31

Well, I turned 31.
Officially "in" my 30's.
I still can't believe it when I say it or when I have to punch my age into the elliptical machine at the gym.
I really do feel like a goofy teenager ...
Just with a lot more responsibility.

And so this year, we kept it simple.
I got my yearly birthday tattoo.
Ate lunch at Panera.
And then dinner at my mother in laws.
It was simple.
And very nice.

Sweet Baby Boy

Meet Tyler.
My sweet baby boy nephew.
He is SO beautiful.
My sister was a champ.
I was SO proud of her.
And she celebrated with her baby in her lap & an In & Out cheeseburger in her hand.

34

Happy Birthday,
to my best friend,
partner,
and love of my life.


I'm so happy I get to live this life with you by my side.
I love you SO MUCH!


Happy 34th Birthday!!!
xoxo
 

Stuffed

I made these lil' guys over the weekend.
And the monster worms make me laugh everytime.

As I was making them I was really hoping that the sweet faces I was giving these too as a birthday present... would love them just as much as I did...

Handmade translates to love (for me anyway), and I always worry that if it's not a light saber or a my lil' pony they won't love it...but they did!
They always give them alil' squeeze.
Which makes me smile.
Phew!!

Happy Birthday Jess!

One of my favorite people on the planet turned 30,
and we celebrated in a room filled with antlers and twinkly lights. The only way to do it!

Her husband planned everything and kept it a total secret (!) and she was SO surprised!

We couldn't stay long though by 18 month old was acting like an animal on a stampede slash street fighter. I'm convinced the crazier his hair gets, the wilder he gets. 

Good times!

Happy Birthday Ayden!

Dear Ayden,

Today you turned 5!
I can hardly believe it.

You asked for, a "street" donut for breakfast (it's what he calls a chocolate bar, and I hope he always does),
a super mario bros. party (He LOVES Lugi) with your family
and hot dogs & pizza...

and well that's what you got!

You are such a wild character.

Ever changing.

And so darn fascinating.

I love that I get to sit next to you while you pick your nose

or as we learn your ABC's.

You make me laugh

and help my gray hair grow faster,

but I love you dearly!

You are my prize in life.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Amber!

Re-reading my last post I left this space quite sad & somber...


I know that although I try and keep my blog "happy" & I rarely ever step on topics that are too deep for my liking...life sneaks up on you. And as dark as it can be at times, it's to hard for me to ignore. 




Okay, now on to a "happy" post.

******

I have had pretty much the same group of friends since Jr. High.

They are like sisters.

We fight.

We bicker.

And we love each other with a passion that can't ever be explained in words.

******

Saturday night we got together to celebrate Amber's 31st birthday.

(She's the blond one on the right, that when told to make a goofy face...she went for "Schmegal" from the Lord of the Rings. A-A-A-A-M-A-zing.) 

We went to Romano's for dinner.

And on the way while trying to take photos of ourselves, a photographer happened to walk by and offer her skills.

Lucky right?

The night was so good.

We ate way to much.

Talked the whole time, 

about life,

being in our 30's,

kids,

and being so thankful we still have each other.

I love looking at them and seeing them as the women they are now.

I love being able to see them as wives,

and mom's.

Because then I get a flashback to when we used to hang out,

all packed in my Mazda truck driving thru the orange groves,

being absolutely and totally goofy.

We've come along way.

Happy Birthday Ambir-D!!!!

We love you.

9 is fine

Today my boy turned 9 years old.

9 YEARS OLD! 

That's half way to 18. wow.

And next year...double digits.

I can hardly believe it!

But seriously how lucky did we get to be able to have him as our kid? 

I daydream sometimes about how he is going to be as a adult,

and I can't wait to meet this man.

I can't wait to see him as a father and a husband,

because man I know he is going to be so good at both.

His day went like this:

Art Glass at the Redlands Art Gallery

(Cartoon classes, thanks to Grandma)

Chili Dogs & Chips

(his request)

Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chip Cupcakes 

And his present.

We finally broke down and got him a Wii.

For so long the idea of spending $200 on this was too hard to swallow. I just couldn't do it.

but all the grandparents pitched in....so it ended up being not so bad. thanks guys.

And he was so excited.

Happy birthday my oldest and dearest.

Being your mom is my favorite thing to do.

You are so wise.

You are so sensitive.

You give me a guilt trip for going to yoga.

(Mom...do you have to go everyday...?) haha!

You eat like it's going out of style.

And you are my biggest fan.

I love you dearly.

I hope you had the best day!

Happy Birthday Gram!

Happy Birthday Gram,


I'm so sorry I couldn't make it out today for lunch.
I hope you had Carmen's and then a big slice of cake.


I love you so much.
I don't think I tell you enough how thankful I am for you.
How thankful I am that your my grandma.
I wouldn't be who I am today if not for you.


I remember thinking when I was little that you were an angel and how lucky I was that I get to be with you.
I still think that.
They just don't make'em like you anymore.
I wish they would :)




I'll see you soon.
Love you!

Ayden turned 4!

Dear Ayden,
You woke up in the best mood.
Telling me & daddy happy birthday.

You really loved your new batman wings,

and you were very excited about your birthday party.

You said it was your "first birthday."

I think you meant first party...

Brandon practiced playing his guitar.

He wanted to be the entertainment for you.

Lucas smiled, like always.

Friends & family came to celebrate you turning 4!

Your party was great and you had such a great time.

I could tell how special you felt.

And that should be what parties are all about.

I just want you to know how much we love you.

We love your imagination.

We love that you're a dreamer;

creating worlds where you are a winged superhero trying to save the world.

You are always on an adventure.

You have a serious hold on my heart.

and I really wish I could freeze time & keep you this way forever.

You light up our life.

Love,

Mommy & Daddy