Team Rich: Stars & Stripes

July 5, 2010

Stars & Stripes

Just home from a weekend with Ryan's family celebrating the 4th of July. Ryan's oldest brother and his kids were in town from San Francisco, so we all ("all" being: Trevor & Shalice, Adam, Camille and Rick & Connie) stayed in Valencia to celebrate the holiday together (Jan & Lindsay + fam, we missed you guys!). The weather couldn't have been nicer. In fact, I honestly don't remember a 4th of July where the weather was this cool during this time of year (mid to high 70s). It was perfect weather to be outside BBQ-ing and swimming in the pool all day.

Chowing down on one of many fabulous meals. That's Trevor and Ryan on the left and Adam enjoying some chips and dip on the right.

Miranda (the oldest Rich cousin) and her sister, Emery (the youngest Rich cousin). Poor Emery looks horrified, but I promise she was having a great time.

Here's Delaney and Westin. She was so great with W. He loved playing with her and following her around.

One of Westin's favorite activities was stacking these blocks. Every time he would add a block to the top, he would say, "high." Then, once he knocked it down, he would say, "more." He couldn't get enough.

On Sunday we visited our friends, the Cannons. Here's Westin playing "bootball" (aka "football") with Ryan and Mike.

Trevor, BreAnne & Nate, me, Ryan & Westin, Erin, Mike and Cole.

LOVE THESE GUYS AND GALS!

As I mentioned before, a lot of the weekend was spent in the pool. Westin loves the water... a little too much, in fact. He has no fear and it scares me to death! He is constantly wanting to jump from the side of the pool. And if he's not doing that, he's jumping from the stairs or dipping his face in the water. Swimming with W is EXHAUSTING. Luckily, we had all the cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents to help keep an eye on him.

During this weekend's swim sessions, Westin learned to blow bubbles in the water, kick his legs and even jumped off the diving board. No joke. Once he saw Delaney jump off the diving board he kept pointing to it and saying, "jump, jump." So, I eventually took him over and helped him jump off the diving board... meaning, I carefully lowered him into Ryan's arms. Though it wasn't quite a jump, every time he landed in the water he immediately said, "more!"

This is a shot of W jumping off the regular ledge (looks more like he's walking the plank)

The two boy cousins in their matching swim shorts and rash guards. Thanks Connie for making them look so cute.

And this one... well, let's just say it is DEFINITELY going in Westin's wedding video someday!

Here's Westin taking a toy away from Emery. Though he would steal her toys from time to time, I do have to say he was very cute with her. If I asked him to go play with Emery, he would walk over to her, crouch down, and say, "hi baby" in the sweetest, softest voice. And he did eventually learn her name, "Emmy."