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

From Tube to Tube

Well, if it isn't one thing it's another, right?!

I guess you could say I was excited about heading out of town for the weekend. I guess. If it weren't for the 5 hour road trip with two babies, one who needs MY milk! But despite my "excitement" we loaded up (A LOT OF STUFF!) and took off to Henderson, Nevada. Why Henderson you ask? Well, our very fun and thoughtful neighbors have a house there and invited us for a little getaway. We planned on going to a Las Vegas pool. A Las Vegas buffet. A Las Vegas casino. We planned on taking a "break" from ordinary life. We also planned on taking a dip in Lake Mead. All lovely and terrific plans.

But whoever plans knows that you shouldn't really plan. Especially when traveling with kids!

We did make it to Lake Mead, but that about did it for our "vacation". All those other plans all went to the wayside when...

Katin went from this tube:

To this tube:

She's OK now....still recovering. We were very thankful that we were near a place that could treat her difficulties breathing. She was such a trooper. And when it comes to your kids being sick or in pain, somehow you just get way courageous and strong. I couldn't break down and cry like I wanted to. (I did later that night when she was in bed) But when I stood there by her side all we could do was try and giggle and pray to Jesus to take care of her.

He did. And He will. He's faithful and caring. And although these life experiences are hard and exhausting, I'm thankful for the comfort He brings to my heart and my soul. I'm thankful that I get to be a mom....and that I don't have to do it alone.

Summer End

Despite the 90+ degree temps today (NOT lying) we've been slowly saying good-bye to summer. And although my darling daughters aren't heading off to school (gulp) yet, the vibe around here is that school has started! Even though summer won't really be trailing off because there really are no seasons here, we still say farewell to the free summer trolley, surfboards and millions of our closest friends called "tourists". For us, end of summer means two things: 1. It might actually be dark when my girls go to bed and 2. BSF starts! So as I sit here drenched in my own sweat, I will dream of Colorado Falls....ahhh...those cool, crisp days. (Maybe you Coloradans are dreaming of fall too?!?!)

Angels at the Angels

Yes, my little angels came with us to their first ever Angel game! It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon with mommy, daddy and Grandpa Mustache. The girls loved it! Well, I might guess Aubrey thought it was a little slow due to the fact that she slept most of the game. But Katin thought it was so cool! She couldn't get enough of the folding seats and the cool cup holders and fireworks after each of the THREE home-runs we saw! She's been to a few baseball games in her short life. Her uncle Harrison plays at Laguna Beach High School. We've cheered many times for him and it was no surprise to me that she thought her uncle Harrison was out on that major league field. With lots of cheers for "Hu" (Harrison) and imitations of throwing the baseball back to the pitcher (he plays catcher) we couldn't help but think...one day, Harrison...maybe one day you'll be out there catching for the Angels. But if you're not...Katin will always think you are :)

Go Angels!

Angels won and we made it through the 7th inning stretch!

Barely...