Father's Day

We had a pretty fun Father's Day.  It started off with breakfast for daddy and opening cards.  

 

Then it was time for presents.  We got him a new Jeep suitcase for our trip this summer and the girls put their latest paintings inside as a surprise.

Lovin' the artwork!

We headed to the Arizona Grand Resort for a stay-cation.  Cory enjoyed a nice, relaxing massage while we played in the pool.  Then we strolled around the grounds before dinner time.  The kids had a blast staying away from home and it was fun to get away even for just 24 hours.

Our California Trip, Part I

We just got back from California and we had such a blast on our trip.  First of all it was amazing to get out of the blazing heat even if it was just for 5 days.  I think we timed it perfectly because we were getting updates from back home that it was 113 degrees.  That made the 78 degree weather in Malibu seem pretty awesome.

We woke up SUPER early on Wednesday morning and headed out.  The plan was to leave at 4am but Ryder woke up at 2am with a bloody nose in our bed and by the time I cleaned it all up I was wide awake.  We decided to hit the road at 2:30am and I drove for the first 2 hours.  By 4:30 I was pretty tired so we pulled over and Cory drove the rest of the way.  We got into LA just in time for breakfast and some rush hour traffic.  When we arrived at Alexa & Justin's house they were at swim lessons but we got settled in and they arrived around lunch time.  We took it easy that first day because we were all pretty pooped from driving in the middle of the night.  Alexa & Justin took us to Stonehaus, one of their favorite neighborhood restaurants.  We had wine & snacks while the kids ran around and played outside.  It was so nice.  After we got back home the kids were dying to put on a concert with all of Justin's instruments.  It was one of the funniest things I've watched in awhile.

 They were rocking out and having so much fun with Lexington.  Ryan looked super cool in her shades.  Ryder was so tired that he fell asleep on the way home from the restaurant and slept until the next morning.  No rockstar Ryder that night :(

 Reese picked out her fancy outfit with bow and dressed Lexington up to the nines.

 I'm not sure what they're whispering about but I'm sure it was about the grand finale.

 Then it was our turn to duet.  Eight years of piano lessons for both of us and we can play some mean heart and soul jams.

 Justin was the designated baby Zane holder.  I could seriously eat that kid up.  He is too precious.

 Cory got on the guitar and had a jam session while I recalled some of my Richard Marx tunes I had memorized from 8th grade.  Epic.

 There's that sweet little squishy boo again!

Day 2 we woke up and had some breakfast and played in their garden.  Alexa had ladybugs to release and that turned into oodles of fun for the kids.

 

Then we headed to the beach in Malibu that afternoon.  Our Aunt Marilyn & Greg were staying down the road in Ventura and joined us for some fun in the sun.  The sun kept peeking in and out of the clouds and it was a wee bit chilly at times but we still had a blast.  The kids love running from the waves and playing in the sand.  There's just something so awesome about the salty air and having your feet in the sand.  Below is a photo of all of us minus Aunt Marilyn because she was snapping the photo.

 Then I got a cute one of Alexa, Justin, Lexington & Zane together.

 Here is our crew about to start running from the waves.  Seriously our most favorite game ever.

When we got back home we had a gourmet dinner of gazpacho and grilled shrimp that Justin threw together.  Our kids wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole unfortunately so I made noodles with butter and parmesan and they tore that up.  The beach always makes me so hungry.  Not sure what it is.

Day 3 was our day to leave and head to San Diego.  We were so sad but we know we'll see the B family soon when we all head to CO in July.  Before we left we tried to get a photo of the 5 kids together.  Of course it's like herding cats and Reese & Ryan were fighting over who could hold Zane, but we finally got a few good ones together.

 I seriously can't get enough of this kid.  He gives me baby fever in a major way and that hasn't happened in awhile.  I am dying over this photo of him in shades.  What a hoot!  That was Ryan's idea.

 So long for now and we'll see you soon!

Pool crashers we are

My cousin, Bryson and his family are in town and staying at the Phoenician.  We would have visited every day this week if possible but life just didn't allow for that.  We did make it up there on Monday & Wednesday and it was so much fun.  The girls had a half day on Wednesday so we went after lunch and spent the afternoon there.  They loved the waterslide and checking out the koi pond.  It's such a pretty place and I hope we can go back and visit this summer.  

That's how we roll

I've been trying to catch up on the blog but I still need to post about Christmas and now it's been so long I'm starting to losing my steam.  So much has happened in January and Feb so far that I need to write about that too.  Problem is I don't have a lot of 'me' time to myself.  By the time I get everyone down at nighttime and clean up the kitchen it's almost 8:30 and I want to go read and decompress in bed.  I'm not even really watching TV right now (except for Downton Abbey, of course).  Ryder has started preschool, a 2/3s combo class 2 days a week in the afternoon.  It's nice for him to have some school time while sissies are at school and I get a wee bit of a break, but usually spend the entire 2 hours running errands alone or working.  There is a definite misconception that once your kids start school you'll have all this time on your hands.  I can't believe how much busier our lives have gotten since school started last July.  I feel like I'm still trying to figure out how to balance it all as a mom, working woman, wife, & friend.

I do have one funny story to share:  Me, Cory, & Ryan were together last week at therapy (for some of Ryan's food and emotional issues) and Mimi was home with Ryder and Reese.  They were playing out front like we love to do in the cul-de-sac.   While they were all out front (Mimi, Ryder, Reese L. down the street, our Reese, and Muffin), the UPS guy made two deliveries on our street.  Then, he pulled up to our house and said that our street looked like the UPS driver's training videos with kids, dogs, and toys in the street.  He was laughing and asked if it was a test and if I was taking notes.

Yep, our crazy life looks like the training video for the UPS guy.  Welcome to our world of crazy.

Christmas Eve & Day 2012

We sure did have a fun filled Christmas.  I was so busy helping the kids with everything that I feel like I barely got any good photos.  We celebrated Christmas Eve at Mimi & Papa's house and opened presents with everyone.  The girls got their Next Generation dolls with carrying cases and a white horse they promptly named, Arabelle.  It was an amazing evening and we had so much fun together.

Then it was back home to get ready for Santa's arrival.  

Here is our Christmas tree all decorated, waiting for gifts to arrive underneath.

Santa left 2 bikes for Reese & Ryan and a new Jeep for Ryder.

They were SO excited!!

 Ryder was still waking up.

Then we headed to Grandma & Grandpa's house for an afternoon of fun.  We went on a long bike ride, ate Mexican food, and opened up all our gifts.  The highlight of the day for me was getting the Vitamix blender I have been drooling over.  To say I was excited was an understatement.  Best. Gift. Ever!

Auntie CeCe's 12/12/12 birthday party

Alexa sure knows how to plan a party, even when she's pregnant and chasing a toddler around.  She threw together a last minute shindig for Auntie CeCe's birthday at the Farm @ South Mountain.  The weather was beautiful outside and the food was so yummy.

Little stinker man came with me.

Alexa brought homemade jams for everyone and mini pies.

Lexington & Ryan found ways to occupy their time.  They played in the dirt,

climbed trees (well, only Ryder was climbing trees but that's because he's older & part monkey)

posing in trees,

and more posing,

Then we asked some nice stranger walking by to take our photo.  I just wish most people knew how to snap a photo without cutting off all our legs and leaving a ton of headroom.

What a fun filled day with some great women!  Happy Birthday, Auntie Cece!