Day: 179-184

Day 179: Disneyland

Went to Disneyland, since Jeremy had the day off of work. We checked out the new Cars area, but didn't go on any of the rides, the waits were waaaay too long for us. We did some favorite rides and had a great time. That's the wonderful thing about having passes, we don't feel like we need to stay till midnight, and we can still get lots done.

Day 179: Chorley

Age: 201 days old

Day 180: Sydney Feeding Chorley

Sydney likes to be a big helper, and she is great at feeding Chorley. She keeps her clean and feeds her pretty quickly. Austin on the other hand, tends to make quite the mess. Sydney has really enjoyed being the big girl sister to Chorley.

Day 180: Chorley

Age: 202 days old

Day 181: Dodger Game

Friday night was Mormon night at Dodger Stadium and we thought it would be a great family activity. Austin was super excited, and asked non stop when the game was and couldn't wait for it. We went with grandma and grandpa Hatter and Katelin, and we got a whole row to ourselves. We did the usual, Dodger dogs, Carnation ice cream, peanuts and other yummies. The Dodgers lost pretty bad, and didn't do well in the game at all. We all enjoyed the fireworks after the game too.

After we got home, this is what we found in the back of the car:

Fireworks:

Day 181: Chorley (Asleep at the game)

Age: 203 days old

Day 182: Fox Figurines

One of the traditions that Jeremy does when he has his Fox meetings is to get the surprise in the box figurines. The kids look forward to it, and we never know what we are going to get. This is what came in the boxes this time. (funny we have both of these)

Day 182: Chorley

Age: 204 days old

Day 183: Boxes...

It's beginning to look a lot like BOXES, everywhere you go!!! That's the story at our house.. boxes, and boxes, and boxes, everything is getting packed up, and everything we own is getting close to only being in boxes....

Day 183: Chorley

Age: 205 days old

Day 184: Chorley in the Walker

Chorley is really starting to enjoy her walker time. She loves getting the music and sounds going. And eating her catapiller. This has become one of her favorite toys lately.

Day 184: Chorley

Age: 206 days old

Day: 173-178

Day 173: Reading under the Bed

During the summer the kids need to read at least an hour to gain Wii time. They are really good about setting their timers and reading. Each summer I tend to find them in a new creative place to read their books. Today I went looking for them, since it was almost too quiet. This is where I found them... with flashlights.. and their books.. reading under Austin's bed.I have to say it was pretty cute.

Day 173: Chorley

Age: 195 days old

Day 174: El Paso Cantina

One of our FAVE places to go for dinner in Torrance.. well esp my fave place to eat at in Torrance is El Paso.. I would say at least twice a month on Fridays we would go out to dinner with grandma and grandpa Hatter, and with Katelin while she's been in town. El Paso is a winner for all, though the kids have been getting a bit burned out, I never do. The chips, the salsa, and lately the fish tacos have been quite the fave.. YUM!!!

Day 174: Chorley

Age: 196 days old

Day 175: Fave thing in the House

This has to be one of my FAVE things in the house while we've been renting my grandparents house. The original stove!!! It's retro, vintage yellow, the timer or the clock don't work, but it cooks amazing!! And it's extra deep so you can even cook two 9x13 dishes at the same time. This is the same oven that has cooked years and years worth of Thanksgiving turkeys, banana bread, and many tasty dishes. I'm so glad that I've had the privilege of cooking with this oven also.

Day 175: Chorley

Age: 197 days old

Day 176: Fave Room in the House

I think our most fave room in the house, is the open concept dining room/ living room area. This was the original living room area of the house, till they added on the "extra" living room. My grandparents used it more as a formal sitting area, and always lounged in the living room area. We opened up the area with our furniture arrangement and made this the main area that our family hung out in. The fireplace gives it that extra cozy feel. It had big couches for lots of guests to visit in, great lighting for reading a book, each kid would pick a couch and do their homework on it, and then the computer was in the room, so we were always together in one room. I think that is why we liked this room so much, we could be together whatever we were doing.

Day 176: Chorley

Age: 198 days old

Day 177: Syd and Lily

Sydney is such an animal person. She has a big love for animals. She always is going up to pet people's animals, ahhhs every photo she sees and always is worried that Lily is ok. She watches out for her, gives her huge cuddles, and always wants to keep her warm. It's adorable to watch.

