Outside Fun

This weekend was busy around our condo and the weather was gorgeous, so we spent a lot of time outside! Andrew loved hanging out playing with Kev's new helicopter that he got for his birthday.

I loved just watching the little guy walk around. He's getting so much more confident and much faster. He has no fear and no concept of what is dangerous... so he'll walk straight down stairs, hills, off ledges... whatever... so we have to be glued to him at all times when we're outside. I miss the days at the park sitting on a blanket staring up at the sky.... but I love the great workout I get at the park now as I run around after the little guy.


Andrew has gotten several of his molars in lately (top and bottom)... so here he is showing off some of his cool bottom teeth.


You might also notice the skid marks on his forehead and nose. He face planted when he was walking around on the concrete at the park... and the poor kid got scratched up a little bit. Fortunately all we had to do was whip out a tootsie roll and he pretty much stopped crying immediately. I thought the expression in this next picture was funny. He is reacting to me coming towards him ready to tickle his stomach.


He's at such a fun age!

Exploring at the Park

We're loving the weather here lately and try to spend time at the park every day. The little man loves to explore, plays with sticks, attempts to eat pine cones from the trees, and occasionally goes on the playground equipment.


I finally bought him his own sand toys so he'd stop stealing toys from other kids... but theirs are cooler... so I guess the other kids can play with ours?


He likes the grass and trees better than the slide... especially when there are little dogs running around. Andrew always makes tons of friends at the park. He follows the big kids and their parents around and tries to do what they do or just talk to them. They like to show him how to use everything. Makes my job easy- I just make sure he doesn't get hurt or eat any rocks.


He gets himself really tired out. I love how red his cheeks get- just like mine.


...and I love how well he sleeps when he is tired out! Last night he went to bed at 7:15pm and woke up around 8am. I'd love him to do that again sometime soon!

Cleaning Time

If only cleaning up could be this fun forever!

Candy Man

Earlier today the little man dug through the pocket of my jogger to get my bag of chocolates out.


Then he happily brought it to me... I didn't even have to ask.


I could get used to this sort of treatment.

A Sweet Find

The Cadbury mini-eggs have been sold out at most of the grocery stores by me for the past two or three weeks. Probably because I bought most (if not all) of them. :) None of the stores are restocking them.... and we still have over 2 weeks left until Easter!


I finally found a place with a bunch of them today for SALE! I'm not going to say whether or not all of these bags are for me... but I have a feeling I'll need to do a lot of extra running this weekend. These will not last until Easter. I would be surprised if they last through the weekend!

Loving the schedule

We have been having a little too much fun relaxing this week. Last week was EXHAUSTING for some reason, so we're still recovering. Our schedule has been pretty chill, but fabulous. I am loving it! Too bad every week can't be like this one.

We start off the day by saying goodbye to Kevin.


Andrew has been pretty sad about that part. I have been too. Kev has been working until 10 or 11 or later every night this week.


Then we cuddle and watch the Today Show and Regis & Kelly... Andrew had fun the other morning jamming with the Bacon Brothers. He does an awesome air guitar.


Then we check on our flowers. Andrew likes to give them something to drink... and then he tries to steal the water we give them. I am excited that they are actually growing! I have never successfully grown anything before.

Monday

Wednesday

While Andrew takes his first nap, I do work for about 45 minutes. I am learning about the Gold Rush and California Missions right now. I love it.

When he wakes up, we CLEAN and then we go running for about an hour. As long as the little man is eating, he is happy. I am not looking forward to the stage when he rebels when he is put in the jogger... so I just cherish every day right now when we get to go out.


After our run, we play for awhile and eat lunch. Then we clean up again and little man takes his nap. I work, do YWs stuff, watch TV, blog or do all of the above :).


After the naps, we make sure the house is spotless and then we head out for a playdate at the park or a friend's house or we head to the children's museum or on errands.


This means we rarely leave the house until 3pm (other than our jog). I still feel incredibly productive despite the fact that I am sometimes in my loungewear until 2pm.

loving his new ball from yesterday's Target trip!

We try to stay out running errands and playing until around 6pm. Then we eat dinner, play, and Andrew takes a bath. He loves running around with his lion towel on his head saying "ra ra ra ra!" (his own sort of roar!)


Then we read stories, clean up, and Andrew gets to bed before 7:30 and sleeps until 7am the next day. It is the perfect schedule. After teaching kids with autism for several years who were very schedule-oriented, I LOVE when our days go smoothly and are repetitive. For some people it would be boring, but for me it is FABULOUS! I hope it stays this way for a few weeks.

Getting ready for baseball season

Andrew's favorite toy this week is his big baseball and glove pillow. He carries it around the house all day. He loves cuddling with it too.

