May had it's ups and downs. Luckily for us they were mostly ups. We were so excited to have a visit from Uncle Tari and Aunt Brianne. The kids and I legit counted down the days until they arrived. We were so happy to have visitors again. That's one of the great things about living in California. Lots of people want to visit you :)
The Machanzi's got in Friday evening. We had dinner and played games. It was so fun caching up with them. The kids were over the moon! They played soccer and football with Uncle Tari right away. The following morning we took these two to breakfast at Huckleberry's Cafe in Salida. It was great food and even better company. After a tasty breakfast we stopped by the Blue Diamond shop to grab some tasty almonds. We always love treating our guests to a bag of mint almonds. They are the best!
Once we finished at the almond store we headed to the Modesto Farmer's Market. We had so much fun grabbing some fresh produce for lunch and dinner that day. The kids stopped at the bubble machine to twirl and dance in the bubbles.
Tari, Bri and Beckham boy enjoying the market.
We loved the fun, but also the relaxation. The kids wanted to show Aunt Bri a fun new show they found.
Football for the win!
We spent a lot of time playing games, hanging outdoors, and spending some good ol' quality time together. We are SO looking forward to another visit from the Machanzi crew.
The kids were so sad to let these two go. We had such a fun weekend.
We love you Tari and Bri!
I was making lunch and turned around to find this, haha. This sweet girl was meditating right on the kitchen floor. I grabbed my phone to snap this pic. She opened her eyes and said, "Oh, hi Mom, I was just meditating. Did you see?" Haha. I can't make this stuff up, haha. She's an incredible human being, and continues to teach us so many things.
Sadly, the kids all came down with a cold. I put on Curious George so they could rest. They loved all gathering onto Quinn's bed for movie time.
Quinn with her books.
This girl falls asleep every single night reading a book. She LOVES to read and has just started to write on her own. She is getting so smart and so big too fast. We love our little book worm.
Once the kids were all better I was hit with the same cold/flu. It's hard when Mom gets sick. I was pretty much bed ridden for two days. Once I was able to sleep, and get some meds, I was back to myself. This flu hit me really hard. I hadn't been sick like that in a really long time. Grateful we are all better and on the other side of it.
Quinn goes camping :)
Happy Birthday Beckham James!
I cannot believe this kid turned 7 this year! It has gone by SO fast! We have enjoyed every year we have had with this kid. He is witty as all get out, loves to get a laugh, very competitive, loves hard, and is the sweetest little human you will ever meet. He has the softest cheeks to kiss on, and loves to cuddle. If every day could be an all day game day he would love it. He LOVES playing the Switch and any game you give him. Beckham continues to enjoy football and looks forward to the upcoming season. We love our Beckham Boy!
Our sweet boy had the best day! He loved all of his gifts, game time, and of course cake:)
Quinn Marie graduates from Pre-K!
I was so excited to attend Quinn's graduation. She sang her heart out, and loved being on stage with her friends. She's going to miss Pre-K, but looks forward to being at the "big school" with her brothers.
Quinn graduates!! Woohoo!
Graduating class of 2022
Our sweet girl :)
I may or may not have cried. This was a big milestone moment for our family. Our baby girl is no longer a purple penguin at Ripon Grace Community Care Center. She LOVED her time there. I can't believe that all of our kids are now officially attending elementary school.
A quick trip to Staples resulted in a quick snapshot of Quinn with some crayons :)
VEGAS BABY!!!
For our sibling trip this year we headed to Las Vegas! I was over joyed when ALL of my siblings could join me on my semi-annual Momcation! I was heading to the Vegas to see Carrie Underwood's show at the Resorts World Las Vegas. She was doing a more intimate show, and I wanted in :) I mentioned to my siblings that I'd be going and asked if they'd join. Gratefully everyone was on board!
Once we were all together, which was a blessed reunion, we headed to breakfast/lunch. We ended up at a delicious place called Blueberry Hill. It was super tasty.
