Good Idea, Bad Idea

Good Idea

 Onsies on super-cute babies!!

Bad Idea

                                           

                                               

 Onsie on me.

Bottoms Up!

A two-dollar garage sale pool and 80 degrees later, the two cutest babies I've ever seen have been doin' some serious nakey time in the back yard.  Had to document a typical poolside afternoon for you baby-lovin' folks out there...

 I'm not sure why Kaila looks so concerned. She's our little go-getter. At the beach she ate fist-fulls of sand before I got to her, it was like a black mustache on her lips and chin. She dove face-first into the seaweed to snag a bite, and she leans her whole body into whatever water source she can find, just asking to be submerged in it.  I think we are going to have our hands full with this one!!  

 Suddenly shrieks and cries alerted me to some serious baby-angst. Kaila is a really easy baby, until she's had enough. Then, watch out! You've unleashed a beast! She has one loud set of lungs and doesn't stop screaming and heaving until she's physically and emotionally comforted. Upon further inspection, I found the incriminating teeth marks imprinted on her little heel. Josiah bit her. And then, I could hardly believe it. She turned her little head and gave Josiah a searing death glare that was so intense I think it heated up the pool water... Either that or somebody peed.

 Either way, I saw it. 

The ensuing time-out for biting his sister. Insert a steady whine and one little spank for getting out of the chair, and you have a typical time-out. Notice, by the way, the awesome outdoor table Ryan made for us. Well done babe! 

 I tried to keep the kids decent for the pictures, but Josiah insisted on taking his suit off. 

Can't say I blame him. ; )

Awwww, Bottoms Up to summer days!

Happy Fathers Day Daddy!!

This post is for my Daddy who is doing The Camino in Spain with my mom. I am thinking about you especially since we have not been able to communicate today. Today Ryan and I had huevos rancheros,  a leisurely day at home, then went to the beach with the kids and took turns surfing. It was a great Fathers Day, and yet Daddy, I see you in everything.

  You (and mom of course ;) set the foundation for my life.The love and affection you showed me set the groundwork for what I was looking for in a husband. I see Ryan cuddling with our kids,

and I see those nightly snuggle-kisses and the long hugs. I see you rocking me,  singing to "rocky rocky night night..." even when I was much too big to fit on your lap anymore...And most importantly, I see me fitting perfectly inside your arms when I see you again, and I will relish that time.

I see Ryan romping around with Josiah on his back like a horsey and googling over Kaila finding new ways to make her laugh...or teaching Josiah how to "surf..."

...and I see your eyes glitter and turn up in a smile as you take joy from watching and being with your three little girls. 

I see my relationship with Jesus, and it is so easy for me to understand how He loves, treasures, and lets me make my own choices (for better or worse), because my whole life you have loved me, you have treasured me, and yet you have let me go.

From daddy before I left to study abroad in Spain.

 I see you in everything Daddy. Thank you for sacrificing throughout your life in so many ways to raise me right. I am so proud of you and mom on this pilgrimage and I hope that you come closer to accomplishing the purpose that you wrote about in Uncle George's Eulogy. I am looking forward to seeing you but am so glad you are there. Happy Fathers Day. I love you

PS. And thanks for the great beer-batter fish taco recipe... the whole fam enjoyed them at the beach today!

Lunchtime!

What did your lunchtime look like today?

Oh the special memories.... ; )

yosemite 2012

Yosemite is an amazing place. This was our second (hopefully) annual camping trip in Yosemite. Here's a bullet-style run-down of our trip.

• Every day we walked all around the valley with the double Bob exploring the museums, waterfalls, and river.
• We spent one day lounging on the sandy beach next to the campsite.
• Our good friends Katie and Avery joined us and we had a great time catching up with them.
• Josiah loves the river, all he wanted to do was throw rocks in the river and watch us do the same.
• Kaila was way braver than Josiah, splashing around and trying to eat the sand. 
• The nights were stressful. Josiah slept fine, Kaila did her standard 7 month thing (waking up, puking a few times, you know, fun special times.) but the real clencher was the giant 6 year old birthday party of 20 kids running around all night at the site right next to us. The last night was finally quiet.
• Josiah kept saying "Woooooooow!" to all the giant cliff faces and pine trees. It was so neat to see our little man appreciating the things Ryan and I love.

Camping with kids sometimes takes a day or so to ease into, so I'm glad we stayed for 4 nights.

 Dirty and snotty the whole time!

 Yosemite falls

 

Hike and beach fun at Mirror Lake

We already can't wait for next year! I love camping!

Kaila Marie: No More Trouble Zones (2012)

"Get into the zone with kick-butt trainer, Jillian Michaels Kaila Marie, and tackle stubborn problem areas with her surefire circuit training formula that combines upper- and lower-body sculpting moves to obliterate fat even faster. Say goodbye to saddlebags, muffin tops and wobbly arms with this heart-pounding, 40-minute circuit workout that targets trouble zones like never before. By keeping you constantly challenged, Jillian Kaila Marie will transform your body from flab to firm in no time! Warm up and cool down before and after this grueling workout."

Sample Workout

Begin in Upward Facing Dog and zone in on your target end point, about 20 times your body length away from you. ( approx. 120 feet for a 6 foot adult).

 From Upward Facing Dog, lift your body up into Plank Position.  Only your toes and hands should be touching the ground. Hold

From Plank Position, using your abs, jump, and pull your knees under you to Cat Pose.

From Cat Pose,  catapult your torso forward through the air.

 Land on your belly using your glutes, hamstrings, lower back, lats, shoulders, biceps and core to keep your arms and legs in the air when you land.

 Do approx 20 reps until you arrive at your target.

Repeat. All. Day. Long.

NO EXCUSES!! Get out there and move!

Auntie Love-Spring Fashion Show

Let's face it. In our home, all the cutest clothes come from the Aunties, all three of them. As I dressed all three of us this morning (thank goodness Ryan's got that down, otherwise I'd be dressing the whole house every day) I yet again realized how much of our cute clothes come from the Aunties. I thought I would give them the thanks they deserve by doing a spring fashion show, with their handiwork on display.

 Snoopy Surf Shirt- Auntie T.

Plaid Shorts- Auntie Lyndal

Little Brown Tom's Shoes- Auntie Lyndal

White Ruffle Tank Top, Flowered Flowered Skirt w bloomers, and Jelly Shoes- Aunty Lyndal

Black T-shirt- My sister Lyndal

Jeans- My sister Andrea

Flip Flops- Me. Ok, I Ryan and I actually do clothe our family.

 The only problem is that I always have to decide when to put on the cute clothes, depending on how long I want them to last. It only takes one mealtime before stuff begins to look like this...and this is nothing! You should see the mess after black beans and beets!

                                                                     

                             

ps. I couldn't post this without saying a huge thank you to my parents (all four of them) for all their random gifts that are so cute, and to all my friends. especially Holly, Rhiannon...Who have donated clothes to us so many times. I think about you guys each time the kids wear your clothes and am so thankful for your generosity and remembering us.