Vacation Part 1

Back in early June we went on a family trip to California. It was quite the trip- one I wouldn't necessarily suggest for those parents of a 5 month old... but we did have a good time apart from all the driving.

We decided this year we were going to rent a car to save on the wear and tear of our only family vehicle. We were in the market for a full size car that could seat three car seats/boosters on the same bench. We reserved a car almost a month in advance, and when we got to the rental car place, they didn't have the car we were promised. SO- they "upgraded" us to a Jeep Patriot. Yeah- it gets good gas mileage, but it was a VERY tight fit getting three seats on the bench. Besides that, it didn't have cruise control or any power locks or windows. Ever take a 14 hour drive with three children with no cruise control (cramps in the leg) and no power window locks ("Lacey- stop rolling down the window or I swear I will BEAT you!")? Totally not cool. But still- glad to not have to worry about putting so much mileage on our car.

Our first stop on the trip was to Joe's friend, Jason's house in Los Gatos. He is a California State Park Ranger in the Santa Cruz mountains, so his home was in a pretty secluded forest setting. It was gorgeous, and cool without ever being cold. We spent some time hiking, and eating some killer food (prepared by Jase) and just relaxing. We went into downtown Los Gatos and did some touristy shopping and dining. Then, on our last day with Jase we went to The Monterey Bay Aquarium.

I didn't take too many pictures, but did get a few good shots...

The girls really liked Uncle Jason (aka Uncle Jase or Uncle J) They were constantly fighting for his attention.

It wasn't cold, just trying to keep Matthew's head from burning. Joe got a good feel for how miserable pregnancy can be while wearing the sling.

Gorgeous view- and a pretty cute kid too!

Blows my mind that my girls were totally cool sitting on this rock with Jason. Pretty awesome view though!

Matthew being exactly what he is... a boy. Gotta love the Nerf gun!

Lacey sitting in front of some anchovies at the Aquarium. I couldn't get her to look at the camera...

Lil sitting in front of the same anchovies... And also not looking at the camera. Can't remember why she was laughing. Probably at Daddy and Uncle Jase being funny, like usual...

Lilia playing in the Touch Pools. She liked the sea stars.

Lacey looking at some pretty gnarly fish.

Stay Tuned for part 2...

Respect the note!

Lil found out we were babysitting some neighbor boys tonight. This is what she put on her bedroom door. Gotta respect the note boys- she was pretty polite, doncha think?

Updates.

First off, Matthew has officially been tested for food allergies. The day of the test he had a pretty crappy reaction and projectiled all over me and our couch. The rash was in full bloom, and he was super congested. I was kinda glad (sorta) because it meant being able to take him to the doc MID REACTION. So we took him in, the doctor agreed that he looked like he had an allergy, but then... ALL the tests came back negative! UGH! So there I was trying not to cry, because I was SO SURE he was allergic, and if he ISN'T, as great as that news is, it puts me back at square one with what exactly is WRONG with my sweet boy?! The doctor said it might be FPIES- which is basically a step between an allergy and intolerance, so he gave me some specific instructions to check for a reaction. Oddly enough- this test was almost a month ago and he has had NO REACTIONS WHATSOEVER since the test. My guess is that he had allergies, and has outgrown them (which was always a likely possibility).

Second, my kids are super cute.

Third, Lilia graduated from kindergarten last week, and we couldn't be more proud of her. She got nearly perfect grades (all 4's and one 3), and she was given a certificate stating she is the most athletic kindergarten girl. Um, news to me! :) She then proceeded to tell anyone who would listen that she "has to stay home for three months before [she] can go to first grade."

Fourth, my kids are awesome and amazing!

Fifth, Matthew has officially tried solids. Yeah- not much of a fan. We are still working on learning to pull food to the back of the throat... He still spits it out (and makes the cutest little "PBBT!" sound every time...). All in good time!

(The rash on his face is the only sign of a possible skin allergy, but we haven't been able to pin point what is the cause yet)

Sixth, my son's chub makes me giggle. He is so cute!

Seventh, we are leaving for vacation in San Fran, Mo-Town, and Tahoe next Saturday. If you are interested in getting together with me lemme know!

Eighth, my middle child is very determined. When she wants something she can't reach, she just builds steps... albeit very DANGEROUS steps...

(that would be to reach the play dough on the top of the bookshelf)

Ninth, I like this picture- not sure why...

