Empire Mine State Historic Park - Field Study Da

What a way to spend a Sunday. We packed a picnic, loaded up the car and took of for an adventure. We were originally on our way to Malakoff Diggins State Park. The boys were starting to get restless from the drive, when we had passed an exit for Empire Mine. We made a quick decision to turn around and go back since we still had 45 minutes left to our trip. So glad we did!  Gavin and Garren were our photographers for the trip. I hope you enjoy the pictures!

Stamp Mill that was used to crush the ore.

The Empire Mine was open from 1850 until 1956.

Hydraulic Drill

The Secret Room - Mine model
With over 367 miles of underground tunnels, at almost 1 mile underground

Mine cart that was used to take materials out of the mine.

George was our tour guide and had lots of information to share. 

One of the largest and riches gold mines in California, the Empire produced 5.8 million ounces of ore.

A stands for alphabet date

So we started our alphabet date off with a bang. Dave and busters arcade was our first stop.

Date night challenge 2013

I firmly believe that to keep your marriage running and functioning smoothly that every couple should make sure to do date night at least once every two months or so. We have been lacking in that department since our little was born over three months ago. We both decided that it was time to get back on track and since its a new year, what better way to do so than a date night challenge. 

I did some research and made a suggestion to Mr.Big that we try Alphabet Dating. He eagerly agreed and we are on the hunt to plan our dates.

I will try my best to post pictures and updates. 

Here is a description of alphabet dating.

"Alphabet Dating is the process whereby each partner selects one letter of the alphabet and designs one date around that letter. The date can be themed around the letter or can simply contain components of that letter (i.e., “B” date we go to the Bistro). The difficult part is to figure out who goes first!
And yes. . .you go all the way to Z.
Alphabet dating can look unique for every couple who embarks upon it.  For us, we plan each date in complete secrecy from the other person and go all out!  It is usually all day, or an extended period of the day, and usually involves various components.  Although some of our dates have been inexpensive, we have a tendency to go all out and spoil each other.  Some of our dates have been united by a theme (beginning with the letter of course) and some just have a variety of components that involve the letter.  However, since our dates tend to be intensive and sometimes expensive we don’t do them as often as other couples might.  In the last 18 months we have only gone from A-F, due to the business of our schedules and/or finances.
Finally, however, alphabet dating is just supposed to be fun.  It in no way summarizes the only way we go on ‘dates’ or express our love but we find it amazing to spoil each other this way."

Oh no, we want to go camping?!

We have been planning meaning to take the dudes camping for a really long time now. And we just find excuses not to go. This summer I am making it intentional that we go at least once! We have all the camping gear, so what's the big hold up? I found this blog about camping with toddlers and wanted to share. Enjoy!

Camping with a Toddler

Video: Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus

This has been one of the greatest explanations that I have heard about religion. My views are my own, and this man says exactly everything that I feel in my heart to be true, out loud. I get caught up in what others believe and what others think, forgetting that I am my own person. Jesus gave so much for me, I need to give more for him.

"Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else" 

Galatians 6:4

As a person, we generally look at others and compare ourselves to them. "She is so great with her kids. Look at how well they behave. I wish I could parent like that." We often lose focus of our own work. The journey that God has laid out for us, is our own. Some days it doesn't seem like we are getting anywhere and like the days are more of a blur and we are struggling just to make it through them. But God has a plan for you. He has something amazing for you. Take time to stop and recall this verse when you are struggling. And to always remember that God is satisfied with your work.

Life List (because I don't plan on kicking the "bucket" anytime soon!)

*In no particular order*

• Create a Christ-Centered Home
• Record myself reading to my kids
• Teach our Boys to cook
• Finish learning how to play my guitar
• Be a full time Stay At Home Mom
• Actually update my blog for a full year
• Build our own home.
• Read through the entire bible
• See RHCP in concert
• Take our kids camping for a week
• Visit Jerusalem and walk around in the places where Jesus walked.
• Take my kids on a Caribbean cruise
• Take my kids to Disneyland
• Own and operate a Bed & Breakfast with my Husband
• Rent an RV and Travel the states
• Make my own laundry soap
• Make my own bread
• Visit Italy and Hawaii
• Take a photography class
• Take our family to camp and attend Spirit West Coast
• Go on a mission to another country (Not attached to USA)
• Make a will
• Pay off everything and get out of debt
• Find my spiritual gift and put it to use
• Find someone from my past and apologize
• Bring someone to know Jesus
• Learn how to use Photoshop

Good-Bye 2011, Helloooo 2012

So one of my goals that I have set for myself this year, is to update my blog a tad bit more regularly. (Did anyone notice that I didn't have a single post in 2011?) Lot's of things have happened over the past year.

Our first niece was born! (It about time we had a girl around here!)

Toby had surgery on his hand in April.

My wonderful Sister in Christ married the man of her dreams. <3

I started Cosmetology School.

 

Garren got quite the shiner the day before his Birthday. (3 Stitches)

Both dudes started preschool Full-time when I started school.

And no year would be complete without the Sparky hurting himself. =D

WE DID IT!

I am proud to say that we have made it an entire 4 weeks without facebook and what a reward it has been. I am encouraged to continue on without it but I do miss keeping in touch and updated on the latest. We'll see how much longer I can keep going!

On a much brighter note, I woke up to find this sweet little encouragement from my honey. It's always nice to see a little extra encouragement when im feeling like im just not making the cut. The house is a mess, the sink is full of dishes and he still feels that I am doing a good job. *le sigh* It was simply the gesture of writing the message. Thank you Toby. I love you.

