Roadtrip with the Richards family.

We were SO happy to have some of our friends from Miami come visit us! Jaran did summer sales in Visalia, so they are somewhat familiar with it. It was so fun to plan our roadtrip and show them a lot of the sights of our new home.

We started in San Francisco, because Jaran and Aubry's flight landed there. Since Cora begged to go on the carousel at Disneyland and we never got to do it, we made a beeline for the Pier 39 carousel! After stopping for lunch at a gourmet macaroni and cheese restaurant.

Obviously James got a dragon, and Cora took a while to pick her ride before settling on a rabbit.

  

  

    

 We then took the kids over to see the seals at the pier.

We also got to see the Musee Mecanique, which is a museum that has early 20th century arcade games. Some of those games were horrific. There was one that had a man being hung, and at the last second he dropped from the gallows. This is what people paid for way back when?? There was also an opium den, more executions, etc. But it was also pretty entertaining.

The biggest problem with San Francisco is the TRAFFIC. It took us 4 hours to do the hour drive home. We were going to do the Oakland temple open house the next morning, but decided that the traffic did not sound fun again. So we decided to instead go straight to Yosemite.

 We have never taken the road through Sonora to get to Yosemite, and it was very interesting! It took us through old historic mining towns. One was called "Chinese Camp", and had a bar that had been open since 1849. (I'm pretty sure it has been a lot of different types of buildings since, but still.)

The drive into Yosemite wasn't quite as spectacular as when we came from Fresno last year, because you just can't beat that view of El Capitan and Half Dome.

Also, it was COLD! We stopped at the closest gas station ($5 a gallon in the park, ugh) and it was in the 30's! So we were all underdressed.

  

 The bad news was it was foggy and rainy for our entire day there. We kept quoting Frodo from Lord of the Rings when he said "We've been here before!" Because we just kept circling around Yosemite Valley waiting for the clouds to dissipate.

 We almost got out of the car to picnic for lunch, but it started pouring. So instead we stayed in the car and let the kids go nuts.

 We got out at the visitor's center because Cora needed to go to the bathroom. It is SO fun to watch the kids running around!

 After a while Cora was not interested in being in the cold and rain.

We tried to hike up to Bridal Veil falls, but not only was the sidewalk flooded (trust me, trying to jump over calf deep water while carrying Cora was HARD) but with the rain the waterfall was so intense that we couldn't get close because it was whipping us in the face.

 But we got the cutest picture of our tiny John Muir hiking! He has his little leashed backpack on because otherwise he will run away and off into the waterfall.

After a while we decided to just go to our Airbnb in Bass Lake. It was a good way to unwind, playing games and letting the kids sleep.

We also go to hit up the zoo! Always a must when we have visitors.

Two different reactions to snakes.

 James and his animal twin.

 Tiny angel.

 All the kids were wary of the other dad, but India eventually warmed up to Brandon. 

 Our final stop was Kings Canyon. Another must when we have someone come from out of town!

 

  Playing hide and seek. 

This is why I'm always sweating when out in public with James... he doesn't make it easy for me!

Playing in the stream (with James on a short leash again).  

 

 There was also a lot of games, playing with the kids, running around, and we laughed our heads off.

We LOVE having people come visit! Come back soon Richards family!

Cora Says.

Cora has been CRACKING me up lately, and I just need to write down some of the funny things she says.

-Her latest thing is talking about what she's going to be for Halloween. EVERYTHING is a potential costume. The other day she said: "Mom, can I be Moana for Halloween?" "Sure, you already have your Moana costume!" "No Mom, that isn't a costume." "Yes it is, it's your Moana dress!" "NO Mom, that's my Moana princess dress. I need a Moana COSTUME." Oh boy.

-While reading books the other night, Brandon asked her why she was making such a funny face. She said "My panties are just still in my body." So we got to explain what a wedgie was.

-Brandon was being a little bit impatient the other day trying to get everyone to the gym in time since he wanted to do a spinning class. I heard some arguing coming from the garage and when I went out he said "She keeps telling me to just be patient!" I said "Well, she's right Brandon." And she said "Yeah dad, just be patient!" Now he thinks it's a funny story and admits that he was being frazzled.

-"Cora, it's time to get ready for bed." "Ok Mom, I'm just listening to music on my phone right now!" "Really? What music are you listening to?" "Uh, Josh Grovan." "Ok Cora, it's time to say prayers." "Let me just turn my music down." *pushes the volume button on her pretend toy phone.*

-"Hold on Mom, I need to text my friend! Becky is sick!"

-"Mom, I want a pink kitty and it's purple puppy babies."

-"Sorry I'm back, I just had to take a SERIOUS poop! I saw it in the potty and I was like 'WHAAAAAA??'"

-"Cora, what do you have on your mouth?" "Umm, anything?" "Do you mean 'nothing'?"

- "Mom, can I have a _______ party?" There has been a suggestion for a slug party, snail party, marshmallow party, guitar party, unicorn party, table party, chair party, and door party for Cora's birthday. 4th and 5th years. I'm already tired thinking about it.

Cora's birthday celebration(s).

Cora had about 8 birthday celebrations this year. She doesn't know how lucky she is to have so many people who love her!

Megan, Ashlee and Charlotte came down to visit end of March. We took Cora for her first mani/pedi. She was SO happy! (But next time I may skip the manicure because I swear her nails can't hold polish... it fell off in the bath that night.)

Luis' older sister was getting rid of a bed frame and he was nice enough to think of our girl who had been sleeping on a mattress on the ground for over a year. She loves having a big big girl bed!

Visalia School District was out of school on her birthday, so she got to celebrate it a week early. (I got her that outfit from Costco and she kept calling the "unicone" a "pony cone". Too cute!)

