Charlotte makes 7

The Ducotes welcomed their 4th child, 3rd girl, on Saturday, September 3rd.  Charlotte Grace makes the grandkid count up to 7!  We are SO looking forward to snuggling her and getting to know this sweet girl.

So cute!!!!  Just hours old... 

Such a proud big cousin

And that makes 7!

You are loved, Charlotte!

1st Day of School

We went back and forth and back and forth some more about the kids and school this year.  Since Sydney turned 5 in August, technically, she could start Kindergarten.  My gut kept telling me to wait a year so she can be the oldest and selfishly for me, so I could spend more time with her.  I keep hearing horror stories of young 5 year olds starting (or even older 5 year olds) and them having a hard transition.  Academically and socially I think she is more than ready.... I just think she will be so much better off as the older one in her class.

That being said, at the beginning of the summer, neither of them were going to do any formal school.  I was going to keep them at home with me for one 'year of fun'.  I loved the idea of no structure/schedule/anywhere to be.  As the summer progressed, every-time we went by Sydney's old preschool, they asked when they would start... and, after a week of summer camp, I really enjoyed the structure and having to be out of the house at a certain time.  So... I called Sydney's old preschool director to see if there was room and there was :)  Sydney is in the front class and Cole is in the back class - same days/same place.

Cole on his 1st day.  He was SOOOOO excited to go...until we got there! :) 

Momma and Cole

Syd Syd and Momma

These hearts she does kill me!!! 

Both kids had a good day!  Cole told me he had fun but missed me.  So sweet.  Sydney didn't say much but said she had a good day.  Here's to a fun year!

Aunt Lindsay and Finn come to San Diego!

Aunt Lindsay and Baby Finn travelled out to San Diego for two weeks so Lindsay could attend her friends wedding.  They were coming off of a week in Canada with Paul's family so he could not take additional time off.  We missed him but are looking forward to seeing him at Christmas!

Baby Finn arrived and he was the highlight!!  I don't think all of the the kids have ever sat still this long!

Gentle touches... 

The boys

Sydney LOVED holding Finn

LOVE

So sweet

Ella wanted in on the action, too!

And Jules. 

Cole was SO sweet with him.  

Boy cousins

A new day... more holding Baby Finn

All the cousins!

This may be the best one we got!

Sydney, Finn and Pirate Cole

The kiddos and I met Lindsay and Finn at the zoo one afternoon

What a good big cousin:) 

Sydney - Finn - Cole

We were getting ready for dinner at my parents house and the girls were waaaaay too quiet.  Found them in Nani & Poppa's shower - just like this :) 

Can't wait to see you again, Lindsay & Finn (and Paul!). 

Yosemite

We packed up and headed north to visit Yosemite for 4 days in August!

Car was loaded and ready

We stayed at the housekeeping camp.  Tent like camping but it had 3 concrete walls with a canvas to close at night and beds so there was no sleeping on the floor. A full size bed and bunk beds.  Dave and Sydney ended up in the full and Cole and I were in the bottom bunk. 

Outside our tent - tons of space... and dirt :) 

There was great shade and each tent had a picnic table and fire pit - the only place in Yosemite that still allows fires. 

Not much more room left!

When we arrived Cole was a bit under the weather. Had a high fever and was so sleepy.  We rested while daddy and Sydney unpacked.  Thankfully, after tylenol and a nap, he was a new boy!

Nap time

Nani and Poppa were in Mammoth for a few days but met us up in Yosemite :)  We had a tent right next to each other and were so thankful they were there with us!

Nani was very patient and did french braids in Sydney's hair

These tree stumps were so wonderful to have right outside our camp

Lots of jumping

See the deer???

Nani and kids looking at deer

Nani & Poppa with kiddos outside visitors center

Playing in the tee-pee

Snack break

Kids doing the balance beam with half-dome in the background.  

Spectacular!

Cole was done with pics by this point.  We had been biking for awhile and were almost back to our camp.  He was not happy about taking a picture!

Sydney was excited though :) 

Poppa had a great idea and put him on his head for a picture - all of a sudden, Cole was all about the photos.

Bike riding

River right by our campsite

Kiddos walking to our campsite

More deer :) 

Smores :) 

The second day we took the park shuttle a few stops and tried a hike to the only water that was still flowing in the park - Vernal Falls. 

Poppa giving Cole a ride to the trailhead

Daddy & Syd getting ready to hike

Love!

Poppa & Cole

Nani & Sydney skipping to the start

Cole found a good walking stick so we were off

Having fun on rocks

Rest stop

Sweet girl.

Sydney and Cole had the best rides

Boys

Poppa, Nani, Laura, Dave

Cole, Sydney

Almost done!

Finishing the vernal falls hike

He fell asleep on the shuttle ride home!

Happy hour and card playing

More Smores!

Hot cocoa by the river

Cole 

3 1/2

Fishing

The kids were fishing and all of a sudden we spotted 4 deer across the river eating and drinking!

wow!!!

Taken by Sydney!

"Whoa!  This is freezing!"

Cooling off

No zoom - this deer walked right in front of our campsite!

Playing cards

Happy & dirty boy

Dave and I snuck away for a bike ride one afternoon during rest time.  This was our view during the bike ride... 

Outside our camp when we got back - Poppa asleep and Nani was reading while kids were inside tent not sleeping :)

Sweet boy braving the cold water

Playing in the river

Cole looking at the little fish

Nani putting Syd in the tube

Crazy girl - this water was SO cold

Lounging in the FREEZING river with beautiful scenery

Half-dome - you don't disappoint

Yum!

Cole & Poppa trying to catch a big fish

Syd and Daddy

They had a ranger talk/toddler story time.

Each child got to make a ranger hat about something in the forest. Sydney drew herself pregnant with a baby in her belly.   Hahaha!

Thankfully the only black bear we saw the entire trip

Fun by the fire

Until next time, half-dome... 

Panoramic view while on our way out.

Such a great trip!

8 loads of laundry... but happy to be home!