summer craziness

On the Road

So we were gone pretty much the whole month of June, that is why my blog has been so silent, but now we are finally home for the summer, yay!
June was filled with lots of fun, including our trip to California.



We first visited my Grandma Cox in a small town called New Cuyama. The population is only like 500 and there is only one small market and one restaurant, "The Burger Barn." Brett and Maya had never met her so that was really special. We ate Grandma's wonderful home cooking, played Pass the Pigs, got attacked by red fire ants, and visited the house I spent the first 3 years of my life. We had such a wonderful time, but were ready for the beach.

Great Grandma Cox

Next we headed to Pismo beach, one of my favorite childhood beaches. We shopped, played at the beach, drove on the beach, and had yummy food. Our adventure was not over yet though.







Next we headed to Northern California to see my family, but the trip wouldn't be complete without at stop at the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield. I am not sure who like it more, Brett or Maya. We got to enjoy free Jelly Belly's at the sample bar, go on a tour of the factory, and buy jelly bellys to our hearts galor!



We spent the next few days in Placerville with my family, enjoying time together, the Boegar winery and the pool. Can't wait to go back in September.

Aunt Candi

Grandma

Boegar Winery

And our trip was not done yet. My sister Carrisa just had a baby in May, so we had to go visit them up in Chico. Baby Norah is so cute and so tiny! I think Maya was sad she couldn't play with her yet though. We also enjoyed a family dinner together at a wonderful Mexican restaurant were I got to see my brother Jordan and my other sister Danae. I do miss my family.....

Grandma & baby Norah

Sisters with their daugthers

Sibling, except Candice :O(

Next we head up to Lincoln to visit the Hornaceks. My BFF Sarah is expecting in August, so I was delighted that I got to go to her baby shower also. Maya and Kyri got to play with each other, so cute to watch! Kyri did not like how Maya made a mess of everything though :O)

Maya & Kyri enjoying Jamba Juice

No more monkeys jumping on the bed!

Pigtails

Friends

I know it's mostly legs, but that was the best we could get

Heading up the end of our trip was Lake Tahoe. Brett and I got to spend an evening there alone while Grandma & Grandpa watched Maya. It was so beautiful there, with our hotel right by the lake. We walked around the beach, and then the shops at Heavenly and ate dinner at my favorite Mexican restaurant, Chevy's, so yummy!

Date Night

Enjoying Chevy's


Maya, Grandma, Grandpa & Cousin Danny meet us in Tahoe

Time to leave sad..... it was really hard to come home

almost there....... 18 hours later

We came home with only 3 full days before our trip to Kansas City (post later to come)

Memorial weekend in Houston

We traveled to Houston, Tx for memorial weekend to see Brett's brother Tim and his family, Cynthia, Garrek and Coby. What a great trip it was! It was so lush there, I wasn't quite picturing that, but I guess that is expected with all the humidity they have.

Their home was beautiful, decorated so well, spacious and so inviting! Maya was in heaven from the moment we got there, with the dog, the big back yard, and all the bubbles (her favorite word). It was so fun for her to play with her cousins! As soon as Coby got home from school he and Maya imbraced, so cute!

Maya so excited to see Coby!

Tim sporting Chief the dog in the Chiefs bag

We spent time at the pool, the beach, and in the yard with water toys. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect weekend, it was relaxing and fun all at the same time. Brett got to enjoy a Houston soccer game with Tim and a friend who recently moved to Houston. Cynthia treated me to dinner at a delicious mexican restuarant with a fun outside atmostphere (so tasty too).

Cousins

This is one of my favorites of Coby flying in the air

playing in the pool (maya drinking the water)

Maya love the slip in slide with the water spraying

I loved getting to spend time with Cynthia, just learning more about her and seeing her life. She is a great wife and mother. I love having a sister-in-law like her!

Tim and Cynthia were so generous with there time and money. We did not pay for a single thing while we were there, we were fully taken care and it was such a blessing. We are so thankful to have family like them. Much of our conversation was joking about us moving to Texas... and although we would totally love to be closer to them we know we are supposed to be in Colorado right now.

Photos at the Beach

It has been especially important for us to keep our ties close with Brett's family since his mother died. We really don't want to lose everything Fran was holding together and Tim has done such a great job of being a good brother to Brett. Tim has made it apparent in words and actions that he cares and wants Brett to forever be a part of his life.

Brothers

We love the Gratzers and can't wait to see them again! We might have to make a tradition out of visiting them on memorial weekend.

Aunt Cynthia

Uncle Tim

An Indian on the way home