Chazy Lake: Part 1

It's almost April, 2010, and I am just now getting around to making a post for our fabulous vacation -last August, to Montreal and Chazy Lake. Since this vacation, Steph and Rivers became parents to my adorable 4 month old niece, Harper, Phil met and then married my best friend Tawny and I have become and brunette and put on 15 pounds. Better late than never, right? We were away for more than 3 weeks, so I have to make this a 4- parter. Let the memories begin...

Chloe was so excited to go, that she took off her PJ's and dressed herself in 'travel clothes' so she wouldn't miss the plane. So cute.

Ez ready to board the plane with his beloved trains

Looks like Chloe has already had a long day before the plane even took off!

Dave and Simone

Alex, Jessica and Olivia Tontini (and us)

The best looking brothers I have ever seen.

Brave little Ezra!

Bran and Ezra getting ready to ski

A rare and priceless moment

Bob and JoAnn xoxox

I love seeing my kids playing in the same beach that i did when I was a kid

Chloe

Chloe: My little Drama Queen. I am sure that up in Heaven, my Dad is having a good laugh and thoroughly enjoying watching my little Chloe give me a taste of my own medicine. Growing up, I can still hear each of my parent's voices ringing in my ears, "When you grow up, I hope you have a little girl just like you so you can see what it's like". Well, voila. Chloe is here. Chloe is one of a kind. She is beautiful and sassy. HILARIOUS and TERRIBLE. Endearing and manipulating. Loving and cold. She challenges me every day. She makes me laugh ALL day. She surprises me with her humor. She confuses me with her anger. Every day is an adventure with Chloe. The other day she dropped some food on her PJ"s and she laughed to herself and said, "Ha! It's supper time for my PJ's"!!! She said it with such adult humor that Bran and I looked at each other in disbelief. Another point of confusion is Chloe's hair. Chloe has a perma rats nest and attempting to brush her hair can provoke somewhat of an anxiety attack- for both of us. Her hair looks beautiful when it is in a ponytail or in the rare occasion that it has been brushed, but it is really a tangled mess of frizz and curl that Bran curses the 'Swierenga' gene each and every day for. Chloe prays every day that Bran will get a good job so that she can get a bulldog. I think once, Bran and I told her that we couldn't get a dog because they are expensive and we don't have the money for a dog. Chloe remembers EVERYTHING. As independent and grown up as Chloe acts most of the time, she is still our little baby in a few ways and so when she crawls into our bed in the middle of the night, we hold her close and pray that she won't grow up too fast.

Chloe at Disneyland when she went with Bran and Adam, Trinity and Madison Connor

Chloe, Trinity and Madison

Our pool (thanks to the Chamberlains)

Chloe (taken by Chloe)

Zuma beach

Chloe at the Bertha's beach house in San Juan Capistrano

Ezra

After going through about a month of unbearable fussiness, Ezra has returned to his cheerful old self and I am so happy to have my little boy back. We decided to give him a new image so we took him to Floyd's salon and buzzed his head. He was so still and expressionless during the procedure that I couldn't help from cracking up the entire 5 minutes it took to buzz him. I kind of miss his dorky hair cut that Bran gave him with the dull clippers we have, but he looks pretty darn cool now. Ezra has been obsessed with trains for a few months now and it is rare to catch him without a train in each hand these days. As an early birthday gift, the grandparents bought Ezra a train table complete with tracks and 30 trains (used, but in great condition) and he has not left the table alone since getting it. He says 'choo-choo' all day long and it is adorable. Needless to say, Ezra's favorite outing is Travel Town. Travel Town is a train museum that is conveniently 5 minutes away from our house. We even saw Ben Stiller and his little boy there once!!! Ezra is extremely physical and can hold his own with Chloe which is quite an accomplishment. The two of them fight together as much as they play together. OK, I take that back, They fight more than they play. Ezra is constantly pulling Chloe's hair and Chloe is forever hitting or pushing him. But then the next moment they are running around the house screeching in delight and acting like the best of friends. It drives me CRAZY when they fight, but when they are getting along, nothing makes me happier. Ezra has become quite the comedian and does anything to make us laugh. He cracks us up with his unique dancing and throws in a random somersault just for the laughs. He makes the funniest faces and has - without a doubt- the LOUDEST voice on the planet. He can 'bup bup' his way- on key- to 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' and no matter where we are, if he hears Coldplay's 'Viva La Vida' or Jason Mraz's ' I'm Yours', he will rock out. Ezra is the most affectionate little boy and I am so happy that he is a complete ' Mama's Boy'. He is higher maintenance than Chloe- which I didn't think was possible- but I can't find words to describe my love and obsession with my little Ezzie.

Love at Zuma

Bertha's beach house

Ezra's latest 'funny face'

What???

How Cute!!!

I was just going over old pictures, and I came across these and just had to post them. I can't believe that Ezra is so big now! Maybe I am ready for another baby??? Maybe not.

Easter Dinner

It was a beautiful day to celebrate Easter. Dave came by as he usually does on sundays and Kevin Young came from San Diego. Lisa is always so fun to have around, as she is the happiest person I know. Elder Burns and Sheets came by and added to this beautiful celebration dinner.

The people next door...

I never got a chance to experience having a roommate which I always thought seemed really fun. Having the Chamberlains next door is kind of like having 5 roommates. At any given point in the day, it seems at least one Chamberlain is over here and one Swierenga is over at their place. We share kitchen utensils and use each others food and borrow pretty much anything from each other. In fact, I think I still have their ketchup and I am pretty sure Ezra's missing flip flop is in Penny's room. Doug even bought a pool and put in in out backyard for 'US' all to use this summer!!!! It's great. I couldn't imagine a more perfectly suited family to us moving next door. Chloe is pretty much in love with Owen, even though she harasses him. And while she wants to watch Curious George and he wants to watch Diego they always seem to figure it out. Penny and Ezra get along pretty well when Ezra doesn't have her in a headlock. Sophie is the coolest 12 year old I know and is always super helpful with the kids and makes the easiest and best babysitter. Doug and Emily are just plain awesome and we are so happy that live next door. N. Avon street has never been better.

Sequoia National Park (may 2009)

We had a zillion Marriott points, so we decided to take a close-by weekend vacation. We chose Sequoia national park and it was so incredible. We felt like we had entered a whole new world. It was far more amazing to see the giant trees and unfamiliar woods than we could have ever imagined. It was so nice to be outdoors all day- even when it rained. We will definitely do it again.