We all started to catch up there and began to plan the next few days ahead of us. I had my Carrie concert that Friday night. While I was there the other four went to Cirque Du Soleil. We planned our days around our shows and enjoyed every minute together.
First stop was the Bellagio. We wanted to see the garden feature they had for this time of year. Sadly, they were constructing it the weekend we got there. It looked like it was going to be amazing. It was cool seeing this side of the process, but I was really hoping to see the finished pieces :)
The Fab Five waiting for the fountains to erupt. Dang, how I love these people!
And they're off!
Me, Ang, and Er
Me, Jim, and Britt
After a beautiful display of awesomeness at the Bellagio fountains we headed to Caesar's Palace. We of course ended up having lunch at the Cheesecake Factory ;) Win for me!
Vegas shenanigans :)
After Caesar's Palace we headed to Treasure Island so Angie, Er, Jim, and Britt could get to Cirque. Their show started an hour before mine. I figured I could walk from Treasure Island to the Resorts World Casino to save them time. They all headed to their show and I started walking to mine. Little did I realize my casino was a mile away, haha. I got there with 20 minutes to spare. Between the lights I had to wait at, the people everywhere, I was grateful I made it in time, haha.
Once I got to the theatre that Carrie would be performing at I stopped mid step. I couldn't believe that Eve was just hanging out among the peops. Then I realized most people wouldn't know who Eve even was, haha. Eve Overland is Carrie's personal trainer. She is one of the creators of the Fit52 fitness program I do several days a week. She's one of the people on the app, so I see her quite often, haha. I stopped to say hi, and we ended up chatting for a good 10 minutes. It was like we were friends just catching up. She is an absolute darling human being and just so kind. I was so happy we had the chance to talk. I asked to snap a pic and she of course agreed, then added, "Hey send that to me. I'd love to have it." Again, meet my new best friend Eve ;)
The lights finally went dark and the show began. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a guy that looked a lot like Mike Fisher (Carrie's husband). I looked again and again trying to figure it out. Finally the lights went bright and sure enough about 10 feet to my left stood Mike Fisher. He was watching the concert with I believe his brothers and their wives. The guys he was with looked a lot like him so I am assuming it was his family. He cheered, sang along, and just beamed at the stage while watching his wife perform her show. Mike has probably seen this show a dozen times and you wouldn't have known it. He looked on with such support and love. It was really fun to watch. He had no idea that I saw him nor would he care. He was just being himself. It was admirable to say the least. You could feel the love he had for that girl on stage. He was proud, supportive, and happy. As I watched the concert go on I had a little battle in my head. Do I go over there and introduce myself or leave him alone? Most times I meet someone famous I don't ask for a pic. This time I decided why not?
He graciously agreed to take a picture with me. I was so happy to have about 30 seconds to say hi and talk with him. He was super kind and well not bad looking ;) He looked right into my eyes when I spoke which was a little intense, haha. I had his undivided attention. He was so kind. As the night went on I noticed that I was one of two people who noticed him in the crowd :) The other person was my cute new friend Kaley that was a newly cancer survivor. She ended up going to meet him as well. She shook his hand and asked if he was Miss Underwood's husband :) How cute is that?! She ended up asking him if he'd tell Carrie that she was a big fan and grateful for her music. He smiled the entire time they talked. It was fun to watch.
Carrie putting on an incredible show!
It was so fun seeing her in this setting. It was so close and intimate. Everyone there had an absolute blast!
She sang How Great Thou Art bringing tears to my eyes. This girl is incredible.
She ended the show with Something in the Water. This set did not disappoint. She had some old songs I hadn't heard in a long time and some newer ones. It was an amazing show!
The rest of the gang picked me up at the casino. I of course filled them in on my incredible night. I couldn't believe I had the opportunity to meet both Eve and Mike! What a day! What an amazing night! That night we stayed up late into the night catching up with everyone. It seemed like our time was getting away from us too fast. We were all in our happy place with some of our favorite people beside us.
