Happy 4th of July!!!

Holidays are great excuses to visit family! To celebrate July 4th, we traveled (at night while Jesse was asleep) up to Oxnard to visit with Stephen's side of the family. Cousin Becky from PA is staying with them for the summer, and we had fun hanging out with her one afternoon. Jesse and daddy were getting into trouble again, as usual, but having fun doing it. =) Jesse saw fireworks for the first time, which I wasn't too sure he would like. But after the startle of the first couple, he actually saw them, and was fascinated for the rest of the 1/2 hour show. Also for the first time that weekend, Jesse got his first inter-action with a real dog (no, Crouton doesn't count). The dog's name is Marely, and she belongs to Randy and Lindsey Carpenter, the former of whom is a really good friend of Stephen's. Jesse loved her, and she was very gentle with Jesse. If we can have a dog someday, we think this is a good kind to think about getting. Any opinions out there about what the best family dog is? I accept all suggestions. =) Thank you Isbell grandparents for letting us come up for the weekend. It was so fun!!!


P.S.
One more note. Jesse has a new favorite way to travel ... facing forward in the stroller, eating the back of the seat, watching the world. I think he should patent the idea.

Hot Summer Days

July has been a busy month so far. It has been fairly hot in Fallbrook so we have been hibernating a lot during the day, and coming out to have fun in the evening. Jesse likes being outside, as you can see.
Here he is helping daddy wash the cars.
Ok, so maybe daddy did most of the work while Jesse and I watched and played.=) But, hey, we were an essential part of the team! The week before July 4th, my mom and Suey came down to visit for a couple days. While they were here, we went to the San Diego Zoo with Aunt Candy, Holly, and her three kids, Abby, Gracie, and MacArthur. It's always fun to have visitors. Doesn't Aunty Suey look like she is having sooo much fun? =) Thanks for coming! It was a lot of fun!!!

"Everything changes..."

Summer is here! And with it comes several exciting changes. Jesse is getting bigger and more active every day. He is never still. He rolls over all the time, puts every thing he can reach into his mouth, and is very noisy...I think he inherited his father's "Gift Of Gab". =) He will probably be crawling by the end of the summer, which is going to make our little one bedroom apartment even smaller. We are feeling the need for more room...and, as many know, the housing market in So Cal (like everywhere) is very low right now. Therefore, Stephen and I decided that now would be a great time to look for a house.

We have looked at several houses several times, and have refined our search to a specific neighborhood that is close to the base (where Stephen works), and feels safe and nice. We are putting offers in on two houses at this point, neither of which might work out, because of the nature of the sales. But we know God has a perfect place for us, and we are patiently (and with great excit -ment) waiting on Him. We are tight in our apartment, but are in no hurry. We know we could certainly stay where we are much longer if need be. So, that is our summer excitement. Please pray with us for God's direction and wisdom. Enjoy the pictures of our growing boy! =)

At the Costello's

L to R: Aunty Sarah Jesse, Great Grandma Hyson, Uncle Johnny What a little poser!



Aaaaahhhhh!!! It's spitting!!! Is grandma trying to teach the baby how to crawl? Or is she about to kiss him? It's anyone's guess.

Aw! Aunt Joey and the little nephew. Aren't they cute?

Camping Memorial Day Weekend

The girls all played crocket one day...and mom cheated!
What a cute camper!

Aunty Sarah and the baby. Yes, Jesse stole the show.

The CRAZY Campers!!!

We know, we know...it's been a long time since we posted. But here we are! May was a very busy month for us. As you know, my parent's anniversary began the month. Then there was Mother's Day, which we spent with Stephen's side of the family. Then a friend came out for a weekend visit. Then Memorial Day weekend...and my birthday, for which we went camping with the whole Costello side of the family, and the Isbell side even came up for a day. Then a friend in Santa Clarita had a birthday party that we went to. Then Stephen had a two day trip to Hawthorne, NV. And then...here we are! This past weekend has been the first weekend that something wasn't planned for over a month! We enjoyed it thoroughly. We spent a lot of time looking at house listings in the Oceanside area. Yes, we are shopping for a house. Our housing situation so far has been a huge blessing from God...we love our little barn. But it's getting too tight with little Jesse, and with the housing market so low, we decided now is the time to start the process of finding a house. So pray for us in that. By God's guidance, we will find the perfect little place.

Here are some pics from May, and all our excursions. Enjoy the little cutie! =)

Happy 29th Anniversary

Well, yesterday was my mom and dad's 29th anniversary. So they called us on Sunday night to say they were driving down to Fallbrook as soon as they got packed, and were going to spend their anniversary visiting us! We were very surprised, because we had not heard a word about this before. I understand it was a very last minute decision...something about mom "kidnapping" dad. =) We had a fun day with them, exploring our home, the neighborhoods where Stephen and I are looking to buy a house, hanging out at the beach, and visiting roadside fruit stands.
Does dad look like he is reverting back to his childhood? He wanted to jump off the swing! I promise I did not dare him! Mom was shocked that he didn't wind up in the emergency room. =) Thanks for coming down mom and dad, and Happy Anniversary!!!! I'm scared to think of what you might do next year on the big 30th anniversary.