Copy Cat

Ryan wasn't feeling very well after school today so she got out her "ReadyBed" sleeping bag and set it all up in mommy's room.

Then, to no one's surprise... Charlie felt left out so off she went to gather up materials for a bed of her own. Very clever I might add. She got both of their little chairs and carted them into mommy's room and built this concoction and got in it just like big sister Ryan.

The Keeper of the Money

Last Thursday, Steve went to the bank to take out some extra cash for our weekend trip to Palm Desert. Charlie was sneaky and snatched it off the table and then quickly decided that she would be the "Keeper of the Money." Here is what I assume she must have been thinking:

"Hmmm... how much do I have here? I wonder what I could get with this?"

"RRRRyyyyyaaaaannnnnn... Hurry! Come see what I found!"

"Uh oh... is that daddy's footsteps behind me coming down the stairs?"



"Hi Dad! Look what I found. I promise, I was just looking at it! I didn't touch it, I swear.

McKenna's

Last week, we tried a new restaurant for dinner (well... it's not new- just new to us.) We got a great recommendation from our trainer for a "healthy" meal! Healthy it was, for sure, but the views were even more exciting. The marina looked gorgeous and the girls were completely busy watching the boats go by. McKenna's may be a new favorite family dinner spot!

Friends, Fun, and French Dip

Mark, Colleen, Aidan, and Bridgette Carroll were gracious enough to host all of us for Memorial Day. They even got a bounce house to keep the kiddies busy so the mommies and daddies could relax a bit. Oh, and while we were relaxing... we were also eating a 15 pound prime rib that Colleen prepared for French Dip sandwiches. They were divine!! Here are a few pics of the day!

After School Treats

Last week, daddy was going to be home late so I took the girls to an extra special treat after I picked them up from Renee's! I say "extra special" because as you can tell, Mommy lets the girls get super sticky and messy! Daddy doesn't approve much of "sticky and messy" so this was soooo fun!

"Football Practice"

Last week, we took the girls to their first baseball game. We prepared them for the occasion all week... but no matter how many times we called it a "baseball game" or showed them a game on TV, they called it "football practice." Ryan finally got it after about the second inning. Charlie on the other hand, continues to call baseball games... "football practice"!

Ryan and Charlie waiting patiently while daddy gets mommy her first beverage of the night (aka beer). They are soooo excited to get inside.

I know it's hard to tell but Charlie got a new short hair-do! It's super cute, I wish I had it myself!

Both girls got lots of "gadgets" to keep them interested. We predicted they would last 2 innings.

But with cotton candy, hot dogs, Cracker Jacks, and pizza, and their first sodas... they lasted until the 4th inning! And actually... I think it was Steve that was DONE with the game. All of us girls could have stayed much longer!

Steve scored us some great seats to take in the game! Our girls are pretty blessed!

A Froggy 3rd Birthday for Carsie

Last weekend, we celebrated Carson's 3rd birthday with a froggy themed birthday party. Everything was green and the kids were lovin' every moment of the fun. The adults had a great time just hangin' out and catchin' up. Watch out below...Lots of babies were born this past year and some other familiar kiddie faces so pay close attention and I'll give you a who's who in the pics!
~~

The kids got to paint "froggy banks"
(There is the birthday girl in the purple smock and my two on either side)

Still painting...
(Charlie and Ashley VanTuyle)

Carson is watching her mommy bring in the cake and looks absolutely thrilled...
(Plus... look behind her to see Erin holding Baby Sydney Smith)

The Donut Cake... So yummy!
(Michelle and Carson's Grandpa "Big Tim")

Carson making a wish...

Ryan and Steve huggin' it out!
The men and their little angels
(Joe and Celeste, Mark and Bridgette, and Scott and... )

Posing with 6,000 calories in front of them is Michelle, Baby Syds, Erin, and Claudia
(Also notice Big Boy Aidan Carroll running in the background)

And here is a first glimpse of the day at Lil' Wyatt Clougherty.Don't they look like cute families? They aren't exactly, but it sure looks cute!
(Joe, Michelle, Baby Sydney, Steve, Erin, and Wyatt)
Family love from the Sullivans
(Dana, Baby Brennan, and Bryan... oh, and Ryan in the bounce house)

Ahhhh... Traver love too!
(Baby Celeste and Claudia)
Just havin' a chat
(Claudia, me, Michelle... plus... Celeste, Charlie, and Ryan)

And finally... we tried to get these little ones to pose but they weren't really that into it.
(Ryan, Celeste, and Carson)

Thanks for having us. Happy Birthday Carson!

Our Lazy Weekend

This past weekend was all about relaxing! We did a whole lotta nuthin'! It was much needed after the party weekend last weekend and the 2 girls' weekends mommy has coming up later in the month!
~~~~~~~
We only got in the car one time the whole weekend and that was to visit Mike and Nancy's new house. They moved in a month or so ago and we still hadn't visited so we headed out to Brea Saturday morning for a couple of hours to visit. It was also Nancy's actual birthday so we brought birthday cinnamon rolls and coffee to celebrate. Their house is beautiful and HUGE!!! The kids all played so well together so the adults got to just sit around and chat! It was amazingly peaceful with 4 kids 4 and under in the next room!

As soon as we returned from Mike and Nancy, we all jumped in the pool and seemed to not get out for the next 48 hours!! Haha!

Look at Charlie swimming all by herself!

Here she is again (immediately after the last picture). She has now turned over to float and take a breath before getting to daddy! I know that it may sound like bragging a bit but... she is just 2 1/2 years old and look at her SWIMMING!! I am just so, so proud of her! She has come a long way!

Well... I guess not ALL of us were in the pool the whole time! It was the weekend of the Master's you know? And you know what that means... Daddy spent a good portion of the weekend "watching" (aka sleeping) on the couch with the TV on! Ahhhhh... he needed it:-)

Candles & Cocktails!!

This past weekend, my wonderful, wonderful husband planned a birthday party for me. Didn't he do a fabulous job planning all of the details? I was so impressed! I honestly had the time of my life! It made turning 35 just a tad bit easier! Thank you all for helping me celebrate. I know I said it during my birthday speech (along with some others things I'd rather not repeat! HaHa!) but it seriously felt like the wedding reception that I never had! A gathering of all of my oldest and dearest friends along with my wonderful family - it was so, so very special to me and I will never forget this night! I'm actually quite shocked that I didn't cry at least once or twice because of the overwhelming love from all of you. Thank you. Here are some pictures from the night.
~~~
Enjoy!!