Charli and I ventured to Bakersfield, California to stay with my
brother's family for 10 days. We had a really good time with
them. It helped having their twins that are Charli's age to
entertain her. She discovered so many awesome things in the
backyard that she didn't know about. She was nervous about
Rollie their dog. She ended up being best friends with him
by the end of the trip. On the first couple of days we had to
lock him up in the pool area so she wouldn't be so scared in
the yard. She learned about the dog, the chickens, the garden,
rocks, mud, scooters, the tiller, trucks, the shovel and of course
the blow up horse aka Wallerina. She had so much fun in the
backyard. I can't wait for the day that we have a big yard,
grass and a garden. Of course she loved spending time with
Sydney and Dalton also known as Syd and Dol as she calls
them. Enjoy some photos of the 3 musketeers! These pictures
are from the first 3 days.
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| She is talking so cute to Rollie right here. I love her face! |
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| Pomegranites. |
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| She loves swinging on anything she can hold on to! |
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| Boys will be boys. |
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| Checking the chickens for eggs. |
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| Saige and Madi were so cute with Charli. They are so grown up! |



Sunday we went to church and when we got home everyone was
ready for a nap... including me! After our naps we decided to
head to the park on the golf cart. It was fun going to the park
with Brett. The kids had a blast and it was nice and hot outside.
Charli LOVED the golf cart. Each day we took the girls to and
from the bus stop. It makes it easy to go places for Nat with the
twins - get the mail, take the girls to the bus stop and going to
the park. Charli LOVES the bus. Every morning and afternoon
she got so excited to see the bus and wave goodbye to it. We
had a fun time on the golf cart.
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| Off to church. |
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| "The Gang" |
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| This is really high even though it doesn't look high. |
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| Driving through the Almond Orchard. |
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| Found her asleep laying sideways ha ha. |
Back in the day, Natalie made me a really nice big blanket that
keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It is one
of my favorite blankets. I decided I wanted to make a smaller
one for Charli's Birthday. Natalie was nice enough to help me
make it. We tied the quilt with the blue pattern and the other
picture is when we finished tying it. She loves it already. I am
pretty proud of myself even though Natalie did most of the work!


One of our favorite things to do at my brothers is swim
in his nice big pool! We love it! The only problem was
that the weather was chilly almost the whole time we
were there except for about 3 days. We got in the pool
all 3 of those days! Charli LOVES to jump off of the
side. At times I had to rush to the other end before she
ran away so she wouldn't jump in without me. She
finally got comfortable floating alone in the water with
her life jacket on. By the last day, I got her to jump in
twice without me catching her. She is pretty brave!
Dalton and Sydney were loving it to! Sydney was crazy
jumping in and pushing off all by herself. That girl has
no fear! Good times. We had fun with the raft and
wallerina the horse!
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| I love Big D's smile. I see little Saige popping her head up! |
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| Running away and me trying to catch her! |
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| Jump #1 - she HAD to jump off of the highest point. Little turd. |
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| Swinging her arms for the next jump! |
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| Jump #2 catching some air! |
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| Thanks to Nat for taking some photos! |
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| Loves to give her cousins hugs! |
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| Sydney escaping. Charli enjoying her hugs. |
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| Ceej. |
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Big D.
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| Syd |
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| oh the tongue... |
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| Good Job Syd!!! |
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| Watching Uncle Brett be crazy! |
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| Syd jumping in by herself... Brett never caught her ha ha. |
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Love these girls!
We spent a day at Lake Buena Vista so we could take out Brett's new boat.
We had a grand ole time. They got a babysitter for the youngest twins and
Charli got to come with the big kids. The girls hopped right in the water to
ski first. They did awesome. I took CharJo out on the tube and she was fine
til Brett took us over a hump and she got real nervous. We all swam together
and then I skied and wake boarded and Brett got out on the ski. The girls
enjoyed tubing as well. It was a fun afternoon. I think Charli ate the whole
time we were on the boat. Cracks me up! There is nothing like an ice cold
soda and potato chips while boating on the lake.
Thanks for the memories Brotha.
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| Eating goldfish.... |
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| Flag Girl Saige-y |
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| The Brotha. |
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| Driver Nat. |
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| Eating raisins. Love my girl! |
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| Flag Girl Mads |
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| Saige skiing! |
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| Moving on to the nutri-grain bar. Does she ever stop? |
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| Yep... to get on the tube! |
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| Yeeee haaawww. Brave Girl. |
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| Twinners that don't look like twinners. Love them! |
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| Nat takin' a dip. |
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| Here I go.... wish I would have had some smooth water! |
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| Ahh I loved this picture of Char and Brett. She loved honking the horn! |
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| Gettin' used to Brotha's ski. |
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| A little rooster tail. |
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| The Brotha... aka Brettski. |
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| They don't call him Brettski for nothin' Photo #1 |
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| Almost laying down... pretty dang awesome! Photo #2 |
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| Cool with the sun in the background. Photo #3 |
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| Couldn't resist this cute picture of them showing Charli the lake. They were all so cute in their white swimsuit covers! |

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These shot gun shells were huge! I thought it was pretty cool
they had them outside of this shooting range by the lake!
This is the rest of the photos from the trip. We had so much fun and
want to thank Brett and Nat for a nice vacation away from home.
These are random and out of order but I threw them all on.
Miss you guys already.
I took family pictures for them at an Almond Orchard. Charli was ticked off that the babysitter took off with her stroller so I took a picture of her pointing and yelling ha ha. The one below is my favorite.
Some favorites of the photo shoot...
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| Adorable Family. |
Loved getting muddy in the garden.
One night we went to Saige and Madi's Swim meet. They both did awesome.
So fun to watch them compete. Swimming is a big deal in California!
Charli had fun EATING snacks and playing on the benches.
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| Love my girls. |
The last couple of days Charli became real obsessed with Rollie.
She would not leave his side. It broke my heart knowing she
was going to have to leave him behind. She kept hugging him
and laying on him. He was so cute with her. One day we will
get a dog!
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| Big D was so cute with his trucks! |
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| Charli turned into one of them... just playing outside in the yard with the trucks! |
I didn't get any pictures but we had fun playing corn-hole It was my first time playing it and I loved it! I wish Tom could have come and had fun with us. The last day Natalie had a gift for Charli's Birthday. She got her the cutest nike shirt. Charli wore it home on the airplane.
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| Hugs for Rollie again. |
This prayer picture below is hilarious... we were saying the
prayer and with Charli's arms folded she was trying to
eat during the prayer. Little lunch mouth. I miss these kids.
Being Crazy together in their PJs before bed.
Some photos from my iTouch.
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| She had to hold his "hand" paw. So cute. |
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| The final product after sewing the edges. Thanks for the help Nat! |
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| Love my brother. |
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| Last night cuddling together. |
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| Travel day... leaving on the jet plane. |
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