Family Pictures

So I know I am behind and all, but the rest will have to wait. We just got family pictures taken this last weekend and we already got them back. I just wanted to post a few. We love so many of them. If you are in my area and in need of pictures, Courtney Winnie is great and offering a great deal for a mini session. Check her out here And check these out too!

Has it really...

Been that long since I was supposed to finish up vacation pictures! Yikes! I have a lot of catching up to do. We've had LOTS going on around here. A wedding, a slab leak (Which meant me and the girls were gone for a couple days at a time here and there). Then after that was finally done I figured things had calmed down so I took Jade in for her 9 month check up and besides being tall and developmentally past where she needs to be she wasn't gaining weight. Like at all! So I am done nursing and she takes formula, which I am not complaining about. And the doctor hear a murmur in her heart and referred us to a cardiologist. So we went to see him and she had an EKG and we talked to the doctor about it all, but because of the murmur that they never heard before plus other symptoms...including weight we have to take her to do a heart ultrasound to be sure it's nothing else. Not really something I was ready to deal with, but we are. She goes in a few weeks for that so we just are praying that it really is nothing serious for our little girl. On the plus side in the 5 days between her two appointment she had gained like 8 oz. which is a good sign. The nurse probably thought I was crazy when we saw her weight! I was a little excited about it!
And we've just had so many other little things going on that I can't believe we're already this far into August. What is happening to the time?? Plus, I have a 3 year old who has turned into a nightmare lately! And I mean NIGHTMARE! She is mean to Jade ALL day long, won't go to bed at night, and thinks it's funny when she gets in trouble. I have tried it all...okay not tabasco (Cortney...I don't know if I can!) but seriously anyone have any advice for an on the edge momma! Phew...okay sorry for the rant. I just had a lot that I needed to get out there. Soon, and I mean within the next 30 days :) I will post pictures. Lots and lots of pictures! But for now I better be off or I'll start getting into something else that is really bothering me. Anyone else HATE $$. There I couldn't even type it out :)

The Trip (Part one)

So we survived our first major road trip to Northern California with little incident. We had a blast and were sad at how quickly it went by, but glad to get back to our own beds.

The first day we left early--like early--hoping the girls would stay asleep for a big part of the first leg. It really worked out for us even though I only got 4 hours of sleep to start the trip on. We drove to Monterey first, where it was cold and really overcast. We got some lunch and then headed over to Dennis the Menace park. Thanks to the Browns for the tip. We all loved it, and Makena could have stayed there all day if we let her. Yesterday we drove by our usual park and Makena saw it and said, "I want to go there...no, I want to go to the BIG park with the train." I told her we would again...someday! Seriously it was awesome!

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Then we headed up north to San Mateo where Tyler's sister Michelle lives with her family. They have two girls also, 7 and 4, who Makena was in HEAVEN with playing. I think from when she got up in the morning until when she went to bed we only saw her when she was eating or bringing us down some cool new toy she wanted to share. She loved it there!! And they didn't fight at all. It was seriously so great.

Matching tinkerbell nightgowns. Gotta love having girls.

The first whole day there we headed over to Half Moon Bay and saw the beach and the golf course-for Tyler of course. It was really beautiful even though it was cold and the drive totally reminded us of Twilight. But we got a couple good shots of the girls, and the course but I'll spare you too much :)

We went to one of the girl's (Morgan) birthday party later that afternoon at Pump it Up. One of those big bounce house party places. Makena had gone to one just a week or two before this so she really was "pumped" to go. She had fun, even though she got hurt a couple times and still isn't coordinated enough to do some of the bigger things. She must take after her mom---because I was the only one to really get hurt at the party. SO LAME!! Me and Tyler decided at the very end of the party to race in this stupid obstacle course that had two matching sides. We're kind of competitive so it was on! Well like 2 seconds into I tried to push my big butt over this wall and totally dislocated my knee BAD! I had to pop it back in and then try to get out. I got out just about the time that Tyler came down the slide to victory (to tell you that I wasn't the only one way into it-he still has burns on his knee and elbow from it!). So yeah-One day into vacation and I was out. And so mad!! So the rest of vacation I hobbled around with a brace and put it up as much as I could. I am still limping a little. It was dumb!! But Makena had fun and is still talking about how me and daddy got hurt at pump it up :)

And on that note I'll end part one. One day into it and already I messed up the trip. Things can only get better right? And seriously who wants to see this many pictures of us all at once?? Besides my mom :)

BTW...