Day 177: Chorley

Age: 199 days old

Day 178: Pretty Toes

Austin got the opportunity to go and visit his cousins for a few days, so that left me with Chorley and Sydney. Sydney was a little sad and a bit lonely so I made sure that we had some fun "girl" time while Austin was gone. We went out to lunch at Lazy Dog and got salads and lemonade. Then we went and got pedicures done. Sydney got cute lil Hello Kittys and glittery nail polish, one colors for her fingers and another color for her toes. We then came back and picked out a chick flick for us girls to watch. I think she had a pretty good time, with just us girls.

Day 178: Chorley

Age: 200 days old

Day: 165- 172

Day 165: Austin's 5th Grade Promotion

Austin had a reallly big day today. He had is 5th grade promotion (graduation) from elementary school. He was sooo excited, and couldn't have had a better teacher this year. She really enjoyed Austin in her class and let us know that several times and how much she enjoyed him. She also helped Austin get back up to track, since Utah was a bit behind from where the CA schools are. Austin also got a special award that a handful of the 5th graders received. It was a Presidential Silver award, given to kids who showed a great sign of accomplishment over the year, by working hard, achieving their goals, being a good student and improving over the year. Austin's teacher picked Austin as one of these kids to receive this award. He also got his 5th grade physical fitness award and was above average on all the areas they tested them all. Afterwards, we took Austin out to a special lunch, with grandma and grandpa Hatter and Katelin. It was so great to see Austin achieve this wonderful accomplishment.

Proud Parents:

Family Support:

Day 165: Chorley

Age: 187 days old

Day 166: Last Day of School

Today was the official last day of school for the kids this school year. Austin finished 5th grade and Sydney finished 3rd grade. They both came home with wonderful grades and both improved from the first semester. Both kids had the best teachers and I was excited they got to go to my old elementary, Fern Elementary. They both made good friends and fit in. I am so proud of them.

Day 166: Chorley

Age: 188 days old

Day 167: Bath Splashing

One thing that Chorley is really become a fan of is her bath time. She LOVES the water, she loves to splash, and she loves her little bath tub. Daddy is in charge of bath time and has a fun routine with her. I always hear giggled and squirms of excitement coming from the bathroom when it's Chorley's bath time.

Day 167: Chorley

Age: 189 days old

Day 168: Austin w/ Chorley

Austin is a super wonderful big brother to Chorley. He gets right on her level and see what she is doing. He works hard at making her smile, trying to keep her calm, and is a great helper for me with her. I really appreciate having such a big helper. Plus we've noticed that Chorley looks ALOT like Austin, esp from his baby pictures.

Day 168: Chorley

Age: 190 days old (she is wearing one of Sydney's old shirts, I just LOVE to see her wear some of Syd's old baby clothes, I am sooo glad I kept them)

Day 169: Father's Day

Today was a great day to celebrate some wonderful men in our lives. At our house we celebrated Jeremy as a father to our children. Each of the kids made him fun gifts and were so excited to shower him with love and affection. I got him some Amazon gift cards, which he used to buy a Kindle, something he's had his eye on for awhile. We also had grandpa Hatter, along with grandma and Katelin, come on over for a BBQ and some cake to finish off the celebration. Jeremy is such a TRULY amazing dad to the kids, I couldn't have asked for a better guy.

Day 169: Chorley

Age: 191 days old

Day 170: Chore Chart

Even though today is the first day of summer, there still needs to be some kind of order. We started a chore chart for the kids to have a system of marking their chores off, and if they got them all done, then they would earn something fun at the end of the week. We also do 1 hour of reading, this is in order to earn Wii time, and then some physical exercise, that means going on a walk with the walking crew- mom, Grandpa Hatter, Chorley and Katelin.

Day 170: chorley

Age: 192 days old

Day 171: Chocolates

Sydney has had a bit of a secret admirer this past couple of months, who did a few fun things for her. A heart attack on the lawn with clues, a silver locket necklace, and then today received a box of chocolates with some clues about who the person was. Talk about knowing a way to this girl's heart... yup, it's through chocolate!!!

Day 171: Chorley

Age: 193 days old

Day 172: Etiquette Dinner

Tonight at Sydney's Activity day's activity it was an etiquette dinner. They received a special invite in the mail, and had to dress up very fancy, and arrive at the church. They had a several course meal- bread w/ butter, salad, pasta, and spongecake w/ raspberry jam for dessert. Sydney picked out her outfit and added her own touches with her own jewelry choices. We did an updo, and curled the sides, and I couldn't believe how grown up she looked!! and she hasn't even started 4th grade yet. I'm in trouble.

