California Sunshine

Our first morning in Pasadena I opened the front door and instantly remembered how beautiful Pasadena is. The sunshine, the cool mornings, and the yummy smells. It seriously smells amazing with all the flowers and plants, I miss it.  We met Laura at Brookside Park and just hung out and soaked up some sun.  

Ash had a funeral to go to in Burbank so after the park Laura and I went on a mini eating tour.  We tried a new breakfast burrito place I read about on a blog and was literally 10 minutes from our apartment in Glendale.  

Laura is probably the best eating friend I've ever had.  We still text a lot about food and recipes, but it's just not the same.  

Our 2nd stop was a donut shop in Eagle Rock.  You can build your own donut or try their specialities.  We had a goat cheese and honey donut and it was so delicious.

We went to Manhattan Beach that afternoon and spent a couple hours there.   The pier was lined with Christmas trees and lights.  

Back in their element.

We were at the beach during nap time and Cole was tired and cold so I changed his diaper, wrapped him up in a towel and he fell asleep in my arms, so sweet.  

These two are the cutest and play so well together.  It feels like we've been gone so much longer than 7 months.

We knew traffic would be bad on the way home since we left at 4, but it took us over 2 hours to get back to Pasadena.  I DON'T miss the traffic :)   Luckily we made it back with 30 minutes to get ready, bathe the kids, and hand them over to Ashlee's mom Marcille who watched all 3 of them for us, so sweet of her.   We met at Kim's house and carpooled to Fig and Olive in Hollywood.  It was so much fun to see all these girls and catch up.  Life changes so quickly, but I'm thankful to have friendships and memories with all of them.  Miss you all!!

Back To La La Land

I planned a trip to Los Angeles in September when I found out we were going to Utah for Coby's wedding.   I had a free flight I needed to use on JetBlue and since they don't really fly out of Dallas I figured out it would be cheaper than buying a roundtrip ticket from Dallas to SLC.  It's always a little nerve racking traveling with the kids by myself, but I really wanted to go back to California to see our friends.  I had 2 huge suitcases, 1 carry on, 2 car seats, my stroller, my purse, and 2 backpacks for them with iPads, snacks, and toys.  It was crazy!!

The flight turned out to be pretty easy.  They are both getting to good ages where they can entertain themselves and just eat snacks.  

Cole decided to take a nap the last 30 minutes and then cry after we got off the plane until we got into Ashlee's car.  At the baggage claim he was laying on the ground screaming and I was waiting for my pile of bags which I had no idea how I was getting to Ashlee's car.  I had to laugh because it was so insane and everyone was just staring at me.  That's one thing I don't miss about California.  People are so unhelpful and rude.   I saw some young Asian guys sitting down playing on their phones so I asked them if they would help me out to the curb and wha la just like that I made it to Ashlee's car :)

It had been 7 months since we moved, but in a way it still felt like our home.  Kind of bittersweet, but so good to be back in the beautiful sunshine!!   Our first stop was Americana which also kind of made me teary eyed because I spent so many days there wandering around, haha.  We had lunch at Din Tai Fung and I'm drooling over those green beans in the picture right now, yum.  Cole warmed up to Ashlee and it was just like old times.

Alex and Saige picked right up where they left off and Cole was the 3rd wheel again, haha.   Our favorite trolley ride around Americana.

We stopped at my favorite Lululemon and picked up a few sale items.  Thank goodness for iPads.

The new Sprinkles opened and I was so excited to sit outside and eat cupcakes and their amazing cookies.  It was a perfect afternoon!!

That evening we stopped at Amber's house for the kids to stretch out a bit and then met Laura at Tacos Ensenada!!!  Man do I miss our lunch dates there.  Best fish tacos and peppers ever!!

Random November

One of my favorite things to do is try new restaurants.  I've heard so many people rave about Jaspers so I made reservations for us there one night.  The waiter told us they had crab legs from one of the boats on the show Deadliest Catch which Al happens to watch.  It was a little over priced, but it was amazing and we savored every bite.  You Only Live Once, right!!

Al 5 & 6

Taking selfies on my phone during Sacrament.

Hugs and kisses from my little lover Cole.

I took my friend Heather's maternity pictures at White Rock Lake one evening and it was so fun.  She's gorgeous and the lake was beautiful so it kind of impossible not to get a good shot.

Cole and Mom mall date on the Carousel.

Lunch date at Pei Wei eating his California Roll!!

Dinner in Dallas celebrating Diane's Birthday!!

Breakfast with Santa at the Willowbend Mall.  Each kid got a free breakfast at Chick Fil A, face painting, balloon animals, and to see Santa.

Cole makes me laugh.  What 2 year old sits still to get their face painted!!

Proud of their new Olaf face paintings :)

Al was in Arizona with his parents volunteering for the Arizona Ironman so they can do the race in 2015.  My friend Lauren and her family were with me at the mall and while we were waiting in line to see Santa, Cole disappeared.   The entire thing was fenced in so we were all so confused, but Lauren's husband Rich went into the big snow globe before you meet Santa and Cole was just standing in the middle the snow looking around.  Talk about heart attack and not to mention I was almost in tears, worst feeling ever.   This snow was on everything and wasn't easy to get off.  I definitely prefer real snow :)

Snow angels in the fake snow

Al and his parents made a stop at Last Chance for me which I've been dying to go to.  Everything that doesn't sale at Nordstrom Rack goes to Last Chance.  Al said it was like the worst Ross he's ever been to.

Al handing out water bottles to athletes on the bike portion.

And Lexi went into labor 6 weeks early, 1 week before I was going to take maternity pictures of her!!   Here is sweet little Hadley, can't wait to meet her.

