Rub-A-Dub-Dub

I've said it before, and I'll say it again (And probably again, and again, and again!) But seriously, is there anything in this whole entire world cuter then a chubby, slippery, smiley little toddler in a bubble bath?

I don't think so.

A Birthday Party!

Remember when the coolest thing ever was to have your birthday party at King Skate Country? How excited you were to hand out invitations to everyone in your class (Because in my day, you invited everyone) and how you dreamed about the presents and cake and that maybe, hopefully, that certain boy you had a crush on since the first grade would ask you to couple skate? Birthday parties were the best, full of hopes and excitement and the promise of a new year and being a little bit older.

So what's up with the rollerskating and funfetti cupcake nostalgia? No, don't worry, I'm not regressing to my snap bracelet, side ponytail wearing, LA Gear shoe wearing 5th grade self. No, my reminiscing was brought on by the fact that this last weekend L attended his first ever birthday party for a friend. Well, the friend was actually the son of a friend of mine from work, but still, a party is a party. And, unfortunately, their was no roller skating, although there was funfetti cake. (Seriously, on side note, is there anything more Delicious then funfetti cake mix? I still make S and I funfetti cupcakes on just about every occasion I can justify making cupcakes for).

The party was pretty small, only a handful of kids and held in the backyard. My friends son was turning 2, and let's be honest, at that age the parties tend to be more for the parents then the kids. But there was barbecuing and presents and cake and L run around like a madman on a sugar high, chasing all the older boys and trying to keep up with them. And as the dads played Nintendo with the kids and the moms stood around chatting about pregnancy and nursing and losing the baby weight, it hit me that this is our future. Birthday parties, and wrapping up toys, and breaking up scuffles about who's turn it is to go down the slide next. And it made me really, really happy. And it made me realize that all those awesome memories I have of the birthday parties from my childhood? We are going to give L those same kind of memories.

So, happy birthday Daniel, we had a blast at your party. Thanks for the hot dogs and cake and the memories!

I'm back!

Hello! Hello! I know I have been MIA for the last few weeks. I had a mishap with my camera charger and have thus been without a camera since New Years. The combination of not having pictures to post, and the business of the new year made me completely procrastinate on posting.

Anyway, I mentioned in my last post that one of my best friends got married on New Years Day (I was a bridesmaid). I know it's several weeks after the fact now, but it was a beautiful event and I wanted to share a few photos from it.

I love weddings. I love how it brings people together that you may not have seen for a while. I love that it is an opportunity to get all dolled up. I love that at a wedding it is perfectly acceptable, actually expected, to kick of your shoes, dance like a mad man and sing at the top of your lungs.

And, trust me, we did all of that and more.

Me and the lovely bride, Erin.

The Bridesmaids.

First Dance.



The Venue at night. Wasn't it gorgeous?

I'm not sure exactly what dance we were doing here, but I can assure you, we were having fun!

Now that I have my camera back I promise I will be around these parts more often!

Goodbye 2010!

Happy 2011! Obviously I am a couple days late on this, I meant to write on New Years Eve but it just didn't happen. I was a bridesmaid in one of my best friends weddings yesterday, and the last week has been chocked full of rehearsal dinners and mani/pedis and luncheons and preparing. I also had to get ready for my parents to get here, since they were kind enough to come down from Nevada and watch L the day/night of the wedding. The wedding was beautiful and a blast, and S and I were so excited to have a night just for us. We stayed at a hotel down at the venue and it was the first whole day and night we were away from L since he has been born. I missed him like crazy, and S did too, but it was also a really nice break from us.

Anyway, I will write a longer post with pictures about the wedding later this week, but for now I want to take a second and reflect on 2010. What an amazing year it has been. My first full year as a mama. I don't want to romanticize it too much, because it was by no means perfect. Along with all the happiness and laughter there were definitely tears and sadness. There were times when I cried and felt so overwhelmed with all my roles as wife and mother and daughter and my job, and times when I was so sleep deprived I wasn't sure if I could keep going. There were frights with friends and with S and there were times we got incredibly stressed out about money. There was sickness and tragedy and hate and prejudice in the world around us, that made me frantic about the world I was raising my son in. But, the older I get, the more comfortable I get with these feelings that aren't always so great. I realize that without the tears and angst we would not be able to fully appreciate all the good. And, oh, there was so much good this year. And all that good overshadowed any bad by a ten fold. There were baby laughs and milestones like sitting and walking and talking and solid food. There was the first time L gave me a kiss, accompanied by a big smooching sound. There were days at the park and days at the pool and picnics and a trip to Flagstaff. There was late nights cuddling on the couch and watching movies with S. There were times of  talking about nothing and everything, marveling over this little boy we had brought into the world and speculating at the future and all it had in store for us and our little family. There were happy hours and nights out with my girlfriends, who always are there to remind me where I've come from and how lucky I am to have them in my life. There were cards nights with my parents when they came up to visit, and a visit from my sister, brother-in-law and nephews, were L got to play with boys who I hope he will grow up with.

Oh yes, there was so much more good then bad. And for every tear shed there was a friend on the other line of the phone to offer advice, or S there to give me a hug and some comfort, or L there to give me a kiss and grin that big toothy grin of his.

I know I've kind of backtracked on not romanticizing this last year, but 2010 was pretty damn amazing. Excuse my language, but I don't feel like darn really expresses how happy I am. And now I am ready for 2011 and all that it might bring. The Christmas stuff is all packed up and I am ready to start this new year and all the adventures it might bring.

So happy New Year everyone! I can only hope that your 2010 was as great as mine, and that 2011 brings everyone all the happiness in the world! (And that for those times of sadness, that you all have amazing people in your life to lift you up again!)