04.07.2012: A Corn-holio Affair

Corn Hole.  Not sure what genius invented this term or game....but it sure is fun!!  We spent all late afternoon/evening playing Corn Hole.  We had a blast!!  We had multiple competitions of teams...and "most" of the time, Brent's team won.  I think he spends his days at work really playing cornhole in their warehouse...just saying...he looked pretty practiced!  Anyways, Andrew was really good, and Nana became a little expert too with her signature throws.  They including a kick of the back leg....it was so freaking cute!!!!  She couldn't throw the bag without the kick...even trying not to do it....it just kicked out like a auto-reflex.  Hilarious!  We laughed soooo hard!! But it worked!  Even Tubbers tried to get in on the action....she just wanted to hold the bags & run around with them.  It was really cute too!  Alisa and I drank a few bottles of almond champagne....the boys, their beer of choice....and Mom, her pink wine.  What an amazing evening, and really day, in Cali.....man do I miss that weather, Mom & Dad's gorgeous backyard, and spending all day with my favorite peeps....missing Kenny though :(    It really was just plain ole' relaxing.....

Vince & Andrew (Piggy in his competition tee)

....vs Mom & Brent

Cheering from the wall....

Piggy LOVED this game!!  He would not quit....

Basically the corn hole champion:

Nana pre-kick, but still so very dainty

Thinking strategy....

So serious......

Devo...just wandering around the back looking really confused

Me & my favorite lil' Piggy

Happy Mommy, Daddy and Tubbers

Now there is the kick....

Mina, mina, mina

Poor sad Yukon....I bet he was thinking he just wanted to swim!

Chargers designer cornhole boards

FINALLY!!!  Now I get to play with my own!!

04.07.2012: Dying Easter Eggs

Well, Tubbers was still sleep so she missed out on her first Easter egg decorating event.  However, the other 2 kiddos were very excited to decorate some eggs in bright colors.  Nothing like the traditional dying of some real hard boiled eggs!!  The egg dying kit came with a little clear (wax) crayon that you could write on the eggs, then dye them, and the name shows on the egg.  They thought it was pretty ingenious!  So, they had fun writing people's names on eggs and dunking them in various colors. 

04.07.2012: Backyard Relaxation

After Gramma's birthday lunch, we headed home for some afternoon relaxation out back.  Avery was taking a nap, and kids were wanting to play outside.  Dad played baseball with Andrew on the grass, and Nana walked around in the pool and around the grass, and socialized with all us.  I recently got a new lens for my camera and decided it was a good opportunity to test it out.  It is a zoom lens and is much better quality than my regular lens.  However, it has standard long range, so you can't take any shots of people too close to you.  All these shots were taken from the patio out onto the lawn. 

Andrew really really wanted to go swimming but didn't bring any shorts....so was asking Dad to borrow a pair of his.  Piggy:  "Grandpa, so you have an extra pair of swim shorts I can borrow?"  Dad:  "I don't think mine would fit you." Piggy:  "Can I at least try them on to see?"  Haha!!! 

 No swimming....so back over to baseball!

 Toes in the grass.....

 This little hummingbird was hovering over the flowers on the fence, then kept coming down to the grass......so tried to capture him on film.  After a few shots & setting adjustments, I got him :)  He is a quick one though!!!

04.07.2012: Gramma's Birthday Party

For Gramma's birthday, we took her some lunch and birthday cake and celebrated on the back patio.  We made some Easter ham and beans and rolls and scalloped potatoes...and of course birthday cake!  It was a gorgeous spring day and we really enjoyed having lunch outside.   Papa had recently planted his garden with some help from Chad and Shelly...so we went out to admire it.    And of course Pokey made his appearance.  It was nice just hanging out with Gramma & Papa for the afternoon and helping Gramma celebrate her brithday!

 Watch out for my peaches! And apples!

 My baby....strawberry plant!  She's got some flowers, and little green strawberries!!

 Papa's never-ending strawberry plants....

 Avery loved her lunch...especially the bread!!

 Happy Birthday to Gramma!

04.07.2012: Spring in Cali.....

Brent, Alisa and family...and Vince and I came to CA for the weekend.  It was such a pretty Saturday that we ended up in the orange groves admiring the trees and smelling the amazing orange blossoms.  When Vince and I drove into town, we could smell them right as we hit Mom & Dad's street.  Oh how I LOVE that smell!!! 

So we walked out into the groves and played catch with Divo....that dog can RUN!  And of course had to take some Tubbers pics!!  :)

 The guys admiring Mom & Dad's unique tree.  There was a plum branch growing in the middle of the nectarine tree!!  It was crazy!