A Day Trip to Yosemite!

I've probably mentioned this before but I love that where we live is a great central location. We have many options to choose from in any direction that make for some fun day trips. This time on March 22, 2014 we decided to go to Yosemite National Park.

It was the perfect spring day for a nature hike. We choose to walk up to the lower Yosemite Falls. It's been a while since we last brought the kids here.We had so much fun exploring the trail. It's such a beautiful place with so many amazing things to see. I'm always in awe when I see the giant sequoias. I remember getting a lot of looks from fellow hikers because I decided to bring my tripod along with me. I would stop to photograph different things that would catch my eye. When we got to the falls the older kids enjoyed climbing around the rocks to get a closer look. It probably helped to cool them off too. We loved spending the day there and wished that we could stay longer. Maybe someday we'll go camping here again. What a fun adventure that would be!

Snuggles and Hugs

Sometimes all you need is a snuggle and hug to make your day a little brighter. I love moments like these. They are my favorite!

Happy 11th Birthday Tristan!

This year we celebrated Tristan's 11th birthday! We had his party on February 15th, 2014 instead of on the 13th because he was at his mom's house during that time. 

But I think he was okay with the wait.

This year he decided that he wanted one of my birthday cakes. He still loves Pokemon and asked for another pokeball cake. This is one of my favorite cakes to make and he was happy.

He was excited to turn 11. He said he felt so grown up. Happy happy birthday T! We love you!

Jaden's First Day Of Preschool!

February 11th, 2014 the very next day after Jaden's 3rd birthday he started preschool with the school district. They have a special program for kids with autism that includes speech and occupational therapy as well as the usual preschool fun things. 

They actually wanted him to start on his birthday but I asked if he could start today instead. It worked better for us.

They offered to pick him up with a school bus and take him. But I felt it would be better all around if we went together. I wanted to meet his teacher and see where he would be going to school since he would be at a different school than Jaxen. That is the one thing we'll have to get used to, that Jaden will most likely always be at a different school than Jaxen.

The autism preschool program is set in three different levels: High intensity, Intensity and integrated. Not every school is able to accommodate each class. So it's possible that when he moves up a level he'll start at a new school. 

Today he started at Arnold Adreani Elementary School. It is actually quite a ways from our house. About a 25 minute drive each way. It will be a lot of driving for me each day but it will be a nice way to break up the day. His teacher is Jenna Dube. She was nice and happy to meet Jaden. I like how the room is set up into different stations. Jaden went into the room with no problem. He seemed excited to be there and wanted to play. That was up until it was time for us to leave. We've never left him anywhere before so he was not so sure how he felt about it. He was a little scared and unsure at first but his teacher said after a few minutes he was okay. He enjoyed his day and when he saw me come to pick him up he got excited and ran up to me and gave me a big hug. It made my heart happy to know that he had a great day and was excited to go back. Congratulations and good luck Jaden! We are so proud of you and excited for all the new adventures you'll have.

Happy 3rd Birthday to our Jaden!

 I can't believe that our little Jaden is already three. He's growing so fast yet I can't imagine life without him here.

This year he didn't seem as overwhelmed so we decided to wrap his gifts in bags and then just let him explore and open at his own pace. That seemed to work well for him.

Thomas the tank engine and Mickey Mouse are still his favorite things. So I decided to make that a theme for his birthday.

Making a train cake was so much fun and Jaden really loved it. He checked it out and did some taste testing. He smiled because it was yummy.

But he was so excited about his new trains that all he wanted to do was play with them until it was time to eat. I absolutely love watching him pretend play and so we let him have his fun adventures on his own island of Sodor.

Dinner time finally came and we got him some chicken nuggets and watched the movie Cars.

Then we lit the candle and sang Happy Birthday. Jaden smiled and was excited to eat his cake. It was a big day for him. Turning three means the beginning of a new phase for him. We are so proud of you Jaden and all the progress you have made so far. We are excited for all the new adventures that await you! Happy Happy Happy Birthday! We love you to the moon and back!

Sunset at Bodega!

Because we had to celebrate our anniversary early this year we decided that we would do little things throughout the month to continue celebrating. This was one of those moments. Ron knows how much I love the ocean and especially how much I love watching the sunset over the ocean.

So on January 27th, 2014 Ron gathered me and the boys in the car for a surprise drive.

He took us out to Bodega Head just in time for the sunset. It was so beautiful and peaceful. I love being on the beach when no else is there.

The boys had a blast climbing on the rocks and playing in the sand. Jaxen found some cool shells. One was still intact. He was excited about that.

I loved listening to the waves as the sun went down. There's just something wonderful about being next to the ocean. Although we didn't get to stay long because it was dark and chilly, it meant the world to me that my Ron brought me here just so that I could sit on the beach.

I love that we can share these moments with each other. It really is the little things that mean the most.

Happy happy happy 9th anniversary to us! Thank you for all the adventures we've had so far. I can't wait to share and make more memories with you. I love you Ron Ron!