Good bye summer

The month of August has always been busy for us. It starts with our anniversary the end of July, then there's quite a few birthdays during August (mine and Casey's included), we have our annual river trip (which didn't happen this year due to different reasons, but we'll resume the tradition next year), and this year we had concerts, a reunion, parties, get together with friends, and the ongoing projects with the house. As we head into the labor day weekend, Carlee will turn 10 months old (double digits!!!), kids get ready to return to school, Fall TV shows will start up again, and football season begins!! Here is a little recap from our last week of August:

Our backyard is pretty much done. We had dirt, dirt and more dirt before all the grass. It was all weeds when we bought the house. The yard is the reason we bought the house and we're excited to have grass that our daughter can play on. (As she gets older of course. She's not going to be going out there to kick the soccer ball anytime soon!)

Casey's 10 year high school reunion. Its been 10 years since these guys played football together. 10 years since Casey got voted "Best Eyes". (That still makes me laugh). 10 years since taking psychology together, since the baseball team, since prom...but you get these guys together and its as if it had been 10 minutes!

Carlee about to eat sand. We had hung out at Newport for the day with Uncle D and his friends.

Then we had a "photo shoot" for Royal Ruckus this past week also. Brooklyn did it the prior week as well. The baby clothes weren't ready until this past week. Carlee and Brooklyn did very well. The pictures I took were of them messing around. The photographer, Marlo Yoshimoto, took some great pictures.

Another mom took this picture from 2 weeks ago. All three girls were adorable!

This is an ANTM pose if I've every seen one!!

I tried to get a picture of the clothing and this was in between everything that was going on. I can't believe I only got a few pictures the entire time I was there.

I did it...

...I got the "mom" cut. It only took me almost 10 months to do it. With a little one, its so hard to find time to do anything let alone blow dry and style my hair. So I opted for a quick and easy style that won't take much time and I got this. Casey actually loves it. I was surprised. I had asked his opinion before hand b/c it did matter to me, but he said he didn't care what I did to my hair. He was pleasantly surprised and I was pleasantly surprised by his reaction. Now if I can only keep my hair looking as good as when I left the salon. Oh and don't mind the look on my face. I don't know how to pose when taking a picture of myself.

Happiest place on Earth!

Happiest and most crowded place on Earth...Disneyland. Yesterday was Isabelle's actual birthday, so Roz, Isabelle, Carlee and I went to Disneyland. (For free, might I add. I wouldn't pay that horendous amount to take a 9 1/2 month old.) The girls were really good and enjoyed the rides. They had a little too much excitement and passed out at different times while there, but they would wake up rearing to go. We went on Buzz Lightyear, the Dumbo ride, and the tea cups. The Finding Nemo submarine ride was over an hour wait and the Small World was closed. We also spent time in Toon Town to take pictures and meet Pluto and Mickey.

Carlee enjoying puffs and kicking back as we head from the tram to the entrance...the life of a baby!

On Minnie's couch.

Carlee wasn't phased by the big giant mouse at all.

Although she wasn't sure why we were sitting in a giant tea cup..until we started going, then she liked it!

She was making faces b/c she was trying to climb up the side to see out of the side. I ended up putting her on my lap as we rode the Dumbo ride.

After a good 5 hours, Carlee was done. It was a successful, fun first trip to Disneyland!

fun with uncle d

Who says girls can't play rough? Good thing Carlee is a tough one. And she learned how to get off the ottoman herself. Someone just asked me a couple days ago if she knew how to get off the couch yet. I said no but thought to myself "I've never left her on the couch alone to find out." Now we have that answer! Now if only we can get Dien to be a little more gentle...she is a girl after all.

birthday madness

This time last year, Roz was beyond ready to have that baby! Now her little girl is ONE year old! Isabelle's party went off without a hitch. Well, how could it not, Roz has been planning for over 6 months!! Minnie Mouse was the theme and everything turned out great! (I didn't get any detail shots b/c I was confined to the blanket with the little one). Minnie mouse balloon centerpieces, red and white polka dots everywhere, Minnie mouse shaped cookie favors, a Minnie mouse cake, even the birthday girl dressed as Minnie Mouse! Oh and the family members also sported different Minnie and Mickey shirts!

I don't even want to blink because the next 2 1/2 months are going to fly by and I'm going to be doing a recap of my little one's birthday party!

Thunder thighs

Ok so that's not the best nickname for your child's self esteem, but as a baby chubby thighs are cute. (Too bad that wasn't the case for adults!) I love my baby girl's chunky thighs and "fred flinstone" feet. I had to put these sandals on her before she grew out of them. I've never been into animal print but I thought they were kind of cute.

That was our friday...hanging out, taking pictures, and watching opening ceremonies. That was our only relaxation of the whole weekend.

Saturday Casey and I went to Rock the Bells while Carlee was at Grandpa's all day! It was fun but way too hot! We left early to watch the UFC fights (what else would we do on a Saturday night).

Sunday we took a little daycation out to Palm Springs. The guys went golfing and the women stayed back with the kids (same old story). The kids had fun in the pool of course. Carlee and Brookie rocked their matching bathing suits. Sydney was the perfect angel as always, heat and all.

just another day...sort of

Birthdays are so anticlimactic after you have kids. Actually they're anticlimactic the older you get. I still had to go to work and I had a doctor's appointment (remind me to never schedule a dr's appt on my birthday again!) But I did have a few highlights from my birthday.

I woke up to this:

The hall light was too bright for her but she was all smiles anyway.

Then after having pizza and beer with about 20 friends and family (thanks Mom), I came home to see our swing set half assembled. I was more excited about Carlee's new toy than anything that had happened thus far.

It's funny how your priorities change the older you get. Although I didn't want to do anything for my birthday and I had fun getting together with everyone, I can't wait to have Carlee's party! All my energy has been spent on thinking about her party and even Casey's birthday that's in 2 weeks. I much rather do things for my family! Now if there was only some way I can surprise Casey!