Fun at the fair

We took the kids to the Orange County Fair this year and it did not disappoint! We had so much fun together! The kids loved the rides in the kid section and Mike and I had fun on the slide too. We had to get funnel cake and Maddy wanted her cotton candy. It was fun this year and Maddy even got to do some rides by herself. :) They loved the farm section too. I grew up going to and performing at the fair, so it is fun to take my kids there too.

Extra luggage

These two tried to pack themselves in Daddy's suitcase before he left on a business trip. Good thing we found them or the Airline would have charged Mike for a heavy bag. :)

Jailbirds

These are the two cutest jailbirds I have ever seen!

Mini Mike

Dear Bro,

You are your daddy's little mini man! You look just like your daddy when he was little. Grandma says that you have his same personality. You are quite a busy guy. You are always on the go and your new favorite thing to do is kick balls. You can distinguish between baseballs, footballs and soccer balls. There is no doubt that you are a boy's boy! You have given us so much joy in your 19 months of life! You are full of energy and you want to do EVERYTHING your sister does. When Maddy says she has to go potty you RUN to the bathroom and sit on the seat like you are going. It is very funny. I LOVE this picture of you because it says a lot about your personality. You have lemon ALL over your nose because it was the only thing to give you to make you happy at the dinner table. You talk A LOT these days, even if only you and I can understand it. I love you very much Brodster!

Love,

Mommy

Mini-Me

Dear Beauty Girl,

People say you are my mini-me. I LOVE when they say that. You look just like mommy, except you have been blessed with beautiful strawberry blonde hair. You are sweet and kind. You are growing up before my eyes. You say you are three and a half instead of three. I don't know where you got that. Sometimes you leave your blankie in your bed because you say you are a big girl and you don't need it. I ABSOLUTELY ADORE this picture of you. It says so much about your little personality. You are smiling, but in a look at me way. I love you to the moon and back.

Love,
Mommy

Rub a dub dub...

...two babes in a tub!

Happy Birthday, Grandpa

Last night we celebrated Grandpa's birthday! We had a fun day at Pelican Hill with our cousins. We swam and played. Then we went to Beachcomber, where we ate dinner and ice cream, and played on the beach. Happy Birthday Grandpa! We love you!
Love,
Maddy and Brody

Mike and his parents. Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Old McDonald had a farm

E I E I O!!!!! This is Maddy and Brody's favorite new song!!! Every night when Mike and I put the kids to bed, we all gather in Mad's bed to tell stories, say prayers, and sing songs.  Usually I make up stories about Stinky and Pinky (two pigs that go on adventures). Don't ask where I get it from. Mike can't believe that I can make up stories like that. It must be the teacher in me :).  Lately though, Mike and I have been telling stories about when we were little. Maddy LOVES it. She sits and listens with such wonder and anticipation in her eyes. Brody on the other hand climbs in and out of bed, gets books, throws books, etc. He cannot sit still. :) Well, last night we decided to sing Old McDonald and Brody SAT on the bed and danced, sang, and added his favorite animal sounds to it. It was very cute and funny! I guess I know now how to make the kid sit still- sing about a farm and we are good!!

A Bicycle Built for two...

Last weekend I was able to go to Santa Barbara with my mom and meet Alyssa and Casey to pick out a wedding venue! I can't believe my lil sis is getting married! We had so much fun. The weather that weekend was amazing!! We met with the planner at the Fess Parker and LOVED it!! My mom was amazing with all of her paperwork, budget planning, etc. in order. It's like she has been through this before :) times two.  Then we layed by the pool, ordered drinks, appetizers and did some planning. I got to read a magazine and lay by the pool. It was heaven! Mike was an amazing daddy at home with the kids! After a yummy dinner on State Street we walked around and then headed back to the hotel to see a wedding reception take place. The next morning I headed home, while they visited a few more wedding venue options. I knew they would pick the first one and THEY DID!!! Full wedding planning ahead... Congrats Lou and Casey!! Can't wait for March xoxoxo!

The HAPPY bride and groom to-be!!

The many faces of Mad

Maddy likes to take pictures with our camera. She will find it and start snapping away. Usually there are pictures of the ground, her babies, toys, Dakota, etc. Well the other day when I went to look at the camera- it was none of those. Apparently, this girl likes to take pictures of herself making faces. There was this sweet one:

Then this one, which made me laugh out loud...

Then we got real tricky...

She's a funny girl that one. And I LOVE her!!!

Pretty in pink

Our baby girl is growing up! Maddy started her first dance class last week.  She is taking classes with her best girlfriend, Ashley. Maddy has been looking forward to starting dance class ever since I mentioned it a couple of months ago.  She was so excited! We went and picked out leotards, tights and dance shoes.  She even got a black dance skirt to wear over her dance clothes.  On the morning of her first class, she got all ready and I put her hair up. She looked like a little princess! She wasn't even hesitant to walk into the dance room.  She took Ashley's hand and went right in and was ready to dance! I am so excited to watch Maddy as a little ballerina! She is my special girl!

 

 Our beautiful dancer!

Buddies

Brody and Cade are buddies! These two can get into lots of trouble together!

Cuddle bugs on the couch

This is how I found the babes watching toons in the morning! These two love eachother. The first thing they do in the morning is hug and kiss. It makes my heart happy!

A dog's life

We do still have a dog!! I know Dakota doesn't get mentioned a lot on this blog- but it is all about the babes! However, the babes love her! After a great date night on Saturday night, Mike and I took Dakota with us Sunday morning to pick the kids up from Grandma and Grandpa's in HB. We decided to make Kota's dog day and take her to the dog beach! Maddy and Brody LOVE going there! It is the best for them- the beach and their dog! Let's just say Kota was in dog heaven and slept most of that day!

That is one happy dog!

Wow- look at that hole!

Someone is going in the water..

Watch out Mad- Kota is about to shake...TOO LATE!!

Sandy feet = good time