March

Happy Birthday Nana!

Fun Field Trip to Ag Ventures

 While the big kids are at school, this guy has all the fun. Painting, and playing with Reese are at the top of the list.

 The days we get to pick up Stellie, I don't know who is more excited, Stella or Lorenzo??

 Library Story time!

 Lorenzo was teaching Hayden all his best faces!

 We thought the Easter Fun Run tradition was going to end. The kids both had baseball games at the same time as the run.  BUT, it rained so much the day before the games were cancelled! The tradition lives on and we all loved it.  G had a come from behind win, passing a boy, which she thought was awesome.  Gino came out of the gate full sprint. We didn't have much faith he could keep up the pace, but he had the short race in his favor and came out on top.  Lorenzo was SO excited to run.  At the end of the race he saw the big kids and broke down.  He ran through that finish line with all the emotions.

 Haggin Museum in Stockton has a Student Art Competition every year. Giada's class had a new art teacher this year who did an excellent job teaching them all different techniques.  The children were invited to the museum to see their work.  So much beautiful art work there, the children all have so much talent. Thank you to the Haggin Museum for putting on this program and encouraging the children through art. 

 Happy Birthday Nonno!

 For Giada's birthday, Nana took her on a special 1:1 day. They attended a Hutchins Street Square performance Catapult, and Sushi dinner.

 Soccer.  Jan/Feb, we had nothing to do so we decided to let Giada do some soccer clinics.  Why we couldn't just take the down time like normal people, I do not know.  Well of course after the clinics she wanted to play a few games with the team.  The next few months may be a bit nutty with volleyball, softball and soccer, but here we go! Go Cougars.

 Round 1 of egg dying. Helping Nana get her eggs ready.

 Checking out Ran's Easter decor. The kids were so excited for an afternoon of fun at Ran's. That is way more fun than doing homework after school!

 Lorenzo was given this Baymax and he was thrilled!! He has taken it everywhere, grocery shopping, sleeps with it, what a hit. Thanks Seve!

 Riverdogs!  This was our first year in Morada Little League and it was a wonderful experience. Coach Sean is always so patient with the kids. Gino is quick and could scurry his way on base most times up to bat.  He also enjoys digging around in the dirt with his feet anytime he plays infield.  So, we are just glad he never got drilled with a ball!  Best part is he had so much fun and is looking forward to next season.

 Happy 13th Birthday to our Sydney Girl.  I was always worried the kids wouldn't get to know her, especially when Lorenzo was born. I am so happy she has continued being such a special part of our family.

 Rare picture of Matt and I. Fun night out with my brother.

OCTOBER

October always starts with a trip to Phillips Farms. If you are a local, coming here is tradition.  Although Phillips Farms is growing and the focus is more on the Michael David Winery portion of their businesses, every year I am so glad to see they are keeping some elements we all know and love.

This guy loved this hay stack. "I big boy I go to the top all by myself. You stay on the bottom mom" Sure thing buddy, you are always very cautious, I feel completely safe with this decision! 

NOT! ( Do people still use that word??)

 This Time Hop popped up recently and I love doing the comparison. 

This little girl is growing up at an alarming rate.

 Blessing of the Animals is a big day at our school. Giada of course wanted to bring the new pup, CC. I was very nervous about this because she hasn't been around many other animals, and barks like crazy to protect us for every passing animal/person that walks by our house.  Gino of course also wanted to bring his new fish from Harvest Fest. I was very glad I ended up taking them. CC behaved beautifully and never made a peep. If she is with us, she knows we we are safe.  This little pup is growing on me.

 All he wants to play, all day long! Nerf Wars.

Lorenzo was at Nana's and said, "take a picture to show my mom." He was proud of his work.

Cross Country has been so much fun to watch this season.  The kids have been running so fast in all the meets. Giada is running against 4th & 5th graders and giving them a run for their money!

 Weekend events for Calivirgin mean we miss out on some kid activities.  I am thankful for our village, who always help out.  I am also thankful for technology, within minutes of the race being over we were sent videos and texts showing us Giada's race. 

 Going to these oil events, do give us a chance to see old friends. 

Great seeing Riley and Anne Chaney!

SPIRIT WEEK. Always fun for the kids, especially when you normally have to wear uniforms. 

Pink Day, for breast cancer awareness.

These two buddies had a long day on the soccer field to end the season at the Soccer Jamboree.  

They had fun rooting each other on, and antagonizing one another!

"Dad, I am not tired."

 Can you believe, Calivirgin is 10???  We had a party to celebrate. Thank you to all who came out to celebrate with us.  We would not be where we are today without the support of family, friends, and loyal club members sharing our product.  THANK YOU!

Pioneer Days with the 3rd grade class. Such a fun day with Giada and her classmates.  They learned a little more about what hard work really is ...they have the easy life these days. Branding, Farming, Ironing, Baking, Printing Press, and much more.  It was hard for them to understand why kids couldn't smile in photos back in the day!

My Sydney has had a few health issues lately. She is reminding me she is almost 13. I keep reminding her she is a young pup. I think she is just doing it for the extra hugs!

Flaming Dragons finished off the season with a big win in their last game. The boys improved so much this season. Looking forward to next season already.

We Love You Buddy!

Harvest has begun! It never gets old, it is always so exciting.  We miss dad until December but have fun visiting after school, and having dinner at the mill with everyone.

Giada snuck in a tractor ride with Cousin Andy

 Costume pictures with Bre Meyer.  I thought our days of matching costumes was over. It was Giada's year to pick and I was so excited when Gino agreed. Funny to see our blond guy with black hair!

 Cousin pic for Nana!

 Stella's school had a Color Run this year. I went to throw a little color on her and cheer her along. How fun it was to throw the color packets on the kids. It was SUPER messy, but fun. I also had the pleasure of getting Cain Meyer.  He may never speak to me again, but I got him good!

The kids are always bummed when Mike is milling and they are stuck with "just mom" for pumpkin carving. Giada even told Gino, "don't pick anything that is too hard for mom" I laughed and said I may not be able to do the fancy shaving pumpkins like dad, but I can certainly master any of the ones in these pumpkin carving tracing books!!

Giada did a great job on her own this year!

That one time I thought it was a good idea to get pumpkins donated for a 1st grade class project.

When we are milling during Halloween, the trick or treating comes to the ranch.Hermione Granger is an expert olive oil taste tester!

 

Then we squeeze in a little running around town to visit Grandma Barbara, Kristen, Ran, and Nana.

Halloween at School. The kids had buddies dressed up as the same costume. They were so excited!

 For so many years, the kids have just been happy answering the door.  We attempt to eat dinner, while getting up every two seconds to run to the door.  Kids are coming so early now, before it is close to being dark!  But now, after awhile they ask to go trick or treating.  We walk around with my brother, Steph and the cousins.  Lorenzo refused to put on his costume, which was fine, but I said he needed to wear some type of mask.  As you can see Gino is now a train conductor. The kids are rarely the same costumes for the actual trick or treating.  So, Lorenzo goes to put on these orange shades and says he has a mask.  The funny part was, he would tell people, "I'm a dragon!" They would laugh and say, "Well you look like a Giants fan buddy" and he would say "No, I'm a dragon"