Uncle Time & This-N-That

Everyone left that Sunday after the family Reunion was over expect for Jared and Josh. They decided to stay a few days longer. We got to enjoy having them a our house.

Jared and Josh had a water balloon fit with Payton. Payton loved it!

We always love when family comes and even more when we get to spend special time with the Uncles.

Uncle Jared and Scarlett, very precious!

After being away from home for 5 weeks and having family in town that week you get home for a week really makes a difference. It took me a good few weeks to get back into real life. I felt like there was so much to catch up on. We had many lazy days at home while I did a bunch of things around the house. These are just a few random pictures of the kids doing their typical daily things!

After being back we went out with a few friends to dinner. We decided the kids would enjoy it more if we just got 2 baby-sitters and put all the kids at one house. We had a nice night out and the kids had a blast together. We were all very surprised when we got back to the house at 11:30 and all the kids were sound asleep.

 Mapuana, Mo, and Austin slept in the family room.

 Payton and Ryan slept on the couch in the front room. Scarlett slept in her bed of course.

One thing that we do every week is we get together with friends and all head to a park for an hour or two. The kids love it and have fun playing with all their friends.

 These kids are all OBSESSED with the swings. There are only two swings at this park and they have to take turns. It gets very hot standing in the sun pushing these kids in the swing. One day we convinced a few of them to just push each other. Payton was very sweet and pushed his sister Scarlett.

 Scarlett of course loved it!

 Josh and I just love these two pictures of our kids! They really melt your heart. I would say a lot of the time these two are fighting with each other, but there are those few times that they will play and be cute with each other.  We just love watching them and listening to their laughter when they play together. 

Payton and Scarlett are a blessing in our life! We are two very lucky parents to have such amazing and wonderful kids!

Mendonca Cousin Family Reunion

After coming home from Utah Mal's family came to California two days later. We had a family reunion in Santa Cruz with Mal's grandma's family. This reunion was the Mendonca Cousin 4th family reunion. Mendonca is Mal's grandmothers maiden name. 

A little information about Mal's Grandma Tani. She was born in 1918 in San Francisco California. Her parents names were Anne and Joseph Mendonca. They had 5 kids, Leon, Stella, Lavern, Ellen, and Agnes. Agnes is Mal's grandma. Agnes got married to Manuel Cambra in 1947. They had 2 kids together, Michael, and Daniel (Mal's dad). 

The family reunion consisted of all the Mendonca kids and their posterity. Unfortunately the only Mendonca kid that is alive is Mal's grandma Agnes. It was very amazing to see the posterity of Anne and Joseph Mendonca. We all had a really fun day spending it will lots of family.  

 Grandma Tani (Agnes) with her son Dan and his family.

Dan with his wife, kids, and grandkids. Missing just Dawson.

Agnes with all the great great grandkids of Anne and Joseph Mendonca.

Agnes with her two sons Dan and Mike.

Agnes and her posterity! 

Mal's grandpa Manuel died when she was 7 years old.

She had two sons. The oldest son Mike had 2 kids Jonathan and Joseph. Jonathan is engaged to Julie. Her other son Dan had 5 kids, Stefanie, Mallory, Jared, Josh and Danny. Stef is married to Dawson and they have a little girl named Sofia. Mallory is married to Josh and they have a boy named Payton and a girl named Scarlett. Jared and Josh are not married yet. Danny just got married to Jacie the month before the family reunion. 

It's amazing how quickly over time families grow!

This is everyone that made it to the Mendonca Cousin Family Reunion!

Bear Lake

This was the second time we have gone to Bear Lake with Mal's family. We all loved it so much a few years ago, so we knew we would have to go again. I were able to go while were in out in Utah this summer. This was the last of my 5 weeks vacation in Utah. 

We all stayed in a cabin that Mal's parents rented. We were sad that Dawson wasn't able to make it, but we will definitely be going again. The trip seemed to go by very fast.

 The day we got there, we just relaxed and enjoyed the cabin.

 Josh was very excited because he found these chaps and spurs in the bedroom we slept in. They were actually part of the decor. He of course couldn't resist and had to put on his whole cowboy outfit that he had put together while we were in Utah.

 Who knew Josh could actually look like a cowboy!

 Payton thought it was pretty cool to see dad all dressed up. He just makes me laugh. Of course as Josh's wife I just roll my eyes and laugh at him. 

He never stops surprising me with his interests!

 Danny and Jacie roughly a week after being married!

 Our gorgeous view from the cabin!

 On Sunday some MAJOR wind and some rain came rolling in for about an hour or so. Thats typical in Utah. A few of us were just sitting out on the deck when we started feeling some rain drops and the wind started to pick up. Then it seemed like the wind just took over. Josh and Jared took advantage of the strong wind and would lean on the railing then let go and then the wind would hold them up for a short time. 

 The wind was totally intense!!! We could see all the boats out on the water trying to get into the doc. The craziest part was seeing the iron patio furniture go flying across the deck. It all happened so fast. Stef was standing taking a video of Jared and Josh and then her leg got smacked by one of the big patio chairs. It was crazy that the wind had so much force. I had never experienced such strong winds.

 The chair that came flying across the deck.

Monday we took advantage of the beautiful weather and headed to the lake.

 We got all our things set up and played lots. The girls mostly played in the sand!

 The girls enjoyed their little boat. It was pretty cute to see them sitting in it. Scarlett went out first in it!

 Sofia then went out next!

 While the girls played in their boat and in the sand us adults took turns out on the jet ski! Last time we had rented a jet ski so of course we had to again. Stef and Brother Josh went together because Stef wanted Josh to go super fast. They surprisingly were able to switch positions while out and she ended up driving some also. 

 Next up was Sofia! She and Stef went for a short ride.

 Mother daughter fun! 

 Super Cute! Sofia's favorite was pulling the cord that connected the key to the jet ski and to the life jacket. That got old real fast for Stef.

 After A LOT of convincing we were able to get Payton on the jet ski with Josh. Payton was adamant that he didn't want to go on the jet ski. Even once he was on he wanted to NOT go fast.

 Slowly Josh picked up the speed and Payton ended up loving the jet ski!

Payton even held onto the handles and steered the jet ski. I am glad we are eventually able to force him to try something new. He always ends up loving it of course!

Mal's Studs!

 Sofia and Scarlett passed out!

 Payton thinking he is so cool and big! He does look very cute!

Of course we had to have a picture of Scarlett having her turn on the jet ski also. She and Mal went out togehter. Scarlett could careless one way or the other. She had fun though and sat still.

Grandma and Grandpa bought a fun kite that Payton and Josh flew for a little while. 

Over all our whole trip at Bear Lake was too short, went by fast, and was a lot of fun. It would have been better if everyone could have been there the whole time, but this was a crazy summer full of lots of different things. Getting all that time off was not do-able for everyone. We understand. To me this just means the next time we will plan for a longer amount of time and we will not have 2 other major things going on within that same month. Can't wait to go again!