The Wilcox Family

Day @ Thomas the Train

2011-11-06T09:08:00.000-08:00

Day at Thomas in Perris, CA!
We'd heard about this for years...
but had never gone to do the event.
This year it fell the weekend of Wyatt's birthday, who is a Thomas fanatic anyways!
Richard had a football game to attend (they lost), so Grandaddy accompanied the Wilcox's!

Brett Soccer 2011

2011-10-29T14:27:00.000-07:00

Brett was the only one doing soccer this fall. Easier on us, and Matthew just wasn't into it this year.

Video of the player :)

pumpkin patch

2011-10-27T14:33:00.000-07:00

Actual pumpkins were bought at the grocery store the week before,
but we did make it to the pumpkin patch that has rides & farm animals!
Small images, because there are a LOT of photos! Click on any to enlarge!

group shot!

After a lot of effort, Matthew ended up being too big for the swings. Brett probably was too, but was still able to fit less awkwardly.

Lizzie just loved watching the swings go around!

I think they were hoping it would go upside down or something.

Catching air! When the attendant wasn't looking the boys were able to get away with more ;)

Best part was the petting zoo!
Had to keep a close eye on Wyatt,
and Matthew wanted to bring the chickens home:)

Merry go round!

Party with the Barrs

2011-06-25T13:02:00.000-07:00

Alice & Scott were in town,
Scott's sister & family was in town,
So we had a party.

More BABY!!
It's Baby-friend Azia (Alice & Scott's niece!)

Wyatt disappeared to the hill

Scott got crafty with large knife

More Lizzie
(different outfit, as she changes a lot!)

Many of the boys found the video games

Dori Graduates

2011-06-11T12:32:00.000-07:00

Richard's sister Doriane graduated high school!
We took mini-trip up the coast to Camarillo to celebrate with the family:)

Heading in to the ceremony

The kids were behaved perfectly! Older two because I am able to glare massive threats their way. Wyatt because of iphone. And Lizzie, because she is.

Wilcox Siblings

Group at dinner

Matthew was fascinated by Jane, his great-grandmother

Warner Springs

2011-04-05T10:30:00.001-07:00

We missed last year at Warner Springs, didn't try to make reservations until a few weeks before we wanted to go, and it was all booked.

This year we made plans in advance enough so that it was all good!

Boys running ahead, pool time!

2 years ago it was Brett who was not old enough for the hot pools, this year it was Wyatt (and Lizzie) who got the little tubs.

Richard giving the boys rides

And horses!

Wyatt had been talking about horse rides for so long, but getting up close made him a bit nervous!

Lizzie wasn't impressed, but the horse was intrigued by some baby smells, ha!

Only got brave enough after Brett went on first

Out to dinner we passed the airport for Warner Springs, lots of cool planes!

One of the mornings we sent Matthew & Richard off on a trail ride!

Star Wars @ Legoland

2011-04-04T13:45:00.000-07:00

Opening day for the new Star Wars display was last week, we missed that due to our exotic vacation (next post, hopefully!), but went Sunday! Still opening weekend, and much more impressive than we had even hoped for!

And I just uploaded way more photos than I thought...so skip if you want or click to enlarge (crazy detail on most of these!). I'll skip most descriptions, since I have little clue ;)

Before even getting to the Miniland area where the new display is, there was this massive sand structure in the front area! Richard has his work cut out for him next time we're at the beach!

And this as we enter The Area. Mural is all little lego pieces!
Detail of mural!

And all else...

Lizzie did this when she finally woke up:)

Wyatt decided it might be interactive...

Tuesday!

2011-03-29T10:39:00.000-07:00

Wyatt has been saying "Tuesday" for most anything when you ask when is ____ going to happen. When are we going to Gramz's, when are you going to preschool, when is dinner, etc.

So when I was asking him when is he going to potty train, he said "Tuesday" a couple of weeks ago. Then this past Wednesday we had a chat about it, and I had my phone/camera on hand and record it:)

And per this video & Wyatt's promises,
he is in big boy underwear starting today. No messes yet and has gone "#1" and "#2" already in the toilet.

Happy St Patricks!!

2011-03-17T20:54:00.000-07:00

helicopter!!!

