Santa and Sea World

Every year, it's so fun to take the boys to the holiday festivities throughout Southern California. Usually, we visit local light displays and of course, the magic at Disneyland. This year, however, we hit Disney early (and actually visited while they were taping their holiday special...Andrew may be on tv...we'll find out on Christmas Eve). The park is amazing but the crowds are over-whelming sometimes, especially when you have a two year old tornado that likes to be anywhere but where he is supposed to be.

We visit Sea World throughout the year and for some reason (not intentionally) we have never gone during Christmas. But after our last visit, we will be sure to attend Sea World annually for the holidays. It was by far, the best holiday experience we have had in a very long time. First, the park was completely empty. We walked onto every ride and literally had the park to ourselves. The boys could run around and there was not a person in sight. We went with my old middle school team of teachers and their sweet munchkins and the kiddos had a blast. They ran amuck! 

The little lovebirds...

The Christmas decorations were great, especially at night! But the best part of it all was the Santa's village Sea World had created. The village was it's own separate area that had singing and dancing elves (one that Austin took quite a liking to), reindeer, Mrs. Claus, of course, the big guy himself, Santa! And coming from a mama of a very busy toddler, you are given a pager to see Santa so that you don't have to wait in a line and can wonder around the village area until it is your turn to see Santa. Once you were paged, we had a full 5 minute, private visit with Santa. And it was a good Santa! Andrew was able to tell him everything he wanted and Austin, well...Austin was not having anything to do with him! 

He ran right up to this little lady and clung onto her like she was family. What a flirt!!!

I wish I knew what he was thinking....

That is sheer panic on his face.

There is also a Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer play area where you can meet the characters. The boys were apprehensive of the Abominable Snow Monster but loved Rudolph.

We will definitely be sure to add this to our holiday "must visit" place!

Lunch is packed!!

Tonight, I packed Andrew’s very first lunch for school! I know some of you might be thinking, whoopty doo! But you must understand, this is MY first time packing his lunch for school and with all the memories I have of my lunch box, my mom’s special handwritten notes, and my favorite treat tucked in the back, I have admittedly put the emotional pressure on myself! Andrew, could not be any more excited about his first day of school tomorrow. These past two weeks homeschooling in TK have been so amazing and we are having so much fun together! I am thrilled that he loves to learn and is always eager to do the next activity. But, he is yearning for the fun that lies in store every Friday at the iShine Learning Center. Thankfully, he has a few friends that he has become close with through my homeschool families. In addition, we discovered he has a friend that attended his preschool class last year with Miss Mary. Did I mention he is soooooooo excited?? Mommy, however, not so much! Who cries making their kid’s lunch?? Seriously! Get it together woman!!!

So, with a tear on his napkin with a handwritten note, his favorite fruit snacks, grapes, and a PB & J (not very original I know but it’s his fave!), our boy is ready for his first day of school as a TK’er! Go get ‘em Andrew!!

The Cutest Little Ring Bearers

After many years, my baby brother finally tied the knot!! Which means, I FINALLY have a sister and the boys officially have an Auntie C!!

The wedding was perfect and Celeste was stunning! And Jameson cleaned up pretty nicely too! Located in Northern California on several hundred acres overlooking the valley, Taber Ranch in Capay is a gorgeous wedding venue.  Unlike the scorching heat during the weeks prior, the weather was amazing a breeze kept us all cool!

I was honored to stand alongside Celeste as a Bridesmaid and Kyle had the very important job of keeping the boys happy and occupied during the day's events. Andrew was so excited to be a ring bearer! Austin was so excited that he fell asleep 20 minutes before showtime! As the bridal party procession began, Kyle woke him up and down the aisle he went...kind of! From the front of the alter, I could see Austin start to arch his back and get ready for (what I feared could have been) a full blown melt down. I sprinted back down the aisle, swooped Austin up and with Andrew hand in hand, we walked down the aisle. Success! Their job was done!

And well, I know I am biased but the ring bearers were the cutest ring bearers you ever did see!

Those boots!!

