Life's a Beach (California 2010)

We are home and finally getting back into routine.  We had another successful vacation as a family of four.  Traveling is much different now with kids.  Much more stress, much more fun and much more junk!!!  You would have thought we were moving by the sight of us in the airport.  I really tried to pack lightly, but you know how that goes, even without children. 

Waiting on our plane

The reason for our trip was to celebrate my grandmother's 90th Birthday (and to get a break from this heat).  Along with a wonderful ocean side party for my grandmother, we also had a little to do for L&C's b-day, went to the beach a few times, visited my grandfather's burial site, hit up just about every park in town, played with all our second cousins and slept like babies (including myself).  I'm not sure if it was the fresh air or just pure exhaustion, but I think the babies were asleep more there than they were awake. 

Luke with two of his second cousins

Grandma with all her girls

We had a very relaxing vacation and loved spending time with all of our wonderful family.  We were sad to leave, but it's always nice to be home and back into our routine.  Now just to get our room addition done so I can sit back and enjoy this ever so fast life. 

Happy Birthday to my babies

Well it's official-my babies are now a part of the terrific two's. How did two years already go by? I feel I have missed so much, but I know I have gained so much more. I have two years of memories of raising two babies at the same time (thank goodness for video and photos). I am so proud of my toddlers and fall more in love with them everyday.

Once again we celebrated Luke and Carter's second year of life bigger than planned. We not only had a wonderful party with all our little friends at Abby's Playtown, we also had a huge family BBQ and a Birthday celebration in California with our family there. How am I ever going to keep up with these awesome celebrations. Last year at Disney World and this year at the beach. Next year we are staying home, I promise Jeff ;).

Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate another milestone in our journey. I am excited to see what's next and will keep my camera rolling so I can continue to share it with you.

Luke and Carter's true 'lock in'

Last weekend Luke and Carter got to experience their first true lock in.

We had a wonderful morning celebrating Maggie and her 3 year ownership of Stroller Strides in Arlington and all the wonderful friends we have made through fitness and Maggie. I even won the plank contest!!! As we were loading up to head to our favorite place Hawaiian Falls, I started the car, loaded Luke into his seat, loaded the stroller then slam, down went the back hatch. I went to the front door to get Carter only to find all the doors were locked. He must have pushed the lock button on the keys. My first reaction was panic, but as more people gathered it then became a game to see if we could convince C to unlock the doors. Thank goodness the car was running with the ac on or else I would have stayed in panic mode and broken a window.

I think Carter was a bit confused as to why he was getting into everything he knows he is not supposed to and we were on the other side of the window laughing instead of getting on to him. By the time the door was open my glove box was cleaned out, gum out of wrappers and my coffee remains were poured in his car seat all along with Luke laughing at his brother wishing he could join in on the fun.

**Note to self. Do not put babies in running car and shut all the doors. Another leason learned.

Wow!! How Things Have Changed

Not only has technology came a long way since I was a little girl, so has the playgrounds at McDonald's. The top picture was taken in 1972 when playgrounds were first placed at McDonald's and how I remembered them as a child. Today we visited a fairly new Mickey D's and boy was I surprised to see how it has changed. Not only was it an indoor playground, it had musical instruments that the kids could walk on or slide down to make music, flat screen TV, interactive toys and huge slides. There were even sliding glass doors going into the play area so you didn't have to push open the door while your hands were full. Crazy I know!!! Man I wish I were a child of the 2000's.
We had a great time playing with very little eating and hope to visit that one again soon. I wish I had gotten pictures of the whole area, but just getting a few of the babies was a surprise in itself (that place was packed).

Wee Squeak

Finally something to blog about. Don't get me wrong, things have not been boring around here, I have just been bad at taking pictures and blogging lately. We have had a very busy summer so far and still have a ton of fun things to look forward to.

This is a fun video I captured today. As I was looking around the attic for a few things I came across a bin of 18 month clothing. First off I was a little ticked I forgot I had it up there and re-bought several to the items and second they have already outgrown most of the things. But-there were these cute little shoes that still fit Luke. They have a little squeaker thing in them so every time the child takes a step the shoe make this wonderful squeak noise. Yep, annoying but cute. Good thing is the cute/annoying little squeaker thing comes out so that makes them a keeper. I wish I had a video of Luke's face when he first stood up. He loved them from the first step. He actually ran laps around the house just to hear the squeak. After fighting him to take them, one for my nerves and two to go to bed, he just repeated 'shoe, shoe' until he drifted off to sleep.

In this short video you can see a few of Luke's new tricks. Luke like to jump, thanks to Dora, he obviously knows 'shoe' and 'run fast' and you will notice his newest and most favorite trick is pushing along with hitting as he does to his cousin Gavin at the end of the video. Luke is getting very familiar with the time out chair these past few days. The sad part is he gets so mad, grits his little teeth and winds up for the hardest hit that ends up being a small tap. Poor little guy, I don't think he is going to be the wrestler of the family. Enjoy the video and I'll try to enjoy our new shoes.

Thank you Baby Einstein

I am so amazed at how fast Carter is learning. He has something new everyday. He is so interested in books, shapes, colors, numbers and letters. I will ask him a letter or number not really expecting him to know it and he is usually able to give me the exact answer. Everywhere he is he is pointing out a number, letter or color (which his fav so far is blue).

Luke isn't as interested as Carter, but he is coming along. He likes to copy his brother so he is starting to pick up on some letters and colors. Luke is more interested in things like fastening buckle (his Elmo helmet and car seat are his favs), coloring and of course our friends 'Dora and Elmo'. Every time he sees anything related to Dora or Elmo he has to have it, for instance today at the store he saw some Dora panties and had to have them. I let him carry the package through the store, but refused to buy them.

Enjoy the fun videos.

Happy Birthday America

I know this first photo isn't the best one (it was taken with my phone), but it is proof that we enjoyed the fireworks this 4th. We had another busy/fun holiday weekend. We started off camping with some of our distant friends and their families. We spent the day playing in the lake and getting to know each others kids (a total of 11 among only 3 families). We look forward to camping with the Sayen's again soon.
We spent the actual 4th with one of our Stroller Strides friends Garrett and his family. We always enjoy visiting with Debi and Zane. Garrett and L&C are only 15 days apart so Debi and I have plenty to talk about and Zane is one of few Jeff enjoys to talk with about fishing and hunting.
Unfortunately I forgot my camera to all events this weekend so these are just a few that were sent to me.
I hope everyone had a safe and memorable 4th of July weekend.

L&C's first sparkler

Carter and Garrett in the club house

Eating dinner with Garrett