Alex 3.5

Alex is hilarious

Some of my favorite things he says are 

-No Cole don't say no to me

-Over here Cole-

-Thank you much mama

-Yes sir

-Mama I'll lay on your tummy (my chest)

-oh mama your hair looks nice

-oh nice dress

-oh mama your hair is messy you need to shower

-oh mama I picked you flowers

-You're in big trouble Cole.  Go sit in timeout

-What are we doing today (he means tomorrow) and he asks me every night

-On Halloween his favorite thing was to hand out candy and every time someone rang the doorbell he would say oh hey the guys are out there.

-We were carving pumpkins and Al lifted the top off and Alex looked in and said is there a baby in there?

-Al is going to the bathroom and he says you have a big pee pee, cole has a little pee pee, mama has a little pee pee.  You have a big bum and Cole has a little bum.

-Loves to build things and obsessed with legos, tinker toys.  He loves to paint, color, and draw.  He will definitely be our artistic child. 

-Wasn't a huge fan of soccer, but we might give it another try next fall.  I'm hoping for basketball, but I think he looks like a tennis player with his blonde hair :)

-Loves preschool and likes to tell me what to pack in his lunch (pistachios are his favorite)

-Very observant and very thoughtful.

-He is always worried or concerned about how others feel.  

-Is so calm, sweet, and mild tempered.  Loves to help me with anything especially emptying the dishwasher.  

-His favorite foods are mac and cheese, quesadillas, chicken place (chick fil a), pasta, and cereal!!

-Loves to read books and I keep buying more!!

We love you Alex!!

Cole 11-6-14

 2 Year Stats

Weight 28lbs (60%)

Height 33.5 (50%)

 Head 19 (55%)

I haven't I've done this for a long time so I'm sure I'm missing a ton!!

-Started walking on January 5th at 14 months old.

-Loves Mickey, Curious George, and Despicable Me

-Learned how to unlock an iPhone on Jan 12

-Had his first haircut on 1-21

-He still has chubby fingers, hands, and a cute crease on his wrists.  I love watching him put his fingers in a raisin boxes.

-Love love loves music.  He is so opinionated about what I listen to in the car and he will always say turn it loud mama, I like this one, or no I don't like it.  His favorite songs are Lada Gaga Applause and Katy Perry Birthday.

-His voice is my favorite.  Al always says he has great voice affliction

-Loves to sleep in and it's amazing.  He sleeps from 7pm-8am.  Alex has always been an early riser.

-Every morning I bring Cole downstairs and Alex says Hi Cole and Cole says Hi Cole...haha

-Talks so good.  The Dr said oh wow he says sentences.  He is where a 3 year old should be, you should think about potty training him. 

-My friends always joke about how he is really a 5 year old in a 2 year old body because he is so advanced.  

-When he was 19 months I would take them to summer $1 movies and he would sit through the entire thing.

-He loves pasta, pizza, yogurt, popcorn

-obsessed with trains

-Has very sweet moments where he asks me to hold him, or wants to give me a hug or says I wuv you. 
-Still loves me to rock him at night or nap time.  He loves to sing songs at bed time.  His favorites are Blackbird, Twinkle, Bubble, and I'm a Child Of God.  He also has a new request to scratch his back.
-Still sleeps in a crib and I eventually want to move him into Alex's room, but that is at least 6 months away.
-Can use an iPad better than me
-Can almost ride his balance bike.  If it wasn't cold he might learn faster.  
-Has a really sarcastic side and has hilarious facial expressions.  
-Instead of yep he says jep and sometimes he will jump and say it.  
-Has started the wonderful 2 year tantrums.  We had the worst one yesterday right before Alex's Christmas program at preschool.  I had to walk out with him and watch him scream.  The only thing that ended up calming  him down was a train they had.  It didn't end well when we had to give it back after the program, yikes.
-Has quite the temper (I joke that it's Als).  He throws things all the time if he gets mad including my phone!!
-This kid can snack.  The minute we get in the car he starts asking for snacks.  
-Definitely a daddy boy.  He will usually choose Al over me.
-Loves balls and I think he will be a Cameron sports lover.
We love Cole and the fun he brings to our family!!  I think he will be the comedian in the family :)

Cole Turns 2

I can't believe this cute boy is 2. It's amazing how fast time flies.  One of Cole's favorite movies is Despicable Me so I knew that had to be the theme of his party.  I really wanted to have an outdoor party, but with the up and down Texas weather I planned it at a indoor jump place.   I made a few fun things like the Box of Shame from the movie.

I got some donuts for his birthday breakfast.  

On his actual birthday we just had a few people over for dinner and dessert.  I bought this adorable birthday crown on Etsy and Cole was not about wearing it, but earlier that week he wanted to wear it everyday.  That sounds like a 2 year old to me :)   

This is his amazing Minion cake that a lady in our ward made.  I couldn't stop staring at it, it looked so real.  Cole pulled all his hair off when I wasn't looking.

Cole sitting by his favorite little girl, Carly.  He always asks can we go to Cawees?

And look who decided to wear his crown, yay.  He is the cutest!!

He was so excited about blowing out his candles we did it a few times.

Opening presents which Alex really did for him :)

That night after the party we were all talking about how this teenager that works for Target has been all for the news.  One of his pictures went viral and apparently made him famous, they call him "Alex from Target."  Randomly he works at the Target like 2 seconds from our house.  Diane stopped on her way home with one of her friends daughters here from Florida and he was there.  I was dying so we took a field trip to go meet this Alex.   Surely enough there was a long line at his checkout station and it was all women.  Not young women, women my age or older, hahahah.   You got to love social media.