The Last Hoorah...for now that is

Renee goes back home to UT on Monday, so tonight was our last hoorah. It ended up just being four of us. Brooke got sick and Jackie is on a fabulous trip with the hubby to Mexico (lucky girl). We wanted to head to "our" restaurant. The Cheesecake Factory at the Sherman Oaks Galleria. But were sufficiently scared of getting on the freeways because of the whole "carmaggedon" scare with the 405 freeway being closed from the 101 to the 10 this weekend. So we decided to try and bypass that area as much as possible and meet up in Porter Ranch. I'm the only one who actually had to get on the 405. Seriously, it was like a dream. I've never had so few cars around me on a freeway in LA. I drove 17 miles in 15 minutes. 

It was a great dinner. We just hung out and chatted. Nothing amazing. But it was just like old times. We miss you Renee. So glad you could come down for a visit! We hope to see you again sometime soon-ish.

Group shot, with a comment:

Okay, so I really do like being tall. I've never wished to be short (maybe just wished to have smaller feet).  But sometimes, I'm like REALLY??....do I always have to tower over all my friends? Especially when those friends are so skinny. I mean seriously, would you even think Beth is like 6 months pregnant here. Yeah, me neither.

Winnie the Pooh

We had a fun morning down at the Arclight in Sherman Oaks watching "Winnie the Pooh". It was classic Winnie the Pooh, which I love. The story was simple and really not anything new, but it was cute and the kids really liked it. I don't know if it'll make a ton of money, but I sure appreciate good clean movies that just make you happy. 

Here's the gang. Minus Owen and his friend Baylyn who where off getting more snacks.

Playing in the fountain for a minute after the movie.

Are these some cute kids or what!

And look, I got myself a stroller pusher. Sweet!

And here's a funny story to end with. As we are leaving for the movie this morning, Leah gets in the car and says, "Yay, we're going to see Winnie the Pooh. Mom, his name is Winnie the POOH because he eats a lot of honey and that makes him "Pooh" a lot!" Hilarious!!!

Michalle's baby shower

Thanks Michalle. For having a baby. So we could go out and celebrate. Cuz I REALLY needed a night out. I had so much fun and I'm excited to meet your little "auto". 

We played a game where we had to make baby items out of playdough and guess what it was. Here's Jenn hard at work.

Tina and Brooke 

Cute Michalle! She's set to be induced in two short weeks.

Sarah made a mighty fine baby bath.

But I think Michalle's baby mobile totally took the show.

And a special thanks to Rachel for setting it all up! You did a great job. 

Playdate at Brooke's house

Renee is in town (HOORAY). So we had to get all of us Encino gals together. Brooke, being the trooper that she is, kindly offered to have everyone to her house even though she has a three week old. Seriously don't think I could have done that. She's one tough gal. 

She does have the coolest back yard though. The kids loved playing on the slip and slide, bouncing on the trampoline, swinging on the rope swing and climbing the tree. Oh and Brandon loved all the squirt guns Brooke had. Of course!

Jackie with little Miss Ivy.

Renee and Jackie with Ivy.

Eating some gourmet grilled hotdogs. See that salad on my plate. Yeah, it's about the yummiest salad out there. Not sure how healthy it is for you, but it's GOOD!

The whole gang back together again(minus Brooke who was taking the picture).... 

...with all our kids. Minus the oldest (Sophie) and one of the youngest, Carter (who was at home sleeping because Daddy was home sick for the day). Plus one more on his way and to be making his debut in November. Man that's a lot of kids! They all did surprisingly well though. No injuries. Not even any fighting (that I'm aware of anyway). 

I think it was a big success and hope Renee can make it down our way a bit more often.

Sweet Brothers

I'm excited for the years to come when these two will play together. I got a little sneak peak of that today. So sweet! 

I'm sure their sister's are happy too. Especially since Brandon is always, and I quote, "messing things up". 

Malibu Beach Day

There are a lot of things I do with my kids and a lot of places I'm willing to take them. The beach....has not ever been one of them. I think I've gone just a handful of times since having kids and definitely never with all four kids without Paul. But when my friend, Camille, emailed me yesterday and said they were going, I couldn't pass it up. She has four kids herself as does my other friend Genine, who also came with us and who goes all the time. So I thought since I didn't have any other plans, I might as well give it a try. 

Well, I am very happy to say that it was quite the success. I let go of trying to keep everyone half way clean, and just let them enjoy themselves. They got nasty sticky dirty, but had a blast and I dare say I might even go again. Not every week, but at least once more before the summer is over. The hardest part was definitely getting everyTHING and everyone back to the car (this would be a time where I wish my boys were older than my girls for "muscle help"), but all things considering, it went pretty well. 

I couldn't be luckier with this little guy lately. He was so happy to just sit and play in the sand under the umbrella. He got a bit fussy for a little while, but after a short stint in the sun and wading in the water, he was good to go back to his spot under the shade. And he was nice enough to wait to have his dirty diaper until we left so I could change him in the car and not in the sand. Thanks my little man. 

When did Brandon start looking so old? I'm not quite sure. But he is definitely a cutie and had a blast getting dirty and even venturing into the water some. 

 This girl has come quite the distance since her baby days when I would take her to the beach, just her and me, and she would cry and scream if even one grain of sand touched her. She loves the beach now and was so good to keep her hat on so her poor little head and face were protected from the sun. She's so fair, I always worry about her getting too burnt.

Now Leah has always loved the beach. Loves the sand, loves the water, soaks it all in and can stay forever! 

Carrie and Annie (sisters). Carrie is pregnant with her 3rd baby. Due beginning of December. She has two girls, so hears hoping for a little boy for her.

Allegra (Carrie's little girl) and Sariah (Genine's little girl) and Isabella (Genine's other little girl) and Holland (Camille's little girl) in the background. Unfortunately, I didn't get a shot of all the older kids but in total there were 16 kids and 5 adults. Quite a group.

Genine and Camille

Thanks for the fun days girls. And thanks for the push to get me there. I'm glad I went.

4th of July Celebration

This year we headed out to the same park we went to last year. It definitely gets packed, but it's pretty low key and relaxing. We have a nice little spot we've found. We just set up our blankets and chairs, let the kids run around and play and enjoy hanging out and chatting.

I was worried about how Carter would do, but he did great. He hung out by me on the blanket and crawled around. He LOVED the fireworks and then drifted off to sleep on the walk back to the car. The rest of the kids had a blast too! I'm sure we'll be heading back there again next year.

See those cute little teeth up top. Yeah, he has EIGHT of them. Crazy huh!

The Three Musketeers. 

Tina and her cute little Emberlynn. Just 7 weeks old and out enjoying the evening. 

Michalle and Allie and baby brother soon to be making his debut.

Oh look at that tired little face. He was exhausted, but still totally into watching the fireworks. 

Brandon LOVED the fireworks too. He was our running commentary with all his oohs and ahhs!

Thanks everyone who came out. We had fun celebrating with you!