6 Years Later

Today is our 6 year wedding anniversary. It seems like only yesterday we were dating,while at the same time my old life seems light years away.

Aaron told me he had something special planned this year for us, I not want to know anything about it because when I do - I end up taking over the planning. Aaron is horrible at keeping surprises but this time he proved otherwise and pulled it off!

Friday night I made a special dinner for us: Amy's marinated rosemary skirt steak, ginger rice, broccoli, salad with homemade lemon dressing, and homemade foccacia bread. Yum!

The next morning we headed off for our adventure. While in the car Aaron couldn't contain his excitement and gave me a gift....a beautiful necklace.

We made the drive up to the central coast and ate at our favorite place in San Luis Obispo, Firestone Grill. SO GOOD! Do you see that baby in the left hand corner shoveling tiny pieces of tri tip in her mouth as fast as she can? She eats like a man! Then we walked through downtown (I love that place!) and added our own gum to Bubble Gum Alley. Miss N wanted nothing to do with it until she saw me do if first.

Next we drove to where we would be spending the night, Cambria. Oh, was it gorgeous. Aaron has been working a lot in area and sold this string of hotels. He gave them some stuff for free and they gave us a free night. Worked out great! The room was lovely with a jetted tub and a gas fireplace. The free breakfast in the morning was AWESOME! Hot Belgium waffles to order plus so much more. Cookies and sparkling cider at night, too! http://www.cambriainns.com/sandpebblesinn.html


We walked along the beach and watched the sunset. Correction: Madeleine screamed, Noelle ran, we walked and called after her every 20 seconds to wait for us. Fun for all.

When we got back to the room the girls took advantage of the jetted tub and had the BEST bubble bath ever.

It was not the romantic get away that one would expect on their anniversary, we didn't even fall asleep in the same bed! More a celebration of our little family. Instead of holding hands we wrangled kids but we figure 20 years from now when we are able to spend every anniversary alone we will long for the days when they were still little. You can never create too many family memories.

~~

I love you my darling husband. I'm so lucky to be in love with my best friend.

Thanks for making all my dreams come true. XO

Messy - Messy

Where do you even begin?

Pinkberry

Her very first and I'd say she's a fan!

Pre-School

Finally! All summer long Noelle would wake up and put on her back-pack and ask if today was finally the day she went to school. "Soon" I would tell her. Well, "Soon" arrived and she finally was able to take that back-pack somewhere. She actually slept with it last night and was wearing it even before she got out of bed. I actually had a hard time sleeping and had some knots in my stomach this morning. Isn't that just pathetic?

When I asked her what she wanted for breakfast she said in a frustrated voice, "Nothing, I just wanna go to school." After I convinced in her it wasn't time she said she wanted pancakes. So, pancakes it was.

Daddy planned on going with us but the one day Madeleine decides to sleep it, it's today! So, he hung back with little baby and sadly settled for hugs and kisses at home while I took her.

We got out of the car and she wanted to just run right in. I made her stop for a couple more pictures. I was feeling very conflicted - I knew how much she was going to love it but so very sad that things at home would be changing, part of me wanted to turn and take her back. Mrs. Andrea greeted her at the door with a big hug and all kids of hoop-la. She had to make Noelle turn back and give her Mama some good-bye kisses. I cried the whole way home. Again, horribly pathetic.

At pick up time, I didn't get pictures of her running out the door because I didn't want to be distracted, just wanted to see the excitement on her face. I wasn't disappointed.

This is what she did, plus made a bracelet, and got to pick a surprise out of the treasure box (some sort of ball contraption.) She was overflowing with excitement. If you can't tell in the pictures by her hair she is jumping up and down. This month they are doing activities that help them get used to being away from home and feel secure at school. This week they are concentrating on ways to travel to school.

And, what does a three year old pack for their first day of school? Here you go:

It Happened...

Yesterday at Trader Joe's Noelle was a little too high energy and would not stay right by me. She was be-bopping her silly self all over the place. The store is way too small with way too many carts for those shenanigans. So, after a couple reminders, into the basket she went. She was not happy about it, not one bit. She began to cry, then folded her arms, stuck out her bottom lip and said quite loudly, "I GONNA BE MAD AT YOU, MOMMY!" Several times.

What?

Where's my sweet girl?

She's always been defiant and a little crazy but never directed anger at me.

Then we get Cara & Natalie from school and we have to get a couple of things from Costco. With 4 girls in tow, the 2 little ones need to be in the cart. Oh, dear. Kicking. Screaming. Thrashing. Then HITTING.

What?

Where's my sweet girl?

Things are changin' around here.

Plus, she starts pre-school on Monday. I used to think this day couldn't come soon enough but now that it's here I'm not so sure.

Noelle's Scripture

On Sunday Noelle gave her first scripture in Primary.

To say it was precious would be a huge understatement. She was really excited but I thought she would might get embarrassed and not go up. To my surprise she could not wait to go and sit in the 'scripture' chair in the front of the room. When it was her turn she marched right up and and spoke directly into the microphone.

I felt myself get a little choked up but Daddy was way worse off than I was.

Moroni 7:47

But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

~

Sorry for the blog dumping below but...

Fun Times

Family fun times on a Saturday night.

Appreciating literature...er...eating a book.

Sometimes the food is so good you have to take a bath in the sink.

Big Sis having fun taking pictures of Mommy & Little Sis.

Dancing around while munching on an apple is super fun.

I have previously failed to mention this outfit. Auntie whipped it up one afternoon out of the scraps left over from our crib bedding. I know! Amazing!


Legos! I actually hate these things.

They are messy and SO LOUD on tile floors.

And, I had nothing to do with wearing those boots with the dress.

Then there are the times that are so fun you just knock out.

Even when friends show up and play Wii.

Auntie and Unc celebrated their 22nd Wedding Anniversary and we made this cake. Really fun! Noelle obviously picked the colors. The decorating is hideous but that's what happens when you keep getting interrupted and have to stop every 3 seconds.

What's Been Going On Around Here...

This is just the crummy video from my phone....it was the closest recording device.

This was on Tuesday, in the morning I could tell she had made some serious progress over the previous day. In the afternoon at Grandma's she was really trying but wasn't really making any head way. By evening, she was off to the races. I guess it just clicked!

I'm already loving the fact that she can keep herself entertained for minutes as opposed to seconds. So is she!

Can't Wait!

October 11th

13.1 Miles

Long Beach

WOOT!