The Yoder Family

A visit with SANTA!!!

2008-12-22T16:47:00.000-08:00

Ok, so after this...I am officially caught up on blogging until Christmas...yes, three more days! Today we went to South Coast and stood in line with all of the other kids and moms that waited until 3 days before Christmas to see Santa. Never again will I wait until the 22nd of December. We waited a good hour to see him. My sister and her kids got to the mall just 10 minutes or so after we had our turn. They ended up waiting at least 90 minutes! We were good at killing time...we watched the train, walked the mall, read books at Boarders, rode the little kids train, paid a visit to See's candy and had lunch! It was a fun day, but an exhausting one too! I was a little nervous as to how Mackenzie would do, but to our surprise, she did great! She walked right up to him and climbed on his lap. She told him right away that she would like a new baby stroller for her baby and Gavin would like a Indiana play set. Enjoy the pics!

Having a Little Family Time!

2008-12-22T16:40:00.000-08:00

Every so often, the Cousins come to play! The kids really have a blast and it is so much fun to watch them grow up together! We wish that they lived a little closer...yes, I know, Aliso Viejo is not that far...but closer would be even more FUN! The kids all took a bath together... well, in shifts! A tub big enough for 6 kids is called a spa...or a POOL!

Ready for a Big Girl Bed!

2008-12-22T16:16:00.000-08:00

Ok...so, it is just about time for Kenzie to get her new big girl bed. We ordered her bed from Pottery Barn Teen and they said 3 - 6 weeks for delivery. Then a week later we got a call saying it had shipped! I got a little sad that she is, in fact, going to be in a big girl bed starting in just a few weeks. Feeling a little bit sad about the whole thing, I decided that we ought to take some pictures of Kenzie playing in her crib. I love her crib. I love everything about seeing her in that crib...the one that used to be Gavin's. Now Gavin is 5 1/2 and Mackenzie is 2 1/2. Where has the time gone? I am going to miss that crib, and I will probably shed a few tears when we take it down. Not only will Kenzie be in her Big Girl bed, but it will be the end the baby years... there will not be another little baby in that crib...well, not until I am a grandmother. I plan to keep it for the next 25 years!!!! So, I guess there is some light at the end of the tunnel....a 25 year tunnel!

Fall Harvest Pictures

2008-12-22T16:05:00.000-08:00

Another tradition... pumpkin pictures at the park. Yes, we took them after Thanksgiving and after our Christmas cards pictures, but it is tradition! Not taking them was NOT an option! The kids had a fun time posing with the pumpkins. Kenzie was a ham as usual! She is either hot or cold! She is a love it, or hate it kind of girl. We got her on a 'love it' day!

Christmas Pictures at the Park

2008-12-22T15:52:00.000-08:00

Well, here are a few of the 'hundreds' of photos that we took at the park this year to get the perfect one for the Christmas cards. It was fun. The kids did pretty well. Trying to get 6 kids under the age of 6 1/2 to look at the camera at the same time is very challenging! I hope that you enjoy the pictures!

Pumpkin Patch 08

2008-10-29T21:00:00.000-07:00

We went to the pumpkin patch this evening and had a great time! Kenzie ran all over the place and boy is she fast! I think that it must be her new shoes! Gavin had a great time too. He really wanted to ride all of the little 50 cent rides. He looked like a giant in those...he has grown so much! My folks came with us tonight to take some family pictures...thanks for the help, mom! I think that Kenzie and Gavin are going to have a great Halloween this year! I can't wait to share the next batch of photos!

Apple Picking at Los Rios

2008-10-18T22:03:00.000-07:00

Today we went apple picking at Los Rios Apple Farm. We had such a great time spending the day together. The kids had a great time, and it was extra special that Lauryn was able to join us. Each of the kids got to pick apples by hand and by using the apple picker pole. We all enjoyed eating a fresh picked apple on the way home. It was such a great experience for all of us, we are going to make this a tradition!

Fire Station Fun!

2008-10-18T21:56:00.000-07:00

In October the fire houses have an open house. We took the kids and met up with Candice and her kids...and our friends, the Swartz Family. We had a great time. The kids enjoyed the tour of the fire station, trying on the gear, and exploring the fire engine and ambulance. There is never a dull moment when we all get together! Ha, ha, ha...

An Evening at the Beach...

2008-10-18T21:42:00.000-07:00

It was so warm the first couple weeks of October so, one evening I took the kids down to the beach at 5:00 to play in the sand and watch Lindsey surf. I think it was still 85 degrees! A nice warm evening and the kids had the best time! Well....until the end, when Mackenzie came unglued!

Katie's Wedding Reception

2008-10-18T21:20:00.000-07:00

A few weeks back we went to Lindsey's cousin's wedding reception. The kids had a great time getting all dressed up and seeing the Lester family. It was a beautiful reception!