And finally, my cousin reminded me that what WAS in this spot is still a secret... to be updated later...

I think I am gonna be sick...

What happens when Mom is busy feeding the baby and big sister is in the other bathroom taking a bath...

I thought there was only minimal damage, then I looked a little closer at her and saw the clumps of cut hair still on her head...

I combed her hair out and this is what came off on the brush...

after I blew it dry...

Mothers Day 2010

This year was a good one for me. Unlike last year, I KNEW what I was getting for Mothers Day from the get go. Why? Well- because I took my husband to Home Depot, walked him to the right department, pointed and said, "THAT had better be my Mothers Day gift!" And he took the hint! :) In fact, he took it one step further and said, "I like this one better (the upgraded model)." (To be fair, we were there to buy HIS early Fathers Day gift- tools for our basement, so I felt justified telling him exactly what would make me happy.)

And THIS is what he got me!

Now, my husband, whom I truly ADORE has some of the worst luck ever, as proven by his 30th Birthday Party, as well as our Wedding Flower stories (ask me about it sometime and I may have to tell ya about it!). And of course, this story is no different! The actual door Joe was wanting to get was THIS ONE. And when he got to the store he called me to double check the door size. I measured it and told him it was 36" X 80". He was glad he called because he had written down 30" X 80". Soooo- an hour or so later he came home, and began installing the door. He got to the point where he had the door ready to put in the door frame and as he lifted it into place he realized that the door was WAY TOO narrow! Even though he had gotten the correct measurements from me, the employee that got the door for us gave him a 32" X 80" door! So he spent 30 minutes taking apart the door he just put together, and drove the 20 minutes to Home Depot, traded in the door for the correct width, drove the 20 minutes home, pulled it out of the box and realized that though this one was the correct width it was the WRONG STYLE! But since the door he brought home was the original one I liked, we decided to keep it... bless his heart! He was NOT in the mood for a third 40 minute drive to get the right door!

Either way, I now have a storm door, and can talk to people at the front door without needing to worry about my dog escaping! AND I can leave the door open to get some air in the house this summer! YAY!

This morning, Matthew gave me a mothers day gift. Lately he has been fussing at around 3 am, he isn't waking up, just making enough noise to wake me up and put a pacifier in his mouth. TODAY- he didn't fuss or wake up until 5:30! What a good boy! And after I fed him, he went right back to sleep- as did I. Lacey sorta gave me a gift by waking up and laying quietly next to daddy so I could keep sleeping. Joe finally got up with her, and they let me sleep an extra two hours! Give or take the 2 minutes when Lil came in and LOUDLY announced that I could FINALLY have the Mothers Day gift she made in her Kindergarten class. It was super cute, but it had been sitting on our kitchen counter since Friday and she kept insisting it was NOT a gift, and that if it was a gift it WASN'T for me, and it WASN'T for Mothers Day... hehehe. I am so glad she is not good at lying. Long story short- I woke up at 5:30, fed Matt, went back to bed and slept til 8. I then woke up to hash browns and scrambled eggs w/ham for breakfast. What a great start to my day! I love my family!

Ever try getting three kids to look at you at the same time? Yeah- not easy... Oh, and Lacey had spilled water down her front and had just taken off her pajamas, but Matthew was in a good mood so I begged her to come take a picture quickly before Matthew got fussy. :) I love my cute kids!

200 Posts?!

Wow I have written 200 posts! How many of you have been following since I started this blog?

Okay- enough about that :) I am in the mood to reminisce a bit. Show some cute pictures of me and Joe and our ever growing family through the last 10 years of marriage and dating...

Dating Us

Newlywed Us

Us after Joe's graduation

Us plus 1

Us plus 2

And then we added a third- still no picture of all of us together.

My first picture with my kids...

Lilia

Lacey

Matthew

Here are some side by sides with Joe and the kids...

Lilia

Lacey

Matthew

And a picture of Lil counting Lacey's fingers:

And Lacey counting Matt's:

Some cute smiles from my kids:

Lilia

Lacey

The Girls

Matthew

And a few funny pictures worth sharing...

Lil drawing her own bath

Lacey getting in the bath by herself

Newborn Lacey- sound asleep

Buttered up Lacey

Sleepy Lilia

Lilia blowing bubbles on Lacey

Matthew thinks he's SOOOO funny...

Now- it's late and it's past my bedtime. Time to take the advice of the following pictures.