Disneyland!!!

We celebrated our 4 year anniversary with a trip to ‘the happiest place on earth’. Audrey had never been and we couldn't wait any longer. We arrived on Friday and it was awesome! There were short lines, very few people and it was a great day to go. Audrey was so excited! She had heard us talk about Disneyland but never knew what it was. She saw the carousel and wanted to go there first. We enjoyed a few rides, met Mickey and Pluto, then decided to head to the hotel and rest for a bit and go back for some nighttime rides and maybe even watch the fireworks show. We stayed at the Disneyland hotel and it was nice to be close by and enjoy the full Disney experience. Audrey was so excited and couldn't wait to ride the monorail back for more rides and see the fireworks.

We returned later to a much more crowded scene and after a bit decided that it was too much. We enjoyed the show from just outside our hotel and stayed up later than usual. Audrey was tired and almost too excited to sleep. We can't wait to go back and see Mickey again.

Monday funday!

We started our week with a play date at the New Children's Museum downtown. It's a great place for kids and we love all of the fun things they have there; except for the jumpy. Audrey is not a big fan of those. As a matter of fact, the first thing she said to me when I told her that we were going to meet Lilly at the museum was, "I can't like the jumpy, Mom." I can't like is her way of saying I don't like. I would correct her, but it's so cute :) We had fun playing in the rain house, painting and listening to a story.

Audrey had a surprise visit from her Dad and we had lunch with him too. Scott works a few blocks away and it was great for him to see her and play for a bit. We look forward to our next visit. It was a great way to start off our week.

Summer fun with friends!

We had a busy weekend filled with fun. Since we don't have many resources for childcare, I am trying to get a good support network amongst our friends. It's crucial to have friends with kids close in age and it's a wonderful thing when we all love hanging out together. On Friday, Audrey's friend Brody came over for a play date and it was great for her to have a friend at our house. It's a pretty cozy (small) home and we don't entertain much here. It was so much fun, they play really well together and it was great to help out a friend.

On Saturday we celebrated a friend's second birthday and then went over to see the Pearson's for a BBQ. Blossom, Brian and Brody were there too. The kids all played together the entire time and we actually enjoyed some adult conversation and great food. It was a perfect evening and we all had so much fun. It's great to see Audrey enjoy time with her friends and they are all so cute!

Weekend fun!

We had a great weekend, but once again it flew by. I love it when we are all home together, laughing and just having fun. On Saturday we went to a friends house to celebrate a first and a third birthday for their two adorable daughters. We met them almost a year ago at a photo shoot. They are all so nice and we enjoy hanging with them. The party was so much fun and they have the perfect backyard for a kid party. Audrey made herself right at home and started playing with all of the toys. We met some nice people and enjoyed some good conversation and best of all, cake! They live in a small house which is beautifully re-done and it's a great, cozy space…it makes me realize how much I want a yard to enjoy with my family. It's great to just sit outside and play.

Here are some photos from the party. Audrey and Isla are enjoying cake together and Malia is enjoying her cake too.

On Sunday we enjoyed a lazy day at home, my favorite way to spend a day with my family.

Who's the boss?

Our little one is going through a big stage now and she is constantly bossing us around; well at least she tries to. When she wants something she just says that. "I WANT music." We have to stop her and re-direct her from demanding her needs to asking for them. It has been challenging but we are getting through it. I just hope it doesn't get too ugly. We went out for pizza last night with Grandpa Jim and Grandma Lynda and it was not as successful as we had hoped for. We were the ones with the screaming kid in the restaurant. It's never fun to be those people, but it seems like everyone has one of those moments and last night it was our turn.

Home Sweet Home

It has been almost a year since I left my corporate job and became a stay at home Mom. There have been compromises, adjustments, long days and amazing days. It has been an incredible journey for our family and I am very thankful that I have had this time with Audrey. Today was one of those amazing days where we just played, laughed and danced to Lady Gaga in her room. She actually did her first somersault by accident. She looked up at me, a little scared about what she did, but I just said "yeah, you did it!" All it took was a little encouragement and she was ready to do it again; then it was my turn of course :) I just love watching her have fun and smile. I realize what really matters in life and I owe it all to her. She shows us how simple life can be and more importantly, she continues to remind me of that, I just need to pay attention more. Here is a photo of her in her room today, so fun!

Fun on the 4th!

We spent our 4th over at an old friend's house in Point Loma. These are friends that I grew up with and they are really more like an extended family. We were always at each other's houses, well, we were usually at theirs; they had a tree house :) We played hide and seek, had water fights, rode bikes and skateboards together. This was back when kids spent more time playing outside, that is, until the street lights came on. It is so fun to reunite, catch up and have our kids play together. We spent time there last year too and although another year went by, it felt like no time had passed when we reconnected. Audrey had a blast and made herself right at home. She played with toys and chased bubbles with her friend, Lilly. Mary and Eric were a big part of our childhood and memories of our life in PL. Eric and I are close in age and we walked to school together daily. Mary, (Eric's sister) and my brother are the same age and now we all have kids the same age, so cool! We had such a great time reminiscing about the good ole days and we look forward to seeing them again. Below are photos of Mary with Audrey and Lilly and the girls having fun together.