May Days

May was a busy month!  Thomas taught a summer school public speaking class, we had lots of great company, took a trip, and wrapped up both CBS and MOPS.  Whew!

We love this sailboat--it comes to Malibu in the summer and docks at the Malibu Pier.  At night, the masts have lights on them which we can see from our house.

Love this happy face!

Cassia's favorites: Bailey, being outside, jumping/bouncing, and taking baths.

She's using her vocal range from squealing to grunting and lots of sounds in between.

More ballet class pictures...

Bailey Story:  Bailey was playing with Thomas and said, "Ok Dad, you have 2 options: play monsters or listen to me whine and cry.  You'll probably want to play monsters."  :)

We were so glad to have Jessica stay with us during May while she went to summer school.  She's one of our favorite people!  She didn't mind sharing space with everyone and didn't complain about sleeping in the loft on the couch and floor.  She was so helpful with the girls and we're excited to have her back when school starts!

Jessica and Bailey last September.

Love her!

We also got to hang out with Rmani, Jess' boyfriend.  He taught Bailey how to beatbox and she has been practicing.  Maybe she can sing with him in Won by One??

We got to have dinner and hang out with Brett, Kristin, and Caiden Brooks.  We love getting to spend time with them!  (Why didn't I take a picture?)

We also got to have dinner with Brooks and his wife Stephanie.  Bailey really loves Brooks!  He started a school at an orphanage in Guatemala and has a heart for kids.

Brooks and Bailey last September.

And that wraps up May!

Katie and Skyler's Visit

 Auntie Katie and Uncle Skyler came for a visit right after Katie's birthday (happy #25!).  It was Skyler's first time in Malibu so we took him to some of our favorite spots.

Hero's Garden at Pepperdine

Cassia loved playing with K & S!

Of course we had to go to the beach!  Uncle Skyler and
Bailey dug for sand crabs and played in the waves.
Cassia made silly faces with Auntie Katie!

Bailey took Katie, Skyler, and Daddy to ballet lessons one afternoon.  Little did we know she would be the only girl there, so Bailey got her own private lesson!

We also went to Duke's for their fish tacos and awesome ocean view!  

After dinner we took a little trip to Malibu Yo!

Cassia was our entertainment for the evening.

Our little jumper is plumb tired out!

Story time is one of our favorites and Bailey loved having Katie and Skyler's full attention!

At night after the kids were in bed, we played Settlers of Catan, Blokus, Phase 10 and King's Up.  We had so much fun and can't wait for Katie and Skyler to come back again!

Meet Cassia

On May 6th Cassia turned 7 months old.  What a sweet baby we have!  She LOVES Bailey and her face lights up anytime Bailey plays, talks, or sings to her.  Bailey can make her laugh more than anyone else.  Cassia is finding more of her voice and makes us laugh with her funny noises and faces.  So far Cassia has eaten green beans, peas, apples, pears, sweet potatoes and avocados.  I've been making her food and love the whole process.  We still haven't figured out her nighttime sleeping, but I know she'll eventually get there!  We love you, Sweet Baby Cassia!

 We decided at the last minute to take a trip to Albuquerque since my brother and his family were able to make the trip too.  The Shoe Crew was ready to meet Cassia in person!  I flew out with the girls and Thomas joined us a few days later.

Cassia's ready for the flight!

"Let's go!  I'm ready to see my cousins!"

 The big girl cousins got to sleep in the same room ~
so excited!

Story time!

 We had to make a trip to one of our favorite places ~ Explora!

Milly was happy to explore and play!

Busy coloring

Nana and Cassia watched while we made bubbles.

Making bubbles is one of our favorites at Explora.  

Look at that huge bubble!

 Uncle Shoe made us laugh by trying to put the girls in a bubble tunnel.  This one popped right before I took the picture!  I love Milly's face.

The music part of Explora is really fun too!

How many granddaughters can you fit in Nana and Papa's bed?

FOUR!

OK, we can fit one Papa too!

We had family pictures taken on Saturday morning by our good friend, Nick.  (Hopefully I'll get those downloaded to post!)  After pictures we grabbed lunch and headed to Shady Lakes, private fishing lakes down in Albuquerque's North Valley.  It was so much fun!

We all took turns fishing and caught five fish!  It rained on us a little but turned out to be a beautiful and relaxing afternoon.

Uncle Shoe loves to fish so he knew what to do
 with the fish we caught.

Check this out, Addy!

Jenny, patiently waiting.

This is one of my favorites!

Sunday was Mother's Day and it was so special to spend the day with our mom.  Matt and I are so thankful to have such a wonderful mom (and nana to our girls!)!  It was a sweet day for me too now as a mama of two!

We went to church that morning, had yummy Mexican food for lunch, played kickball in the backyard, and then the girls ran through the sprinklers before getting popsicles and a bath.

Addy and Milly had no trouble getting soaking wet--Bailey on the other hand didn't want to get too wet. :)  Our water girl was afraid to run through the sprinklers!

The next morning the Shoes headed back to Nashville and we got to spend sweet time with Grandma before heading back to Malibu.  

A quick trip, but totally worth it!