Pool Hopping

I feel like my life has been totally un-blog worthy lately. Anyone else?? Are we really that lame...??? Maybe. Or, it could be that we are just so freaking hot! I have gone to more pools in the last few weeks then I think I have ever been to in my entire life (since, as most of you should already know, I am not the biggest public pool fan).

The girls love it.

Brooke loves to swim and has gotten pretty good at it lately.

Caroline digs it for about 1/2 the time we are there...and also enjoys people watching from the safety of a lounge chair (takes after her mother).

I also decided to officially cross over to the mom world and purchased my first one piece. It took me almost four years, but I decide that me running around in a two piece chasing my kiddos does not equal attractive. Quite the opposite in fact. So, I have saved everyones vision and picked up a little number from Target. No, I don't have pictures. No, your not disappointed.

Today we are back at it again.

Off to the pool , followed what will (hopefully) be a super long nap for Caroline.

Trip Planning

Gary and I are not big travelers. As I have mentioned before, we never went on a honeymoon and our first real trip together was this past May in Mexico. We had a GREAT time...but traveling is expensive and leaving your kiddos is hard :( Even though they are always in the best of care, we spend lots of our time talking about the kids, looking for souvenirs for them, etc. Are we totally lame?? Bottom line is-it takes an important something to get me on a plane.

It just so happens that something has come up! One of our good friends from college is getting married in California and we really wanted to make the trip to celebrate with them. As we started pricing the trip out, we realized that by making it more of a long weekend, we would actually be saving a bit of $$$...and who doesn't like that??!! After consulting with our daughters amazing grandparents, we realized that we could make it work. 

 

So...we are booked.

 Las Vegas to start, followed by what I am positive will be an amazing wedding in Manhattan Beach, CA. We decided to keep our spending to a minimum and chose a hotel located in the center of the LV strip. We have family and friends that have stayed at the Flamingo so it seemed like a good choice! I have only been to LV once-as a nanny, when I was 18...so I have a feeling that this trip will be a bit different. Any recommendations from regular Vegas travelers? Thunder from Down Under?? Donny and Marie??

As for California, we booked a hotel called the Belamar. It has been described as Mad Men by the beach. How can you go wrong right?? I believe that we are going to have one free night and definitely day time to check out the area. Any recommendations for Manhattan Beach and the surrounding?? You know I am not going to want to simply lounge by that public hotel swimming pool....unless Don Draper happens to be tanning in which case I will make an exception.

Sunday

This weekend, the girls and I decided to do a little swimsuit modeling in the backyard.

 What's a swimsuit photo shoot without the classic water over the head shots??

 Just.Like.the.Pros.

Our fun was spoiled when I heard a little noise coming from one of our plants. It was not the wind as Sunday was simply hot with zero percent chance of a breeze. It also wasn't Bella because she is totally lazy and simply sleeps in the shade. I went to investigate...but only after I had put some shoes on. Why..I don't know. I felt safer. As soon as I walked to the other side to get a better look...I saw it. A HUGE snake. I freaked out and proceeded to do an embarrassing dance that the neighbors could make millions on if they lucked out and were video taping me at that exact time.

Look at this MONSTER.

You would do a freak out dance too right??

Of course, fearing for the girls, I yelled at them to run over. Brooke took one look and said, "It's pretty small mom." Thanks Brooke. After two minutes...they were back in the pool. I was calling Gary to find out what pest company worked on the weekends.

FYI.

Upon creating this post, I noticed in the picture that the HUGE, scary snake in my yard is probably the first snake ever to have four legs. Yep-not a snake. Totally a lizard. Doesn't make me like it any more...but seems way less scary then a big, bad snake. Oh, and it makes the screaming and dancing even more humiliating.

Big Bad Snake

Put a Ring on It

This weekend we headed out for a night on the town to celebrate our friends Marci & Sean's engagment! It didn't hurt that it was also Marci's birthday. Both perfect excuses for a fun night out with friends!!

 Congrats to the happy couple!



I think Katie S had the most fun as I just realized she is in EVERY picture on this post.

Katie, your welcome.

Magic House

On Wednesday the girls had a special treat.

We headed to the Magic House with Aunt Lindsay, Caden and some friends!

The girls had a GREAT time!!

A current exhibit is for Alice in Wonderland...so who wouldn't get their picture taken with Alice herself!

Caroline's absolute favorite 'exhibt'
A hospital FULL of babies :)

Some people feel more comfortable at the Magic House then others



This was not the first time that day that Caroline had decided to strip down. Her dress came off first in the arts & crafts area. Quite the entertainment. One employee informed me that "I shouldn't worry...she will never remember this." Don't worry MH volunteer...this blog will make sure she remembers all those fun moments :)

Work It.

H.O.T

It's so amazingly HOT.

Popsicles are a daily treat.

Caroline has a new 'cheese' face...

Never to hot to strut.your.stuff.

Happy 1st Birthday!!

Happy 1st Birthday to Addison!!!

I cannot believe that Addie is already 1 today.

It seems like only yesterday we went to my brother and sister-in-laws couple shower...and then she went into labor the next day (almost 4 full weeks early!).

To answer your question...yes, my brother is the sweatiest man alive.

Caroline LOVES a good party.

Happy Birthday Addison!! 

Happy Birthday!!! (Late)

Although I am late (her birthday was July 7) a special birthday shout out to the best mom in town...Etta J!!

 Happy, Happy Birthday!!

 Your the most amazing mom...even if I don't let you know enough.

I mean...how many mom's can work with their daughter (all day) and still want to talk to her on the phone (for hours) later on that night??!!

Your grand kids adore you.

And why wouldn't they??

Your FABULOUS!

We are all SO lucky to have a

Mom

Mother-in-law

Grandma

and best friend

Like you :)

Thanks for putting up with us...and loving us...ALL :)

Potty Time??

We didn't start potty training Brooke until after 2 year-totally normal right?

Caroline thinks differently. She appears to be ready...or at least interested.

Every time Brooke uses the potty, Caroline gets WAY excited and wants a turn too.

Luckily for her, my camera is always near by.

 "Seriously-who takes their kids picture in the bathroom??"

Yay for Caroline!!!

No, she has never technically pottied on the potty...but A for effort!! 

Nineteen

Three days late...but here we are...one month closer to 2 years old!!

Crazy.

I promised two solid years of monthly Caroline posts and we only have five left!

Unbelievable right??

Side note-that also means only five more months until we are all in full Christmas mode.

That is really scary huh?

Super Fun.

Super Fabulous.

Perfect Caroline

:)

7/4/11

Happy July 4th!!!

We spent our weekend at Innsbrook...

We had a GREAT time...I will let the pictures speak for themselves

*there are a lot. missing Aunt Tracie & Maggie and wanted to show them the fun :)

And...then it rained. And rained. And rained.

Trees were falling down and rafts were blowing away.

We called it a weekend and headed home....

Till next year!!!