Day 172: Chorley

Age: 194 days old

Day 155- 164

Day 155: Chorley and Toys

Today I asked Sydney to get Chorley a toy. Now, you need to know, that Sydney sleeps with like a minimum of 15 stuffed animals every night. I try and hide some of them, but they always make their way back to her bed. I sometimes wonder where she even sleeps amist all the animals. Well when I came back awhile later, I saw Sydney had brought Chorley all her toys and given them ALL to her.

Day 155: Chorley

Age: 177 days old

Day 156: Teacher Hugs

Sydney has one of the best teachers this year, and I know Sydney has loved being in her class since the beginning of the year. Ms D is super sweet, energetic and great with the kids. Each day before the kids take off to their parents, they give her a high five, fun handshake, or a hug. Sydney gives Ms D all of the above.

Day 156: Chorley

Age: 178 days old

Day 157: Report Practice

This year both of the kids have had to do monthly oral reports in their classes. Some months have been easier then others, but we always have the kids do a practice report in from of our family, so they get used to saying it in front of people. The place they love to practice is on the fireplace, standing up tall, and reading their report to our family audience.

Day 157: Chorley

Age: 179 days old

 Day 158: New Jammies

With the summer coming, and the weather getting warmer, its just been too hot for sleepers for Ms Chorley. So we decided to get her some new cooler pjs to wear for the summer. I forgot how dang stinkin cute lil short jammies are on babies.

Day 158:Chorley

Age: 180 days old

Day 159: New Chair For Chorley

Chorley seems to really be going through some growth spurts right now, and outgrowing some of her older toys and getting ready for some bigger toys. We got this walker/ entertainment toy for her. She's still getting used to it and only last less than 30 minutes in it, but I know it's something that she will grow to enjoy. It's fun to watch what she does in here.

Day 159: Chorley

Age: 181 days old

Day 160: Student of the Month

Well it was Sydney's turn for student of the month. Unfortunately I didn't get to attend the flag ceremony to see her get her award, cuz she "forgot" to give me the paper sent home. But that afternoon when we were sitting around as a family, she mentioned "oh yah, I got student of the month today"... totally like no big deal. But I think it is, and am proud of her.

Day 160: Chorley

Age: 182 days old

Day 161: Closing Day

Today was the closing ceremony for Little League for Austin. They all dressed up in their uniforms, had a ceremony, the jet planes flew over and we got together with the team and had a team picnic. I signed up for dessert and make cupcakes with the TX Rangers colors and then a T logo on each one. I think they turned out pretty good. Austin had a great season, a great coach, and learned so much. Later on, we went out to Simi Valley and started our house hunting process and ended up being gone ALL day long. We saw about 13-14 houses and saw ALOT of what Simi Valley is all about. We didn't leave to come home till about 10:15 pm and were so exhausted.

Day 161: Chorley

Age: 183 days old

Day 162: Oreo Chocolate Chip Cookies

These have become quite the family favorite cookie. They are soooo good, rich, filling, and you can't have barely more than one.. like, maybe one and a half max. You make chocolate chip cookie dough, then get some Oreos, yes double stuff do work better, and then out cookie dough around the whole Oreo and then bake them in the oven.. All I can say is... delightful heaven, and they are HUGE!!!

Day 162: Chorley

Age: 184 days old

Day 163: Austin's Report

One thing that we worked REALLY hard on this year, was Austin's state report. He was super excited that he got Utah!!! Doesn't hurt that we know a ton about it, lived there, and even made a trip to Utah, while he was working on the report. He did all the extra things he could do, and also added about 20 pictures of places that he had been to in Utah!! (thanks mom for taking so many pictures all the time)

He finally came home with his graded report..... A+!!!! I think we were as excited as he was.

Day 163: Chorley

Age: 185 days old

Day 164: 6 Month check up

Yup, already that time again, the 6 month check up for Chorley. She got a few shots, but did really good with them, it always breaks my heart. Her updated checks are: 17 lbs 12 oz (81%), length 27 3/4" (97%) and head is 45 which is 97%. The doctor says she has a great temperament and is a healthy looking girl.

Day 164: Chorley

Age: 186 days old

tender cuddles with mom