Nora's Birthday

Today we took the girls to Cool for Nora's 3rd birthday. We went to Larry and Dorothy's house. It was so much fun. The party started off in the house. I had some time to talk video games with Collin and Eric. Collin's favorite game series is Mega Man. I told him about the virtues of Zelda. He and Eric are going to have a "father and son" video game night tonight playing through the most recent Zelda game.

About 30 minutes after arriving, I started up the coals for the BBQ and we got ready for the food. We ate outside around the pool before open gifts. Nora got lots of "princess" stuff - Aerial doll from "Little Mermaid," two tea sets, including a pink Disney princess one from Nicole, a set of arts and crafts stuff from our girls, and more. The grand finale was a pink Schwin tricycle, decked out with chrome frenders and lether tassles on the handle bars.

After opening all the presents, we hopped in the pool. The water was excellent and the girls did great. We brought up their green frog floaters that they sit in to help them swim. Danielle had a great one, similar to ours, but with a small sun shade over the top. Very good feature. When we got out of the pool, Danielle and Eric brought up cupcakes and ice cream for dessert. What a treat!

The final event was a Pinata on the front lawn. Eric was the rope man (until it broke). Our girls got to go first, then Nora, Winter, Collin, and Leah. Then we started over. By that time, the Pinata was on the ground, so everyone was just beating it. I helped the girls, then Eric made a small error in calculation. He decided to try helping Nora. As you may know, she is very independent. Here's what happened...

At the Mitani Ranch

Last month, Darryl invited us over to enjoy a BBQ and have some fun in his orchard. We were there to pick plums, and we all had a great time. The girls got to run around in the grass and play with his dogs, while the adults picked plums. And they were some REALLY good plums!

Overdue Update

Today we met our new cousin, Griffin James Musso. Griffin was born this weekend to Sonya and Greg in Roseville. Beautiful, 6-pound baby boy. And now Greg's sister, Julie, is expecting in January. So next year there will be several young ones at Easter. It's wonderful! The twins will have cousins to play with in a couple years and boss around. ;) Just kidding.

While Sarah and I visited the new parents, we dropped off Ella and Emily with their Grandpa Gary. He reminded me that I was overdue in updating the website, so here goes nothing. June 28th was Auburn Family Night Out. We had a great time. I got a couple pictures of the girls.



Emily is happy to have dinner.













Here they are ringing the bell at Pioneer Church













Ella was more interested in the pony than Emily was.

Birthday Party

Today we celebrated the second birthday for the twins. What a fun party! Sarah and I actually were so prepared that around noon we had nothing to do. :) The party wasn't until 4:00. Sherri came early to help us setup. Eric showed up with Nora and Winter first, around 3:50. Then shortly after that was Chris and Layla (with MG), Darryl, Danielle, Gary and Gary, Sharon, and Bud and Roberta. Sarah and Sherri decorated and got the yard ready, I made bread, turkey, and tri-tip, and we had wonderful ice cream cake from Baskin Robins. Good times!

Boutiful Harvest

Today, the twins, Sarah, Sherri, and Sharon all went to our cousin Donald's fruit orchard and picked two baskets full of cherries. Mostly Bings with a few Raniers (the Raniers will take another week to full ripen up). There is something magical about passing on a family tradition that I just can't explain. I think Sherri got some pictures, so if I can get them I'll upload them.

Finally, a new post - Monterey Trip

Hello Everyone, not much time to write text, but I know you all are most interested in pictures. Enjoy! :)

So Sorry

I know it has been terrible with the lack of posts. I have been swamped with work, and each day that goes by I feel more and more guilty. I know I need to post some update pictures, which I promise to do this weekend. Here are some updates:

• Emily is saying "No!" a lot. Even though we know it's a phase, and she doesn't really mean it, she definitely acts like she means it. When we offer her food that we know she likes, she will say "NO!" and scrunch up her face and turn away.
• Ella and Emily talk more to each other, like asking one another to sit with them or play with them. It's SUPER cute!
• Ella and Emily both have ouchies on their chins - I think one of them bumped it on a table and the other one fell at the park.
• They still wake up once or twice during the night. They go to sleep around 9:00 or 9:15 and wake up around 7:15.
• Everyone is doing well.

Thanks!