Happy he caught the ball

Mad he got hit in the face with the ball

Clapping for himself in the mirror when he caught the ball

Checking himself out in the mirror w/ his baseball

Playing around with mom and dad... he can put it in the glove and take it out over and over again for forever. He also thinks it is funny when I kick things. He gets the giggles and I love it!

Day trip to Arizona

On Thursday morning, Andrew and I flew off to Arizona for a quick day trip to go to my cousin Brittney's wedding. Although two flights with the little man in literally 24 hours isn't my idea of a vacation, we were excited to see my whole family and lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins!

The ceremony and reception were outside at this darling place called The Wright House. It was gorgeous!


The weather was nice and warm... so Andrew stripped out of his fancy clothes pretty quickly into a nice short sleeved polo. The little man kept us very busy during the wedding, luncheon, and reception. He loved exploring the gardens and fountains.


He had a good time hanging out with the big kids and following them around.


Elise and Kylie (Brittney's twin sister) are due around the same time, so had to get this cute picture.


Brittney, Elise, Kylie, and I had to take our signature wedding twin picture too. Britt caught the bouquet at Elise's wedding... so we're glad things have worked out for her and Dustin. :) She was a beautiful bride!


Andrew had loads of fun playing with his Aunt Elise on this trip. Whenever he would see her, he wanted her to hold him. I have a feeling she will be exhausted when she gets home! I definitely enjoyed the arm break though!


Cat & Scott came down for the wedding too! They are also going to hit up some Spring training games while they are down there. Next time we definitely need to plan better and stay longer!


Andrew spent a good chunk of the wedding playing with his crazy Aunt Jessie. She even danced with him. Although you can't tell from this picture, he really loved every minute with her. She can get him laughing even when he is super grumpy.

Scott & Elise also made sure Andrew got his fill of wedding cake and ice cream from the sundae bar.

Who wants more cake? I do! I do!

Scott was a trendsetter with his stylin wedding attire ;)


Andrew had such a blast at the wedding, that he decided to continue the party ALL NIGHT LONG in our hotel room. We flew home Friday morning. This picture highlights probably one of my favorite parts of the trip home. :) I am very fortunate to have such a good little guy who is such a fabulous traveler, even at this very active age.

My Lucky Charm

We had a pretty mellow St. Paddy's day. I have been exhausted lately (for no good reason other than too many late nights!), so Andrew and I chilled at home for most of the day and goofed around.


Andrew's new favorite thing is the trash can. He's figured out how to lift up the lid of our real trash can and throw things in there. Last week I discovered his baseball and his pacifier in there (eww!!). Whenever we can't find something these days, we blame it on our little trash collector.


The little man also LOVES to play with the trash can in his room. We never put anything in it for obvious reasons.


He likes to throw his toys in it though, and then try to get them out. Makes for a fun little game.


I also attempted to make St. Patrick's day cookies... but broke my wooden spoon when I was mixing in the chocolate chips. I must've add a few too many. :)


The cookies were supposed to be green... the dough ended up looking like Andrew's baby food peas.


And the cookies barely looked green at all.


The boys at seminary still thought they were cool... but I just made the rest of the batches regular. I was hesitant to add too much food coloring and make the dough too green and ruin the consistency... but next time I think I'm going to try it anyway.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Over the Hill

Kevin celebrated his 30th birthday this past Saturday! Although it was a crazy weekend, we managed to get in some fun celebrating.

On Friday night, Andrew hosted a party for his dad. He sent out the evite and even helped me make (and taste) some treats... but in the end, he was waaayyy too tired to stay up for the festivities. The guys played Halo, Wii, Rock Band and ate lots of pizza, treats, and rootbeer.


Meanwhile, I left the guys to party and went out to see the new Shopaholic movie with my friend Liz. It was just the break that I needed after the craziness of last week!

On Saturday (Kev's b-day), Andrew & Kev spent the morning playing the drums and opening presents.


Then we went up to SF to go to Kevin's favorite Thai restaurant- Osha Thai. All of the food was delicious! Andrew loved it too!

The birthday boy!

Afterwards, we drove over to Ghirardelli Square for some birthday treats.


The little man was SO EXCITED for his daddy's bday... and of course, the ice cream.

Mmmm! Looks delicious!

Kevin had to eat quickly before Andrew (and I) ate it all. The littleman passed out on the drive home from all of the excitement (and food).



We spent the afternoon attending the Los Altos Stake Play, "Wired." The youth did an amazing job and it was so fun to watch them share their talents.


On Sunday we also celebrated with a small birthday dinner and one of Kevin's favorite desserts- chocolate molten cakes. They weren't very "molten" this time, but they still tasted pretty good.

We're hoping to continue the birthday celebrating next weekend with a few other birthday activities. Happy Birthday Kevin!!!