time to update!

I'm about 5 weeks pregnant now, I have my first OB appointment September 11th, I'm excited! Like I said, I'm only 5 weeks but am already showing LOL! I think with #5 my body kind of gave up!

This weather has been so nice, I can hardly believe it's August. It was a high of maybe 74 today. We've been enjoying lots of family time on the weekends. I thank God for all of my boys (Dan included:) I really enjoy being a mommy!

Monday starts week 3 of school for the 2 older boys. I think they're finally in the routine of things. Nicolas brought home his very first A+ this past week! He's never had a letter grade, but now that's he's a first grader he's getting them. He's such an eager learner, I am so excited to see how well he does this year! Elijah's doing pretty good so far too. He has more responsibilities at school now that he's a fourth grader, but I think he's lovin' it lol. Josh starts September 9th, I think he's a little nervous since it's a new school (3 day preschool) but excited at the same time. :)

New Pic of the boys!!!

Look close because it's hard to see on here. :)

week 1 down!

Praise God week one is over! Only 8 left! lol Dan is working a lot more now for the next 8 weeks, this was the first week of that. It went well. Can you tell I'm counting it down already? hehe

Next week starts school for the oldest 2. The first day is Wednesday the 19th, it's a half day, then the next day is a half day too. The first FULL day of school is Friday, August 21st. Elijah is in 4th grade this year and Nicolas is in 1st grade. Elijah's excited I think, his school consists of 3 grades; 3rd, 4th, and 5th. This year he's one of the bigger fish, last year he was new to the school so this year he gets to show the 3rd graders how it is lol. Nicolas, I think, is a little nervous. He goes to a new school this year and this is his first year in the district. Last yr for Kindergarten he went to a VERY small private Christian school. This year things will be bigger, he's not sure what to expect. But thankfully we were able to get him and a friend of his in the same class, as requested, he was in Nicolas' class last year. So I think both the boys are a little more at ease about that. I've also heard that Nicolas' teacher is awesome. I'm excited to get back to my normal routine. As much as I love spending time with them during the summer, things are a little crazy during the day lol.

Josh starts preschool at a new school this year as well. This year he goes MWF, he's very excited! He doesn't start until after Labor Day though.

Swimming!!

The boys have been swimming all summer in grandma and grandpa's pool. They LOVE swimming! And, they're all doing really well too. I took a bunch of pics but will only share this, I love it! It cracks me up and melts my heart at the same time. :)

Silly Zacky

Zachary started something new! He gets out of bed and falls asleep somewhere in his room. None of the other boys did this lol. Here's where he fell asleep the other day. I went in to check on him and couldn't find him, I started searching around his room and found him in the corner under his slide....asleep! LOL! Goofy boy!

August 2nd family cookout...

I went up to Joliet the weekend of August 1st and 2nd for a Burgholzer (plus a bunch of other families lol) family cookout. I saw people I haven't seen in like 10 years, it was crazy! It was nice to see so many people that I haven't seen in so long and introduce them to my boys. :) Dan wasn't with us, he was in Maryland. Here's a few group pics...

All the girls!
top row: Stephanie (my sis), Megan (step sis), Stephanie (step sis)
middle row: Nichole, Amber, Katie (all cousins)
bottom row: me, Erin, Samantha and Emily on lap (all cousins)


All the boys! the little guys in this pic crack me up LOL!
top row: Michael (step bro), Andy (my bro)
middle row: Tony, Steve (cousins)
bottom row: Chandler (cousin Nicole's son), Josh (my boy), Seth (nephew), Ethan in front (cousin), Nicolas (mine), and Zachary (mine)


All the brothers and sisters, with their parents
top row: uncle Bruce, uncle Brian, uncle Tony
middle row: my dad, aunt Michelle, aunt Debbie
bottom row: my grandparents who live in Florida

Sweet baby Cami...

I had the pleasure of doing a session with my niece 13 days after she was born (so back in the beginning of July) Here's a few shots from that session...

VACATION!!!

Dan and I (no kids) went to California for 5 days! We left very early morning July 16th and we got home very late at night on July 20th. It was so nice! We went to San Francisco, it was crazy busy not too much r&r went on but it was so nice to get away just the 2 of us. The weather was awesome, it was not above 80 the whole time there. NO HUMIDITY! We did so much while we were there too, my legs were killing me I did more walking in those 5 days then I usually do in like a month here LOL! We took so many pictures but I don't have the time now to put them all up so I will just put up a few.

One of the first things we did was get together with a friend of mine, Melissa (one of my favorite parts lol) we walked around at Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, and Ghiradelli Square. Here's a pic of me and Dan with Alcatraz in the background taken at Fisherman's Wharf.



We walked half way across the Golden Gate Bridge. Let me tell you, I didn't realize how scared I was of heights until I got up there lol. The combo of being waaaaaay far up and cars flying past us on the other side, I was terrified.

Dan on the bridge...


Me in front of the bridge...


We also went to Six Flags while we were there and Dan got to swim with the dolphins. I think that was Dan's favorite part of the trip. He was one major stud in that wet suit, let me tell you lol.



It rained for all of 5 minutes (and by rain I mean a VERY light sprinkle) and everyone kind of panicked (it doesn't rain much there) then when it was done there was the brightest rainbow I have ever seen. And it was a double rainbow which I've never seen before. It was so pretty!



We went to see the Redwood Trees which I didn't care about, but when I got there I was so glad we went. It was so pretty and just calm. It was breathtaking just being in there. I don't know how to describe the feeling, just peaceful I guess.

on the way up to Muir Woods the views were beautiful...


Dan inside one of the HUGE redwood trees...


We hiked off the regular trail in there (not sure why we did that lol, it was painfully long and we got lost LOL) but stopped for a pic (while I tried to hold my huge camera) wearing Dan's hat :)


Then after leaving Muir Woods, this is actually 2 pics in one. Dan took a pic of me and I took one of him so I combined it in PS to make it "look" like we were together. (that's why I look like I'm not posing with my husband lol)


Point Reyes kind of happened by accident but we're both so glad we went. We saw a sign that said "Lighthouse" and an arrow pointing to turn down one of the streets (we were on our way to Dan's friend's house but thought we'd stop real quick at the lighthouse first). Well 30 miles LATER we finally made it. We had no clue it was so far away lol. But it was sooooo pretty there. We were at the very tip and water completely surrounded us. It was so windy and cold up there, but the views made it worth it.

some man offered to take our picture in front of the ocean, it was so pretty down there but we weren't allowed down there because the waves were dangerously strong.


and the lighthouse...


We had to walk down 300 steps (then back up) which doesn't sound bad (or ever look bad) but let me tell you.....it hurt! I started wheezing on the way back up lol.

We went to Benicia, a town Dan lived in while he was growing up to see his old house. Turns out one of his childhood best friend's parents still lived a few doors down and his mom was home and invited us in. We ended up going back a couple nights later so his friend and his family could meet up with us for dinner. It was so nice. These were the nicest people ever. I heard so many stories about the trouble Dan and his friend caused LOL! This is a group pic of Dan and I with his friend and his wife and his friend's parents. (his sweet wife was 9 months pregnant, you can kind of see her little belly popping out:)



In Benicia down the street from Dan's old house, we were driving around the town and he was telling me about different things, I happened to see this couple and grabbed my camera for a photo opt, it was the perfect pose/location I couldn't resist. So no we don't know these people but they made a pretty picture. :)



We had so much fun and it was a much needed vacation for the 2 of us! Thanks mom and Larry for watching the kids!!!!!