The Month of May Was Good to Us

May was busy and exciting at our home. Jackson turned two-years-old and so Nama Paula & BaPa Lar came down to San Diego to celebrate. As a bonus treat, Uncle Josh, Aunt Nette and Boe came too! We got to celebrate Jackson's birthday with a big party in the park and Mother's Day dinner at our house that same evening.

We all made the drive out to Disneyland one morning- so fun!

BaPa, Jackson & Boe at Small World

Jackson and Daddy on the Nemo Submarine Ride

Seeing Mickey Mouse never seems to get old.

Jackson didn't fell asleep on his Nama Paula during the Haunted House in Disneyland.

We also made a trip out to Legoland while everyone was here. Boe and Jackson had a blast playing together.

These two rode the Duplo Lego Train over and over!

They had a water part to play in- the boys were in heaven!

Jackson and BaPa on the Wild Safari Legoland Ride

Lego-Lion

BaPa took Boe and Jackson on the Lego Boat ride and later told us that it was the longest twenty minutes of his life. The boys are actually steering this boat and they kept turning around and getting stuck against the wall. I was laughing the whole time.

BaPa reading a bedtime story to Jackson.

Good morning Birthday Boy!

Boe helped Jackson learn how to open his birthday presents- thanks Boe!

Mommy & Daddy got Jackson an outfit to cook in his new kitchen from Nama & Bapa. Jackson kept running around saying, "Ratatouille!"

The kids all "decorated" pretend cupcakes by Melissa & Doug Toys.

We went to Noah's birthday party two weeks later and Jackson was very confused why he couldn't open these presents. We tried to explain to him that it's not always "Jackson's Birthday".

Happy Birthday Noah!

It was definitely another blessed month for The Rifes!

San Diego = Finally Home

Mommy & Jackson

Father's Day Morning with Daddy

We have made San Diego home! It was only a matter of time, but thanks to our new church we have made friends who have become our family here. I joined a Mom's Group that Jackson and I go to on Wednesday mornings and we both joined a Married Couples Group that we go to on Sunday nights.

Last week my dear friend Kalee came from Seattle to visit

and she brought her sweet little Noelle with her. It was interesting watching Jackson learn to share his toys and time with a little one... he's still got some room to grow :) We went to the San Diego Wild Animal Park, Sea World and Old Town, not to mention to the days spent swimming in our community pool.

Jackson, Me, Kalee & Noelle

Beautiful Noey & Kalee

Jackson making faces at Noelle

Jackson and Noelle didn't even make it out of the parking lot after a long day at Sea World

Jackson is now jumping into the pool without anyone catching him! He loves to swim for hours with his little orange swimming floaties. We call him our little fish and he laughs and says, "Like Nemo!"

Besos = Kisses

This week a friend of mine from Chicago happened to be visiting San Diego and she made time in her schedule to visit with Jackson and I. We went to the San Diego Zoo and then to Old Town for authentic Mexican cuisine and margaritas :) Yummmm! Lindsey and Keith were the perfect tourists and made it a very fun week. We were lucky to have Mary's visit overlap theirs a little bit and we all got to enjoy one anothers company for one day.

Jackson and Lindsey at the Jaguar exhibit at the San Diego Zoo

Jackson, Nana Mary & Me in Old Town, San Diego

Lindsey & Keith in Old Town

Family Picture on Naval Station San Diego

We even went down to the base to see a few of the ships and Matt gave us the Chief's Tour.

Jackson got to see the Naval Station Fire Department and sit in their fire truck (his newest obsession is fire trucks!) It was a dream come true for this two year old.

We got a chance to head to the beach on Coronado Island this weekend with Nana Mary and our Espinoza Family. Matt got us onto the Naval Base and we were lucky to be able to use that beach. It was a little cloudy for what we're used to, but that doesn't mean we couldn't play in the sand all day!

Ella, Noah and Jackson

Gabe and Matt built a sandcastle... for the kids. Sure.

We tried the water a little, but Jackson was knocked down once and that was enough to drive him to the arms of his Nana Mary. She didn't seem to mind...

Getting warm in Nana Mary's arms

Saturday night we went to church and then out to dinner at a spot we hadn't tried before called "Smokin' Pete's BBQ". It was yummy!

Jackson and his Nana Mary

Out to dinner

Still got it.... :)

Jackson and I are making the trip up to Seattle next month. We can't wait to see many of you. You know how busy our time is when we're home, and we're sharing it between grandparents, Mukilteo and Kirkland and a week in Sun River, OR as well. I hope to post more in the next week.

