Mission Beach Getaway

Where are you when you find yourself at the beach with a waffle in hand?

San Diego!!! (sandy ego...get it??)

Well that's where we found ourselves this past weekend.  Our little family of four had a weekend away all by ourselves!  We didn't end up having waffles on the beach, but we did eat lots of berries, ice cream and pancakes while on vacation.  Mission Beach really has it all...the beach, the bay and lots of places within walking distance.  We arrived Thursday afternoon and didn't get in our car again until we left.  Katin would say her favorite part was either her boat ride or the sea lions that we saw at Sea World.  Aubrey's favorite....pointing out every bird that flew by.  Thomas enjoyed his daily naps and my favorite...that's easy!  Besides the quality time our family had together, I absolutely loved piling the sink up with dirty dishes and leaving the living room full of toys and not cleaning anything until the very last minute. (For those of you who have lived with other people/family you know exactly where I'm coming from)

Our much needed time together will always be cherished.  Many memories were created and Thomas and I came back feeling refreshed to keep doing life together....feeling more connected and "on the same page".  We took time to remember that we are on the same team, desiring God's will for our lives and reminding ourselves that our desire to align our hearts with God's pleases Him.

Here's to family fun and fond memories!

"Thanks Daddy.  For sea world and breakfast time.  Thanks mom.  Thanks for the beach." -Katin

The Little Things

I've always wondered how people got this cool strike through font on their blog posts.  It was always such a great addition to their writing.  So clever and witty...always made me laugh.  I'm so glad that I can actually do it in my own posts now.  Thank blogging world for making this a font that I can just simply click on and get the affect.  Awesome!

I seriously love the little things in life.

Conversations with Katin

Katin is talking.  A lot!  The only time she's really quiet is when she's sleeping or eating.  But even then, she gets in a word or two.  I've come to enjoy my conversations with her these days.  Like our "5 talks" at bedtime.  Or when we talk about what we did at BSF in the car.  Or our chats about her school days ahead while we look out the window into the schoolyard full of kids.

I had to let you know what she was telling me the other day.

As we looked out the window into the schoolyard she told me all about her soon to be school days.

"Me go to school.  All by myself.  No mommy.  No daddy.  No Aubrey.  All by myself.  Bring backpack too."

"Oh yea, you're going to bring a backpack, huh?  What color?"

"Pink.  Match pants."

"What are you going to put in your backpack for school?"

"Ummm... (she really says ummm) juice.  Gum.  Green gum.  Black pants."

"Sounds good, Katin.  Sounds good."

If you know my daughter, you know about the black pants.  They don't leave the house.  But apparently she's going to take them to school.  Along with gum.  And juice.  All of which I believe are not allowed.

I love my conversations with Katin.  :)

Aubrey is ONE!!!

Happy Birthday to Aubrey Susan!

April 12

We had a great time celebrating Aubrey's first birthday with family. I can't believe she's already ONE!!! It seems like yesterday I was sitting on the couch next to my mom as she recorded every contraction while I told her I wasn't in labor and that I just wanted to go to lunch.

The little party was fun. The best part was the ball pit my mom made. It kept the girls contained and entertained at the same time...winner! After burgers and the works we opened a few GREAT gifts (including a ride on ladybug, a giant school bus, a very loved carton of eggs, sing a long songs and cute new shoes) and then headed over to the cupcake table. Katin waited very patiently for this part. She was so excited to sing to her sister and eat a cupcake :) Thanks Aunt Donna and Uncle Steve for hosting such a fun little one year old party! LOVE YOU!

Aubrey's Favorites:

being sung to

listening to music

playing with things that make noise

crawling

climbing

looking out the window

jumping

walking in her car

being thrown in the air by daddy

her gray sleep pants (inherited from her sister)

big bites of food

yogurt

water in a cup with a straw only

food in general

bath time- specifically splashing with her sister

walking along the furniture

being tickled

throwing her head back when she's sitting up on our bed

"helping" her sister build puzzles

the dogs

her grandpa and grandma Anthony

her papa fish and grandma lipstick

her papa and grandma Milburn

playing ball

chasing the ball

"cooking" in the play kitchen

looking at touch and feel books

listening to daddy read books

little people

dumping stuff out then putting in in a box or basket or bucket or daddy's shoe

taking off her socks

car rides

walks in the stroller

the beach

going down the small slide at Pines Park

screaming like a Teradactal (sp?)

playing peek-a-boo

giving kisses (mouth open of course)

clapping

chew on anything

wave hello and goodbye

being loved by mommy and daddy and big siser

Easter Weekend

Mom- Katin, what do we get to do today?

Katin- EGG HUNT!

Mom- Why are we going on an egg hunt?

Katin- To celebrate!

Mom- What are we celebrating?

Katin- Jesus coming out grave!

Mom- That's right. And what better way to celebrate than hunt for eggs?!?!?!?!?!

Not only did we go on an egg hunt, but we also spent time with LOTS of family! Thomas and I are so thankful for our family out here because everyone is very easy going and understands that family is family no matter what. And no matter what, we will always love each other. I'm not sure I've met another family who does it much better :)

Highlights from the weekend include:

The Egg Hunt- there may still be eggs hiding in the couch

The egg coloring- which I had to let go of total control because apparently when you dye eggs with my daughter (maybe most two year olds) each egg goes in each color or else it's not quite right.

Mom didn't know what was coming....brown eggs! HA!

A new bubble gun- so cool!

Time with Aunt Donna- you know, the usual....playing with chalk, eating pancakes, bothering Timber.

Hanging with Cousin Evan- I know...blogger taboo a blurry picture, but clearly I was the photographer, not Thomas and clearly it is one of the most adorable smiles Katin has ever smiled!

Oh, I wouldn't want to forget the "Chocolate Chip Cookies". Betty CROCKer punk'd us!

And one tired little girl...so sweet!

I can't forget to include the attempt at a photo of our girls in their matching dresses...

ZZZZZ......

This is how we found Katin the other night.

This is why we go in and check on the girls before we go to bed.

Oh Katin!

Dinner Time!

Our girls are eaters. They are very serious about their meal times. During meal time, I can't say they are always serious. But they are serious eaters nonetheless...

Occasionally Thomas and I will feed the girls their dinner and then eat a quiet meal by ourselves or with other friends after they go to bed. I highly recommend it!

A few snapshots of dinner the other night....the four-legged, salivating, long-eared, never-get-enough-food, dogs were right on Que!

Food Please!!!

Yea, food please!!! A little crumb on the floor would be mighty nice :)

Yummy!!!

Silly girls...gotta love em! Here's to many more yummy dinners....hmmm... what should I make tonight?