2011-02-28T19:15:00.000-08:00

One of the kids at Wyatt's school has a dad with an awesome job. Not that Richard doesn't do super exciting, fun things that kids drool over....but this dad flies a helicopter. Yeah, almost the same thing, but different.

So they flew to the school one morning.
We all went over to watch it, and the kids were able to try on gear (Wyatt was not interested!), wander around and touch (yes please!!), and climb inside (kind of okay...).

here's how that went down. In photos:)

SNOW day 2011

2011-02-28T09:53:00.000-08:00

Just like last year, I hauled the kids up to Julian following a weekend of rain (here on coast) and snow(low enough to get Julian!).

They were able to handle it for longer this year, Brett being the first to be over it. Wyatt oblivious to the cold, and jumping in the puddles (with ice chunks floating) soaking his shoes through to the skin.

Last time Lizzie saw snow was in Cedar Rapids. She didn't remember it, but was happy to stay bundled, snuggled, and asleep.

Except for when I tried to take a group shot. one kid out of 4 were happy, not terrible.
Stayed until sun started to go down, and then went for pie :)

cold camp

2011-02-15T20:07:00.000-08:00

Cold camp was the weekend after the birthday this year!
Allowing for a real party the previous weekend and the kids still got to head out of town for camping:)
My only assignment was to do shopping.
The kids wanted "good drinks, nothing healthy"
so I got these:

Matthew (almost) pro-style!

Brett, (almost) pro-style too!

And some ziplining,
Matthew showing off the mad skillz

brett, more serious, but that's just his style.

Brett's #6

2011-01-31T14:50:00.000-08:00

Brett & Brett went to California Adventure (VentureLand as the kids call it) for the actual birthday!

Big Brett skipped out on work, and Young Brett got his mom to call school for him ;)

No photos from the day at Disneyland & VentureLand,

but there was a pie ready for the birthday Brett's when they returned home that evening!

Brett celebrating last year at camp, turning 5 while there

And doing some off-roading for his 4th birthday!

Brett's Birthday Party!

2011-01-30T14:22:00.000-08:00

The first birthday party Brett's had in a few years! Usually the annual boyscout Cold Camp is the same weekend, which ends up being tons of fun for him...and they celebrate there at camp. But this year the camp was on the following weekend, leaving his birthday free for fun!

Picked out an awesome pinata...

(That's the back of Wyatt's head...totally confused by it all, ha!)

Cake, Tron-themed...

A little off, I think there were 20 kids or so total.
Overwhelming for the 2 year old!

Oh yeah,
and the bouncy.
Which was fun. The kids had a blast.
But then shortly after the party was over, the rain started. And while some might think that's when it's time to go outside, these kids didn't.

They raided the garage for pool & beach toys.

And went back for more and more toys...

Wyatt was loving it too!

Somewhere in there a kid i having a blast (while we watched & hoped for no broken bones):

The Fierce Birthday Boy!

Beach day!

2011-01-23T12:06:00.000-08:00

The weather has been great!
We did the beach last week after school (me + the 4),
but yesterday I took the camera since Richard joined us!

We hadn't done the beach day yet since bringing Lizzie home, weather has been okay, but it needs to be warm...because the kids will end up in the water no matter what the conditions. So having the air a decent temperature means less whining after the figure out that the water is freezing (being January and all) ;)

Giant sand pile!
King of the hill!!

The boys of the family :)
(the ones who went in the water)

Dolphins surfed
(see them in the wave?!)

I hung out with Miss Lizzie!

recap: december

2011-01-12T13:06:00.000-08:00

December wasn't super exciting. New baby makes the household run slowly. So does having the other three kids off of school for 2.5 weeks.

I braved Legoland as a mom of 4 (alone!). Packed, so we skipped the rides, which would have just added to chaos. Stayed less than 4 hours, but everyone was great & no one got lost!

Wyatt refused the large characters.

I got to play hairbows with Lizzie :)

I learned that taking a photo with 4 kids looking decent is much harder than taking a photo of three kids looking decent.
We all found out that Wyatt hates Santa Clause this year with an absolute passion.
Date night!
Somehow convinced Gramz & Grandaddy that it would be super fun to watch all 4 kids at our house for us to head to the fancy holiday party (free flowing champagne, black tie!)
Christmas Eve was at Gramz & Grandaddy's this year :)

Richard got a snake for Christmas! Monty!
(I got new pans, which I love but aren't as photo-fun)
Alice spent Christmas in Denver with Scott,
JD spent Christmas in Hawaii with Andrea (Uncle Ed joined them),
DarDar & Peter also went to Hawaii, different island than JD,
And Brendan and Larissa were off getting engaged in the mountains.

