Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Halloween 2012

Happy Halloween!!!

We went all this year and the boys actually got to dress up in TWO costumes. First thing this morning L's best friend came over and we dressed them all up as "ice cream hobos". The Cold Stone Creamery right by our house was doing a costume contest so we figured this would be super cute and it would be a fun treat to go get the kids ice cream. I thought they looked adorable, but I think they were more excited about getting ice cream! Cold Stone is posting the pictures on its facebook page to see who gets the most votes for the contest..... wish us luck!





And because L is totally obsessed with pirates lately (Thanks "Jake and the Neverland Pirates") we dressed him and L2 up as pirates for trick or treating. We tried to find a Jake costume, but unfortunately our Disney store was sold out. But we found "Pirates of the Caribbeans" which was pretty close!






L wasn't totally sure about the headpiece.... but he forgot about it pretty quickly once we got out!




Happy Halloween!

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Pumpkins!

Pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins! I love how October is the jump start to all the holidays! Even though we live in Phoenix and it's still 90 degrees most days.... October is the time that I pull out the boots and sweaters, start making soup, and start getting really excited for the upcoming holidays! 

This year as a fun activity for the boys we decided to paint baby pumpkins! Both of them had a blast, and even though L2 covered both himself and me in paint it was a really fun time!




Mommy, Daddy, and brother pumpkins!

And of course you can't have Halloween without carving some pumpkins! It's to see how much more L gets into these activities as he gets older each year and how much more he wants to do things himself. I'll be honest.... I love the idea of carving pumpkins.... but it's really not my forte. Regardless though, it is a fun tradition and even though L2 kept trying to eat pumpkin guts I think it's a good memory for both boys!



L2 is thinking.... "that looks yummy! I must eat it!"


My little model boy... 


My somewhat 'distressed' vampire pumpkin....


I think our final product turned out pretty good... although my pumpkin really does look worried about something! Can't wait to put up pictures of the boys in their costumes and trick or treating tomorrow!

L2's first birthday party!

Just wanted to share a few pictures from L2's first birthday party! It was small, just a few friends and S's parents were able to make it out from California, but it was special! Thank you so much to everyone who came and celebrated our little guys first year with us! L2 got lots of great presents.... but he honestly was more taken by all the tissue paper! :)







His new riding scooter (or his 'motorcycle' as L calls it!) Thanks Grandma and Gramps!



He liked the cupcakes!!!

L and his best bud!

And the most handsome big brother in the world!!!

Can't believe L2's first birthday has now come and gone!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

L2's first birthday!

Happy First Birthday to my sweet baby boy! Today L2 turned one, and although I know it is super cliche, and every mother says it, I'm going to say it anyway...... where the heck did this last year go? And can my kiddos please slow down and stop growing up so fast!!!!

It seems literally like yesterday that we were in the hospital, bringing this sweet little boy into the world. It has been an amazing year, although not with out trials (as is life, I suppose!) I think being a mommy to two has really tested me and strengthened me, and I am so grateful for all the lessons L2 has taught me over the past year. 

Sweet boy: you are so, so loved. I am amazed everyday by your easy going personality, your big smile and your loveliness. I don't think I have ever met a kid quite as mellow as you, you take everything in stride, whether it is big brothers tantrums (and there are a lot of those these days..... he's three!), and stay in the hospital and surgery, or a mommy who is having an off day. Daddy and I are so incredible grateful for you!




OK, enough of the mushy stuff! We had a pretty mellow birthday. L2 has been fighting of a pretty nasty virus and S had to work, so we pretty much just hung out at home. We did however venture out early this morning for a yummy dunkin' donuts breakfast! L2 really enjoyed his donut, as did his brother (Mommy really enjoyed her coffee!) I think L is a little confused as to why we wouldn't eat donut for breakfast every morning!





We did do a fun afternoon activity of pumpkin painting.... but I will save that for another post! After S got home we had a delicious dinner of homemade nachos and then gave L2 his cupcake and sang him happy birthday. I have to tell you, L was devastated when I told him the cupcake was for his brother and not him.... total meltdown. In my defense, this cupcake was huge and I just figured they could share it after we sang to L2! (That is what they did, but L was still not entirely happy!)


L2 was not super impressed..... can you tell!


He warmed up to the idea once we stopped singing and actually let him start eating!

After cupcakes L2 has a few presents from us to open..... same scenario as the cupcake for L.... he just can't seem to believe that we are celebrating a birthday today and it's not his! He was however excited by the idea of a new toy, whether it was technically for L2 or not, so he "helped" open all the presents and was pretty good!









On Saturday we will have a small party for L2 with a couple of friends and S's parents, but it was nice to just celebrate as a family tonight!

We love you so so so much L2!!!!!

Happy First Birthday!!!!

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Reno trip Fall 2012


Well, we've been back a week from our "mega vacation" of 2012. What would constitute a "mega vacation" you may ask? Well, in my book it is spending 14 hours in a car with a three year old and a 10 month old as you make the trek across the barren dessert, on two lane roads the whole way, to your hometown of Reno, Nevada.


Not my idea of a fun time, but to be totally honest it wasn't as bad a I thought it would be. We left when S got off of work on Wednesday and drove to Vegas, spent the night, and then got up early the next morning and made the 8 hour drive across the dessert. 

We got in late Thursday afternoon, tired and sweaty, but it was well worth it to come home to this!

(My childhood home!)

We had a lot planned for this trip, but we also had an abundance of family time with Grandma and Gramps, and getting to take the boys around Reno. Also, the weather was beautiful. Cool and night and 80's during the day. Perfect for walk to our local coffee shop, picking apples and runs along the river!

(L sitting outside of my elementary school!)

(My parents have an apple tree in their backyard..... L was obsessed. I dare  say he was hoarding the apples.)

(Train ride in Virginia City!)

(My parents house sits right on the Truckee river.... you can't beat this view on your morning run!)

The main reason we were in town was for my ten year high school reunion. TEN YEARS!!!! How the heck did that happen? I'm so glad we made the trip, it was so fun and it was so great to catch up with old friends!!!

(there may have been shots involved. There may also have been shots involved in high school.... but I plead the fifth!)



After the reunion weekend S had to fly home and go back to work, but I ended up changing my tickets and the boys and I stayed an extra week so that I could host my best friends bridal shower and bachelorette party. She is getting married in November and I was so excited and honored that I was able to be such a big part of the celebration for her!



(so much yummy food!)




(Sure sign of a successful party.... lots of empty champagne bottles!)

After the bridal brunch we headed to a local resort where we checked into our upgraded room, drank some more champagne and met the girls for a night of dinner and dancing. Needless to say, it was a blast, but I'm not going to go into too much detail as this is a family blog!





The weekend was a huge success, but I'll be honest, the whole party thing is not my scene anymore. I missed my husband and my house and I was so ready to go home after ten days away! I was nervous for my flight alone with both boys, but I felt really prepared. I had snack and movies and toys. The flight was only an hour and a half.... what could go wrong?

Let's just say this next picture is the calm before the storm. L ended up seeing (through the window) as they loaded his carseat into the cargo area on the plane. he freaked out! No joke, he spent the entire flight screaming and crying that they had stolen his carseat..... I was mortified. I was actually worried we were going to end up as one of those new stories where the mother and kids get kicked of the plane. It was awful.

But, what can you do? We are home now and everyone thinks the story is hilarious. I may be scarred for life however.........