JUNE 2008 UPDATE

Crap! I didn't think I was that flaky until I see the late post was for April. Oh well. Let me catch up now. The first big news of June 2008 was the extreme heat wave we had. We spent each afternoon and all weekend in the pool. We put Brayden in the little pool in the front yard during the hot morning hours. It was easier than trying to take everyone in the big pool and holding all of them at the same time!

Lauren plays a little peek-a-boo at poolside in the backyard.

Bella goofs off with the inner-rube.

Lexie tans so fast. Not as fast as Brayden, but here's her tan from a week long of swimming.

My cutie-patootie!

For the last day of school, Bella gave her teacher, Mrs. Moirao, a handmade recipe book. Mommy spent the entire evening the night before creating this cute little book. Thank goodness her teacher loves to cook!Close up of the finished product.

Bella accepts her Kindergarten graduation certificate and Recognition for being an outstanding helper throughout the year from her Principal at Fredericksen Elem.
Showing off her "papers" as she goes back to her seat.

Is that the Princess wave of what?

The next week we headed to Sacramento for the Croatian Extravaganza. Bella & Lauren stayed at Michelle & Dave's house for the day while Lexie & Brayden went with us.

Bake and Brayden

Lexie just glows.... Oh yeah, it's like 105 degrees outside!

Debbie's favorite boyfriend!

Milenko's favorite wife!

Jasna & Tom show off a cute smile.

Kristina & Steve goof off with Lexie.

Melissa & Adam came to celebration the Extravaganza this year!

Baka and Deda - doing their favorite thing in the world - dancing together.

Lexie and Tete Sherry. Lexie absolutely adored her Teta (Aunt) - soon to be Kuma (godmother)

Milenko celebrates his 5th Father's Day with his favorite girls!

Our family headed over to Baka & Deda's house to celebrate Father's Day. We had a BBQ and were joined by Kum & Kuma (Godparents Anita & Dusan).

The ever so loving picture of the kids posing for a great Father's Day photo.

Kum & Kuma giggle at the kids as they dance with Deda (grandfather).

Milenko and his Kum (godfather) Dusan.

Princess Lexie

Beautiful Bella

Lovely Lauren

Debbie and her favorite son!

On June 21st, we participated in Relay for Life, a walk for cancer. Bella & Lexie registered to walk with me this year. Their shirts were a little too big for them though.

Clockwise: Debbie, Lexie, Bella & Brayden

That evening was Luminaria. It's a picture slideshow outside that is broadcasted on a huge screen so that everyone can see. It highlights the walk , the cancer survivors and dedicates the entire event to those who have passed on. Here's our favorite neighbor Meena and her pup, Frank the Tank. (We call him Tank.) Hanging out with the Larsen and the Satariano families to watch Luminaria and the fireworks display afterwards. If you highlight the picture you'll see how much fun Brayden is having.... NOT! Poor Laura!

BELLA STARTS KINDERGARTEN!

OUR "KINNYGARDENER"

Well, today was the first day of school for our first born! Bella started Kindergarten at Fredericksen Elementary in Dublin. Her teacher is Mrs. Moirao and from what I've seen, she's an absolutely pleasure! Big Disney fan too!

Bella has the early bird schedule so she gets to go to school from 8:30 - 12:15 every day. She was so excited as she grabbed her new Tinkerbell backpack and her Bratz lunchbox and got ready for school this morning.
When we walked into the classroom the first thing that the teacher pointed out was her cubby hole and her new seat. She's changing all the names on everything so they say Bella instead of Isabella. (We only call her that when she gets in trouble!)
There are 20 kids in the class and 19 of the 20 showed up today. That's a pretty large class of 4-5 year olds for one teacher! I've gotta' hand it to ANYONE who has that much patience.
Daddy video taped the whole thing while I was snapping as many pictures as possible. With Lauren and Lexie in tow, it was a little difficult to get all the good shots in. In fact, we had to give Lexie a backpack and lunchbag too so she didn't feel left out. It was very cute how she wanted to be like her big sister.

Daddy took off the morning for this event and we went out to breakfast to treat Lexie and Lauren to some special one-on-one time. Boy, it sure feels different when there are only 2 kids in tow. How on earth are we going to manage with 4 kids? We'll find out in 3 weeks!

P.S. No, we didn't cry. I think that sending Bella to preschool for the first time was the hardest on me. I bawled my head off that day. This was a day like any other - and Bella made it easy as she said "Bye Mommy, Bye Daddy" and went back to coloring.