After Christmas we got to spend more time with Kee & Michelle,
finding good beer & watching bad football (Chargers, WTF!).

We did our traditional New Years Eve celebrating,
Legoland where the block drops at 6pm with fireworks & live bands,
and then home to champagne, appetizers, and desserts :)

Recap: november

2010-11-27T12:23:00.000-08:00

2 months since updating? yikes! So here is November, not too crazy of a month...

a 2 year old birthday,
a business trip for Richard,
some paint touch-ups for Wyatt's old room,
and an adoption.
Same old, same old... I'll back up a bit.

So Wyatt's birthday, he turned 2. We did cake, party, presents, the whole thing and it was wonderful. Really, really great!

aww, his little mini cake!!!

What's wrong with this picture!? oopsies (not my fault!)

Thankfully, Wyatt was the only one who lost his shirt that night...

And then Richard left on business for a week or something. Private jet again, cause that's how he & team roll. But a regular morning take-off instead of the crazy overnight thing of last year. While he was gone, the kids did video chat frequently with the phone :) Very cute, they loved it.

Wyatt's old room!

Because November is the month that Elizabeth was born! And she needed a room of her own. A pink room of her own.

Big Boy Room!

2010-11-03T22:39:00.001-07:00

Wyatt is almost 2 (Friday!!!), means it's time to ditch the crib and make The Move!
Brought Brett's old race-car bed down from garage rafters,
Gave him a theme that captivates him (cars, things that GO!)
And he did great!

(His reaction to seeing it set up in new room for first time!)

Why Matthew does not have a race-car bed...
And first night! passed out just fine!

Gearing up for Halloween!

2010-10-31T14:56:00.000-07:00

Finally Halloween today, but we've already been celebrating for a couple of weeks now! That's the way to do it ;)

Before having kids (or kids who cared about trick or treating) it was large parties and staying up late. These years it's larger parties (Legoland!), but home by 9.

The boys!
Wyatt is Buz Lightyear,
Brett is a scary man,
Matthew is a "regular kid who is scary"

The park is SO fun each year,
Crazy performers,
very cool decorations & lights,
so much fun!

Matthew was for sure creepy!!

Richard & Brett :)

The spinning things,
you can see who is having probably more fun than the kids!

Family of 5!

The mummy band,
similar in style to the "Stomp" shows

Matthew still looking creepy

Brett had his own style of creepy going on...

Wyatt was infatuated with the ghosts!

Very few "regular" lights, as Legoland is rarely open past dark. To light the place up, strings of lights were everywhere, all kinds of small temporary lights, giving it a very cool feel. Brett said it looked magical :) It really did!

Big ghost and tall guy!

Brett finished his dinner on the pig

Me & my "costume"
Dia de los Muertos apparel:
headband and a tanktop :)

minor construction

2010-10-19T15:18:00.001-07:00

Work started today in getting rid of the office. We'll be switching a few rooms around, doing a play room, no more office and having Wyatt move to a big boy bed in what was the office :)

Before

During...

New hole in the wall!

kids are loving it :)

finishing up mostly on Thursday, sealing up double doors and putting frame in for new door.
New door doesn't arrive for another week though.

Disney & Club 33

2010-10-07T11:56:00.000-07:00

We were invited to Disneyland without the kids!
We jumped at it of course, and worried about details later...
All worked out,
and we enjoyed a child-free day at both parks AND had lunch at 33, the exclusive restaurant above the park!

Grandaddy in front of Walt,
you can't really see what he's posing for,
bad focusing!!!

Space Mountain hugs!

It was Gay Days!
Richard agreed to pose in the spirit of things :)

Red was everywhere for the Gay Days,
a very cool site,
all the red around.
From balloons to shirts...

Splash Mountain,
view from top!

Halloween decor up and going strong!

And...
the arrival for lunch!

Tiny little lobby,
you wait here until called upstairs

Only place in Disneyland that alcohol is served!
I stuck to beer,
Gramz had champagne

The plates!

