June & July

June consisted of us packing up our house in Paso Robles, finding a new place of residence, trying to help Preston cope with all of the upcoming changes, and Corbin finishing up his 7th grade school year and helping him prep for Boy Scout Camp. We found a fantastic house in Atascdero: about eight houses down from my parents, on a oak-studded, beautiful 1/2 acre, closer to Dustin's work. We'll get some pictures now that were more settled.

 

Then July snuck up on us and within a week, my cousin Alyssa got married in Fresno, then we left for (my mom's side of the family) the Bushman family reunion in northern California. On the drive up and back down we stopped in San Jose at Raging Waters to use our season passes. Not only did it help to break up the 5 hour trip, it kept us cool and we had a blast! Preston doesn't love to be splashed, but he loves the smaller water slides and watching the wave pool tides lap at his toes. Corbin loves being able to ride on anything high and fast, but even spent time with us in the lazy river.

 

During the reunion we stayed at a cabin at the KOA campground near Placerville. We learned more about my Great, Great, Great Grandfather who was there at Sutter Mill during the beginnings of the California Gold Rush. Corbin and Dustin played a tug-of-war game that they played back then (above photo). The weather was extremely hot so we were glad that the KOA had a fan in our cabin and a pool at the campground.

 

This little man keeps us on our toes. I call him "Sweet and Sour" because one moment he is hugging and kissing us and the very next moment he is throwing a fit, hitting us, and giving us dirty looks. It is interesting juggling the pre-teen years with Corbin and the toddler years with Preston. Here's to adding another boy and his personality/phases to this crazy family in November. We can't wait!

Mexico Cruise

Dustin and I went on a 7-day Mexican Riviera Cruise in March. We planned to go closer to our 15th Anniversary in August, but the cruise lines are very strict about not allowing people to cruise if they are over 24 weeks pregnant. We had a really great time and enjoyed some amazing adventures. In Puerta Vallarta we swam with the dolphins. They are such amazing creatures and we fell in love with "our" dolphin Lluvia.
 
The cruise ship was really nice and luckily we were assigned to a dinner table with some great couples. The first few days of the cruise, you are sailing day and night to your first destination, which meant that we got to know that ship REALLY well. We played a couple of games of Bingo, went on the waterslide, played miniature golf, and enjoyed some delicious food. Dustin even got up the nerve to sing a little karoake (Barry Manilow's 'I Write the Songs') and the audience loved him!
 
Our favorite stop was Mazatlan. There is great shopping (they actually bargain there!) and BEAUTIFUL beaches. We were able to eat at and utilize the facilities at a beautiful resort there, which kept the hundreds of vendors selling chicklets, etc. on the beaches, at a distance. Dustin and I both got fabulous massages for $10 each! We almost went back again.
 
Cabo San Lucas was our last stop. There were beautiful beaches there, but the city is so built up and modern, that it didn't feel too much like Mexico. We spent the day swimming and relaxing on Medano beach. It was an amazing trip that we won't soon forget!
 

Relaxing in Morro Bay

Please ignore the date/time stamp on the pictures. My camera just couldn't accept that it is 2010 and reverted back to 2007. It's in therapy now and learning to cope.
 
 
Dustin and Preston walked along the bay.
 





Corbin had a blast playing in the mud.

We even found baby's namesake Lane on the way home!

The Kessinger's at Christmas

Bart & Vicki looking Christmasy!
 
We almost had the whole Kessinger clan here - we were just missing Bret & Holly and their girls. We really look forward to EVERYBODY being here for Doug's wedding next month!
 
Dad packed up the boats and we all went over to Morro Bay to enjoy a day of kayaking, of course. Mom & Cameron enjoying the afternoon.
 
The kids played, some of us kayaked (even pregnant Becca!)
Bryan, John, Bart, Gwendolyn, Bailey, and Sage getting ready to launch.
 
We all enjoyed fish & chips at Giovanni's.

Becca holding Kael (who is giving us some looks).

Hughesy Christmas/Winter Solstice Celebration

 

Corbin and Preston in matching shirts. This baby flirts, rolls his eyes, and sticks out his tongue - we fear what his teenage years are going to look like.

 

Grandma & Grandpa Huey playing Bridge.

 

The rest playing LRC (Left, Right, Center) - its amazing how 3 little dollars can amp up a game!

We enjoyed the usual - delicious food, a rousing gift exchange, and great company with people we love!

The Live Nativity

 
 
 
Our ward had their annual "Walk Through Bethlehem" on December 19th. Corbin and his cousins Sage and Denver were all shepherds. Dustin was a Roman soldier (check out that amazing costume made by ward member Nina Whiteley!) Doesn't he look amazing?! I'm not even going to dwell on the fact that he wore socks with his sandals. My sister and brother-in-law, Liz and John were Mary and Joseph. It was a really beautiful walk that included angels (cousin Bailey), the shepherds that saw the angels, the innkeepers, the wise men, and the live nativity scene.

What We've Been Up to This Month

 
We've been going to Christmas parties...
 
Fitting in time to play raquetball and exercise every once in awhile...
 
Getting our family picture taken... enjoying the rain...
 

And raking leaves. It seems we need a few more large green-waste containers for these ever-lovin' leaves that fill our yard every week.

Keeping us on our toes

 




Preston's silly "Piggy Face".
 














I left my lunch to answer a phone call and came back two minutes later to find a tomato soup mess. He really just wanted the spoon.
 
We didn't know how he was going to handle sitting on Santa's lap, but he did just fine. He wasn't happy or sad. He just sat there for pictures. We never know what this child is going to give us, but he sure is fun!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 
The turkey, stuffing, green beans, sweet potato casserole, rolls, mashed potatoes, and gravy all turned out beautifully - if I do say so myself. Phew!
 
 
I am so thankful for my family. I LOVE those boys!
 
Congratulations to Doug and Janelle on their engagement!!!

Corbin's Special Day

Corbin received the Aaronic priesthood this past Sunday, November 22nd at church. He is now a deacon and will be passing the sacrament to our congregation every Sunday now. We're so proud of him. We can't believe what a young man he has become! He looks so grown up in his new suit.

We are so thankful to Mark (Dustin's step dad) for making the trip all the way from Virginia to be a part of this special occasion.

While we were taking pictures outside we placed Preston on the grass. He absolutely hates the grass - very much like his mommy when she was his age. My parents have video footage to prove it! I just love how he is so flexible that he is able to get his limbs off of the grass. He sat like that for a few minutes too.

Corbin turns TWELVE!!!

 
 
 
 
I still can't believe it. We celebrated Corbin's 12th Birthday at Disneyland. He had a really great day! It was interesting going to Disneyland with a baby, but we had a great system. We used the "switch rider" option, which allowed Corbin and I to ride on Space Mountain (Matterhorn, etc.- all rides that don't let babies on them) while Dustin waited with Preston and when Corbs and I exited they let Dustin and Corbin immediately "Fast Pass" the ride. It was great! Preston loved "It's a Small World", Andrea's was and always is "Thunder Mountain", and Corbin and Dustin's favorite ride was "Screamin'" at California Adventure. Good memories!