I forgot a couple things yesterday when I posted. So I will post 2 days in a row. I think that's a record! This girl is now POTTY TRAINED!!! It took her long enough. She just was so fine going pee in her pants and something finally clicked. We are SO happy and so is our bank account!


YEAH MAKENA!!!

And this little cutie started CRAWLING last night!! It's probably the cutest little army crawl I've ever see, but now we are in major trouble because Makena loves tiny little toys now. The two don't really mix!

And she's been spending a lot of time looking like this because of the two giant top front teeth coming in. I feel so bad for her and I really can't wait for them to come in already. For my sanity as well!

And just because she's so dang cute!!! We love these girls!!!

Seriously...

It's time I start taking back control of my life and my blog. I guess having an infant will do that to you, but come on! She's now almost 8 months old. What? Yep I said it and it's been like 3 months since I updated so here we go. And yes it goes back to Easter...don't judge :) Mostly pictures because there's just too much to put up! And I won't bore you with words!

Easter (Yes I made their matching skirts, and yes she is easter egg hunting inside...it was cold)

My brother Jeff got engaged to Ashley!! Wedding next month!!!

Photo Shoots- of course!!

Sea World- My camera battery died after like 10 pictures. Dumb mistake!

Pretend City- Makena's new favorite place!

Seal & Sea Lion Rescue in Laguna Beach

We've been playing hard and the summer hasn't even started yet. We are looking forward to a real vacation up to San Francisco and Napa in just a few weeks and our booked calendar!!! Lots more fun to come!

We've been parents for....

3 YEARS NOW!!! I cannot believe how it has flown. I'd like to say I am a professional mother now, but this last birthday has shown me why I am not yet there. One good thing I had going for me was taking pictures BEFORE we left for the party:

Because any parent should know that even if it's easier and your child says they love Chuck E. Cheese DON'T DO IT!!! Because if they've ever shown any signs of fear of the previously listed mouse it will come back to bite you in the butt and craziness will ensue.
She spent 3/4 of her party like this(and this is calm):


And just spend the time making a birthday cake (yes, I wanted to have little to no responsibility for this party) because if you buy it at Target they will be 45 minutes late having it ready, therefore making you 20 minutes late to your own stinkin' party. It did turn out cute, but I have lots of resentment towards this cake.

And why do I even BUY her birthday gifts when I know that she will accumulate half of the toy department at Target? I will never understand it.
And as many of you know 1:00 church, especially on a weekend of no naps, is not exactly fun. But this was a beautiful thing. And yes that is the middle of my living room/dining room. And yes it was like 5:30 in the afternoon.

So on her actual birthday we thought we'd treat her to some family Disneyland time. Which was really fun. Kind of crowded but fun and she was happy! Isn't she a cute little 3 year old?

But then we got this wild idea to try and go to Rainforest cafe for lunch. Yes even after the Chuck E. Cheese fiasco 2 days earlier. I walked her in, showed her the restaurant and asked if she wanted to eat lunch there. And she of course said yes. So in we went and boy was that a mistake. She cried and was scared pretty much THE WHOLE TIME!! Pretty much the lamest $50 ever spent. She didn't like it and the food wasn't even that good. Parenting skill learned...NEVER listen to a 3 year old when you have doubts. Even if it is her birthday!! This picture was after we'd coaxed her into actually eating her lunch, but she still had a wary eye on that gorilla in the corner. Good times!!

And then after all you've been through to try and let her have the happ-happ-HAPPIEST 3rd birthday EVER, this is the look you get on the way to the car! Priceless. Can't wait until your next birthday Makena!