Welcome A.J. (aka Sam)!

This post could be very long and detailed about how Justin broke the kids hearts by bringing home a puppy... then a week later taking it back due to his allergies... OR the fact that the very next day he found A.J. (aka Sam) to bring home... a 15 lbs Yorkie who is almost 2, fixed, chipped, and looking for a loving home (we were ideal candidates)... and most importantly... hypoallergenic!


Belen, Noah, A.J. (aka Sam), and Elijah




Yep, Mr. Handsome himself... A.J. (aka Sam)




So far he has been a great dog, is great with the kids and has a good personality




Mr. Eli and A.J. on our drive home

 So... Why the "aka Sam?"  Because his name is A.J. (Alberto Jr.), but the boys just started calling him Sam... so everyone is a bit confused right now. 

The dog that almost was

Ok, so here was our 1st little puppy... Talula.  Unfortunately for the family... but probably a blessing in disguise, Justin was allergic to her, so back she went.  The day after we gave her back she was adopted the next morning, so she found a good home... and we found A.J.


How can you NOT love this little face?



Like her heart shaped spot?

Camping over Memorial Day Weekend - Santa Cruz

Last year the Salvatierra family invited us to go camping with them in Santa Cruz.  It was a challenge with the kids but it was fun, so we decided to go back with them this year.  We split a camp site with the Phillips family and missed having Ryan and Becka Stephensen with us because "Becka was only a week from her due date."  Great excuse!! 

Phillips getting to our house... the car looks a little full...

Yep!  Jam packed!

 

left to right: Chris Arens, Ian and Alexah Phillips, Hanna, and Taran Phillips



What camping trip is complete without a bit of facial hair? Jeremy Salvatierra, Josh Bartlet, Justin

Primo camp site, room for 3 families... easy!  We missed you Stephensen's!

We had a ton of fun with everyone out there in Santa Cruz.  One day we buried treasure on the beach and had the kids follow a map to "X" marks the spot. I need to hunt down some of those beach pictures so that I can post them here... they seem to have disappeared.

Napa 1/2 Ironman

Jason decided to con the guys into doing the Napa 1/2 Ironman with him at Lake Berryessa.  Nothing like a 1.2mile swim, 56 mile bike, and a 13.1 mile run.  Jason, Josh, and Tom trained to compete... I'm not sure if you can call what Justin did training.... maybe "training to finish." While Jason, Josh, and Tom had fantastic swims... Justin definitely suffered through that portion.  Here are some pixs of their trip, no action shots though.  Jason Finished 11th overall close to 5 hours, Josh was 29th closer to 5 1/2 hours.  Tom fell apart on the run (his words) and Justin finished!  Sounds like the new goal is to do one of these bigger events a year... we'll see if that happens.  :-)

Tom Brasher, Jason, Justin, and Josh Nartker



View from our camp sight... probably the best thing about this camp sight!




Thanks Grandma for the use of your RV!




Nice and relaxing...




Getting creative with bike storage... electrical tape works wonders!