05.28.2012: Riverside Night Swimming

Vince, Drake and I headed back to Riverside late afternoon to have dinner with Mom & Dad.  To our surprise, Alisa, Olivia and the kids decided to stay out in CA for another night. So, the kiddos all had one more night to hang out together....and go NIGHT SWIMMING!  One of their all-time fav things to do (for whatever reason!).   After the party on Sat, we wouldn't let them go because it was so late by the time everyone left...and they all had an emotional breakdown because of it!  Haha!  It was actually pretty funny...poor kids...I think they were just overtired....but both Andrew & Drake were in quiet jumbo tears because they couldn't swim.  So, it was a treat that they were all together one more night for some fun night swimming.  We stayed up late (semi) and just all hung out in the back enjoying the cooler weather.  Great end to a nice long weekend in Cali!!!



 

 

05.28.2012: Just Another Day on the Beach

Monday morning Vince, Drake and I woke up really early (ok, 7am) and went and walked the boardwalk down to the pier.  Not only was it an amazingly gorgeous morning, the boardwalk was almost empty.  We had 2 reasons for getting up this early (on what would be a perfect day to sleep in).  1.  We wanted to get first pick of the amazing crouissants sold at the bakery down by the pier.  The are not just any ordinary treats....they are filled with delish goodnees...such as ham & brie...turkey & brie....ham, jalapeno & cheese....AMAZE.  And our other reason was to hit up the fresh fish market where the fishermen's bring in their catches of the day & you can get great deals on them.   However, little did we know that it was closed because it was a holiday. BUMMER.  However, the amazingness of the bakery made me forget how mad I was that the fish market was closed.

 

Anyways, after gorging ourselves on goodness, we got some to go and headed back to the house.  We actually got a short nap in since all the others were still sleep when we got back.  After everyone woke up, we hit the beach once again!!  The boys got to do some more boogie-ing, and we got to get some California tanning in.  Everyone wins.  Justice actually ran into a friend of his from school there so he & Drake played with the kid & his sisters.  They found some starfish & a huge crab in the jetty.  Very cool!  We wouldn't let them bring them home though so they were kinda bummed.  Sorry! :)



 

05.27.2012: Beach, Beach Baby!

After our lunch with Gramma & Papa, Vince Drake and I headed out to Newport to spend the evening with Lex, Christina & Justice. When we got there, we went to go see the house that Christina & Lex are hoping to buy soon.  It is a new development going up in Huntington.  SUPER cute homes!!!!  They are waiting for the phase & exact model that they want to be released.  They are really nice though....so excited for them!

 

After house hunting, we went back to their place and walked out on the beach so the kiddos could boogie board for a little bit.  It was getting cooler, but they didn't care.  Drake LOVES being at the beach, and could be there all day!  So they boarded for a bit until it was time for dinner...then we all walked back up to their house.  Grilled on the upper deck while the sun set over the Pacific.  Best end to a great day!!!!

 

05.27.2012: Papa's 80th Bday Luncheon

 

On Sunday, we went over to Gramma & Papa's house to have a birthday luncheon for Papa's birthday!  I had gone over really early to do the morning shift and hang out with them while everyone else was still sleeping...then Brent came over a little later in the day to work on the back gate.  And basically just replaced/rebuilt the whole thing (which of course drove Papa crazy as to why you would just replace/rebuild a perfectly good gate..even though it was really falling apart!).  While he was doing that, I ran home & showered and packed to go out to Newport later in the afternoon. 

 

Anyways, when we got back to Gramma & Papa's, Gramma was out in the front raking up leaves....and Papa was in the back admiring his new gate.  Drake volunteered to paint it :)  So, while Drake worked on the paint (did a great job by the way!), the rest of the group visited and set up for lunch & cake.  I just took pics!!  The kids had all made Papa really cute garden stepping stones for his garden.  Drake put his handprint on his, as well as some stones.  Brianna covered hers in crystals, and Andrew did a combination of both!  We had a great little 80th birthday lunch with Gramma & Papa and I am sure they enjoyed our little visit....then they were ready for us to leave so they could nap! 



 

 The first tomato of the year...just for Nana who LOVES cherry tomatoes!!!

 

05.26.2012: Avery's 1st Birthday!!!!!

The much anticipated Avery's First Birthday!!! There were lots and lots of people that ended up coming...including 21 kiddos!!  Crazy!  It's been a while since we have had so many kids at the Durbin parties.  Fun though!!!  Avery had a pink & green polka dot theme party....very girlie, but still oh so Avery!! She had the cutest halter-style dress, then did a wardrobe change (don't we all) into a pink polka dot outfit!  She seemed to have a really good time at her party and socialized a LOT with all the other little kids.  Not so much the adults, but she loved playing with all the kids!  She shared her playhouse really well, and all the kids tried to fit in it at the same time, which was really cute.

4 pretty eyes...Mama & Baby girl

 

 Such a cute dress!!!!!  All girl!

 Welcome to my playhouse....

 Kiddos party favors...

 Throw me the circle thingy!

 Tried to get the kiddos all in one pic...FAIL.

 Most of the kids....

 Pinata...

 CANDY.....

 So, middle of the party, Andrwe is walking by the pool, and just falls in.  Yes, just falls in.  Poor guy, he was soooo embarrassed!!!  It was pretty funny tho!  He recovered well....only Piggy!  :)

 Yup, that's our Pigs!!

 BFF's....forever!

 Cupcake time.....

 Testing it out...not too sure bout this sweet stuff

 Layla harrassing her cousin Tucker

 Getting the hang of it!

 Loving her cake....

 Favorite big brother....

 

 Alisa made a time capsule for Avery to open on her 18th birthday.  She asked that everyone bring something small to put in the time capsule as a reflection of life today.  Each of the kids wrote a letter to Avery.  It was really really cute.  Both Drake and Brianna read theirs aloud to everyone, which was so sweet! 

 Rocky & Tina

 And now the party is over...and its time to relax with some sangria by the fire.

 The perfect end to a perfect day.....