Oceanside, Part 3

Okay, I promise...this is the last of the vacation pictures.

Things I miss:

the cloudy, overcast mornings

my view while I enjoyed my morning cup of coffee

the silliness!!! These kids are a crack up! Look closely at this pic, you can see each of them and their personalities.

crazy, amazing sunsets...wow.

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Oceanside, Part 2

Pictures, Part 2

What makes a great vacation? Great friends of course!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Oceanside, Part 1

We just came home from a wonderful week, coast side. We spent another blissful 7 days in Oceanside this year. We just couldn't pass up the great location, perfect house, and great company! Lots of great memories once again.

Ready for the all the pics? I think I will put them in a few categories...so Part 1:

The Beach

Jeff heading out for a sunset boogey boarding trip.

Joseph filling his bucket.

Domenique focused on building her sand castle.

Haha!

Joseph catching a good wave.

One of the few times I could catch all four of them chillin' out.

Love this little guy!

My little munchkins

The girls loving the sand!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Red, White, and Blue

Bbq, swimming, relaxing, and fireworks...perfect way to celebrate the 4th!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

10

This post might be all over the place...but then again so is my brain lately!

1. Summer is supposed to be relaxing, right? So why does it feel like i have been running, running, running???

2. BIG news to share...I have a new job! I was offered a position teaching 5th grade at the kid's school. It was too great of an opportunity to pass up! I am thrilled to be able to be at the same school as my kiddos and have smaller class sizes, and students that love school, and so many other great reasons!

3. This past weekend we took a little trip to Newport Beach, to escape the heat and celebrate Father's Day. The weather was just amazing and the beach was beautiful as always. We are so lucky to live so close to the ocean.

4. The kids and I spent almost 2 hours at Barnes and Noble yesterday picking out summer reading books. Way too easy to spend lots of $$$ there. Thank goodness for the educator discount!

5. Brennan tested for his green belt this past Friday. He is an awesome job! Even broke his board with a drop kick!

6. We celebrated Domenique's 6th birthday a week ago at the bowling alley. What a fun day! The kids just LOVE bowling!!!

7. Summer is so great for doctor appts. We have already been to the eye doctor for both kids. Ped. for Emerson for swimmers ear. I am off to the dermatologist this morning. So much easier to make appts. when you don't have to limit yourself to the hours of 3-4:30pm.

8. Vacation Bible School! We experienced our first year of this amazing program. The kids had an absolutely fabulous time. The theme was knights and princesses and dragons. Talk about being able to draw boys and girls of all ages!

9. Had a great visit this past weekend with the Spencers and Nanas'! It is so fun to see everyone's little ones. A bunch of little mini-me's walking around! So fun:)

10. VEGAS....one more day and we are off!!!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Off to Kindergarten!

Brennan's preschool graduation was a great celebration! We are so excited for the little guy to be starting kindergarten in the fall.

Brennan receiving his diploma.

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Wish List

I can't possibly be alone in my love of travel....right? Loving to see new places, explore, and see amazing new things. Everyone must have a list of places that they *have* to see sometime in their life....can you figure out 5 of mine?

1

2

3
4

5

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Memorial Memories

A break from the daily monotony, the daily grind...what better thing to do then to unwind in a city not too far away. I love that San Diego is a relatively quick drive from here, and you absolutely feel like you are a world away.
We explored Corondao, then settled in at the hotel pool for what turned into a great afternoon of sun, relaxing, and swimming.

What would a good ol' Amercian holiday be without an old-fashioned baseball game?!?! We took the kids to their FIRST baseball game. It was a gorgeous day outside, with the sun shining and a nice breeze.

It was Navy day at the park!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Willy Wonka

Emerson's Willy Wonka Dance Recital was so much fun! The dances, the costumes, the music...the kids did an amazing job!

Girl have a lot of preparation to be ready for a big production!

The little Gobbstoppers!

A beautiful snowflake. Emerson showing off her ballet costume after the finale.

Lots of love,

The Grady's

10 on....oh who cares.

1. Today was definitely one of those days that started out blah and continued to be blah. Woke up in a foul mood that never quite went away. Anything and everything was irritating to me. I hate that. The kids must have sensed it, as they were perfect tonight. Then Emerson gave me a beautiful picture that she colored. How can you not smile after that?

2. Have you ever witnessed a flash mob in person? I haven't, although I have seen them on a few TV shows...and although I don't watch Glee, I hear it is awesome. I saw this Flash Mob link on another site. Very cool!!!

3. Emerson has her big dance recital this coming weekend. She is SUPER excited. Probably more excited that she gets to wear makeup than the fact that she is dancing...haha!

4. If you haven't watched the Private Practice finale yet. Wow. Have your box of Kleenex. That darn show gets me every time...but this finale was the kind of crying reserved for true emotional experiences and here I was bawling at the darn show. So well written, I am not sure how any parent couldn't have been moved to tears. Loved it.

5. So the end of the school year is always crazy...but when you throw in tie dying 100 t-shirts, a musical production, a novel study, and the normal day to day craziness...well needless to say you have one crazy teacher. Who is almost convinced that she has completely lost her mind.

6. I am SO excited to watch the new Bachelorette. Pathetic huh?

7. I am political at times. I find certain causes that are very worth fighting and voting for. I definitely lean towards one side of the political arena. But, honestly all the information coming in the mail, on TV, in conversations, everywhere are starting to get a bit annoying. I can't stand it! I will vote for who I want. Stop trying to sway my opinion with your stupid flyer every few days in the mail and the same darn commercials! UGH!

8. Brennan lost his 2nd tooth the other day. My little boy is killing me...

9. Most every night I watch Grey's Anatomy on Lifetime. They are all reruns from past seasons. The kids have taken to stopping to watch from time to time. But Emerson has become fascinated with the medical side of the show (trust me, I censor a lot of it). But, one has to wonder if I have a medical professional in the making?

10. Do you take care of you? Manicure? Quiet time for you? Pedicure? Shopping time? Massage? Hair appointment? Do you take care of you? I read an article the other day that so many woman have found that they are always taking care of others and forget about themselves....do you take care of you?

Lots of love,
The Grady's

Milestones

So, birthdays are all about milestones, right?

Well, on Brennan's 1st birthday he started walking...

I know on other birthdays he has achieved many more milestones.

Well, his 5th birthday is no different...

How can you not love that little toothless smile???

Lots of love,

The Grady's