wanted to do every big ride. This one she loved. 

The Lorikeets have been here all summer. Giada wants to go see them everyday.  They went one last time before they fly back to Australia.

 Happy 8 years to us. Mike and I had a nice dinner out at Biba. We hadn't been there in awhile, and it never disappoints.  Always fun to eat somewhere that uses our oil as well.

 I hadn't been to the Stockton Children's Museum in a long time. It was a great morning. So much to do, and lucky for us field trips hadn't started yet, so the kids had run of the whole place. 

Yippee! We finally got to meet Max. Marina and Max came to visit the West Coast for a couple weeks and it was so fun to visit with him throughout the week.  He is the BEST sleeper. I had to force Marina to wake him up from his LONG naps after he had slept all night so I could hold him. Can't wait to see you both again in November Neps!

 Where did the time go! All of a sudden she is all grown up!

Catch Up!

Forgot to ever post these. My mom doesn't ask much but she wanted family photos.  We were even able to make my dad sit still for a few.  Thanks again Bre for taking care of moms request.

Nessa gets hitched. Always fun when the CP girls get together, and a trip to SLO never disappoints.  Of course some Firestone's and beach time too!

While we were away the kids had fun at the ranch.  Dirt hills and fishing, what more could you want!?

What's down there kids??

 

Field & Fair Day is back. Well it is called something else, but for many of us, it will always be called that. I was glad to see the balloons back and flying high. Gino gets up so early, we had no problem making lift off.

Cole is getting so big, and becoming a wedding expert!

Real smiles now!

 We finally let Giada pick her carrot, hard to tell when those things are ready.

 It was a big one, she was so proud.

Gino has been talking WAY more now. Giada can always understand him, and it is getting more clear for everyone else.  He loves to ride dads "bateboard' I do love that Fall is on its way, but I will miss our evening bike/skateboard rides when that rain starts.

Me: Giada who wrote on the wall?

Giada: It was probably Gino

 Happy Birthday Pops! Monsters Inc has been his favorite with the kids since Giada was little. 

 Short but wonderful lunch with Hager and her parents. They were en route to SF for a Giants & Niners weekend. Not a bad sports weekend if I do say so myself.  The kids loved playing at a new park.  Never long enough but always wonderful to catch up with friends.

 This boy loves to help clean. Hope it continues!

We have swam a lot this summer and Giada has finally gotten it down! She is a little fish and seems to love it.  On this particular day she said. "I look like I am ready for the Olympics don't I? When can I go?"

Stella loves her new ride. She has started saying a few new words and climbs on everything. 

A favorite word is "nino" for her cousin Gino!

Haircut time! A popsicle and he sits still.

Giada wanted to go hunting with Mike, so off to go hunt doves they went.  She was so patient, they were out there for an hour! Success 2 doves down, then she had to learn to clean them. It's about the whole process around here.  Country girl! 

Gino wanted to be in on the action too!

The 1st pictures of the school year are costumes. Doctor & Cowgirl here! 

This photographer gets everyone to smile, every kid, every year!

Grape Festival Fun

This year's new butterfly exhibit was a hit!

Pickle time! Always a fun project. Takes some work, but glad to have them to eat all year. 

Some helpers helped longer than others!

Last minute adventure to the  Jake & Sofia show. One of the better kids shows I have been to yet. Perfect length and  more crowd interaction.  Fun had by all and Nicole & I got out of there without buying souvenirs. Yeah us!

  

 Mike and I celebrated 7 years! Dinner in Sacramento. 

Always nice to have an adult dinner. Thank you Jeanne for watching the kids!