we stopped off at harris ranch on the way down to newport for a quick end of summer getaway.

mr. mewie had to try this boba because it was deadpool approved!

it took many pics until i took this shot of them in their happy place :)

first time to the beach for this guy :)

gorgeous view from our balcony.

this guy loved enjoying the view with me.

some pool time!

i wish i had a pic of these two enjoying the beach together.  once jer dipped his toes in the ocean he didn’t want to get out.  they were running through the waves together and he shouted “tyler, i just love this!”  my little beach boy was loving it.

surprise birthday dinner for auntie emily!

louie / chan shenanigans recreating the same pic from two years ago.

mermaid life with her favorite doll pearl.

his reaction when i asked him to take a picture :)

thank you grandma and grandpa for these new memories to cherish!

we all certainly left with more color, some sunburnt shoulders for mr. mewie and two kids who asked if we could live there :)

last stop on the way back was din tai fung for some yummy dumplings.

gotta love those smiles :)

this summer was a ton of fun but also a crazy whirlwind and very bittersweet with our move out of the south bay.

meeting their new fur-cousin teddy, who’s just too cute!  the best part is that j who has a dog allergy is okay with this little guy and he is completely smitten!

the twins graduated from pre-k.  grateful for our family who came to support them!

preschool class after party!

thanks so much to our louie cousins and auntie/uncle for hosting us while our house was staged!

this father’s day we hadour game faces on to compete in father’s day jeopary (thanks mike for the creative game!)

cheers to these special dads!

one of the best parts about summer were the impromptu bike rides and playdates with neighbors!

miss m had her first ballet performance as a toy ballerina in front of a very large audience in a”toy story” themed recital and we were so proud of her!

sweetest brother award goes to this guy who is her supporter through and through – offered up his favorite bear if she did a good job. :)

late night for these littles but a special experience!

the alameda county fair was an absolute favorite venture of the summer – racing pigs, dole whip, petting zoo and chinese acrobats, oh my!

the littles were asked to create any kind of robot for their vacation bible school theme “Maker fun factory”, so here is jack louie :)

i love it when they want to sing the vbs songs nonstop and tell me that god made each one of us special and has a purpose for our lives.

we conquered his first rollercoaster together at happy hollow and he had a blast!  we snuck in two more rounds afterwards so he was definitely ready to roll!

front row riding buddies.

cousin love!

july 4th photoshoot for as long as they’ll let me ;-)

he helped me decorate our little vegan cheesecake dessert.

a sweet time with these cousins celebrating our nation’s independence.

it’s a treasure when i find them reading together and enjoying new library books.

our date night included some new eats including this chinese sausage pizza, and rollerskating afterward!

off to swim lessons, two peas in a pod.

playdate with our buddy tae who happens to be mommy’s childhood bestie’s son we met through soccer class.

we invited some friends to a “see ya later, alligator” get together at a fun playspace.

triple the hugs!

thank you grammy and gramps for taking the twins to see the wonderful “wizard of oz!”  i love that when grammy asked him if his favorite was the scarecrow, lion or tin man, he responded with “the girl!”  ;-)  should have known it’d be dorothy!

we feel so incredibly blessed by the neighbor friends we’ve had from when they were wee babies to full on little people :)

gonna miss these dear ladies.

final family of 4 pic and kids last night in our home before the move.  this chapter has taught me a lot about stuff, relationships, and where i desire to focus my energy.  thanks god for guiding us through this chapter and here’s to the adventures that await.

it’s about time i post some pics from the twins 5th jedi training birthday party in february!

mr. mewie and i had fun with the theme.  i love finding things that have already been created and shared online like this banner.

we had a simple family party because the main birthday event was their first trip to disneyland!

what to do with a styrofoam wreath lying around and extra tablecloth scraps?  ha, make a wreath for the front door!

do you see the leia’s in the background? :)

sweets table with themed cupcakes from sibby’s.

thanks auntie diana for loaning little leia your buns ;-)

sweet girls drawing on the glow pad.

kylie sporting her r2-d2 hat.

daddy came up with a star wars themed jeopardy game and the family had fun testing their jedi knowledge.

playing “loopin’ chewie”

a pile of padawan cousins!

we had a photo booth setup with mr. mewie’s green screen so we could create these fun memories with our guests.

she’s quite passionate about star wars like daddy.  often she is creating a costume out of my old scarves to look like the character rey (hasn’t seen the movie, but has read the books!)

and just like that, 5 year olds!

Today, the Mewie twins turn FIVE!  I can hardly believe it.

I’m so grateful for these two that made me a mama.  The road to motherhood was incredibly difficult, so I often sit back and think about how blessed we are because they most certainly are our answered prayer.  They are the best of friends and are always making each other laugh.  They fill our hearts with joy everyday.

Dear Jeremy,

Happy 5th Birthday to our sweet, sensitive and imaginative boy!  We feel so grateful to call you our son.  You bring us so much joy and laughter!  It’s no doubt you love to eat, your favorite dessert is mango sticky rice and you ask Mommy to make you pancakes everyday.  You love blowing me kisses as I leave your room at night – it’s hard to resist catching them over and over as I walk into the hallway.  You love going on adventures wherever you are and love being outside.  We love your laugh, your thoughtfulness, and the bravery you exude.  My favorite moments with you are when you’re sitting on my lap and we’re reading books together, when we get to have our slow dances after dinner, and our morning snuggles.  I love you so much, my baby Kai you’ll always be!

Mommy

Dear Maya,

Happy 5th Birthday to our beautiful, hilarious, and passionate girl!  What a joy it has been seeing you grow and become such a little lady this year!  I often think of you as my young Belle, because your nose is often buried in books as you read.  We love your inquisitive nature, zest for learning, and the adoration you have for your brother.  You are quite expressive with terms of endearment, and always tell me you love me.  I often think you are so much like me, but it is especially sweet to witness the special bond you share with Daddy.  You will forever be our Sweet Love, my mini me.  Thank you for letting us see the world through your eyes, and for teaching us about love and life.  May your God given passions and beautiful heart be used as a light that shines in this world.  I love you, forever and always.

Mommy

Year 4 has truly been our favorite.  So thankful for the plans God had for us as a family, we love you sweet kiddos!