Gunns from Colorado

For Gabriel's baptism, Grandma and Grandpa Gunn and Uncle Tony drove from Colorado. We had so much fun for four and a half days!! We miss them.

Ephraim helps grandma make pancakes.

We had fun together at the park. Gabriel hits the ball with the bat, Tony gets the ball and pitches it back to Gabriel. Both had so much fun.

Grandpa coaches Ephraim who shows off his skills.

After demonstrating his new scooter, Ephraim gets pushed by grandma on the swing.

Tony and Ephraim chill out together. 

Happy (BIG!) kids sharing the rope swing.

On Monday we all went to the new Exploratorium together.

 

 

 

 Breakfast at IHOP before we head to Great America on Tuesday.

Ephraim flies the airplane that he shares with grandma.

Ephraim and mommy going for a cruise down the roadway.

Look out, Gabriel can drive by himself! :)

 

Thanks for the cotton candy, grandma!

Mommy and Gabriel ride the new scary roller coaster before we leave for the day! I can't believe this guy is old enough to go on the big rides with me.

June/July - catching up

I have a lot of catching up to do! First, some necessary cute photos!

I signed up the boys for a few weeks of camp. The first week was Science Camp where they built robotic dinosaurs. The second week got canceled on us, so they spent it with grandma and grandpa instead. The third week was Chess Camp for Gabriel (he LOVED it, see his trophey?) and Gymnastics Camp for Ephraim (he loved it too and was super good at it).

I took some time off here and there. One day we went to Point Pinole. We got Ephraim a scooter just like his brother's. They had so much fun.

 

 

4th of July weekend we went to John and Megahn's house for baby Charlie's 1st birthday. The boys got to play in the pool with their cousin Everett and eat s'mores and play with fireworks.

 

 

We played in the pool at Heather's house. Ephraim is being the shark and chasing Gabriel! 

A marble run is the best toy ever!!

Swimming lessons!! Ephraim is super good at it. He loves to put his face in the water.

 Loose tooth! It didn't last long--he pulled it out himself shortly after I took this picture!

Three snuggle buddies (see the tooth gone?).

Gabriel's June

For various reasons, I decided to have Gabriel's birthday party with his friends early. So on the Saturday after the last day of school, we had an adventure-themed party!

Ephraim helps with the decorations.

Torches (cupcakes in a cone)

Gabriel wanted a "feast" as part of the party. I did my best for kids in the afternoon.

They colored dragons and knights from a coloring book.

We decorated the house with candles. Glowing wands were favors.

Gabriel's friend Daniel from church was the only other kid to attend but they had so much fun! I created a scavenger hunt (follow clues to spots around the yard) and it was perfect for just the three of them.

The treasure at the end was fruit snacks hidden in a chest of play jewels.

Make a wish!

Gabriel loved it all. But perhaps his favorite part was picking out a new Lego set and putting it together.

Love that smirk!!

You're almost eight years old, my amazing intelligent boy!! Growing up so fast!

Mostly Ephraim in May

One Sunday in May we found a dead dried-up lizard in the backyard.

Dad tried making truffles and ended up using it as cake filling. There was too much delicious cake so mom and dad had to call us all over to help them eat it. It's tough living close by them!! :)

Family puzzle time!

Ephraim is so patient with it.

 Collecting bugs!

Mom and dad bought an outside umbrella for me as an early birthday present. My uncle Tom got a discount for us and shipped it here. Some assembly required, but Ephraim eagerly helped me out.

We emptied our sandbox (which we haven't used in two years!) into the sandbags to make the base solid. Ephraim was there to help with relocation of the sandbag.

Enjoying the shade of our labor! Perfect for our sunny backyard that faces west.

 Both boys' reading has improved greatly. Gabriel was reading Dr. Suess to Ephraim.

 Ephraim continues to be adorable! Look at those eyes!

Look at that... underwear... what in the ...?!