Crystsal Cove w/ "Mike and Tia"

After Troy and I had our one-night get-away for our anniversary, Mike and Genevieve (AKA "Tia" to Jackson) brought our little boy to come to the beach with us. We ate lunch and then we all headed to Crystal Cove, in my opinion, the best beach around! :)... We went to the tidal pools and saw land crabs and hermit crabs and some fish. Jackson really enjoyed that. However, he didn't like the waves, or the cold water. I don't blame him! He LOVED the sand, though, and we are having to teach him not to throw it!Our traditional feet-in-the-sand photo!Jackson's reaction to the cold waves... :(Jackson's reaction to the sand!

Cuteness!Michael and Genevieve (Mike and Tia)Jackson, Madelyn, and I
Jackson gets a good look at a Hermit Crab.Jackson is fascinated with ocean life!
Our family photo @ the beach (ignore the funky hair and Jackson's scared face!)

4 Years of Bliss!

July 2 was our 4th anniversary! We both decided this would be a great oppurtunity for us to take a night away from Jackson (I had never done that before). Michael and Geneveive came to our place and stayed with Jackson overnight. Although he ended up going to sleep around 12am in between then in our bed (he wouldn't stay in his crib), and, reportedly kicked Michael in his sleep all night long (sorry about that!), it turned out good. Jackson had a lot of fun with his "Mike and T(ia)" who took him swimming and when to see the ducks down the street, while Troy and I had a lot of fun spending much needed time together watching the sunset on Newport beach and staying in the Ayres Suites. I enjoyed the R&R so much that I think we need to do this again REALLY SOON!

On that note, Troy, my amazing husband, who I enjoy spending time with so much and love even more than the day we got married, is such a blessing to me. The thing I love about him most is his genuine love for Christ. Because that love is so real, it resounds in every aspect of his life, especially in how he loves Jackson and I. I thank the Lord for the man He has made Troy! He finds joy in everything, even the simplist of things! I love that! I have immensely enjoyed these last 4 years of marriage and look forward to many more! Happy (late) Anniversary, my Love!

Speaking of love...Troy got a pedicure with me. We both found it relaxing! Now, that is a REAL man! :)...I don't know if I have a comment for this photo...
My 29 wk pregnant self!After taking pictures of the sunset, we enjoyed shortbread cookies and fresh strawberries! It is was delicious!

A Day @ the Aquirium

Jackson and a Giant Sea Bass...did you know that this fish has the same life-expectancy as humans?

Last week, Troy and I took Jackson to the Long Beach Aquarium. June 30th was the last day to get in for $10, which was a stinking-good deal! Jackson absolutely loved and and he still talks about the sharks, fish, octopus, and divers that he saw. He also wants to wear his shark outfit a lot. He wore it to the aquarium, so I guess it is special to him! Jackson also saw "Crush" at the aquarium...or, in other words, a sea turtle.

For lunch, we went to Boston Pizza, which was really good pizza. It was right next to the aquarium and we had noticed the restaurant when we were up in Canada, so we were curious about it. It turns out that the company started in Canada and they have really good pizza! After the aquarium, we walked around a little shopping center and ate frozen yogurt, and then when to Jenni's house to hang out after that! It was a summer day!Jackson counts the sharks!Troy feeds a Lorakeet.

Jackson feeds a Lorakeet. He did a "happy dance" after this. He was thrilled!Jackson really enjoyed his pizza!A family photo in front of The Queen Mary.

Troy @ Home

Troy's last day as a "9-5-er" was June 26th. For some of you who may not have heard, Troy is now a full time Professor of Communications at a Christian college close to us. It is such a blessing that he got this job! He gets to be home with us through August 27th, minus a few days of meetings for the new school year. He has to work on his syllabuses for his classes, but other than that, he is a free man! Starting August 27th, though, he will teach, which is one of the things he loves to do the most. I am so glad that he has been blessed with the opportunity to do that!Last week was the first week he was at home....and it was so much fun! We spent so much time together! On Monday, we made a day of getting Jackson a hair cut, getting a cold summer drink at Starbucks, and just hanging out. Sometimes you just need time like that, you know? I am going to enjoy, yet cherish, and not take for granted these sweet summer days spent together!

MC-in-Training

Every year, Troy MC's our church's youth conference talent show. This year, like last year, Jackson went up on stage with him. Jackson loves being on stage! I'm almost appalled by it, but then I think about the fact that he is very much like Troy! Troy asked Jackson questions and Jackson answered them, in the mic, without hesitation! He even got up on the side of the stage at one point and started dancing to the Super Mario Bros theme song! In this case, I can truly say, "like father, like son!"

Disneyland Birthday

My birthday was last month as well. The plan was for me and Michael (who is my twin, thus having the same birthday as me), Genevieve, Me, Troy, Jackson, and Jenni to go to Disneyland for the special day. Michael, sadly, got sick, and couldn't come, so Troy, Jackson, Jenni and I went. David and Robyn met us there as well. I got in free, so we put that towards our passes. Yea! We had a lot of fun, mainly because Jackson had so much fun and it is a joy to watch his face light up at Disneyland! He loves the train and is very found of Crush now because of the "Talking with Crush" attraction. He always quotes Crush by saying, "Duuuuude!"

Happy Birthday, Nolan!

Last month was Nolan's 7th birthday, so we had Angie and Nolan over for dinner and dessert. We got Nolan some cupcakes for his birthday and had leftovers for Jackson to enjoy the next day. He enjoyed the cupcakes....blue frosting and all! At least it matched his Spider-man shirt!