Happy 4th of July

Super Soaker Contest. Tyler needed a little Daddy intervention to help keep the score even!

Fireworks stake out. Anytime daddy's on the ground, it becomes the neverending daddy dog pile!

Baby Belly shot! Yep.... its happening...Baby #4 is making his presence known.

Tyler thrilled the fireworks finally begin....(daddy too)

Brooklyn's 1st Ever experience of seeing fireworks close up!

Morgan in AWE of the fireworks this close.

To celebrate the 4th of July, we went to the Chino City Celebration and got to enjoy a day in the HOT SUN, and all the festivities. Morgan, Tyler, and Brooklyn all loved the hand boats the best. Mommy and Daddy enjoyed sitting in the shade with our yummy funnel cake, and the frozen lemonade. Afterwards we went to the Ayala Sports Park and had a stake out waiting for the city firework show. To top it off, we then got our own sparklers and kiddy pak, and got to experience DOING fireworks for the first time! Every year prior, it was illegal in those cities and too far to be up for the drive to a city where it IS legal. It was by far our best 4th of July family outing yet! Way to go DAD!!!! We had a blast!

Beach Days with Brackens

Chrystal and Jared brought their family to stay with us for 4 days a few weeks ago, and we loved every moment of our time together. Morgan was counting down the days for a week, anticipating Clarissa's arrival. They are at such a fun age now, that we can send them off to play and not hear from them for hours. Brenna and Tyler were way better buddies than I expected and Brooklyn made her presence known as well. It was a great time and we can't wait for our next chance to play together. Love you guys!!!

Being that its been a month since I've posted anything, I have WAY more pictures than I have energy to organize and BLOG.... sigh..... so I am just going to pick a few favorites and call it good! These were taken back on Memorial day before we went out to a movie together as a family. We went to see the IMAX Monsters vs. Aliens. Kids loved it... Once the popcorn and food was gone Brooklyn was done. Surprise surprise! She is NOT invited next time. As you can see in these pictures she finally has teeth. Hooray hopes for no choking is on the horizon.... too bad its still only 4. Two top and two bottom. She broke her first bottom two together at 14 months, she's now 16 months and still no more. Choking is still a daily challenge.

Happy 10th Anniversary!

June 5th was our 10 year wedding anniversary. Woo Hoo!!! WOW 10 yrs, need I say more? We have made it to the double digits and many more to come! To celebrate this special occasion, Jared and I were able to cash in on the benefits of having Gma and Gpa Crowder so close and willing, to watch the kids for us for a 3 1/2 day get-a-way. We were able to score (Thanks to someone special) a free 3 night stay at the Flamingo Hotel, with an AWESOME Buffet, plus with a little time-share investigating we scored free tickets to BLUE MAN GROUP, and my most favorite PHANTOM! This time away together was so needed, and very much enjoyed by both of us. We also had fun admiring all the neat architechture and buildings along the Vegas strip. The Venetian was where the Phantom and Blue Man Group performed and was probably my favorite building of those we got to see. Thanks for the fun time babe! 10 down, and forever to go!

Last week we got to go as a family to have an early ultrasound done to find out if we are having a girl or a boy. Morgan and Tyler were so fascinated with seeing the baby on the monitor, I was so glad that we brought them with us. The technitian was immediately able to determine that he was a BOY! Plain as day. Jared and I were both secretly hoping for a boy, so we were so excited and couldn't help but chat about it and discuss names the rest of the night. Please give us name ideas. For now the favorite is Chase Ryan Crowder. I also like Braden (my maiden name), Garrett (in honor of my Brother), and Kaj (Kai). All votes invited! Seeing the little baby inside, hearing the heartbeat, and knowing he's a boy, makes reality set in that much further that my 4th is on the way. Ahhhhhhhhhhh! Ready or not! LOL. I am excited, and yet at the same time have moments of feeling- what the heck have I done to myself.