Hugs to everyone!

-Nicole

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day from The Rife's!

Jackson wanted to wish his grandfathers a Happy Father's Day, so here are two short video clips we took this morning. He is a little silly :), but that's our boy!

Thanks to all of you Dads out there today. Your job(s) does not go unnoticed and we love you!

Love,

Nicole

Happy Father's Day BaPa Lar-

Happy Father's Day Papa Keith-

Celebrating Jackson a Little Early

Nana Mary and Papa Keith came to San Diego in April for Nana's Spring Break from school and we got to celebrate Jackson's birthday a little early! We had fun decorating and celebrating with all Lightning McQueen decorations!

Two candles for a very special two-year-old (almost...)

Jackson got a new car from Nana Mary and Papa Keith- it has a horn that honks and a radio that plays music! Mommy loves the flexible handle.

Close enough to two-years-old that I can throw a tantrum like one!

Saying thank you to Jesus for our food...

Me and Ella at Sea World

Samantha and I with all 4 kids (she's wearing one and Ella is peeking out from behind Noah) at California Adventure

California Adventure with Nana Mary, Papa Keith, Mickey, Jackson, Daddy & Mommy

Jackson would only wear his new Mickey ears if we put it on top of his ball-cap. He's very opinionated at two :)

Spring

Happy Spring! We have been busy taking in all of the sunshine and new friends in San Diego! In March, Jackson and I went to Disneyland for his first time. We had a blast and made many wonderful memories.

Jackson and I also had a wonderful chance (thanks to Bapa Lar!) to go back to Chicago for a very quick visit to see friends. We were so blessed!

Nana and Papa came in for Easter weekend and we celebrated all weekend long! Baskets, eggs and candy, and of course my favorite memory of the weekend was when Jackson ran into church yelling (with his hands raised for emphasis): "He is risen! He is risen!" What a fun time! We were surprised by an earthquake at Easter dinner over at our friends house, but everything was fine in the end. We are so blessed.

I hope everyone is well!

With all our love,

Nicole, Matt & Jackson

Loving San Diego

Jackson and Daddy before a walk on Sunday.

Jackson enjoying his Nana Paula :)

Thanks to Matt's Uncle Dan-O for sending me this link of today's Herald. What a proud wife I am! Check it out: HeraldNet.

Well, we've been in San Diego for three weeks now and it is finally slowing down a little. We love our church (Eastlake Church) and I have even gotten involved in a Mom's Group every Wednesday where I can have fellowship with other stay-at-home-moms and more importantly, Jackson gets to play with other kids. Jackson and I walk every morning with our new friends, Samantha and her beautiful children Ella and Noah and we are awaiting the arrival of Stephen any day now! It's great to have friends already in a place that feels more and more like "home" each day.

New Home

We are all finally in San Diego together! How wonderful to be a family and be together again. Matt and I worked on painting and prepping the home two days before my parents flew down with Jackson. Matt and Jackson hadn't seen one another in over a month and their reunion was beautiful. Jackson wouldn't leave his daddy's arms and was carried all around the San Diego International Airport. Their love for one another is so strong! :)

Here are some pictures of our new townhome as we continue to get it set up the way we like it. It's starting to really feel like home as the walls get painted, the furniture gets placed, and the pictures get put on the walls. Jackson is finally sleeping through the night again and taking regular naps. We are loving the 60 degrees weather and the meals eaten together.

Jackson's new room is all about transportation. He loves BIG trucks and cars that zoom!

This is our kitchen.

Jackson loves reading in his reading chair in his room.

I found this adorable little table and chairs on craigslist. Would you believe that it was lemon/lime green with bahama fabric on the seats when I bought it? Nothing a couple cans of black spray paint and a trip to JoAnn's Fabric couldn't fix!

Happy New Year!

We have had a very busy past couple of months! In August, Matt made Chief and in late September we decided to extend our time with the Navy and reenlisted! Two weeks ago I left my position teaching Kindergarten in Skokie, IL so that Jackson and I could follow Matt to our new orders in San Diego, CA! Jackson and I are living in Seattle with our families until Matt finds a new home for us, and we are grateful for the extra time with our friends and family in Seattle. It was painfully difficult to say goodbye to all of the wonderful friends we have made over the past three and a half years, but such is the life of a Navy Family. We are excited to meet our new friends and make our new adventures in San Diego. We are determined to life life together, however we can do it.

I put together a small compilation of our Holiday Season in Seattle for your viewing.

Happy New Year!

Love,

Nicole, Matt & Jackson

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