Christmas in California!

Merry Christmas!

Despite the lack of snow, which resulted in a not-so-white Christmas, we enjoyed every bit of our sunny southern California Christmas day. On Christmas Eve we headed over to Great Grandmother and Great Grandpa's house where we dined in fancy dresses that GGMA gave us. Thomas and I were glad that Christmas morning didn't come too early. The girls are still too young to really know why one should wake up at the crack of dawn...for that, we are thankful. In fact, we had been telling Katin for the last couple weeks that the lights and trees and decorations were all for Jesus's birthday and, naturally, that called for baking some cupcakes. She couldn't wait. Every day she would "ask" if it was time to make Jesus cupcakes. When they were finally coming out of the oven she literally sat and watched them cool...helped frost them...and quickly grabbed a candle letting us know she was ready to sing.

"Happy Birthday to you...Happy Birthday dear Jesus..."

So after a 10am Jesus cupcake the day could have been over. She was so content. Presents...who needed presents. She loved that cupcake so much she ate every little crumb and bit of frosting.

But, onto the gifts. She was, of course, very excited for her new items. Thanks Grandmas, Grandpas and Aunt Beppy! Legos, crayons, coloring books, puzzles, doctor kit, a cloud, (yes, a cloud) dolls, warm boots for Colorado! We love it all! And the best part was that during nap time I made room for all the new toys. (wink wink) She'll never know what's missing :)

Aubrey's first Christmas was fabulous too! She loved all the paper and bows and ribbons and she even ate a gift tag. That little Aubrey...

From our hearts to yours...we hope you had a very Merry Christmas and that this year you would experience the joy of a Jesus Cupcake.

Love, The Milburns

Sunny Christmas Day...the CU shirts (along with a giant CU BUFFS flag) were just a subtle hint for Harrison (who recently got accepted to be a mighty buffalo)

Katin, what is this? Why did they stick us in a stocking? Oh Aubrey, get used to it...happens every year.

I think this one's mine!

I know...she even put tights on us.

Merry Christmas to All! Anyone wanna chime in on how long their tree stays up?

What I Wore Wednesday (Night)

Maybe it's kinda cheating, but I did get out of sweats on Wednesday....night! I think I may have thrown on a pair of jeans to go to our friends house for a playdate, but I know that when Thomas got home I was definitely in sweats again. He REALLY loves me :)

I did put together this cute outfit for my night out with my mom, aunt and pseudo aunt. It was recently my mom's birthday.



I'm kinda obsessed with the boots, I know.- Payless
Green Sweater- Target
Floral Dress- Target

Now back to my mom...she's so beautiful, isn't she!? And only those of you who know her or have met her for even a few minutes know that she's beautiful on the inside as well.



And now we get to celebrate another birthday this weekend. Merry Christmas everyone! Enjoy each jolly smile that comes your way.

Mommy's Major Mishap Monday

I know...it's Tuesday again. I think I'm becoming more and more aware that I have "mom brain".

Two mishaps...here's the proof:




1. My blueberry buttermilk cake is to die for...IF you don't sprinkle it with salt on the top instead of sugar. Somehow my mom brain kicked in while I was letting Katin "help" me bake. Had to cut off the tops of every piece I served so it was edible.

2. I know my daughter is special, but she really doesn't have 6 fingers. Just 5. Mom brain again. I thought I was doing such a good job making her stay still during the impression. Ha! I knew this make your -own- hand- print- ornament would be a good memory.

Siyonara Facebook!

That's right...no more facebook for us. We've said our goodbyes and have made peace with our not so "friendly" internet anymore.

Why...

If you want to know or just want to say hello, shoot us an email! Or call! Or write! We'd love to hear from you!

Not out of touch, just out of face,

kristenmilburn@gmail.com
tomjmilburn@gmail.com

Go Broncos!

What else would I be doing on a Thursday night while my hubby is out with my dad watching football at some bar?! Duh...I was getting teary-eyed looking through old pictures on the computer. Like really old...pre-kids old. Heck! Pre-marriage old! And boy were we lookin' good y'all!

I stumbled upon some really fun photos of our time at a Bronco game. I surprised Thomas with tickets one year and he was super excited! And since this is such a random post with random pictures, I will add to the randomness by telling you that we parked in a random guys driveway for the game and paid him 10 bucks. It was a great parking spot, but if you know anything about the homes around Invesco Field you know it's a tad shady.

Anyway...Thomas and I had a great time at the game!

Oh my gosh, we were so cute.

We even made a sign! (Didn't make it on TV though..boo!)

We cheered our butts off!

OK, maybe we cheered our faces off!

We were really into the game...

I'll have you all know that we will be cheering just as hard this weekend right from our couch as we watch our Broncos take on the Patriots...GO TIM TEBOW!