Kenzie-Rella Our Little Princess

2008-09-24T08:52:00.000-07:00

Princess Kenzie has been having a blast dressing up in Lauryn's old Cinderella costumes. She is so funny when she is dressed up. She just loves it!

Star Wars at Pottery Barn

2008-09-24T08:45:00.000-07:00

We got tickets to take Gavin to a photo op. at Pottery Barn Kids. We waited in line for an hour and a half and then got 2 minutes with some of the characters. Gavin was so excited! It was quite a scene in line...lots of boys, lots of light sabers, and lots of play acting!

The First Day of Kindergarten

2008-09-04T16:20:00.000-07:00

Mackenzie loves her Big Brother!

Our Handsome Gavin

Mommy and Gavin

Gavin and Daddy

Gavin and his teacher, Mrs. Axton

Here are a few pictures of Gavin's first day of Kindergarten. He was so excited to go to school! He has been waiting for school to start for days! Mackenzie was excited too. She had her Bitty Baby Back Pack stuffed with all of her important things. Gavin was very sweet with her and gave her lots of hugs and kisses. Gavin and I made a first day of school gift basket for his teacher. I had gotten one a few years back when I taught K and thought it was a great idea. I have been waiting 5 years to make a first day of school basket. I think that his teacher really liked it. It was my first day of school too, so I didn't get to see him walk into his room. I guess it was better that way, I probably would have cried with all the other moms. Gavin's first day went well. He said it was a little boring and that he didn't even get to play with any of the toys! He said all they did was "write and stuff." Welcome to the next 17 years of your life! Get used to it, Gavin! This is going to be a great year!

Vegas Weekend!!

2008-09-03T21:43:00.001-07:00

Kenzie and I on the morning that we left for Vegas!

She wanted to go with me. She said, "Momma don't leave me!"

She is a heart breaker!

Gavin is giving me good-bye kisses

Out to dinner!

Annie, Me, and Melanie

Vegas Tom...enough said!

Lindsey and I went to Vegas for the weekend with Annie, Greg, Tom and Mel. We had a great time doing 'grown-up' things like laying out by the pool for 7 hours straight drinking Mai Tai's, staying up late, and gambling! Although I loved my grown-up field trip, my heart was aching to be home with the kids. I missed them so, so much. I was home sick. By Monday morning, I was ready to get home and collect 3 days worth of kisses and hugs!

Gavin's Kindergarten Round-up!

2008-09-03T21:38:00.000-07:00

I have to accept that it is time for Gavin to start kindergarten. I can't believe how fast the last 5 years have gone by. Here are a few pictures from last Friday. On that day, he got to meet his teacher Mrs. Axton and see his new classroom. I think that he is going to have a great time in kindergarten!

Tea at the Biltmore

2008-08-28T22:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Belated Birthday Mom!! My sister and I took my mom for an afternoon tea service at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. We had a wonderful and relaxing afternoon complete with 'sparkling wine.' It was so much fun having a mother daughter outing. I look forward to our next 'Tea Time.'

Biker Girl!!

2008-08-28T22:11:00.001-07:00

I think this picture says it all!!!

American Girl

2008-08-28T21:57:00.000-07:00

We had a girls day at American Girl...well, a girls day plus Gavin, who was a great sport! Lauryn and Mackenzie were in heaven! Lauryn got the new Kit doll and Kenzie a new Bitty Twin doll. We had a great time shopping and had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. Gavin was so cute, he held the girls' dolls as they shopped and never complained once.

Family Trip to San Francisco

2008-08-28T21:50:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it has been while since I have posted an update. We took a family trip up to the bay area at the beginning of August to see some college friends and have a little family reunion. We had a great time visiting with everyone. After our visit to the East Bay, we crossed over the bridge to the city. We stayed a night there and had a good time, except for being under the weather. Gavin wanted to ride the cable cars...check, and we all wanted our favorite crepes...check-check!! We are looking forward to our next trip up there and hope to see more of our friends soon

Mackenzie...Oh...so girly!!

2008-07-30T22:23:00.000-07:00

I just love these pictures of Kenzie. She is spunky, funny and full of personality! Spending time at Fashion Island is one of our family's favorite things to do. The kids love all of the fountains!

GG and Fashion Island

2008-07-30T22:16:00.000-07:00

Today we went to Fashion Island with GG and the kids. This is an outing that we do every time GG visits from Florida. Mackenzie was in full diva mode complete with sunglasses, big bow, and her Ariel purse. It was so funny to watch her march around that place like she owned it! Gavin was charming and sweet as usual. I love that they get along (most of the time) and that they love each other so very much!

Gavin is Batman!

2008-07-30T22:14:00.000-07:00

Gavin made this great Batman hat all by himself. He is so proud of it. Very creative!!!