Dad and Nicole

Nick and Nicole have had some fun bonding moments this week:

Yesterday, they were looking at some bullets that Nick had purchased for an upcoming tactical shoot.

This afternoon, I wanted Nick to knock down an old wasp nest thing in the hose roll and after knocking it down (it was no longer the home to any flying creatures, I promise), we found frogs!!! I have learned something interesting about Nicole: if I want her to get her hands dirty (finger painting, shaving cream, dirt, etc...) she will not touch that activity, BUT if there is a bee (yes, she wanted to touch one on Monday), bug, or frog she is more than willing to investigate. Nicole was trying to catch a frog and Nick was helping:

Here the frog is on Nick's hand and Nicole is giving him a back rub.

Happy Father's Day

This year we celebrated Father's Day with Nicole and I both sick with colds. So, after we both got some good naps in, we enjoyed spending the day as a family getting things done around the house. We also had a yummy bbq dinner with mac 'n' cheese! On Saturday, we went up to Chino and Upland to visit our dads and we enjoyed a yummy dinner at Cici's. Nick challenged me to air hockey (which I won, by the way) and then he played basketball with Nicole.

She loved playing basketball!

 Nicole had a super cute I love dad shirt!

 Nicole also loves to help with any chores that she can! Including mowing the lawn.

While Nick and Nicole were working on the yard, I planted some new flowers for our flower bed.

Nick also used the day to rescreen one of the windows, checked his work on the sink, added a soap dispenser to our sink (which is awesome!!), added a lock to the back gate, and did a few other to-do's on his list.

Nick's Day Out

How did I ever get to be a month behind on my posts?! Oh yeah, I work, cook, sew, and take care of a very fast moving little girl! Well, I guess while she naps, I will get caught up.

On the first Sunday of every month, Nick goes to a tactical shoot in Corona. He loves it and has been able to take Greg and Stacy on a few of the shoots. At the February shoot, Nick was able to get some video and pictures.

Saturday fun

This morning Nick went to help with a Serving the City day through our church and Nicole and I spent the morning at home. After Nicole and I were dressed, I noticed something:

We are TWINS! I promise it wasn't planned and that it wasn't because they were the most recently washed items.

After breakfast (during which she threw her crackers on the ground, this will be important later in the post), Nicole took a nice LONG nap! I was able to get a sewing order most of the way done and I finished it once Nick was home.

Nicole eventually was ready for her snack, so she went to the kitchen buffet that she had set up. She was just grateful that I was actually letting her eat of the floor!

Once Nick got home, he got out new toys for Nicole to play with. His old Chevron cars!! She has been playing with them all afternoon!

Wonderful Weekend!

Before I share about our weekend, I am going to post Nicole's 10 month picture! Believe it or not, she is 10 months old! I guess I better get her birthday party planned!

One of the ladies working in the nursery asked if she was always this happy. I replied, "Just about."

We had so much fun together as a family this weekend! On Saturday, we went to ABC (where Nick is a student working towards getting his Journeyman card) for their annual Craft Championship. We had fun walking around looking at all the different booths and watching other students compete by putting together electrical stuff. They were also giving out free In-N-Out hamburgers for everyone who was there. Nicole really enjoyed her first hamburger!

That evening, Nicole spent some time playing in her bath. When she is fussy in the evening, a bath will calm her down and bring back her smile!

On Sunday, Nicole was worshipping during church and it was super cute! I didn't think bringing out the video camera was appropriate, so you will have to trust me! She was dancing to the music and when she saw other people clapping, she starting clapping too! Our afternoon was filled with playing with the dogs:

And helping dad do the dishes:

We pray that you are able to find joy in your day to day activities!

Just "bee"-ing ourselves!

Here are some pictures taken this week. On Wednesday, Nicole and I went to Dos Lagos to walk around (and to check out the Stride Rite store that is going out of business). While we were there, Nicole took some time to play in the water. She liked putting her hand over the hole and waiting for the water to come out. She really wanted to crawl into the middle to play with the other kids, but it was my goal to stay dry and not have to go into the middle to get her.

Today, Nick found a fun game for Nicole. He puts her on her bee pillow pet and has her hold onto the antennas and then we bounce her up and down. Although I am in the picture this time, it was Nick's game.

A Fun FREE Evening

Tonight we decided to have a family evening and check out Christmas lights. On the way, we decided to have dinner at Chick-Fil-A (Nick had helped out the manager with some car problems several weeks ago and she gave him coupons for free meals- sandwich, drink, and fries). When we got there I realized that it was Family Fun night and Santa was visiting (I have been wanting a picture of Nicole with Santa, but didn't want to pay for it). After dinner, we headed out to look at the lights at Mission Inn. Here are some pictures:

 I am a little bummed that the picture turned out blurry, but I will find another free Santa (with no line to wait in)!

 I thought the candles were really cool!

 Our little star



Mr. Mom

On Thursday, Nick had the day off of work so he spent the day with Nicole. They had a great day and got quite a bit of work done! Being the awesome dad that he is, he remembered to get a few pictures of their day.

One of their chores was raking the leaves in the front yard

Now Nicole can crawl around outside

Their day also included plenty of playing! Nicole has learned where her toys are kept. She is an expert at getting them out, if only she would figure out how to put them back in!

And they also played hide-and-seek.

We are so blessed that our family can enjoy life together! It is important to find joy in the little day-to-day activities and to try to have fun!

Girl's Day Out

I am a little behind on my blog for two reasons: 1)I have a 9 month old at home and 2) Right after I uploaded pictures and deleted the card, my computer screen died. Tonight I can catch up because Nicole is in bed and Warren fixed my screen!

Last weekend, Nick went to Mexico for a Christmas party at El Faro (a children's home) so Nicole and I spent the day together.

Our big event for the day was trying out a Gymboree class. Nicole LOVED all the different places that she could crawl on and the songs and most of all.............the BUBBLES!!



Nicole getting reading to go



She loved the slide

Not quite as big of a fan of the canoe

Afterward, we went to Target and stocked up on diapers