You can wander the terrace outside,
Richard pondered...

nice purse!

Funky toilets!

Heading out...

Oh, and the birthday desserts,
I guess birthdays are common here!

And then we wandered over to California Adventure
(or Ventureland as Matthew & Brett still call it)

Ferris wheel of death.
I hate that thing.
Richard, Grandaddy, and Brendan went on it.
Click to enlarge you can see Grandaddy
and Brendan's hand.

Birthday (part2)

2010-09-30T11:25:00.000-07:00

falling behind again in posting,
it's been a busy week. Insane even.
Plenty of stuff & new/fun happenings going on in the Wilcox household!!!!

Family birthday for Matthew's 8th birthday was at Ruby's. His choice.
All of the 11th street residents met us at the pier where we dined & celebrated!

Birthday boy looking handsome as always...

Matthew turns 8! (part 1--kids!)

2010-09-29T14:10:00.000-07:00

We have an 8 year old?
When did that happen???

Had to get a pinata,
choice of the day was Power Rangers (!!??)

Pre-party,
bouncy arrival!
Brett getting helped out the door

Matthew had his pick,
and went with giant obstacle course!

Also choice of cakes,
went with Chargers
(oops, they lost on Sunday!)

Pinata time,
20 kids here,
and each still got plenty of hits;
that was a tough one to break!

Next door neighbor kids
flying high in the background,
Wyatt focusing on his drink :)

Fierce!

Once some of the younger kids went home,
the neighbor kids got out their Nerf guns
and had battles :)

Wyatt loving it some more...

The bouncy/jumpy was delivered around 9am,
they said they would pick it up between 5pm and 8pm.
Around 7 Matthew finally was worn out
and opted to begin building a new Lego set inside.

Brett got tired too,
but rested on the bouncy.

And then went back to tackling Richard :)

back to school & windows

2010-09-15T14:35:00.000-07:00

New school has been going great!
Back to school night recently and we were thrilled to hear what was said about Matthew & Brett :) Fun seeing the kids in the classrooms and meeting their new friends!

Playing before it's time to go in

Brett's room!

Matthew's Poem

YES!
It's Matthew!

Also done recently was our windows!
Only the front & side,
but it's great!

Before

After

Races '10

2010-09-06T17:34:00.000-07:00

Barely squeaking into the races this year!
But we made it for Labor Day Weekend!
Crowded but still the kids loved it as much as the last few years :)

Richard with Wyatt checking out the track

Face painting!
(Brett picked a bat!)

Matthew held his breath (??)
and chose a spider

And Wyatt got a turtle on his arm!

The two older boys
with friends
Joaquin and Izzy

Brett and Joaquin running around
the deserted part of infield

The good part of being in the infield
(where all the kid stuff is)
is some excellent viewing!

More kid activities...

Ha!
And pony rides!
Brett's guide texted the entire time.
????

Wyatt LOVED it.

Turf racing,
views from our spot.

Playing with color.

Magic show,
with Matthew trying to take over.

Giant slides!

Ducks!

One of the highlights!
Police car,
with someone being
PUT INSIDE.
(We watched from the bus,
ready to head over to Pizza Port)

Palm Springs

2010-09-01T12:43:00.001-07:00

The last weekend of summer break was spent in the dessert.
It was hot. Over 100 degrees both days. Very hot. But spent in the pool and having drinks brought to us made it quite manageable.

Also making it more manageable was that Wyatt had his own separate vacation for the weekend. He spent his time with DarDar!

Relaxing in their part of the room

Messing around in the pool :)

Off on a walk after dinner,
they wandered into the golf course
to play in the sand :)

Hitching a ride back to the pool area,
almost movie time!

There was a contest before the movie.
Bucket filled with ice water
and 100 marbles.
Only bringing up 1 marble,
with only your feet
if it was colored (not clear)
you win!

Brett more serious...

Matthew ended up winning a
giant green floaty thing,
and I won a beach ball (YES!)

Brett hanging out pre-movie

New floaty,
and ready for the movie!

Back in the room around 10pm
not quite tired,
so this was done:

Following morning
before the heat
we went out on the bikes!

Me on bridge

Took a break from the bikes to play ping pong!

And then more pool time!

