Seriously... Life should be this beautiful!

This month we took advantage of a warm weekend and hit Laguna Beach. It is beautiful there! Had a fabulous time soaking in the sun, walking along the boardwalk and shopping along the ocean. Sometimes...we do have to pinch ourselves...

My girl loves the ocean as much as me... maybe more...

Matt, Mia and I have to put our feet in the sand. Mark and Chris took advantage of the "perfectly good boardwalk".

He loves it as much as me too!

Seriously, she is so cute I can't stand it!

My boys at Vista Pointe - Wow - this is an amazing view!

They look like they are being kissed by this beautiful sky.

Amazing! Cute as they are, I had to kick them out of the picture...

October

October was a great month - aside from the flu bug that bit 4 out of 5 of us. Chris officially moved to California and started his new job. It's been great to have all of us together again. 6 months apart is a long time. I've decided blogging in pictures is much easier and meaningful so I hope you agree.

Believe it or not - one day in October it was about 90 and sunny so the Littles decided that it would be a great idea to swim. The water was frigid, but that didn't stop them.

Fairly certain Mario is trying to figure out if Malibu is going to push him in the pool. She looks like she might.

Terri's parents were in town. We went to my cousin Chad's play in style thanks to my Uncle Steve and Aunt Cathie. The play was incredible. My cousin is super talented and it was fun to hang out with everyone and celebrate his talents.

Chris' parents were also in town. Stole this picture from his sister's hiking trip. One of Chris' sisters also lives in SoCal.

Stole this one too - Both were too good not to post. Wish we could have hiked with them, but maybe next time.

Chris' mom being silly with Mark's props

Chris' parents with the kids

Terri's parents with the kids

All together now...

Pumpkin Patch

A little blurry, but geez, what a good picture of them!

We aren't sure what Matt is or why he's still trick or treating for that matter, but whatever...I'm glad he likes to have fun and he had us cracking up. Minnie Mouse and the Boxer are too cute!

We Moved to SoCal

It has been 10 months since I last posted. I wonder if anyone will even read this, but here goes.

Chris and I moved to California. Actually, it went like this.

January - I began interviewing for a position in California.

March - I accepted the position.

April - I moved to California by myself - Chris stayed in KY with our 3 kids to finish out the school year. They only had 6 weeks left so it just made sense. We have never spent this much time apart so it was definitely a challenge.

I spent the next 2 months living in a hotel - omg this was not the "Suite Life" I always dreamed hotel living would be, but I survived. I stayed busy researching cities, schools, neighborhoods, pounding the streets looking at houses, sending pictures and videos to Chris until I walked in and found the perfect place. Then, it was on to shopping for the many things this home needed.

June - the kids joined me in our new home in Orange County. Chris took 2 weeks vacation to help us get settled.

June - Sept - Chris moved most of his stuff to California, commuted to Kentucky to work and became a California resident in October when he started his new job. I am so excited to have my husband back. Single parenthood is not for either one of us. We are definitely a team!

Mia adjusted beautifully to her new school. She absolutely loves it. Mark and Matt have been in school 2 months and they are doing great too.

So... what did the year look like?

Spending Easter apart - I was very excited to see my kids look great for Easter!

In May Mia was a flower girl in my niece's wedding. I'll post on this fun time later. Mia did great and I was one proud Mommy and Aunt that day.

In July we added Malibu, a german shepherd puppy, to our home.

Taking a wrong turn landed us at Newport Beach before dinner. Nothing wrong with taking time for a little sand before pizza.

We loved spending time with our cousins from KY.

With Disneyland tickets, we can go everyday if we want. The boys are showing off their 3-D glasses.

One thing is certain, there are always plenty of smiles!

Mia - having a California tea party with her Nana.

Safe to say Minnie is Mia's favorite! She loves loves loves her!

Dining with the characters is one of the best ways to eat!

Still living apart - Mark, Matt and I sported our Cardwear for the opening football game while Chris attended the game with friends.

Everyone was excited (and nervous) for the 1st day of school - no more uniforms brought many smiles from my kids!

My cousin's twins live about 20 minutes away and I love the little beauties! 2 more M's in the family - MaKayla and Madison! - So yes - get-togethers are a tongue twister - Matt, Mark, Mia, Mario, Malibu, MaKayla and Madison...

Mark is enjoying soccer

We are adjusting very well to life in SoCal. We are loving the weather and loving living like we are on vacation. It's rough to live somewhere so beautiful! LOL We do miss our family and friends, but we are hoping they will visit us soon.