Day at SB Natural History Museum

Today we went to a fun breakfast w/ our friends the Taylors, then off to the SB Natural History Museum for the BugFest. We got to hold...OK, maybe just look...at creepy crawly creatures. And creepy they were...hissing cockroaches, vinegaroons (crazy bug that shoots vingear out it's butt...no joke!), stick bugs, HUGE centipedes, millipedes...and many others I don't know how to say~
Then they had lobsters, crabs, hermit crabs...all different sizes and ages. Very fun. My favorite part, the peaceful butterfly atrium. Here is a picture in the butterfly alive exhibit w/ me and the boys (both w/ fresh haircuts they got yesterday)...



It was a fun Saturday morning/afternoon. Of course, we just woke up from a BIG nap!

The Boys

Nick in his Costa Rica soccer outfit Grammy and Grandad sent him...just 2 more years Nick, then you are in AYSO!

New towels mommy bought the boys...I love them!

Ben Lost His First Tooth!

After months of wanting a loose tooth, Ben finally got one about 6 weeks ago. Eagerly checking it several times a day...it finally came out. And it never comes out when he is at home sitting on the couch, but rather when he is w/ his Grandma Denise at a movie eating popcorn and candy in a dark theatre! Poor Denise, I forgot to tell her about his "very loose tooth"...surprise!

Of course Nick need to pose just like big brother Ben...had to include this because it is so Nick...

Amanda's UCSB Graduation

Mandy did it! Graduated from UCSB...we had a wonderful time celebrating w/ her. We all went out to dinner the night before (Todd, Annie, Kate, Mandy, Jon, Grant and Susie)...


Mandy the day of graduation w/ her boyfriend, Hannes...

Mandy w/ her mom, Kate, dad, Rob, and 2 of her 3 brothers...Joe and Sam...

Mandy w/ her mom, and her 2 aunts...Aunt Annie and Aunt Susie...

Mandy and her mom, Kate...


Mandy w/ her step-dad, Jon...

And a fun party back at our house...


Congrats Lou! We love you!

Ben's Graduation

Ben just graduated from his 3rd year in Primary from Montessori...Silver Door. In the Montessori system, the kids are placed in one class for 3 years, so same teachers, same kids but of course they cycle through w/new kids coming in and the older kids (the "graduates") moving out and up to the "Lower Elementary". It has been the most amazing 3 years to start our Ben in school. To make a long story short, we were ever so lucky to have Todd's step mom, Denise, as Ben's teacher (his grandma!). And the coolest part is that Denise taught Todd when Todd was 4 years old in Montessori back in Brooklyn, NY. This is where the story can get long, so I will end it there!

The black board from Ben's loving teachers, Denise and Carla...



For Denise's gift, we took a picture of Ben and Denise that copied a picture of Todd and Denise 31 years ago, then we had it framed side by side...it really was beautiful. This is Ben giving Denise his present starting w/ the card he handmade her...




Denise looking at her new treasure...

A sweet picture of the teacher, mother, and grandma w/ her boys...we love you Denise!

Malesky Family w/ Denise and Carla...

Ben and his "bros"... (Jack & Bayan)

Ben sitting in his "spot" on the rug for the last time ...

Ben accepting his certificate on stage...

In line waiting for his certificate...

Ben w/ his amazing teachers for 3 years...Carla and Denise...

Auntie Susie there to cheer Ben on...

Ben and Dad...

Mommy, Ben and Dad...

Congratulations Ben...we are so proud of you!

Costa Rica Spring 2009

Well, we did it again...another trip to Costa Rica! Sad to say, but I do believe this 6th trip is our last. Maybe someday we will be back, but with my parents living there is has been an amazing adventure everytime. To pick our final trip, we decided on our favorite resort, Paradisus...our 3rd time there. Not only is it beautiful, but they have kids club from 10am-5pm everyday! Sold! Thanks mom and dad for making every trip a fantastic memory for Todd and I, and especially our boys.
Pictures w/ mom and dad...

Ann and Todd before date night...loved having the grandparents to watch the kids!

Ben and Grammy's Costa Rica project...a 300 piece puzzle! It did get completed!

Grammy and Nick bonding on the trip too...

Grammy and Grandad w/ Nick and Ben...

Too cute!

My favorite part of everyday was meeting up at lunch w/ mom and dad. With the kids in the kids club, us 4 were able to talk, laugh, and play card games for hours!

The boys in the pool...another amazing part of the day. After breakfast we all would go to the pool and hang out from 8:30am until 10am (it would be 85 degrees outside already!)...then the boys were off to the kids club.

Some of the activities we did w/ Ben were kayaking, Todd and Ben went on the Quads down the beach, and following are pictures of our horseback riding excursion...gorgeous!