The Dog House

We had a great time eating lunch at the Dog House Grill with grandpa and Lenore the other day. What a cool place! I had the best tri tip sandwich. We have added another "must go" restaurant to our list. Having fun with Grandpa

Raspberry Iced tea...YUM!!

Wild Water Adventures

Yesterday we took the kids to the water park. I have been telling them about this water park for a while, you know, "when I was a kid..." It was great to finally take them and show off one of Fresno's finest venues!!

So excited to get started!

We met Erin and Dave and their 3 kids at the park. Dave and his son Cohl went on lots of fun "big kid" rides with my big girls. The mats they are holding make them slide much faster down the water slides...the big girls loved it, Maddie was not so thrilled. She went once and that was it!

Mikayla was really brave, she did the yellow banzai two times!!

Caleb loved sliding and playing in the pirate ship.

I was so thankful for the waterproof camera so I could get photos of the kids in action! See my feet? This ride was huge and Mailee was really nervous but she did it!

I was able to go on rides and enjoy the big kids because Grandma Bev came along, we rented a cabana and Caitlyn and Grandma bonded in the shade. Thanks Mom!

Wild Water Adventures boasts the "largest wave pool in California" . It was large and the waves were huge and the kids LOVED it. The two tubes and two life jackets were super helpful!

The big girls floating in the wave pool.

I forgot how multicultural my town was.

We had a really fun day. No major meltdowns, no lost kids, no injuries! The biggest success in my opinion was how cute my kids were together. They looked out for each other and helped each other all day. They are awesome kids!

The one thing missing? Mike. We will have to go back someday with him!

Bikes Are A Hit!

Mike bought a bike rack before we left for California. I didn't think having bikes on vacation was necessary but he did. He was right. The kids are having so much fun on their bikes!

Thanks Ethan for handing down the Crocodile Cruiser...Caleb loves it!!

Wedding Time

Yesterday Mike and I left the kids at Grandma Bev's and went to a beautiful wedding. Mike's friend from Chiropractic college got married out at Copper River. We had a great time and the wedding was amazing!!

Fresno does not have many "views" really...this might be one of the best views in town. It's so nice with all the palm trees!

There we are!


The bride and groom. Her dress was so amazing!

The highlight of the night- hanging out with one of our favorite couples, Dave and Erin!

Dave married the couple. Crazy, seems like yesterday that we were two young couples just getting married. (we both got married the same summer, 10 years ago)

After the reception, we went back the their house to hang out. It was like no time had passed. So fun. Such special friends!

Well, almost all the kids stayed with Grandma. Caitlyn came with us. She was a good girl and got lots of attention. I hope she didn't steal the bride's thunder :)

(just kidding, the bride was stunning, all eyes were on her!)

Mike and Chris.

Cheers for now. I will try to upload more pics soon!!

Did I Mention...

...That I really really love my lil baby girl? Well, I do. I love all my kiddos.
What an honor that God has entrusted us with so many little blessings!!

Daddy Daycare

Caitlyn has lots of loving arms to hold her all the time. A 5th baby has such a different experience than a 1st baby! When Mikayla was a newborn, we doted on her every move! When Mikayla was a newborn, she was super fussy and Mike would hold her for hours and hours every day. Each night as soon as he got home, I would hand him the baby and that would be where she would stay. Caitlyn has sisters who monopolize her most of the time BUT when the girls are in bed, Caitlyn is so happy to be with her Dad! (granted it's not for hours and hours like it was for Mikayla but she's not counting, only I am :)



Can you guess what their favorite activity to do together is?

Watching "the game"...

Watching "the game"...

more watching...

still watching...

Fell asleep watching!



When the game is over, Mike likes to do this to her ears.

Best "Daddy hold" out there. It works every time!

So comfy with my Daddy.

Delivery...Watch Out!

Caleb has rediscovered his ride-on truck. He calls it his delivery truck. He rides around the house on it as his mode of transportation. Occasionally he delivers an item from one family member to another. More frequently he is chasing down a sister trying to run over her toes. Can you guess which sister he targets most often?