This was on the way home.
We didn't stop to go inside.

cul-de-sac fun

2010-08-29T17:24:00.000-07:00

misc videos from today.
bad quality, taken from phone.
Wyatt on his "beep-beep"
and the older two on their bikes :)

Last week of summer (part 1)

2010-08-29T11:39:00.001-07:00

The schedule has been madness!
We've switched from sleeping in, taking our time in the mornings....to craziness of getting 3 kids to school with first drop off at 7:20 in the morning! Big change!
Not enough time to get the photos even off the computer.
But finally getting to it.

Week prior to school Matthew had fencing, while Brett, Wyatt, and I wandered about.

Wandered to the San Dieguito duck pond
(forgot bread)

Brett a bit more adventurous on those rocks
than I would have preferred!

And checking in on Matthew's
Fencing class!

Peter got some video!

Brett was cheering him on

DarDar helped entertain Wyatt :)

Very impressive!!!

1st day of school!

2010-08-23T12:40:00.001-07:00

New school for everyone today!

Matthew starts 3rd at Casita (switch from Lake last year),
Brett start Kindergarten at Casita (from Mira Costa's preschool)
and Wyatt starts preschool (at Mira Costa)

BIG day around here,
and EARLY too!

The Big kids

Wyatt found Matthew's seat

Brett showing off his mad monkey bar skillz

Wyatt (and Brett) playing before
class starts in the Kindergarten play yard!
(Matthew was long gone,
too excited to meet & greet new people)

Meet the Teachers!

2010-08-20T11:42:00.000-07:00

New schools for all 3 boys!
Wyatt starts preschool,
Brett is now a kindergartner,
and Matthew will be switching schools for 3rd grade (where Brett will be going as well).

Change in elementary schools were for a number of reasons, and we're very excited to have one so close that focuses on math & science (where the large interest is so far for these boys).

We don't find out Matthew's teacher until this afternoon (the Friday before school starts), but Brett got to meet his teacher, as did Wyatt!

testing the slide

Finding a bear

Playing the drums

Pretending to eat

His favorite!
This had been in Brett's classroom last year,
somehow it made it to Wyatt's classroom!

And then on to Brett's school.
After a slideshow of all the cool things
that happen in kindergarten,
cookies & juice were served!

Finding his desk!

Seeing where he lives

And meeting his teacher!

ALMOST ready for Monday!!!

A saturday,

2010-08-14T21:07:00.000-07:00

It's Saturday. And it's Charger season. Which means we don't see much of Richard (plus he had to work a few hours this morning..big projects!)!

We found other ways to fill the day!

Expedition soccer game for Matthew. Full size field for this practice round, before real games start next weekend! Only had the small lens with me (18-55) so didn't get much of him on field other than goalie. But during the expedition game they put all players in all positions at some point.

Brett start next week, so he played with Wyatt ad Wyatt chased the ball.

Goalie!

Came home for a bit,
Richard had lunch with everyone,
packed up the truck
and he drove down to Qualcomm with friends!
We went to Chuck E Cheese!

The older two stuck with me for about 2 minutes,
and then took off.
So then it was me and Wyatt,
while he tried to figure out what was going on!

Found the older ones...
competitive!

Brett really wanted Wyatt
to go on this horse ride.
Wyatt was as confused as he was with the others.

Brett was like,
"what's up!!??"
(or bored)

Get rid of the tickets...

And then things got fun.
Me: So where do you guys want to go for dinner?
Brett: McDonalds.
Me: No
Brett: But the have toys.
Me: You were there 2 days ago with Brendan when Daddy and I went out.
Matthew: Red Lobster.

quick note: we have never been to a Red Lobster.
We pass it on occasion to go to the bookstore, though I'm not sure they've seen ads for it. And Matthew loves seafood. That's all I can put together.

So we went to Red Lobster.

Staring me down.
Wants his food.

Crab.
Like at his birthday dinner,
he just LOVES crab.

So does he.

Soccer, Chuck E. Cheese, and Red Lobster. That was our day :)

10 years!

2010-08-12T07:54:00.000-07:00

August 12, 2000 was one of the best days. Gorgeous setting and surrounded by family & friends, we got married in Del Mar overlooking the beach. Perfect place for us, and such a fun day!

