Summer Happenings!!

Wow, summer is officially here and in full swing...or should I say non-stop chaos (the good kind though)!! We have had an eventful summer so far and we still have another month and a half to go (yippee)! The kids are enjoying summer camp going to Knott's, Wild Rivers, CA Adventure, the Zoo and much more. In fact the first week of camp was a little exhausting for poor little Zain. He went from taking daily naps to non-stop activity 5 days a week. He was so grumpy that first week of camp and would often fall asleep on the 2 block drive home. He is now adjusted and enjoying every minute of being an official "big-kid"!

Aside from summer camp, the kids have also had a week of "Grammy Camp" that has included Sea World, Legoland, movies, the beach and much more (she spoils them)! Although I think the real spoiled ones are my husband and I as we had 3 days/2 nights with no kids when Grammy had them...it was pure heaven! We got to enjoy time with good friends, with each other and just relax.

Here are some pics of some other summer happenings...

The kids and Grammy at the Tustin Concert in the Park (80's band). Grammy and I knew all the songs:-)

Rainwater family dinner! What a great time with the family.

Bluebird (Laguna) Concert in the Park with some friends....best concerts ever (highly recommend)! (No, that is not Nick's new family...hehe)

Catalina! We went on a day trip with the family. Rode golf carts, drank, ate lunch, drank, sat on the beach, drank (hmmmm, there seems to be a pattern)!

Boat ride home from Catalina....little did I know that my whole family, except me, gets sea-sick:( These 'cool' wrist bands did the trick for the ride home. They were honestly a miracle! Poor Masyn and Zain were turning shades of green I had never seen before on the way there! My troopers!!

4th, Family & Friends!

We had an awesome 4th of July with family and good friends! We celebrated this year down at Grammy's new place in Laguna Beach. We managed to have some decent weather, despite all the gloom we have had for what seems like forever now! (I am soooo ready for summer and 80 degrees at 8 am!) We were so fortunate to spend this past holiday with not only Grammy and the Castinetti's, but also with my half-sister, Kendra, who is visiting from Hawaii and our dear friends, the Hoeffner's, who are visiting from Texas. After one too many drinks on the beach and yummy food at the house, we got see an amazing firework show from only about 50 yards away. Even Zain managed to watch the firework show tear free this year (he is petrified of loud noises...even though he screams every time he talks). All in all, it was an amazing, fun-filled 4th!

Father's Day & Baseball!!

Two of Nick's favorites....Father's Day and Baseball! Although he had to work quite a long day on Father's Day, it was still enjoyable opening up all of the countless handmade gifts from the kids and taking a walk together with just the two of us at sunset! It's the little things that make being a daddy all so worth it...and a yummy "Tie Cake"! Nick you truly are an amazing dad and we love you!

Last night we had the privilege of going to the Yankee's/Dodger's game and sitting in the 3rd row of the Dugout Club thanks to some dear friends! They know what a die hard fan Nick is of the Yankee's and treated us to a game we will never forget. Aside from an amazing game (Yankee's came back to win it in the final 2 innings) we saw countless stars! Usually I don't consider myself very star-struck....but it is much different when you are face to face speaking with them and your heart is about to jump out of your chest. We saw Jack Nicholson (he was sitting in our row about 10 seats over), Zac Efron, Tom Cruise, Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore.

Nick and I...the Yankee's dugout is on the right and our seats where on the left just feet from the field!

Me and Zac Efron....holey moley! I think I stumbled over my words as I asked him if I could get a picture with him for my 7 year old daughter. He grabbed my phone and was about to hand it to his friend to take the pic, when I told him my husband was standing near by with the "big" camera! The small strip of the navy sweater on the right side of the pic is Ashton Kutcher's arm. I asked Nick if he would take a group picture of us all....but he said that would not be appropriate! I'm such a dork!!

Tom Cruise walked by me right before I took the pic with Zac. We brushed arms! He was VERY nice and

Movin' on Up

Zain had his big preschool graduation on Monday! We started the evening with yummy Hawaiian BBQ at the house with a few friends and family. Then it was on to the ceremony where Zain sang songs with his classmates, got a diploma and made silly faces on stage! It is amazing how fast his preschool years went by. We have been so blessed to have found Mission Viejo Christian Preschool...he has had remarkable teachers, amazing friends and unforgettable memories. In so many ways I just wish he could stay in preschool forever; where it is safe and you don't have any of the elementary school trouble or drama! I have truly cherished these years and I trust in God to keep him safe through the many more school years to come (this is only the beginning)!! We love you Zain!

Zain and two of his teachers (Mrs. Dawn and Mrs. Barbara).

Diploma time....soooo proud!

LOVE YOU FAMILIA!

Masyn had a music recital at school this week too! She was right in the front row and did a great job...a little nervous, but she had fun! Love you May!

Crazy Cozens Campout!

Last weekend we decided to pitch the tent and spend the weekend in it...in the backyard!! The kids thought it was awesome and had a blast in their first camping experience. We will be going camping in July, so this was a good practice round...especially for Zain who is petrified of the dark (poor guy)!! The first night the kids and I spent the night together in the tent. Dad was kicked out as he was not feeling well. We could not risk getting sick during these last 2 weeks of school. It was a somewhat sleepless night for me with the street lights lighting up the tent and Zain waking up every hour asking, "Is it wake up time yet?" The second night the neighbors spent the night in the tent with Masyn and Zain. They all had a blast telling stories, being silly, listening to music, watching movies and keeping the neighbors up! Surprisingly, they didn't stay up too late...thank goodness since the sun woke them up at 5:45 am! All in all, it was a fun weekend.

MV Relay For Life

Last weekend I participated in the Mission Viejo Relay for Life. It was an amazing, fun-filled and exhausting event. The Relay is where teams of people camp out at a local track and take turns walking or running around the track for a 24 hour period. Teams raise money for the American Cancer Society. By walking/running for 24 hours straight it represents the reality that cancer never sleeps! I dedicated my run to Micheal Pacini, whom is currently fighting pancreatic cancer. Him and his family are a true inspiration to my family as the represent strength, hope, love, trust and so much more! I was on a team with Mission Viejo Christian Kids Club (Masyn's after school program). I had such a great time with an amazing group of people. Here are a few pics from the event...

"Crazy Hat" lap...every hour there was a theme lap where everyone dresses up.

Nick had to work a very long day that day, but he came down at 10:30 pm to do some laps with me....thank you honey!

The next morning...VERY tired and doing laps in my jammies!

Overall, I completed 72 laps which is equivalent to 18 miles. Needless to say, I was pooped and soar the next day...but I would definitely do it all over again!

Our Stay-cation

This picture says it all...we spent part of the weekend at my mom's new place in Laguna doing exactly this! Whether it was on the porch or the beach we had nothing to do but relax and enjoy our gorgeous surroundings. My mom decided to go out to Temecula to stay with my sister, so we got to have her house for the holiday weekend (thanks mom)! Can't wait for your next trip away...hehe!!