One Last Time!

This past Wednesday we went to the LA Zoo one last time since our passes run out at the end of May. I think it happened to be every school's field trip to the zoo because it was SUPER busy and crowded (unlike all our other zoo trips). So it was a bit crazy and so we pretty much rushed through the zoo, ate lunch at the Little People tables, and watched all the crazy construction at the zoo. All in all it was so crazy it made me thankful our passes ran out :)! I guess no more LA Zoo for now, our next zoo visit will be in Portland (if they have a zoo)!

Eating lunch at the Little People tables with Elliot and Libby

I just want to see the giraffes (Cayden's one request of what animal he wanted to see)!
One last picture of the three kiddos and the statue of a gorilla (Oliver was sleeping soundly in the stroller)
Thanks for braving the craziness with us Konoskes :)! Onto bigger and better things . . . like swimming lessons :)

Bandas

Cayden has recently discovered band aids or band aids have recently discovered Cayden since he has seemed to get more cuts, scrapes, injuries in the past month or so. So now every time Cayden bumps an appendage (blood or no blood) of some sort he says, "I need a banda" so we let him pick from his fancy Curious George or Cars Band aides. The other day he bumped his chin ever so slightly and had Daddy put a band aide on his chin :)! Bandas make everything feel okay :)!

Bear Creek

Last Saturday we decided to take advantage of the nice weather (while it is still semi-cool outside) and take a hike. We had plans to hike to Crystal Lake but then soon found out that it was closed so we stopped and asked at a wilderness station of some sorts. The lady led us to what is called Bear Creek-wasn't the type of hike we had in mind since it was just a walking trail that followed the creek. But we went with the flow and "hiked" a few miles along the creek and had lunch down by the creek. It was still very beautiful and just great to get out as a family and do something in God's beautiful creation! Here are a few pictures!

Cayden lasted in the backpack for most of the time :)!
Cayden had fun playing down by the creek!


The only family picture we got (self shot) so it is blurry but we will take it!
Walking back and eating his apples :)!

A Day in the Life of Elliot, Libby, and Cayden (and Oliver)!

Here are some of Cayden's favorite friends to hang out with. He has pretty much become a sibling among this group of three and they have so much fun together (not to mention an occasional fight :) )! We have had many play dates with them over this past year and Cayden is sure going to miss them when we leave :(. At least we have the summer to build many more memories! Here are a few pictures from our day at the park last week. It is hard to get them to all look at the same time when they are being so silly :)!

3 out of four looking . . .

Almost everyone :)

They posed so perfectly for this picture-including arms around each other! I feel the love :)!
Running Time
This is one of my favorites, they are all so happy!
Let the silliness begin
Never ending silliness with this group!
So fun to watch these three interact and how they all love each other! Thanks Elliot and Libby for being such great friends to Cayden!!

Remembering Zachary Michael De Yager

Today Zachary would have been one year old. So in honor of our precious nephew Zachary Michael De Yager, we sent up some balloons to heaven for his birthday party. This is how we explained it to Cayden: that Jesus was throwing a big birthday party for his cousin-baby Zachary! He was thrilled to be able to give Zachary some balloons. I think they would have been best buds :)! This past year has been one big whirlwind and we will never forget how precious our time here on earth is and we will never forget Zachary, Cayden's first cousin and our first nephew. We love him even though we never met him and we know that he is safe in the loving arms of Jesus! We love you and miss you Zachary, you are forever in our hearts!

Saying Goodbye to Casey!

We have had the privilege of getting to know Brett's girlfriend since February! We have a had a lot of fun together hanging out with the two of them on a weekly basis and will miss seeing the two of them. Casey is headed to Savannah, Georgia this summer to work with an organization down there for the next three months! What a joy she has brought to our family and Cayden always wants to know if Brett and Casey are coming for dinner :)!

Praying God blesses you in Georgia Casey, as you serve the youth down there! Much love sent to you! You will be in our thoughts and prayers :)!

Top 10 Reasons I Know I am a Mom!

10. I always have a snack with me if I get hungry!

9. If my hands get dirty, there is always a baby wipe to clean my hands with!

8. There is always someone for me to hang out with, even if our only conversation is about what sport we are going to play next.

7. I don't really have to exercise because I am always running after my child.

6. I take a shower everyday around 2:00 p.m. (nap time)

5. I don't have to wait until we have enough clothes to do a load of laundry because there is always enough!

4. I never have to worry about setting my alarm since I always have a wake up call by 7:30 (8:00 if I am lucky).

3. I have been catching up on reading books from my child hood.

2. There is always someone around to remind me to pray before my meals :)!

1. I get the privilege of raising one very smart, silly, fun-loving, energetic little boy who loves life with all that he has!

What a blessing Cayden has been in my life! I feel so blessed that God gave me such a wonderful little boy to raise! I can only pray that we do a good enough job to raise him to love and serve God with all of his heart!

So blessed this past Mother's Day to be able to spend it with my mom who did raise me to love and serve God with all my heart. Now I just hope that I can be the shining example of God that my mom was to me! Thank you so much Mom! I love you and am blessed daily by you!

Happy Belated Mother's Day to all the Mothers out there!

Brett Graduates!

My little brother Graduated from Azusa Pacific University a few weekends ago (May 10)! My parents flew down for this major event and we had a SUPER busy and jammed pack weekend! Here are numerous pictures from the big weekend! Thankfully we had gorgeous weather!!

Some park time with the Grandparents-had to fit that one in for Cayden :)!

Playing Little People with Grandma!
Brett's Graduation present consisted of the Top 10 Reasons he will miss us :) This included things like: laundry, groceries, dinners, and of course us :)!!

Watching a show on the computer with Grandpa!
Picture with Casey and Brett before the big ceremony! This was the best picture we had :( it was bright out!
Matthew and I with the Graduate!
Movie stars :)! Walking in to graduate!
Waiting for forever for Brett to graduate-trying to keep Cayden entertained for 2 hours :)
I'm Bored Mom!
Finally Brett Graduating!!
A hug from the president!
Waiting to find Brett afterwards :)
The Graduate getting a lei from the parents!
Mom and Brett
Dad and Brett
Proud Parents :)
Proud Family!
Proud Siblings and Nephew :)
We are so proud of you Brett! We are definitely sad that this chapter in our lives is closing. It has been an awesome four years getting to walk together with you through a lot of changes and opportunities! We will miss having you live so close and all the wonderful times we have had with you! Thankfully we will still live fairly close, an hour and a half isn't too bad :)! We love you!

Future Star?

Wondering if Cayden will love basketball when he gets older as much as he does now! At least for now he has Daddy's help to help him reach the hoop :)!