Finding the dress was so fun. Had a total idea of what I wanted, but then changed my mind entirely to find this! Which I still love to this day :)

To celebrate the occasion of 10 years, we pulled out the dress!
(Still boxed and keeping the memories preserved as well apparently!)

Decided to do a "trash the dress" session (do a google image search, there are some wild photos out there of people swimming, in flames, climbing trees, riding horses, etc in their Trash The Dress photos!) Figured sea & salt water wouldn't kill it, so it wouldn't be totally trashed.

And what we've received so far, the "teaser" photos from the session!!

Chargers, Legos, and Star Wars!

2010-08-09T10:05:00.000-07:00

Summer is almost done! We haven't been to the beach enough, the water park enough, the pools enough, or had a vacation yet! This weekend was full though, starting with the soccer photos and fun, continuing on to Charger Fan day, and full day of Legoland (all parts of Legoland) and BBQ.

Checking out the Chargers

Relaxing, contemplating, eating.

Surfing inflatable at the stadium!

And next day one to Legoland... No clue who the characters are, and Wyatt was NOT impressed.

These ones were short, and Wyatt desperately wanted to touch them. Matthew & Brett were weirded out by them being same height and all.

Another short one, they still weren't entirely sure what to think.

Wandered up towards the waterpark,
being super early had perks,
most of the park was still empty
outside the of the entrance
with all of the characters & Star Wars stuff!

Played a ton ion the water,
and then played on the "beach"
while Richard lounged after lunch.

Once the waterpark started getting busier
we went to rest of the park,
checked out the models.
Some very very cool things built!

People were given tags to wear,
(we were on a "droid hunt" I think)
After finding the right people,
Matthew was on to more stuff...

Like finding the hidden Boba Fetts
throughout miniland (he's on top of 1st level roof)

And more characters

Wandering over to Sealife,
still having energy to burn...

Made of Legos!

Ready to leave around 5pm
and Wyatt finally warms up to "robot man"

Fall Soccer team photos!

2010-08-07T12:11:00.000-07:00

Soccer season has started! Matthew missed soccer his kindergarten year, because I had no idea registration was back in May. Now we know, and haven't missed a season since (Brett on official team since last Fall).
4 practices a week (started just this last week!) between the 2 boys: Monday through Thursday. Games on Saturday mornings.
Going to be a very busy fall around here!
Photos were this morning :)

4/5 year old team, SO cute!

Super impressed with his socks,
so he pulled them up
like thigh-highs.
Why not?!

Pretty pleased with himself

Matthew more serious about it all.

It was a whole thing going on for photo day,
food, soccer classes/clinics, and some jumpies!

Wyatt Patiently waited in line
(help from Richard)
And then time to play!!

fluffy hair

2010-08-06T12:00:00.001-07:00

Some boys may have gotten a haircut in prep for school starting soon :)
Prior to the cuts, this is what was going on (not acceptable by Richard's standards!)

Awww, Wyatt's chipped tooth showing!

Set blanket over the red chairs top get the shots. While trying to get photo of Matthew, Brett was caught throwing stuff on his older brother ;)

from the beach to the ice

2010-08-05T09:42:00.000-07:00

Summer is finally here and making things warm! Been hitting up the beach, and the kids have been loving it!
Not many photos, as 1 adult with 3 kids (often the case) doesn't make for safe photo-taking :) need a sand/waterproof one! Their time in the waves is the best :)

Ice skating continues. Wyatt tried this time :)
Dardar and Peter joined in as well :)

A Surprise Party

2010-07-25T22:33:00.000-07:00

So it was a surprise party for Gramz's 60th.
She was shocked.
But the best part was she had no idea that JD, Alice, and Scott were in town to surprise her too! They hid in the truck for the surprise #2!!
:)

Getting things ready for 60 guests that day!

The helping/cleaning crew :)

Wine, designed by Alice

Desserts made by my friend Jen,
who does amazing, spectacular things.
Good enough for my mom ;)

Alice & Scott ready to tackle more cleaning

YAY Scott!
(WTH J.D.??)

Ready to PARTY!!!!

Everyone in their places...

(Hidden in truck, Alice, Scott, and JD!)

And the arrival!

And then we partied.....

Comic-Con (we cheated)

2010-07-24T14:20:00.000-07:00

Comic-Con sells out fast,
and it's pricey for a family of 5.
Able to cheat this year, but will probably not be able to get away with it next year.