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Sugar Cookies with Auntie

Saturday night we spent the evening making sugar cookies. The boys had a blast and surprised me by holding off on "testing" the cookies until the very end. Here are a few of my favorite pictures.

3 Weeks!

Yippeee!!! We have made it three weeks without facebook!!! Nothing new to report. So I'll share a couple of pictures. =)

It's the most wonderful time of the year

I have to say that this year has been an amazing year. We are enjoying our second christmas in our new home. As most of you know last year was our first Christmas in our first home! I have really enjoyed being able to celebrate and decorate. This has been the first time that we have enjoyed a major holiday with our boys in our own environment. And it has been fabulous. Today we made paper snowflakes, yesterday we made a paper chain to count down the days till Christmas, and tomorrow we will enjoy color pages. This year really has been a blessing and I am enjoying it for the most part.

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2 Weeks!

I am super excited that I have made it 2 whole weeks without facebook! Toby and I are doing great and I can't speak for him but if I can go a whole month, I might just see how much longer after that I can go.
Thanks everyone for all of your prayers and support!

almost a week

So it's been almost a week since we deactivate our facebook accounts and I have to say that this has been a real eye opener. In just these few short days I have felt like we have too much pressure to keep our lives up-to-date via a social network so that we feel connected to others. The first couple of days were taking the time to getting use to not picking up my phone to check facebook, or sending pictures to facebook. I find myself thinking "This would be a great status update, or someone would really get a kick out of this picture". I have to say that except for the people that I talk to regularly, I haven't had much communication with anyone. I'm pretty sure I picked one of the worst times of year to deactivate due to holidays and etc, but it's also been the best time of year. I am challenged to focus more on building up the relationships outside of facebook and work on me.

The Boy's Christmas Lists

DISCLAIMER: Here are the boy's Christmas lists for 2010. I know many of you will ask me so I figured that it would be easiest to post it here. They are pretty much the same with the exception of clothing size's and some of their toy likes.

.Gavin's List

CLOTHES:

• 4T winter clothes (Hoodies/sweaters, jeans, long sleeve shirts, underwear and socks)
• 4T-5T Pajamas

TOYS:

Please make sure all toys are age appropriate.

• Learning Toys
• Craft Supplies *AGE APPROPRIATE* (Scissors, construction paper, glue sticks, pipe cleaners, finger paints, etc. You get the drift)
• Any toy sport related (He loves all sports)
• Age appropriate books, flash cards, DVD's
• VeggieTales books, movies, CD's
• Toy Story, Diego, Dinosaurs,

Garren's List

CLOTHES:

• 24m winter clothes (Hoodies/sweaters, jeans, long sleeve shirts, underwear and socks)
• 2T Pajamas

TOYS:

Please make sure all toys are age appropriate.

• Learning Toys
• Craft Supplies *AGE APPROPRIATE* (Scissors, construction paper, glue sticks, pipe cleaners, finger paints, stickers etc. You get the drift)
• Any toy automotive related (He loves all things with wheels)
• Age appropriate books, flash cards, DVD's
• VeggieTales books, movies, CD's
• Thomas the Train (He has nothing related to Thomas), Disney Cars, Toy Story, Mickey Mouse
  

Yo Gabba Gabba was AWESOME!

The boy's godmother sent us off to Yo Gabba Gabba in San Francisco and it was amazing!!!! We had such a great time once the boys warmed up and got use to the loudness.

Auntie even had a great time! Check her out in her DJ Lance Rock glasses.We really enjoyed "Party in your tummy"! Gavin was so excited that he had to show off the party that was taking place in his tummy!

30 Days

A few days ago I had got to thinking about how much time I REALLY spend (or waste) on facebook. And it got me thinking, "Is it really this important? Do I really need to know what so and so is doing? Is updating my status constantly really making a difference in anyone else's life?" Probably not as much as I think.

So I challenged myself to de-activate facebook for 30 days.

And last night, right before bed Toby decided to take the challenge with me! I sure do have a great guy!

So I will do my best to update my blog so that you can follow our Journey.

Are you there?

Well, holy smokes. I can't believe that blogger hasn't deleted my account due to inactivity! If only I were creative enough to keep this thing updated. I will work on this blog a little more and try to keep our families up to date.

Family Pictures

We recently had some family pictures done. One of my friends is starting her own photography company and needed some families to shoot for her portfolio.
I think they turned out really awesome!

Wow

Where to start?

Gavin's 14 months old today! Hes walking, attempting to talk, eating big people food, and just all around amazing. I am so surprised sometimes at how big he is and to imagine that he is the proud owner of two parents that are in constant awe of him. He has a total of 5 teeth right now and is currently trying to cut another one. 3 on top, 2 on bottom. WOW! Teething has been such a trying adventure for all of us. Sometimes spiking a fever with them, other just extremly fussy and tempermental. All of which has been a new learning curve for all of us.

Garren is simply a joy to have. In the beginning he was having a hard time with holding formula down and we quickly had to switch him over to Enfamily A.R. Lipil, which has rice starch added to it so that he can keep it down. Before the switch, we would feel him a bottle and he would immediatly projectial it back at us. Pooy guy, broke our hearts to see this, but thats why they have all these great formulas for those little tummies that just dont know how to digest it. Its amazing at how much head control this lil guy has as well. I mean, he literally is holding his head up and moving it around in every way possible! He is doing pretty well during the night, he wakes up only 2 or 3 times. Its still exhausting for us to get up and adjust seeing that Gavin was sleeping through the night with 1 bottle around 2 since he was 2 weeks old.

Well, thats all for now. I have to head off to take the boys to the dr. I will write more later. I have loads to spill!