Angie and I got a pedicure the following morning while Jim hit the gym. Britt and Er stayed back and lounged at the pool. We hit up Tacos El Gordo for lunch and ate by the pool. Those tacos did not disappoint. They were amazing! We laid out by the pool until we had to get ready for the final show of our stay... the Jabbawockeez!
Before getting to the Jabb's show we stopped for sushi at Ono Sushi. We really scored with the food this trip. Everything we ate was super delish. Thanks to Pres for sending us recommendations and finding us great food.
Ok, a little background real quick about the five of us. We grew up in a very remote location in Illinois. We had nothing but each other to hang out with, talk to, and play with. Many times you would find the five us blaring music as loud as the speakers would hold, singing at the top of our lungs, and dancing around the house. We loved dancing and singing. The Jabbowockeez show just seemed like the perfect fit to end this memorable vacation with the five of us.
My people!
Bring on the Jabb's! Yes, that dude is back flipping in the air.
We laughed, we sang, we danced, we enjoyed every bit!
Such a fun show!!
After the show we stopped by Black Tap for crazy awesome shakes. They were massive!
Yes, that's a shake! They were absolutely delicious and so fun.
To say that we had the time of our lives while in Vegas would be an understatement. We enjoyed every minute we had. We talked, we laughed until we cried, we went to incredible shows, soaked up the sun, and honestly LOVED the time we had together. So many things can change in life, but family, family is where it is at. I am so grateful to be a part of this Fab Five crew. They are my people. I know that I can turn to them at any given moment and vice versa. We have a bond that will last throughout eternity :)
Once back from Vegas I was back into the swing of normal life. We cheered Jack on for his final game of the season. He played SO well. He really enjoyed baseball. Especially when he wasn't playing in the out field :)
GO GIANTS!
After the game, the coaches surprised the boys with a water balloon fight. They loved it!
Giants team of 2022! Jack is in the middle in the front row :) Go #5!
Quinn's actual last day of school was the week after her graduation. We loved having Miss Sabrina on the left and Miss Laura on the right as her teachers for the year. They are incredible women and we are so happy to know them. Quinn is going to miss them so much.
Last day of school for the boys!
Mrs. Fortuny, on the left, was such a blessing. Jack was part of a combined 2nd and 3rd grade class this year and really enjoyed it. We are hoping that both boys get Mrs. Fortuny for next year. They think it would be the best thing ever being in the same classroom.
Mrs. Gonzalez was such a great teacher for Beckham. He loved her so much. Sadly, she is leaving our elementary school and going to another school in Manteca to teach Kindergarten.
For their last day of school we set up the tent. The kids really wanted to camp out to celebrate another school year under their belts. They did such a great job throughout the year. We were happy to accommodate their wish. We set up a movie on Preston's laptop, popped popcorn, and had treats under the stars. It was a fun night in the back yard.
Top Gun: Maverick
Pres and I got a way for a little date night the weekend Top Gun: Maverick came out. That movie was remarkable. I will need to see that in the theatre one more time :)
Pres jumping with the kids after church one Sunday. They love their Dad time :)
On Memorial Day we headed to the park. Pres walked hand in hand with Quinnie to push her on the swing. My heart about melted. These are the moments I choose to forever remember. She'll always be his little girl :)
Once again, Quinn with books. Love this girl! She was so excited to tell me all about Jonah the following morning :)
May was a month full of highs and lows. I am so grateful for both. Sometimes it's nice to step back and take a breather. On the other hand, it's nice to enjoy the highs with people you love so much! I'll be thinking about the memories made from this month for a long time.
Brian and Shelby welcomed a sweet baby girl to their family.
Audrey June
Born: May 31st
Weight: 7 lbs. 14 oz.
Length: 18.25 in. long
We love and adore her so much already!
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