We went for lunch downtown on Friday,
to the Cartoon Network restaurant (they took over a pizza place in the Gaslamp area).
Cool color changing cups,
and crazy decor,
and cartoons playing (obviously) on the TVs.
The boys loved it.
Excellent people watching as we wandered after lunch :)

Do you know how they knew it wasn't real?
"Because the hands were like human hands."
VERY observant.

Ice cream truck with roller skaters
to deliver ice cream.

Ice skating boys!

2010-07-19T19:54:00.000-07:00

They've done some swimming over summer,
bunches of golf,
soccer starts soon,
fencing is coming up,
but today we tried something new!
Ice Skating!
Matthew's been twice, both time with Aunt Alice,
but this time Brett got to go to (and I sat out with Wyatt!)
Lessons go for 7 weeks, taking us into the school year :)

Getting ready...

Checking things out,
decided it couldn't be that hard
and they probably wouldn't fall.

Wyatt got bored.
So I resorted to one of his favorites games.
Take a picture of him
(he says "Happy" when he sees the camera)
and then show him the image,
so he can say "baby."
over and over and over and over.

And all done!

Baseball with GRAMZ

2010-07-18T09:12:00.000-07:00

The cub scouts get to do a Padres game each summer where the kids get to do the game plus spend the night on the field!

Richard was very excited last year,
aside from being woken up at 6am (kicked off field just after 7am).
He was not impressed.

So this year he asked Gramz if she wanted to!
And she did!(photos are from her phone....plenty of chaos leading up to departure meant her camera stayed at home)

With 2/3 of her boyz!

Sleeping bags & tarps
on field,
while movie was shown.

The next morning
(I think)

mini-remodels

2010-07-15T15:17:00.000-07:00

New fireplace & a (partial) new kitchen! Fireplace we took down ALL of the mirrors, had it tiled over, and had a mantel made for the top. A painting from my grandparents house will hang over it, we had it reframed and it's just about ready to be hung!

In the kitchen we had a new backsplash tiled (in place of the wood laminate look previously there), and had new doors made, some damage fixed internally in the peninsula area, and new hardware. Oh, and a new cabinet (for Richard) over the fridge.

Back to the 4th

2010-07-15T14:26:00.000-07:00

Been busy this summer! Kids staying almost constantly busy (and house projects in the works!), meaning lots of photos & little time to do anything with them! So going back to the 4th of July:

Went to Del Mar,
which we do most years.
Play at the beach
and then head to the
old Del Mar train station
and watch the fireworks
at the fair.

Up until the last few days,
COOL weather!
Not summer like at all!
So they bundled after the beach:

Our Spot
Crazy Burrito-dog!

Wyatt loved the fireworks,
throwing his arms saying "BOOM!"
But mostly
loved the train at the end.

We let Grandaddy do pajama duty :)

Legoland with the cousins

2010-07-14T15:26:00.001-07:00

While Matthew was doing robot camp,
the cousins were still in town,
so off to Legoland we went!

Battle Bots!

2010-07-09T18:04:00.000-07:00

Summer camp time!
The older 2 boys will each be doing various summer camps. They choose their interests and we go from there.
Matthew wanted robots & science, and we found one through the local college that offered "Battle Bots!" 7 hours a day, and he came home energetic, excited, and happy each day! Even was happy to call it summer school!

He makes a move this coming school year to the math & science academy. After this past week and how thrilled he was in everything he learned we have no doubt we've made the right decision!

(not doing quite what it's supposed to be doing!)

Better!

The BOT!

Showing off the goods :)

Other bots for the classroom,
including the VEX,
which Matthew hopes to be part of
this coming schoolyear!

Dardar getting video ready for
the competition!

Dardar watching as he
shows off how he did programming

Outside for more competition
(and Wyatt)

Fair videos

2010-07-05T16:25:00.000-07:00

Wyatt getting to go on a pony again, this time with Gramzzz as his escort :) He loved it again!
Very bad video quality, taken with cellphone (no iphone or flip yet...bad Kee!!)

And the chickens. Just 45 seconds of them digging around in dirt. Trying to convinve Richard that this is what we might need for the backyard (I don't think this will win any points, but still kind of funny)

Del Mar Fair 2010

2010-07-02T11:46:00.000-07:00

Richard and I have been almost every year since kids.
Now we've been taking our kids every year.
Pretty fun!