What I Wore Wednesday

Well, I got dressed today. It was a BSF day. But I'll be honest, I'm not a huge fan of this outfit. It looked cute all laid out on the bed in the dark... But after I saw myself in it this morning I thought...Duggars....but moved on because if I didn't get out the door we would have missed Bible Study altogether!

Tank- Old Navy

Sweater- Nordstrom Rack

Skirt- CABi Outlet

Boots- Payless

Cute Accessory Standing Next To Me- God

I was going to crop Katin out, but it's just too funny! I really did get her dressed too, but by this point we were at Grandma's house ready to eat lunch and her pants were wet because we were trying to get our money's worth out of that one diaper. Pants, or no pants, she's adorable and I'm so glad she will stand by me no matter what I'm wearing!

Mommy’s Major Mishap Monday (on Tuesday)

Cricket (not the game they play in Australia)

This past weekend we spent some time in Palm Springs with great grandmother and great grandpa. We enjoyed cheering for Harrison as he played in a baseball tournament, chatting over take out, and laughing with great grandmother as she tried to pronounce "hummus". But then came the mishap...

Aubrey decided that she was missing our middle of the night hang out times and therefore woke me up to remind me of what it was like...magical, ahem, I mean, awful. But, it had been a while so I loved her and cuddled with her as she fell back to sleep. In the meantime, a few crickets joined our party. I hate creepy crawly jumpy things, so I quickly had to get into mom mode and save the day. I wouldn't want Aubrey sleeping with the crickets.

But she did. Cuz this mom couldn't capture them fast enough. I left her in there with crickets and randomly scattered tissue. I think her cage of a pack n play did well. She woke up without any crickets chirping in her ear.

But who does that?!?! Leaves their kid in the room with crickets?!?!

I'm in a tree....do I like this? I'm not sure. At least I didn't sleep with crickets.

What I Wore Wednesday

I've hopped on the train...the WIWW train...along with lots of other bloggers who were inspired by this random girl who encourages people to actually get dressed! I wasn't really inspired by her, per-say, but rather by my friend, Angie. I'm totally guilty of NOT getting dressed. Or at least not putting much effort into what I wear. Some days my loving husband kisses me goodbye in the morning only to find me in the same "clothes" from when he kissed me goodbye earlier. I really do love me some sweatpants! Especially on the days when I know I'm not going anywhere. And on the days that I do actually go somewhere...I still just tend to throw on whatever is lying around and call it good.

Let's be honest. It's way more comfy to breastfeed in sweats. Prepare three meals in sweats. Wipe excess baby food on sweats. Pick up toys in sweats. Do laundry in sweats. Console crying babies in sweats. Have tea parties in sweats. Build block towers in sweats. Even have a play date in sweats. It's really hard for me to get out of them! I've even tried dressing them up with a cute top and jean jacket!

So, after perusing Angie's blog about what she wore Wednesday I decided to give it a go! I think the real rules are to actually get dressed everyday, but I'm taking baby steps. I'm going to actually get dressed on...well, Wednesdays! It's the only day that I know I will be leaving the house and therefore choose my outfit the night before. So, if you see me out and about on a Wednesday, you'll know that I've been to Bible Study...in Orange County...where apparently no one owns sweats!

Tank: Old Navy

Sweater: Target

Jeans: Old Navy

Boots: Payless

I know I've got some work to do...like who remembers to wear accessories?!?! And who actually stays in these outfits after they get back home?!?!?!

Mommy's Major Mishap Monday

I woke up this morning without a mishap to write about.

Then I went to Legoland.

With my mother.

And this mishap just so happens to include ANOTHER CHILD! First of all...Legoland is really neat. I wasn't expecting much and I was extremely pleased with our experience there. They thought of everything! From a little shelf in each bathroom stall to a sink and trash can right next to the baby changing table to healthy food options to stroller friendly walkways. And...the price was right! Three adults and four kids for the price of one which also included a pass to return! I think I'll use it :) So on with the mishap...

The Lego people turned one entire area of the park into Holiday Land...snow and all. REAL snow. Like Colorado snow. At least it felt like it. My mom and I took the two girls into the snow area where they could gather snowballs, chuck them at targets, add silly things onto Frosty the snowman, or go sledding down a rather short hill. We took (I mean dragged them) to the sledding hill right away. We gently placed them in the sled and gave them a little push down the "mountain" only to find an empty sled at the bottom. Katin managed to stay in her sled, minus her left arm, but her friend...not so much. Her sled forgot her.

Tears.

Strange Legoland worker to help.

Cries for Mommy.

Slipping on slippery snow.

Snowballs as a distraction didn't help.

But then we found a big Santa with sleigh and reindeer (made out of ALL LEGOS) and took a picture. Off to the next ride and we were all happy again.

We had a great day and we hope to return again soon. Without any mishaps this time....well at least not with children that aren't my own.

