Disneyland, again!

Since we got our Disneyland passes we hadn't been back.  Alex wasn't immunized against meales yet, and while the risk at Disneyland is probably similiar to any other public gathering place, the guilt/benefit ratio just didn't work out to go until we were able to get an MMR booster for him.

So after that, we took a second quick trip!

Flat Stanly got to come with us, but he waited in the car.

We parkdi n a weird place and had to take a bus, but Colin kind of liked it, And when we left we were able to use the bus as our 'last ride.'

We went to California Adventure.  And despite his face, he liked the trolly!  His monster puppet also got to come along!  There was anotehr trolly wiht a singing troupe in it and Colin REALLY wanted to go in that one with Mickey.

There were a few BIG hits though.

The first was the entry show.  There were insturment men!  Colin was so excited.  And he participated!! He was by far the littest guy, but he did awesome.  My little star!

We also rode the Chew Chew Train (mom wasn't a big fan of the smells...), the rocket ride, and our favorite of the trip "Ariel."  It was so fun to watch Colin and Alex just soak up the colors and music on the ride.  I'm pretty sure he would have been happy to ride it over and over again!

It's kind of nice doing Disneyland a few rides at a time.  Can't wait until next time!

"These socks are my puppet friends!"

At my MOPS meeting there was a woman talking about playing with our kids.  We love playing at our house and we are always looking for new ways to play.  The one I was most excited about from her talk was sock puppets!

We've talked about buying puppets in the past and have a few finger puppets, but I thought it sounded fun.

We made a puppet!

He was... disappointing.

But I had a plan!  I know just who to call to spiff up my crafting, Alyssa!

So we tackeld sock puppets again.

WAY Better!

They were a huge hit with Colin.

He had so much fun imaging with his puppet.  The downside is that he now tends to think all unpaired socks are puppets!

Thank you Alyssa!

Valentine's Day 2015

We had an absolutely amazing Valentine's Day. The days before and after were very difficult, including sickness and broken pipes, but the day was awesome!

I decided a while ago to host a Valentine's Party for Alex's baby friends in Ladera.  Even as I told myself over and over again that it would be hardly any work at all, I knew I was lying.  Still, I had a really good time, and enjoyed most of the process of putting it together.

I arrived super early because I wanted to try to make sure we could use the picnic area.

Set up went way faster than I thought and I think it came our really cute:

Welcome Sign

Close up.  Each little heart says the name of one of our 2014 babies

Baby Treat Bags!

Photo Shoot Area

Foot Print Craft Area

This is the craft we made, I think they came out so cute, and I got really good at keeping little baby toes flat!

Food Table

I did have a couple of hang ups, but nothing some engineering, tape, and cardboard couldn't fix.

Tape wouldn't stick to the stone pillar, sign was floppy.  Problem solved.

Wind kept knocking bags over, when angled, the back row wasn't readable.  Problem Solved!

The photo area didn't go quite as I had hoped.  for one, it was too muddy in the grass, and it was a bit hard to find decent lighting (too bright, too many shifting shadows)  Oh well!

 Colin ate a cupcake....

 We did manage to get a few of the babies together for pictures!!

I had a few reasons for wanting to put together a party.  The first was to continue to foster the sense of community and friendship that we love so much about living in Ladera.  The second was to celebrate with my 2014 baby!  Life is different for Alex then it was for Colin at the same age, but I want him to know that I love and treasure him now and always.

Everyone seemed to have a great time and I loved getting to know the other families.

In the evening, Gavin and I headed over to another friend's house for a wine and fondue party.  It was a beautiful day and exactly why I look forward to Saturday at week!

My impossible love story.

It's Valentine's Day!

So I've spent tonight reflecting on my love story.

My love story is impossible.  It's impossible for a hundred reasons, not least of all is that I didn't really believe in love stories.

Yet here I am, living a love story, an amazingly beautiful love story.

Some people say they see their future in the eyes of their future spouse.  I didn't see my future, I could never have imagined the journey we would take and I don't see what will come next.  But what I did see, and what I still see, is unconditional love.


Gavin, I can't express my gratitude that I've found you and that you love me.  Thank you for building a beautiful family with me and thank you for helping to writing an amazing love story.

Hey Babies lets go to Vegas!

We went to Grandma's House for Superbowl weekend and had so much fun!

Traffic was horrible, but I have to say, our little guys are fantastic in the car.  They both did amazing.   We are so lucky!

We took some rockets out to launch.  I thought Colin would love it, but he was underwhelmed.  Daddy did get some pretty cool pictures!

And of course there was football.

 I much preferred watching the boys to the game.  What a good big brother!

Grandma and Colin also spent some of the game decorating cookies!

We had so much fun, thank you Grandma and Grandpa for a fun trip!