I finally have a sister!!

The wedding was absolutely perfect!! I will refrain from sharing my melt down and hot mess of a speech! I ugly cried through the whole thing but I made it.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Martin and welcome to the family Celeste! We wish you both a lifetime of happiness!

11 month adventures!

I am one hundred percent, head over heels, crazy in love with this baby little boy. And I am even more in denial that this sweet little peanut will be one next month! I don't even know how or when this happened but my little Austin some how went from baby to little boy over night. I don't even know how I missed him getting so big through his fifth gear speed crawling, head butting, bumps and bruises, furniture cruising, assisted steps, and hearty chuckles. But I accept the facts, my handsome boy is 11 months old today and about to walk right into his first birthday!



Right above his birth mark, you can see the goose egg that continually maintains a bruise since this seems to be the side of his head he prefers to bonk.

 What Austin is doing:

* He pulls himself up onto EVERYTHING! Walking is a matter of time....BOO!! :(
* He loves big boy food, especially chicken, cheese, strawberries, and sweet potatoes. And by big boy, he is not into the purees, he loves the chunks. He is a foodie like his mama!!
* Wrinkles his nose: It's the cutest thing. He squints his eyes and wrinkles his nose.
* He loves Thomas the Train and Super Why. He doesn't get a lot of TV time but the opening jingles definitely get his attention.
* We are down to two naps a day but he thankfully, he does them willingly and sometimes takes extra long naps so mommy can either get her work done or spend time with big brother Andrew
* He cut 4, yes that's right, 4 teeth last month!! It was rough!! Little man now has 8 teeth!
* Austin likes to copy his big brother. I know this sounds like a no brainer and probably a very common tale amongst siblings but Austin can't wait to be big like Andrew. He follows Andrew all over the house and is trying to mimic noises, laughs, and giggles!
* He is a long and lean machine! Energizer Bunny may be a more appropriate title!

It is an absolute joy and an honor being this little boy's mommy! Austin is such a ray of light and the happiest baby. He has the most cheerful disposition and sincerely, is so sweet! I am seriously in denial that 11 months past so quickly. Time sure flies when you are having fun!

Rock Stars in the Making

I don't remember doing things with my little brother when I was as young as Andrew is but if we had half as much fun as Andrew and Austin have together, we had a blast! Already, Austin wants to be just like his big brother, even if for a quick guitar jam session.

Making sure the guitar is in tune

Checking to see what he should be doing...

Andrew was about to start rocking out. You can tell Andrew is moving and Austin is wondering what is going on.

I know it's a silly post but it was such a cute moment between these two little boys. They love being brothers!

Austin's First Snow Day

I have to give Kyle credit: sometimes, his spontaneity is AMAZING! He loves living life and when I have the opportunity to keep up and entertain his spontaneous ideas, they turn out to be pretty great. With the upcoming rain forecasted, Kyle wanted to surprise Andrew and take him to the snow. I was nervous since I was having flashbacks of this time last year when Kyle took us to Big Bear and we got snowed in...when I was 8 months pregnant. It was fun but I did not want to have an unplanned overnight...again...with an infant....nope!
Anyhow, we packed for the day's errands and on the way home, drove to Idyllwild. Thankfully, it wasn't raining while we drove up there and for the moments when we were trying to find a place to settle. It snowed early in the day as most of So Cal had thunderstorms and flash floods. To our surprise, even with all the snow, Idyllwild was a ghost town. There was NO ONE there! When we grabbed a quick bite to eat, the serving staff had said they were disappointed that with all the snow they had got, that there weren't more people in town. It was our lucky day!! After dinner, it didn't just sprinkle, it snowed! It was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen and Andrew and Austin were in awe! It was gorgeous!

Austin loved the snow, particularly when it fell from the sky and onto his face. He stared into the sky with mouth opened wide and took it all in. It was so sweet! I especially loved the snowflakes on his nose and eyelashes (gives new meaning to how these really are a few of my favorite things!)

I know they are dark but you can see the joy on Austin's sweet little face.