Happy Mommy-ing!

Mommy's Major Mishap Monday- Chocolate Encounter

It's awfully sad that I didn't capture this moment with a picture, but use your imagination to visualize what this might have looked like...

Turkey Day...2011

Katin has her very own seat at the table. Big girl, you know! Each table setting had a little foil wrapped chocolate leaf. After eating, and chatting, and then eating some more I looked to see Katin unwrapping a collection of leaves. She loved unwrapping them and I thought that's all she was going to do until I saw her slowly put the milk chocolate leaf to her mouth.

I watched.

She stared at me.

She stuck her little tongue out and licked that leaf while looking at me with those mischievous little eyes.

And I let her!

And she licked. And licked. And licked. And licked.

She loved that leaf. And now there were 5 or so unwrapped just sitting in front of her waiting for her chocolaty fingers to pick up another.

But one was enough. Her face and hands proved it. Her first chocolate experience was, well, good. I don't think there will be another one anytime soon. Unless Grandma has anything to do with it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mommy's Major Mishap Monday- No Room For Toys

Another Birthday Party...another mishap...

We walked into a somewhat crowded room of birthday party goers with a present in hand. Katin and I proceeded to find the birthday boy and his mom so she could hand him his gift. She was so excited to give it to him and have him open it because we had wrapped it together...so she knew what it was and probably wanted to play with it.

We found them.

Right in the middle of all the other birthday party goers.

Let the mishap begin...

"Hi Birthday Boy! Here is your present." (Katin gives present to birthday boy)

"Oh...you must have missed the email I sent earlier." (sorrowful look on face)

"Ummm....maybe, what did it say?" (feeling like all eyes were on me)

"We just decided that instead of bringing birthday boy presents that people could donate some money to my friend who has CANCER and will be going through CHEMO." (more sorrow on face)

Oh yea. That email. Nope. Didn't get it.

Kinda embarrassing. Right? Luckily Katin has no clue what's really going on and that mommy is totally hunched over trying to crawl into a little mouse hole. She proceeded to have a terrific time...as always with this particular birthday boy friend. And I must say...I like the idea so much I might just copy it! (Instead of a pile of gifts, bring money to donate to a good cause) Genius! Especially for those of us who have NO MORE ROOM FOR TOYS!

OK, time to clean out a toy bin......

We Heart Daddy

our daddy...

loves us to pieces

and likes to eat recees

takes us for walks

at night we have good talks

feeds me good food

is always in a good mood

is so good at making us smile

he even plays "cook" for quite a while

prays with us at night

he holds us oh so tight

takes us to the beach to play

even brings us out into the waves

gives away lots of hugs and kisses

gives mommy even more...as she wishes

best daddy in the world

we are two very lucky girls

my daddy is so cool

everyday he uses a tool

arm wrestling...ha...he could take you to school

i really like to drool

i adore my awesome dad

he's such a crazy bearded lad

makes me laugh when i am mad

he couldn't be any more rad

best hug i've ever had

Mommy's Major Mishap Monday

Hello again...

And hello to another major mishap. This one's good.

It happened just a few months ago (granted these happen to me pretty much daily) and Katin and I were getting ready for a birthday party. It was a warm Saturday morning and one of those mornings where you wonder why you even got up...everything seemed to rub me the wrong way. Didn't matter though because we were headed for a party. I knew exactly what I wanted Katin to wear. If you've read my blog before or seen any pictures of my girls you know that I'm not one to put them in dresses. But this, my friends, was a birthday party. And this called for a party dress.

Dress falls perfectly. Hair bows in place. Party shoes on her feet. Present in hand. Despite my not-so-good attitude we were ready to party!

Thomas and Aubrey wouldn't be joining us due to the common cold, so it was just Katin and I off and away in the mini van.

And so we arrived. And so begins my embarrassing moment!

Of course we weren't exactly on time. And it was eyebrow raising to me that there was lots of parking in front of the house. And no one was outside. It was a sunny day. There was no pinata, no kids, no bounce house, no people! Well, except the DAD of the child who just so happened to pull up as we were knocking on the front door. (Seriously, why did we even knock...obviously nothing was happening) He was just getting back from surfing. OK, clue number 5,000....the dad would probably be at the party and NOT surfing.

I humbly walked up to him and said "Katin and I are here for the party...a day early. We were just too excited we couldn't wait any longer."

He chuckled and said to come back tomorrow. With my head down we got back in our van and headed home.

And Thomas...boy did he get a laugh out of this one after we walked back through the door only 15 minutes later. Shaking his head he hugged me and said...I love you sweetie.

Just a little mishap really. Nothing big... all dressed up in our party attire, Katin ready to jump around in the bouncy house and who do we have to face....the DAD! We did end up going back the next day despite my desire to stay home where there was going to be no mention of showing up to a party a day early. But we had a good time and Katin jumped her morning away...