Build a Bear has a deal where you can get a bear and pay your age in dollars. So we decided to try it out (since there is no way i'm paying full price for one!). And since she saw her friend's bear with an Elsa dress, she wanted an Elsa dress. But paying $4 for the bear made me much more willing to buy it! She named it... wait for it... Queen Elsa. 

On the day of her birthday we went to the zoo for Aaron's birthday party. They were nice and still sung to Cora. And she was thrilled to be with her friends!

 The day after her birthday we had James's ENT followup, so we went to the temple and then to Chick Fil A.

 2 days after Cora's birthday she FINALLY got to have her party. She has been talking about it only since January, and I hope it lived up to her expectations! (And can we TALK about the yard?? Hooray!)

We had bounce houses, unicorn cupcakes, a pinata, and pin the horn on the unicorn.

 I just love her joy. And this dress was from Grandma Giullian's cruise to Mexico, it's the perfect color for her!

(For some reason James wanted to wear the tanktop we used as a blindfold.)

They are just the sweetest group of girls!

Happy birthday Cora Faye!

Cora semiannual update- 4 years old

I can't believe I have a 4 year old!
Cora is the sweetest girl. She looks out for her friends, and is very kind to the kids who need it.
She keeps saying funny things, like "I have never _______ today" when she wants to do something. Like, I know you haven't watched that show today.
She has quite the sense of style. She has also been getting into my makeup. I got this text one day after preschool drop off- "Did you know she had your makeup??" (I did not.) It figures that it was my neon pink lipstick that didn't come off for about 2 days.

Cora is a great big sister! She is always willing to help him and let him be part of her life. Even when James is being a stinker (which he is a lot of the time), she doesn't resort to hitting or hurting him. Sometimes I wish she would stand up for herself a little more against James, but then again I like her the way she is.

 Cora is joyful. She has her moments like any 4 year old, and tells us no and whines and doesn't listen. But when she is happy, she is REALLY happy.

 She is kind of timid with some things, but she loves to try things out. When her friends are around, of course.

 We sure love you, Cora Faye!

James quarterly report- 1 year 9 months.

Oh Jamers. It is already almost time for your 2nd birthday. Time has just flown!

James is a CRAZY climber. I find him on everything he can perch his little chubby feet on.

The big event of this quarter was that James got his ear tubes! When I wrote the last update he had only had one ear infection. Since then he had a basically constant ear infection until we got another referral for ear tubes. Brandon brought him this time, and he bounced back so quickly. He cried for mom afterward, and threw up on the way home, and then immediately ran into the backyard to play.

He has been learning so many new words since his tubes. I was worried about his speech for a while but it is just connecting in his little mind. Being able to hear properly is a huge perk.

James loves Cora! He follows her everywhere. Now that Cora acts like a cat in the house, James acts like a cat in the house. If she runs screaming, he runs screaming. If she gets a treat, he gets a treat. etc etc etc.

He is learning to be a toddler. His new word is "Naaaan!" which means "Miiiine!" Cora was never a super possessive toddler like that, so it's interesting to watch sibling rivalry play out for the first time. I try to not interfere too much, but if I don't do anything James totally beats up on Cora.

James loves cheese, cookies, and bananas. He loves Elmo "Bmbm", but his favorite character is Cookie Monster "Teetee", or Mickey Mouse "Ninnieeee". If he finds a stuffed animal that he loves, he will hug it like a baby.

James is obsessed with babies. He says "Hiiiii!!!!!!!!" to any baby he sees. Usually too enthusiastically.

Just a few more months until the big birthday! 

We are homeowners!

Well, we started off the new year by MOVING INTO OUR FIRST HOME!

We have been looking at houses basically since we moved here. We knew we would be here longer than we wanted to rent, so we were looking for our price range and in the same part of town. The northwest part of Visalia is a safe and good place to live. There are other good spots, but we knew we wanted to stay up here. The problem is that our ward boundaries only took a tiny part of the northwest corner, so I really really REALLY looked into the houses in that tiny part.

We hooked up with a realtor I know, and after getting pre-approved by her lender we just wanted to go check out some houses. We came to this one house and it had everything we wanted- 4 bedrooms (so the kids don't have to share right away), cul de sac, in a good area, big covered patio. Then she showed us the outside. The backyard is HUGE (for California). I haven't seen a yard that big here. I really didn't want to like this house though, because it was in a different ward! But our realtor said we would need to move fast if we wanted it because it would go fast. So we decided just to make an offer, and they accepted it right away. So we were set to close New Year's Eve! What a great way to end the year!

 Right after we got the keys. Look at how Cora and I smile the same, and Brandon and James smile the same.

 Their daughter had a purple bedroom, so we knew where Cora would be! I hung these up on the nails they left... I still need to rearrange them.

 New Year's Day Brandon had the day off, and Steve and Karen were in town... so I decided to run a 5k. It was my way to get out of the house before the craziness of moving started. And I did it in 42 flat- not too bad for my second 5k after hurting myself!

 Before we got the UHaul we just loaded up the cars and brought them back and forth. James was a good helper.

 Cora was also a good helper at the furniture store.

 This backyard has been amazing. We have big plans for it (in the next few years of course), and just to have a place where the kids can go outside and PLAY without having to pack everything up is huge. It's pretty well shaded, which will be so nice in the summer when it's triple digits. No plans for a pool (people tease me about that ALL THE TIME), but we are going to get a trampoline and some garden boxes!

And in typical boy fashion, James's favorite spot is the dirty mud pit. He learned "dirty" from sitting in it so many times!

Moving into this house would not have been possible without so many people blessing us along the way. I feel like there has been a lot of coaching from the other side of the veil to help everything fall into place. Thanks, all 3 grandpas over there! We hope that someday we can bless people just as much as we have been blessed.

When the house is more set up I will share more pictures!