Our M&M kids: Do you know the way to San Jose?

Our trip to San Jose was an eventful one. For the first time since Christmas 2010, I was going to be in the same room with all my siblings and my Mom. Trevor drove the kids, my Mom and I to San Jose on Saturday, so we could spend some time with family. THANK GOD, he was driving! 15 miles before we hit the Benicia bridge our back left tires tred came off the tire. ALl of a sudden we here a huge Thump and the noise is getting louder and louder. Like a trained champ, Trevor slowly took his foot off the gas, looked to the right, turned on his signal and pulled over on the windy highway. I was scared, my heart was racing, and the kids were a little scared too. Our back passenger door of the car has black scrapes and scratches all over it and we lost half a bumper... needless to say, we have to replace it. But fortunantely we are all safe and sound.

Trevor put the spare tire on, and then we went to BIG-O Tires in Benicia to get a new tire put on our car. The tire mechanic said that he had been doing this for 30 years, and had never seen a tire do this. It was completely full of air, just defective. After the incident, we were able to get back on the road and travel as planned, just an hour and a half behind!

Once we arrived, we got to see my sisters new apartment. Super cute! It was nicely decorated and we were all excited to be staying with her. As we gathered at her place, it was so nice to see my Mom so happy. Her eyes were filled with tears of joy since she was able to have all her babies, and their other halfs as well as her grandbabies all together!

We thought this was the perfect opportunity to celebrate. It was Janna (my brother Brad's fiance's birthday) and Trevor's birthday October 10 (today). We also were celebrating 2 engagements! (Brad and Janna) (Brittany and Mikey) Brady was in town from Boise State and he will be graduating in May, and of course he and his girlfriend Megan are adorable together too! Last, but not least, my kids were able to see my side of the family all together.

Matthew loves when we all get together. He was blessed to grow up in a house with all my siblings and have more than just an aunt/uncle relationship, but bonds with them more like siblings. They all treat him like a "little" brother too. Maddison and Mason were doted on and could feel all the love through lots of hugs and kisses. I, of course, forgot my camera at home, but fortunately was able to borrow a camera to capture everyone looking so good.

(Maddison had to be with her auntie in this photo... she loves her auntie and munkle so much!)