Entrance,
this years theme being
Taste the Fun!

Awww...Wyatt on horsey ride!
He loved watching them go around,
but then was a bit surprised to find
himself sitting on one!

Petting/feeding area :)

Matthew thought this was hysterical!
Two headed goat!
Brett was totally believing him
until we took him around the side.

Shaved animals are one of my favorites there

Score!!!!!

We got the deep fried butter.
Or I did, at least.
It was like a churro.
Not sure if it was churro with butter shoved inside or what.
But it was like a very very drippy churro.

Brett went on this!
One of his first "grown up" rides,
he doesn't have to resort to only the kiddie rides!

Then it was my turn to take the boys
:)

Some games were lost
(shocking!!!)

Ferris Wheel
and some views from the top.

This was a big deal for Brett too.
Matthew went on it last year,
and Brett was SOOO intrigued by
"what actually happens in the spaceship!"
This year, tall enough!

From the Del Mar Scaregrounds,
their Halloween event.
Boys loved them!

Camp Chaos!

2010-07-02T11:12:00.000-07:00

Summer time means Camp Chaos for the Wilcox boys (two older ones at least) and their cousins! Spending the night with grandparents were Matthew, Brett, Grace & Teddy, and Nathan!

Last we saw them was dropping them off for golf lessons in Del Mar,
from there we haven't heard anything..which I'm sure only means good things ;)

This is what I've got for the overnight....just the drop-off!

The golfers!
(Grace did jewelry making instead of golf)

Peter with ALL of the grandkids!
Good collection going!

Heading off into the June Gloom

Dad's Day 2010

2010-06-28T19:53:00.000-07:00

Father's Day 2010 was wonderful!

We did breakfast in Carlsbad,
second breakfast in Oceanside,
Wine & snacks in Rancho Santa Fe,
and dinner in Point Loma on the bay!

Papa's new place in Carlsbad,
breakfast on the patio.

Wyatt kept busy

Brendan talked to the others about
surf session with Uncle B

Highlight for them may have been riding with Jim

Came home to wake up Richard
(he just wanted to sleep in)
with giant donut from Gramzzz!

Dropped the older 2
off in RSF
for weeklong golf lessons,
and continued down the coast
to Pt. Loma, for dinner.

Wyatt kept us entertained with
ice & water tricks

Cubscout Graduation & dinner @ The Station

2010-06-20T12:57:00.000-07:00

Matthew moved up ranks in cub scouts this weekend!
Family members filled the amphitheater to watch their boys graduate :)

While the boys organized,
Richard had Wyatt & Brett above

Getting awards & badges & pins & loops

And more waiting/playing by these guys

(And me)

And then finally time to cross the bridge!
Richard went down with him :)

Wyatt got a new hat!

Brett sat for a little bit of the ceremony

Richard sat for very little of it

A VERY proud Matthew!!!

Me & my boys :)

Playing a little bit before heading to dinner

The Station.
Heard about it,
but had never been.
(It's south, in South Park)

Two large draws?
Good beer
and
contained playground for the kids!

Trains & Boys

2010-06-19T15:18:00.001-07:00

Our yard has a total of 6 yards bordering ours. One of the ones towards the north has a train track in the yard, runs through the entire thing, coming around the front and over the driveway with a small bridge (only brought out & connected when train is running). It wasn't going for a while, as the neighbor repaired and "tweaked." And then last week we heard it going! He called us up a few days ago to invite the boys up for a ride!

The older boys scootered up, Wyatt walked/toddled over the next cul-de-sac, where he lives!

Favorite part? Little red caboose!

Arriving at the house,
Wyatt trying to figure out
where the track lead to :)

We snuck through the side
(as we'd been told to)
and he brought it around!

Yes,
all of us aboard!Doesn't show his excitement,
but it was so entirely there!!!

Getting a bit more comfortable
on the 20th or so trip around the loop ;)

(Brett too!)

Boyscouts & fun!

2010-06-17T14:50:00.001-07:00

Richard made it through to Eagle Scout, the boys (so far) plan on doing the same. In the meantime, the activities have been very fun & cool!

Recent weekends were
tour of the Museum of Making Music...

...And indoor rock climbing!