GIRLS NIGHT OUT for my 30th

Happy Birthday mom, come dig with me in the dirt
Bertha and Magenta's Pedicure Salon.
Birthday Cake decorated by Morgan and Drei, yes the red blob is Sprinkles.... more is better right?
A day for me, but not about me!
Morgan in her "MODEL" pose, because she was strut'n makeup and princess curls. LOL can you tell she's feel'n good! She was seriously walking so funny trying to BE beautiful.
This girl has dangerous lashes! Good thing Kim has a few more years to not get too worried!
Cute Kim and Drei enjoying thier time with NO Boys Allowed!
So for my 30th B-day, nothing was planned because Jared was taking Tyler to Father and Son's Campout, their first one ever. The day started out with my regular morning calls, then a little digg'n in the dirt, and then a mad rush to help pack Daddy and Tyler. Tyler was so excited to camp, although he had no idea what "camp" meant. After they left it was GIRLS NIGHT OUT! My friend Kim, after just learning it was my birthday and I had nothing planned, invited Morgan and I to celebrate my B-day and the fact that there were no boys in the house, with herself, daughter Drei, and little tag along Asher baby. I of course jumped on the fun. Our evening went as followed:
1) Makeovers with Mom. They did us, and we did them. Believe it or not, their version of our make up wasn't as bad as you'd think, so we didn't waste the memory space =)
2) Mommy Hairstylists- We did lots of "Princess hair" with curls and twists to be oh so glamerous.
3) A night on the town. We had dinner at Johnny Carino's (YUM) and made it seem that this was a special treat and this restaurant was for only adults and SPECIAL DAYS for kids. Kim and I tried VERY hard to not talk, and to make this about them, and talked only kid stuff and asked lots of questions to the girls. They of couse soaked it up.
4) Back to the house for Cake and Ice Cream for ME, and Pampering Pedicures at Bertha and Magenta's Salon. LOL! Yes laugh it up, Kim and I got into character and pretended to run a salon, inviting Morgan and Drei to come have a pedicure. We pulled out all the stops, foot spa, massages, toe paint and all. I think our funny accents (particularly Kim's-she wins the prize) was their favorite part of mommies being so silly.
5) Last but not least sleep over at Loudon's in their big guest room and cuddle time with mom!
It was a very fun evening. After that, who needs a 30th B-day party! Kim and I stayed up late and chatted, and had fun playing with picutres. Thanks for the rescue Kim! Totally made my day!

Swimming with Cousins

Last Wednesday we got to go to Aunt Kellie's pool in Brea, for a day with Cousins in honor of Johhny's 4th B-Day. The kids had a blast, but I think Grandma C had more fun than anyone else. She spent most of the day hauling kiddies on her back pacing the pool. She surely got her exercise that day. My memory card was full so I didn't get near enough pictures of Grandma, but she had one little person in her arms at all times. Wyatt and Kamryn were cracking me up how they both wanted to pose with their cake. I had especially fun taking pictures of the babies, as you can tell! It was a fun day!

Happy Birthday Rachelle!!

Hey Babe,

This is your hubby wanting to wish you a Happy B-Day!  The BIG 30!  It isn't as bad as people make it out to be.  I wanted to publicly let you know how much I love you and am amazed at all of the things you are able to accomplish!  You are an amazing mother, and I am so grateful that our children get to learn from you.  You have an amazing ability to teach them the principles that will serve them throughout their lives.  I am so thankful for the patience that you show towards me.  I know that I can be a pain in the rump sometimes, and I am thankful for the way that you give me room to be me, and work it out.  I just wanted you to know that I consider you the greatest thing in my life, and I will do all that I can to show you how much you mean to me.  I love you babe!  Happy Birthday!

Love always,

Jared

I hope any of you love birds out there will take a minute to listen to the words of the song "lucky" by Jason Mraz and Colbie, because it is a favorite of mine. I am so lucky to be in love with my best friend. I think as the years pass, and life is filled with children, callings, and responsibilities, we can often drift a part or forget to keep doing the things that make us love each other. I on the other hand, feel like I lucked out or am blessed, or however you want to word it. I scored big time in the friend department with my hubby. Jared is my best freind, and takes great interest and time investing in me and making me a priority. So that is why I loved this song. When I heard it for the first time months ago, I wanted to put it on my blog, but finally I am getting around to it, and wanted to say I LOVE YOU JARED! And I'm lucky to be in love with my best friend!