It’s hard to believe that it has been five years since God blessed us with our first baby!  Branson celebrated his fifth birthday by inviting four of his friends (five kids total) to a minor league baseball game at the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes stadium.  We celebrated with Kalia, his friend since me and her mommy were pregnant together, Carter, his buddy since they were babies, James, the first friend he chose himself who he met at gym class, and Damon, his baby brother.  We were also joined by Michelle, Sandra, Tara, Grandma, Papa and Uncle Travis.  We all had a blast and really enjoyed the game.  On Branson’s actual birthday, we went to my grandparent’s cabin in Big Bear and visited with Branson’s great grandparents and enjoyed some yummy homemade cupcakes.  At his five year check-up, Branson was 40 lbs (41 percentile) and 37.9 inches tall (65 percentile).  Branson’s hair is still very RED and he really enjoys practicing baseball, he is in pre-kindergarten three days a week and is doing very well in his class.  He is still very intelligent and can tell you almost all of the Nascar racers, talk to you about the planets and sing his favorite Bible songs.  Happy Birthday Branson!

We just received a phone call that Josh’s grandfather Russell Harry MacPeek (one of the Russell’s that Branson is named after) has passed away. Grandpa was always such a sweet man. My favorite memory of him was on my first visit to Arkansas when I was dating Josh. We were saying goodbye and he leaned over and said “now you come back as my granddaughter!” Today is such a sad day. I hope he is in heaven reuniting with Grandma right now. Rest in peace Grandpa Russell! ♥

We received a phonecall very early this morning that Josh’s grandfather (his mom’s father) Fred Ulrich has passed away from alzheimers.  We are so grateful that we were able to spend time with him on our visit to Arkansas last May.  Although this wasn’t unexpected, we are still mourning the loss of Grandpa along with his jokes and silliness.  Josh has some very fond memories of his time with Grandpa while growing up.  We know he is in heaven playing jokes and laughing with all of the angels.  Rest in Peace Freddie!

Josh’s sister Molly and brother-in-law Eric welcomed their first baby girl this morning!  Maliah Evelyn Wahl (named after Josh’s late grandmother Evelyn MacPeek) was born at 9:23 am, 8 lbs. 9 oz. 20 inches.  Both mommy and baby are doing well!  Congratulations!

We celebrated Grandpa & Grandma Ulrich’s 60th wedding anniversary with them on our trip to Arkansas this May!  We were able to visit with a lot of family while we were there.  We also enjoyed Lake Tinkiller with Bert, Tami, Addison, Lawson and Rich and stayed in a cabin with Josh’s parents.  Damon went on his first boat just like Branson did at the same lake when he was little!  We stayed at the Crabtree Boat House and had a blast.  Uncle John and Aunt Gayle had their Memorial Day party with great food, friends & family.  Most importantly, we were able to visit with both of Josh’s grandfathers who are in nursing homes and spent some time with Grandma Ulrich at her new house. In June, we traveled to Las Vegas to celebrate Grandpa & Grandma Galindo’s 65th anniversary with some of our family.  We had a great time visiting with everybody and making some fun memories.  Branson & Damon enjoyed playing with my cousin Anthony’s boys and seeing their cousins Thomas & Natalie again.  We hope you are having a great summer so far!

We’ve had a wonderful Spring this year filled with lots of fun activities and beautiful weather.  This year is definitely different than last with two active boys!  We celebrated Easter a couple of times this year with Michael, Janae, Thomas & Natalie’s visit over the weekend, picnic and egg hunt at the park with the Romeyn’s, as well as lunch and another egg hunt with my family.  We also had another egg hunt with my friend Xenia and her daughter Lilianna who visited from Illinois.  Next we went to Bishop for our annual fishing trip.  We were able to go ice fishing a couple of times and caught a lot of fish!  We took Branson to his first Major League Baseball game to see the Dodgers vs Cubs.  THE CUBS WON!  Thank you Sandra and Kalia for joining us for this special game.  Next we celebrated Mother’s Day with my parents and also with a luncheon at Branson’s school for the two of us.  We finished off spring time with a visit to a Children’s Museum in Palm Springs.  The boys loved it!

We have been really enjoying 2011.  First, we watched the Green Bay Packers (the Vallins/Michelle’s/Sandra’s favorites) make it to the Superbowl and W I N the whole thing!  We had a blast celebrating the Super Bowl this year with some of our good friends.  I was able to help out in Branson’s classroom while they celebrated Dr. Seuss’s birthday with green eggs and ham.  We also had the Galindo Grandparent’s visit and we made another trip to Las Vegas.  We enjoyed the Nascar cafe, making rice krispie treats with Grammie and of course visiting Natalie & Thomas – our twin niece and nephew.

Damon turned TWO years old on April 9th!  We celebrated his birthday in the morning as a family at IHOP.  Then, we had a party at our house with family and close friends.  Damon is now a huge fan of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse so we had a Mickey party.  At his two year check up, Damon weighed 31.8 pounds (approx 7 lbs lighter than Branson) 80th percentile, 36 inches tall 90th percentile, and 49-1/2 head circumference 75th percentile.  He is a big boy, but we are very glad that he is happy and healthy!  Our good friend Michelle Sells took Damon’s two year photos along with family photos.  Thank you Michelle!  Here are some pictures; click on them for more.

My sister Candace and Wardo welcomed a baby girl on March 18, 2011.  After a very long pregnancy, she arrived completely healthy!  Adrianna Lucia Ortiz was born at 7:23 am, 7 lbs. 2 oz.  Congratulations  “big sisters” Alyssa and Gabriella!