With all the mishaps that have and will happen...I know you'll love me no matter what....

I love being your mommy, Katin!

Mommy's Major Mishap Monday

So I like alliterations. Whenever my students would use them I'd smile. They're just always amazingly awesome. There's really no better title for my new weekly blogging adventure.

I'm a mommy who happens to make major mistakes....and I'll write about them on Mondays.

This one, fancy enough, happened to happen today. It's called: Diving through the Doggie Door

Off we went, my mom and I, with both girls in tow. Where else would we be heading other than Chick fil A? It was going so smoothly, the pleasant car ride, the nuggets, the sweet tea. On our way then to the park.

Then we got home.

We were locked out.

The house where I reside would NOT be a good place to try and break in. It's virtually ADT'd without the monthly cost. Two barking dogs, doors all dead bolt locked, window screens facing the wrong direction and a garage door that requires a special garage door opener. It was quickly that I realized this could be bad and I might have to call...dun...dun...dun...my husband! At work! (Which is never really a good idea unless I'm going into labor) Turns out I didn't have to call him. Because...

We have a doggie door! Do I fit through it? No way! Does Katin? Heck yes!

She followed directions really well actually. I told her to climb through the doggie door, go around the couch and open this door for mommy. She did it without a glitch. So proud of her!

But there she stood...blank faced....looking a bit worried. "How do you want me to open this door, mom? There's a dead bolt lock and I can't reach it" was what her face was saying. So there we stood. Me, my mom and Aubrey on the outside of the house while Katin was stuck on the inside. Not for long though because when I told her to climb back through the doggie door and come back out with mommy she pleasantly obliged. I'm pretty sure she thought climbing through the doggie door was totally terrific.

So my mishap- sending Katin through the doggie door only to be locked INSIDE as we stood OUTSIDE. Or may it was FORGETTING my house key! Or maybe it was just leaving the house altogether...

Look out for this girl....climbing through your doggie doors!

oh yea, thanks to Angie...the neighbors actually have a key to our house. so if you DO want to break in just kindly ask the neighbors for their extra key and yes, I also think it's time for a bigger doggie door! :)

Katin's 2nd Bee Day

I'm not one who's big on themed birthday parties, but it didn't take long to come up with a theme for Katin's birthday this year. It was the year of the Bee for us. Read this to find out more!

Now there's a gazillion ideas online (thank goodness for the internet where I can steal, I mean, borrow, ideas) for bee themed parties. I noticed a few I liked and tried to get a little crafty, which is a bit of a stretch for me. Not only because I don't really have time to be crafty, but because it's just not in my nature to BEE crafty! Now my sister....she's crafty! Check out some of her stuff here.

So onto the bee ideas! I had three goals- make a sign, bake cupcakes and create a party favor. The rest was left to the park and pizza. It turned out great! I accomplished my three goals...with a little help :) And the Bee Day was a big hit!

I thought that if we didn't invite the few great friends Katin has made here in California it would be a missed opportunity for great memories in the form of pictures. Because we may just move back to Colorado and not have the chance to have these buddies at another birthday party. Thinking about this does make my heart sad....we've met some really terrific friends, reconnected with old ones and love sharing life with them all!

Like I said, the Bee Day was a blast! I could have gone WAY overboard with this bee theme, but one...who has time to go overboard, and two...let's be honest...it gets expensive!

Thanks to all our friends for BUZZING by and making Katin's BEE day a BEE-utiful one!

Bee Day Decorations

Cupcakes- I baked, frosted and decorated. So cute!

Party Favors- Jarred Colorado Honey

Year of the Bee Poem- Read it here

And now for some cute Bee Day Pictures:

BIIIIIG BITE!

Yummy frosting!

Hmm...I'd like a bite of yours too...

I think I'll have another, thank you

Love it!

We love you Katin!

Happy Birthday

Off to the Park

One of our favorite things to do is walk to Pines Park together after Daddy gets home.

Daddy really likes to run around with Katin and go down all the slides with her.

Katin loves zipping around the corner on the "big slides"...

Aubrey, however, isn't really sure about this whole slide thing...

Aaaaaaannnnnnnnnnd....

I just couldn't help but include this one. It's just too cute for words!

Hugs and Kisses to our Family and Friends!

Photo of the Day

"Hi Aubrey, wanna hang out?"

"Sure, Katin. Come join me on the colorful mat."

"Great! This is so fun! I hope mommy takes a picture of this kodak moment."

"Oh, don't worry, she always finds a way to snap a photo of the day."

"Well, I better go. I'm kinda busy."

"Yeah, me too. I have some spittin' up to do."

"Love you."

"Love you more!"

We Can...

Touch our toes...

Say Cheese...

"Always walk through life as if you have something new to learn and you will." -Vernon Howard