Leaving (NOT) On A Jet Plane...

Fun facts about our trip...



-We are driving...it's 21 hours.

-Yesterday we purchased a bike rack so the kids could bring their bikes. Fresno is flat.



-I have to pack for 6 today. (Mike packs himself)



-The van has not been cleaned out from our last trip two weeks ago and likely won't be at all.



-We are staying at my Mom's in California. She has a playroom for when we come.



-Mike and I are attending a wedding this Saturday...no kids, no flower girl duties :) I will be
wearing my yellow heels!



-The temp in Fresno today is 85.


-Mikayla has a special friend that she met in preschool in Fresno. They still keep in touch through letters. They are looking forward to lots of play dates and a week of VBS.



-Crocodile Dock is the theme in Fresno too.



-After the weekend, Mike is flying home to work...I am staying with the kids and the van. Sadly, we will be apart from him on Father's Day.



-Places we want to visit: The Chaffee Zoo, Wild Water Adventures, The D school, Grandpa's house, Grandpa's pool, The Obwald's, Scribbles, Pocket full of Treasures, Target, Round Table, Baja Fresh, Riverpark, Sweet Tomato's, The Library, Naartije, Limited Too, Victoria's Secret's PINK, Macy's, Cheesecake Factory, Uncle Harry's, TJ Max, Ross, The awesome local parks...


-Mike will fly back to California near the end of the month and we are gonna go to Disneyland!

-Last time we were in Disneyland as a whole family, Mailee was 2.

-We will spend some time at the ocean, too.

-This year we will miss Canada day.

-I am stokked to celebrate 4th of July at Buchanan. One of my favorite memories of Fresno!

-we will be back in Kelowna on the 6th of July.

One of our favorite places to eart!

The Zoo!!

Mikayla and Devon

Mikayla blogged about her thought on Summer. Check her out!

Smiles and Coos

Caitlyn has started to interact with us! She is smiling a lot and sometimes it looks like she is laughing. I of course know she is not actually laughing but she sure is precious!! The smiles usually come with eye contact and they go on and on. These are most definetly not gas! She sometimes even throws in a little coo. She is so much fun!

So much to say!

Talking with Grandma Linda.

I never thought I'd be the mom in the background of the videos saying silly stuff. Ha! Ican't help myself, she is too sweet!

Starting Her Young

Caitlyn is looking adorable in her hairbows and we are loving her in them!

My babies do not grow hair for over a year. With the other girls, I patiently waited for piggies to put bows in. With Mailee, I had to wait 3 years before she had enough hair! Well folks, this time I am not waiting. I've been on the other side, I know how short the bow wearing years really are. I am not wasting a moment!

If you are in need of hairbows, send me an email! I make them and sell them and I'd be glad to hook you up with some fabulous bows. Check out the BOWS HERE!

Busy School Girls

Yesterday was Maddie's Kindergarten orientation day. She was so proud and excited to finally "be in kindergarten" (she thinks she is anyways...school does not start till September). Mads has "helped" in the kindergarten class for two full years when each of her sisters were in K so she is an old pro! It's hard to believe that in the fall I will have 3 school girls!

Maddie requested to be matching with Caitlyn.

While Maddie was in her orientation, Cait and I visited the other girls. Here she is with Mikayla and Hannah watching the grade 3's play T ball.

Mikayla coming in to home plate!

Mailee's class made a circle and all oohed and ahhed over her baby sister!

Proud moment for Mai Mai.

Brother Sister Bonding

Here's our little peanut at 5 weeks. She continutes to be such a joy for our family. Every night she comes with me to say goodnight to the big kids. They love to snuggle her in their beds. here is some special snuggle time with Caleb. He has learned how to be gentle with her. He calls her "babe" or "chay-ta-win" and sometimes he gets mixed up and calls her "girl" as if she were a puppy. Ha ha!