2.28.2013

Beautiful day

Today was such a nice day that I wasn't surprised when West asked to go outside. I followed him out eagerly, and he asked me to watch him jump on the trampoline. So I grabbed my camera and got some photos of him jumping and kicking and having a fun time. Here are some of them:







Even Big Turtle got in on the action, since it was such a nice day out.


I even had a silly little monkey to photograph, and was grateful that he let me!







I even got a shot of my current favorite pair of shoes. They make me smile because they add a fun pop of color to my normally basic wardrobe. :)


2.27.2013

Catching up!

Hi everyone! Or, at least whomever is still reading this blog, ha, I know it’s not that many. I have finally carved out some time to do a little catch-up post. I suppose I’ll start from most recent and work my way back. We’ll see.
This week was fun, we just got back from a trip to Utah, and instead of going right back into the routine and tackling the pile of laundry staring me down, on Monday I took West to Disneyland. We got passes again this year for Christmas, and I feel like we haven’t used them as much as I’d like. Of course, it’s hard with a child in school and everything, but I wanted to just go. So we did! Here are some fun pictures from the day.
Waiting in line:
LBL_6033
LBL_6052
LBL_6051
We saw Lightning McQueen making his way to sign autographs:
LBL_6072
While we ate at Flo’s CafĂ©:
LBL_6079
After that we headed to Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. This one is always a favorite with both my boys. We started with the tire swing. He’s such a little guy and it’s fun to watch him zip down the line…
LBL_6087
…and then slam into the tire at the end and go swinging! So fun.
LBL_6093
Next we headed to the little ‘graduation ceremony’ they do for all the Wilderness Explorers. I love the thought they put into the details of this little show and the leader is always so energetic and fun.
LBL_6096
LBL_6097
LBL_6100
After helping out with the show (West was being VERY interactive and answered each and every question emphatically. It was pretty hilarious, and he was cracking everyone up.), West got to get his sticker badge and take a photo with Russell. He had lots of fun!
LBL_6109
Then it was off to the slides…
LBL_6110
LBL_6112
LBL_6114
…and then rock climbing!
LBL_6118
LBL_6121
LBL_6123
And a final JUMP! to the finish line!
LBL_6130
That was pretty much our fun day! After rock climbing, we had to start heading home so that we could be there when Eli got out of school. I thought I was leaving plenty of time, but of course it turned out to be the first time we’ve ever been late to pick up Eli from school. He was confused as to why we weren’t there, but luckily a mom from our street spotted him and sat with him until we got there. Which was, literally, about 4 minutes after they let out, but he was already starting to walk home on his own. I’m glad for the mom for stopping with him so that he didn’t head all the way home! Needless to say, we had a good talk about what to do if Mom isn’t there after school.
In any case, I predict a lot more Disney dates with West this year. Hopefully will better time management so we don’t miss E!

2.21.2013

Pasadena party

I was so excited to get to visit with my childhood best friend this past week. Summer has lived in Pasadena for a couple of years, and although we haven’t gotten to visit with each other as much as I’d like, it’s been great being closer.

Recently Summer’s husband got a new job in Salt Lake, so I knew we’d need to schedule one last visit before they headed out. Plus getting to meet their newest addition Daniel was the icing on the cake! He’s adorable. And while I didn’t take that many photos of us, I did get a few while we went out to lunch. And West took some for us too. :)

IMG_3913_crop

IMG_3915

IMG_3914_crop

IMG_3916_crop

Thanks for a fun visit, Summer! We’ll have to catch up with you in the frozen north the next time we’re up there. ::wink::

2.20.2013

Hanging with good friends

We were so lucky to grab some time to meet up with my dear friend Tracy this week! The kids have missed seeing her boys and Ruth, and Irvine Regional Park was the perfect setting to reconnect. It had been way too long since we had seen each other, and it was so good to get to chat together again and see what’s going on in each others’ lives. It’s crazy how fast the time goes when you’re in this season of life, with kids growing and pregnancies and babies and school schedules and everything needing your attention ‘right now’. So it was a blessing to stop for a while and just hang out. I miss that since moving away from Mission Viejo and one of my very favorite friends.

Here’s what we did!

We got to the park a tad early, so I took the boys out to explore and got a few shots of them.

IMG_4005

IMG_4007

I didn’t have my nice camera with me, but a semi-okay photo is better than no photo, right? ;)

IMG_4011

Then our friends came and we got to play with them! Best day ever!

IMG_4015

IMG_4013

IMG_4016

Once the woods trees had been thoroughly explored, we got the idea to rent a couple of bicycles that we could all fit on, and take those for a ride around the park. It was a ton of fun, but also a lot more strenuous to cart around the kids than I thought it would be. I definitely got my workout in for the day! :)

IMG_4022

IMG_4020

Of course, the only picture I got of West and he looks like he’s drunk! Haha.

IMG_4019

IMG_4024

We took our lunches with us and had a fun little picnic in the middle of the ride. It was perfect weather and we had a great time. After the bike ride was over, of course we had to have dessert! I had some cupcakes left over from a baby shower that weekend, and the kids thoroughly enjoyed them, even if they were all pink! :)

IMG_4027

IMG_4029

Then the boys wanted to play in the ‘woods’, which they remembered from a previous visit, and after they were done building their tree house, we got a shot of the whole group.

IMG_4036

And, of course, a silly one. We can’t miss that opportunity!

IMG_4039

Thanks so much for a great visit, Larsens! We sure miss you guys and wish we could see you more often. But we’ll still take what we can get! ;)

2.15.2013

Oh, the cheesiest

Today the boys had their combined, belated birthday party. After the massive effort that was involved in the Lego party and How to Train Your Dragon parties of the previous two years, this year I caved and called the big mouse. No, not Mickey, but his step-brother: Chuck E Cheese!

I have to admit, my expectations weren’t all that high, but I was pleasantly surprised. The kids had a great time playing the games with the massive amount of tokens we got, and the Moms (and my hubs) had a great time just sitting around and visiting with each other! The best part was that the hostess pretty much took care of everything, including the food orders, set-up and take-down, and the boys got a lot of great souvenirs to take home.

LBL_5865

LBL_5873

LBL_5906

 

Here is a favorite activity the boys got to do – the ticket blaster! They asked them if they wanted to go separately or together, and they chose to go together. Of course. :)

LBL_5883

LBL_5885

LBL_5895

LBL_5900_crop

These two adorable kiddos had a lot of fun riding this ride! I suspect it’s because it let you lay down the whole time and you could relax! :) They were so cute.

LBL_5901

Of course, we had to have the Big Cheese come out and celebrate with the boys and their friends. They led them in a dance, a contest, and even crowned the boys with their awesome coin crowns!

LBL_5948

LBL_5996

LBL_6002

Oh how I wish I had a video of West boogying in his chair! He was loving the music and dancing the way he does, which is just too cute. He definitely has more rhythm than me!

It was a really fun party, and I really loved not having to do much for it myself! We’ll see what happens next year…

LBL_6014