The Music Man

I love the Redlands Bowl! I love the spirit of it, the feel in the air, the people and definitely the sounds. My parents are great about taking the kids, alternating each week with a different kid all summer long. It's so much fun to picnic, play games and then listen or see what's playing. At least once a season we all go as a family and make a night of it. This year the Music Man was what we all chose to see.The night was fabulous! I made a yummy salad, chocolate chip bars and we had some wine (shared by friends-thanks Mercers) We saw lots of friends and even some family there too! Part of the fun is before the show. We got there about 6 and ate, played games, chatted with friends and the kids ran around after eating popsicles.
Nana and Gracie
Wesley's "cheese" face cracks me up! I love this kid!

I love this picture! The kids sat like this all on their own and made me laugh, each of them enjoying their popsicle and oblivious to me!Hope had to share her popsicle tongue with me
This is what you get when you add water to dirty hands and wipe them on your faceThe show was very well done and the kids really enjoyed it. Grady conked out about half way through, but Wesley sat on my Papa's lap and stayed awake the entire show!
We are looking forward to a few more summer nights spent at the bowl!

Bathing Beauties

This is what I saw this morning when I came upstairs...So cute!The kids love to take baths! Something about Mom and Dad's bathtub must be special, because it is a treat to get to take a bath in our tub. The girls asked if they could relax in a hot bath before we got started on school today (yes, they are just like their Momma), so as I was unloading the dishwasher I let them get in my bath. The babies had cartoons on and were back and forth between the TV and me, when neither of the boys came back to check in, I figured I better check on the loud squeals from upstairs :)

When I walked in my bathroom, all 4 of them were splashing and giggling with delight...they all said "Hi Momma" and the girls told me "the boys wanted to get in and they were really dirty" :) Of course they were, sleeping can make a boy very dirty didn't you know?

I sat and watched them until my floor was covered with water and I couldn't handle the splashing any longer...they played in there for over half an hour. I think we need a pool! :)

The Oates of Oz...

Oates of Oz, as promised...

Hallo- Wii party

Our small group has become like family. Just like in families there are traditions...this has become our small group tradition, a Hall0-Wii party! We get to dress up like kids again and be silly :) This year, for our 3rd annual party, Leighann went all out and had the "soup plantation" for us to eat; It was so yummy. I brought the witch treats the girls and I baked to share and we had fun.

Here's Oates and I as the Wizard and Dorothy...(the rest of the fam are also characters from Oz, pics will follow)

Halloween isn't my favorite holiday by any means, but it is fun to get dressed up. My dearest friend Amy made my costume and I don't think it could have turned out any cuter!!

Thanks Amy you are truly talented and wonderful! Love you!

Fridy night the whole fam will be going to Halloween Happenin' at Trinity, which is our annual Halloween activity. Since it is not actually on Halloween we will get to dress-up again on Saturday! Lots of fun. I can't wait to see all the kids and be the Oates of OZ! ;)

Playing in the pool

I know it's been hot this time of year before, but honestly I was hoping that the weather we had the beginning of the week (60's, clouds, breezy) was here to stay :( Oh well, what can we do except embrace the 90 degree heat right?
Jess was here with Ethan and Alayna, so Grady and Ethan had a great time playing together! They were both thrilled when Gracie suggested they all play in the water :) They got naked and splashed around and loved putting their heads under the water that Gracie was spraying for them. So cute! If it has to be hot in October, hearing their squeals of joy made of up for it!

A little BJ's fun!

Ashley came out today to do a child development project with the girls. (we're loving this class, because this is the 2nd time in a month she's come out to see us :) James, her boyfriend came along to video tape her research and then after we met James, her Dad, at BJ's to have dinner. We enjoyed some yummy food, drinks and finished it off with Pazookies! Mmmm, it was so fabulous! Gracie had the camera in her purse, so we got a little camera happy.

Ashley and her James
Me and my James :)
Ash, Hoper and MeGracie and Wesley...he was loving the straw and the milk

Daddy, Grady and Zach It was a fun night. While we were at BJ's we saw Jenna and Nick Wagner's rehearsal dinner by surprise :) Can't wait for Saturday to see them get married!

Disney again

The Oates on mainstreet

We took another family trip to Disneyland and this time took our nephew, Paul and James' sister Bonnie with us. Bonnie just had a kidney transplant, so she didn't get to go on the rides and had to wear a mask, but it made for excellent wait time for us. (a wheelchair gets you to the front of the line) Gracie, Hoper, Zach and PaulBonnie sitting on Small World...somewhere there's a picture of James' Mimi doing this same thing :)
Ended up being a fun evening!!! (Bon, glad we could get you out of the house :)