Beach Day

We took a 15 minute drive down to the beach.  Why we don’t do it more often is beyond me.  Everyone loves it.  It’s not far.  It’s not hot.  It’s just fun.

There are few places were you can let your kids run wild and have little worry.  The beach is one of those places.



  

Even at parks, there are high structures to fall off, swings to monitor and turf wars to navigate.

The beach is too big and there’s something for everyone, water, sand, rocks, seaweed, sea creatures.




It’s so peaceful.

Happiness.

Laying Low.

I've been a bit of loner lately.

We had Joe here for three weeks. We spent a week in Vegas with my family, a week visiting in Tahoe and locally with Matt's family and once all that was over with, I guess I had a little bit of social overload and retreated.

And soaked up these smiles.

They're what it's all about anyway.

It's been good. Over a month of being off schedule can really mess with my head. I'm nothing if not structured. I literally write out my schedule for tomorrow, the night before. Every day. I do this. It keeps me sane (in my own head anyway).

I don't function well on overload. Never have. I don't like running from place to place. I don't need to get out of house every day. So for the last couple weeks we've been doing very little. A few playdates, some swim lessons and lots of playing at home.

We're reconnecting. It feels good.

A baaaaaby.

Toni and Scarlett came over for a visit and I cannot for a single second believe that this little beauty is already seven months old and this is the first I've seen her!!!

Scarlett is an absolute doll. She is happy and funny and so easily entertained, I'd keep her in a second!

Owen collected any toy that he thought baby Scarlett would like, but essentially slept through the visit. Nathan loved having a baby in the house and said "hi baby" ten million times and at one point he accidentally bumped her and kissed her head and said "a sorry baby, a sorry"! Oh how I missed my friend, here's to many more visits with my girls!

Hanging with Family

 

I love spending time with family.  I really do.  I really want my kids to grow up with their cousins and really knowing them.

But, we don’t live close to any cousins, so it’s tough, so when we get the chance to hang out, I really try to take advantage of it.

And while I absolutely love vacationing with family, I want the boys to know everyday things about their cousins too: where they go to school, what they like to play, what’s their favorite color.

It’s funny too, how you have a different feel for family.  When Owen meets new kids, he’s very stand-off-ish.  But when he sees cousins, that he sees once a year, it’s like they’ve known each other forever.

But I guess that’s because they have known each other for forever.

See you soon!

Family Photos

Taking family photos, with a large family is no easy task.

Especially with small boys who want nothing to do with sitting.

Most of the pictures have me trying to lift Nathan back onto my lap with his shirt up around his neck and his Buhda belly exposed.

Tahoe

Our busy July continued with a quick trip to Tahoe.

We did a lot of hanging out with cousins.

Playing down at the beach.

Being silly!

Celebrating!

And just having a good time.

Nathan at Almost 21 Months

I have been told more than once “get that kid an agent”!  It’s because he’s hysterical, this little guy has so much personality, that you’re naturally drawn to him.

He’s so happy and welcoming and inclusive.  Kids love him, adults love him, heck, I’ve even had teenage boys play with him randomly.  He’s pure joy!

And he’s certainly not camera shy!

Look at this!

 

It’s always a wonderful surprise to find these two playing beautifully together.

Kickin’ it in Vegas

Things I learned in Vegas:

My kids don’t mind 112 degree heat, as long as there’s a pool nearby.

Cousins are always fun. 

And Robin is the most photogenic person on earth.

Seriously, I can’t find a bad picture of her.  Bitch!