I Love the Fair!!

We went to the Alameda County Fair this year and once again had a great time! It is always so fun. We kind of showed up late this time though and realized that next year we really need to get there when it opens to be able to do and see everything.
Anna and Mommy enjoying some ice cream.

Joshua and his ever-sweaty head of hair enjoying some yummy ice cream

We did the tractor pull again this year and the boys actually raced against each other. Nobody made it to the finals, but they had fun trying!

Joshua and Anna learning about and touching a cow.

They have the cutest little petting zoo that the kids can go through. They had a couple of fawns, a pot-belly pig, goats, chickens, and even a slightly temperamental donkey (you weren't allowed to feed the donkey)

Anna and Kristina feeding the little fawn.

Abby was able to be in a little "play" that they do every year too. Imagine that!! Abby wanting to be in the limelight :):)

Abby riding a pony

Joshua getting a ride on the pony ride

Happy 10th Birthday Abby!

For Abby's birthday this year (in June) we had a bowling/sleepover birthday party

Mind you, it was our FIRST sleepover birthday party so it was very interesting:):) Did you know that little girls like to BE LOUD!!, and giggle, and stay up late?? Actually, I think they were all asleep by 11:45. I guess it could have been worse.

Hope you had a fun birthday sweet Abby!! We love you!!

LOVE...what more can I say :):)

A Life Change

In the middle of June, we loaded up my Grandparents belongings and moved them out of their sweet home on Starlight Lane in Arroyo Grande. It was kind of bitter sweet as they were leaving a place that they have called home for so long, to move to Bethesda Home where they really need to be now. It was definitely the Lord's timing and they moved into a very homey place which they have now made their own. Charley and I drove up in the morning, arrived about 1-2 p.m., helped load the truck & clean, ate dinner, and then drove the 4 hours back home. It was a LONG day, but it was nice to be able to sleep in our own beds instead of sleeping on the floor in my grandparents empty house. The next day, we got up, went to Bethesda and unloaded the truck. By the time my grandparents got there (around dinner time) their little place REALLY looked like a home....china in the china cabinet, bed made, kitchen in place, etc. I really think that them walking into a furnished home helped the "blow" a little of them having to move to Bethesda.
My sweet Grandma watching as we loaded the truck.


By the time we were done, this truck was PACKED to the very end.


A friend of my Grandparents came to help us move and he brought his little grandson with him. He was SO cute!! He wanted to help out in any way he could. Charley provided this photo opportunity for me:):)

Somebody handed him this screwdriver and told him to get the screws out of the bed frame. He stayed there for quite awhile just working those screws out and trying to work hard. SO CUTE!!

This wonderful lady is a special friend of my grandparents. She came and literally made the kitchen SHINE!

Margie and my mom Carol

Auntie Mary, me, & Auntie Helen after eating a hearty meal that Aunt Helen provided for all the hard workers.

So Long Little League Season

Well little league season ended with a day of awards and then a dinner at Fuddruckers. I must admit that it seemed like a LONG season. Maybe it seemed that way because Charley was a coach this year and Kristina's softball practices overlapped for a month. Whew! We made it though.
Coach Daddy with Helper Kristina and Joshua and Caleb


While at Fuddruckers, Coach Charley gave each of the kids their medal and told why he appreciated each player or how they had improved over the season. The kids looked so proud when they received their trophies:):)
Coach Daddy and Joshua



Coach Daddy and Caleb

Anna's New Do

Well...I finally did it! I cut Anna's hair. I've been stating my desire to cut it for months now...but actually chickened out the last time. Well no more chickening out....I did it!


Being silly :):)


Right after Mommy cut it. She looks so cute with short hair! It really suits her.


And the final product....after the hair stylist evened it out and made it pretty. Her hair is getting sent off to Locks of Love which is an organization that makes wigs for people (ex. cancer patients) The other girls did the same thing when we cut off their lovely locks.

Grandma Mary's Memorial (Charley's paternal grandmother)

At the beginning of May, we all flew to Las Vegas as Charley's grandmother passed away. We had heard she was sick and we were actually planning on going to see her...but she went quickly, so we weren't able to see her alive. Thankfully, we were able to fly there as driving to Vegas would not have been a very fun trip. Charley was asked to do the message and we were excited about the opportunity that doing that allowed. Now we just pray for the fruit from it. Charley's cousin Chris also gave a message and was right on!
Below is a picture of all of Charley's aunts and uncle's (his dad's siblings - minus Charley's dad and another uncle who passed away).
(l-r: Uncle George, Uncle Ronnie, Aunt Mary, Uncle Jimmy, Aunt Jane, Uncle Jewell)


Me with Uncle Jewell's daughter Lisa


Charley and his sister Tonia and brother Pat


Caleb Epps and....CALEB EPPS!! Can you believe it!? There are two Caleb Epps' in the Epps family!! We were very surprised to find this out when we arrived in Vegas. So funny!

The Charley Epps family and the George Epps family