Weddings Galore!

The family and I were at it again! We had yet another busy week filled with love in the air, and family adventures! We decided to drive to Northern California the evening of Friday July 22. We finally get in at 12:45am! Of course Lucas was awake the whole trip and Ryker was sleeping! But Since Ryker was asleep pretty much the whole trip he decided that he wasn't tired! He finally gave up and went to sleep around an hour later! Talk about a very exhausting day! The kids woke up bright and early at 630am!

 Hurray a new day! Sat. July 23rd, 2011

It just wasn't a new day it was a big day for Justiss and Jimmy! We were very excited for them and there new adventure that the two of them will then experience as man and wife! Michael and I were also very excited to have the night off from the kids! (even though I think I called the babysitter like a million times). The kids survived and so did we! The ceremony was at the Christian Reformed church in Escalon which was a beautiful ceremony!(but we forgot our camera in the car so no pictures). But we did bring it for the reception!

Very pretty Sign in book and (bug off spray!)

Definitely shough have put some on earlier because the ate me up! I had 25 mosquito bites!

 Mr. and Mrs. Van Niewenhuyzen

The beautiful Bride

Pake

Mother in law Barb

Natasha, Shane, Taunte Sandra

Words of wisdom to Justiss from Pake!

Table number 5

Yummy cake!

Congratulations to Justiss and Jimmy! May you both enjoy the married life! We had a blast at your wedding and may you both grow more in love with one another each and every day!

Sunday, July 24th we headed to San Jose to see my family!

We headed straight to my sisters place and met up with my dad as well! We had a great visit, then my sister and I went to the San Jose Childrens Discovery Museum. (also with Courtneys friend Desiree)

Michael and Lucas in the Back!

Ryker with Desiree's friends daughter

Ryker was in Heaven! He loved the water station! He loves water and balls!

Cousin Gracie next to him!

Lucas on a hunt for fossils and shells!

Lucas and His Asian friend scientists! There were quite a few asians at this station!



The museum was a great success! Lucas had a blast and Ryker did too! But we had to say goodbye and go meet my mom for dinner! We were planning on going to the Elephant Bar but once we got there, there was a 40 min wait! For those of you who have children know that it is impossible to wait 40min with your kids for anything! So we decided to go to Mountain Mikes Pizza which was a better choice because Ryker got a Code Red when we got there! Could you imagine being in a nice restaurant and your child is screaming! I am not talking like a 5 min. tantrum, it was a good 30min episode and Very exhausting for me especially! I love going on vacations but I absolutely hate not having a set schedule and making time for naps! He finally calmed down and it turned out to be a great time with my mom and Manny!

Playing games with Grandma!

Rykers turn to push the button!

Look at all of Lucas' and Rykers Tickets! We definitely didn't have that many but the gal at the booth allowed each of the kids to choose one toy of there choice! Ryker got to bean bag balls, Lucas got a toy car and Gracie chose a 5 ticket toy!

My Mom, sister Courtney and I

Jen was away for her 5 year Anniversary with her husband in Monterey Bay for the weekend! Congrats you guys!

Sunday night, we slept over at my sisters place! The kids had a blast!

My sister and Ryker

The kids having fun with cousin Gracie!

On Monday July 25th, we visited with my Grandparents! We definitely had a great time!



The boys enjoying GG's and GGpa's Garden

Lucas getting some help with a puzzel my Grandpa got from a friend!

Let's just say I figured it out!

Ryker with GGPa!

We left my Grandparents house and headed back to Oma's! Shortly after arriving at Oma's house I went to a Paul Mitchell School/salon to get my hair dyed for the first time in 28 years! It was a big commitment because I just donated my hair for the 2nd time at the begining of the month! I now will have to wait to donate my hair until it officially grows out! But it was a fun experience because my wonderful Brother in law Toby Price was the one who did it for me! I have always wanted to have purple highlights in my hair since I was in high school but was always hesitant! It turned out better then I thought! After Toby finished my hair, he curled it and styled it like Marilyn Monroe! Not a big fan of how big my hair could get but it was fun!

Purple!

Marilyn Monroe Style!

I did need to get it redyed by Toby again because the purple dye was a bad dye! Which means my dye was washing out quick and my purple was turning blue! Now I have a redish purple now! Which I absolutely love! Thanks again for giving me an opportunity to get my hair dyed for the first time! Thanks Toby!

On Wed. July 27th, Michaels cousins planned a date night! It was so much fun! We went to Torii Japanese Restaurant & Karaoke!

Michael and I enjoying ourselves at the restaurant! Good company and great food!

Our Chef!

We all had the chance to catch some food in our mouths!

Michael and Toby singing Step by step, By NKOTB

What a great turn out! 9 couples! All amazing people we love and best of all they are Family! Well deserved date night for us all, especially for those who have kids! Thanks to Taunte Harriet, Uncle Dave and the best baby sitter Clairene! Thanks guys for giving us an opportunity to be kids again and have fun!

Thursday July 28th, Aunt Elly and Mike had a pool party at there place for Emetts Birthday!

Thanks Rachael for taking this picture! I of course forgot my camera for this day!

On July 29th, we went out to dinner with Oma, Aunt Elly, Mike and The Price family! Unfortunately it was not a good start during dinner! Ryker had another code red! We have pretty much decided not to go out for dinner anymore if we need to bring Ryker! He cried for about 15min this time! Not sure why, but we have survived once again, and were able to enjoy the rest of our dinner in peace! Delicious food at Cool Hand Lukes in Riverbank!

Lucas loves his cousins!

Ryker is happy again, thanks to Linus making him laugh!

A picture of the ladies plus Mav



On Sat. 30th we left Oma's and on our way to Twain Harte for Karinne and Joseph's Wedding!

Thanks Oma once again for your wonderful Hospitality! We love you so much and look forward to seeing you again soon!



 We got to Twain Harte and we were on a mission to find the Lazy Z Resort! We were lucky we found a pedestrian who guided us in the right direction because our GPS had failed us! Oh how we depend on our technology these days, it seems we can not count on them for everything! The Lazy Z Resort is a beautiful location especially for a wedding!

Congrats to Karinne and Joseph! We wish you enjoy your married life and enjoy your trip to Bali! Thanks for sharing your special day with us! You two are such a beautiful couple and compliment one another!

Mr. & Mrs. Quinn

We didn't toast with champagne we toasted with Milk!

Milk because Karinne grew up on a Dairy farm! I loved the idea!

Us with Mr. & Mrs. Quinn!

Michael and his brother Dan! The late night DJ! Good Times and Good music!



 Sunday July 31st! On our way home from a full busy week with loved ones! Couldn't have asked for a better vacation! The weather was great and the quality family time was awesome! Looking forward to our next visit! Weddings are always so much fun because it brings the family together again, from out of town!
We decided to take a different route home! Since we stayed the night in Sonora we decided to take 108 to 395! What a beautiful route to take by the way! The only problem was that it's not that fun if you still get car sick in the car! Here are a few pictures of what we saw while we were driving home!