mom's birthday

hi ken!




sunday: We had such a lovely birthday feast for my momma! My SIL Ashley and I made most of the food and Ashley made strawberry shortcake that was divine! We feasted on steak and double baked/stuffed potatoes and the yummy dessert. We all left about 5 lbs. heavier. at least.

monday: To my mother's request (I wasn't complaining), we went up to L.A. and did some lunch and shopping at the Grove. My sister Courtney brought her American girl doll Kirstin to the American girl store where you can pay to have your doll pampered in he salon or spa ( I would have brought mine too if I knew it was going to be that awesome). Courtney chose to have her doll's ears pierced! Didn't know they could do that?! We lunched at Cheesecake Factory and hit our favorites for shopping.










Our girls birthday outing was a success (thanks to Shannon for watching KrewBear) and of course my mother made it a fun day for all of us.
And in the end, Kirstin was very pleased with her new makeover.
From girl on the prairie to fashionista. Bam.

my new trained pup

You didn't know I had a pup? Indeed I do!

I have trained my little new pup to clean up after himself. I change his diaper, wrap it all up, and give the diaper to my pup. He takes it to the kitchen where he lifts up the trashcan lid and throws it inside.
Isn't that brilliant?! He can clean up after himself.

I was so pleased with his new trick! I was impressed by his understanding and maturity and was planning future tricks in my head like matching his socks together. When his father came home that night, I gleefully showed him the new trick that he performed perfectly. I gave him a little bit of the Belgium chocolate I was eating as a treat for a job well done. His father said I was treating him like a dog and I shouldn't give positive reinforcement. Never mind that, he was doing such a good job!

The next day he performed the trick several times. Even carrying his diaper up a stair to get to his trash can.
In the afternoon, we were going for an outing when I couldn't find my flip flops... and then I couldn't find baby's flip flops... and I searched our itty bitty house realizing they were no where to be found.

I went in the kitchen for something entirely different when I came across this...

and this...

both pairs of flip flops sitting in the trashcan.

No Belgium chocolate for you, pup.
I'm not so sure we're completely ready for the trick unsupervised because I'm still missing our coasters.

Let him EAT CAKE!

I had Krew's pictures taken for his big one year mark. I happen to have really talented friends, Tyler and Barbara (you should really check out their blog and watch the AWESOME videos they make), who took some amazing shots of him. I know I am posting a lot of pictures but believe me, this is already cutting out so many good ones. Krew was a little cranky at first but once that cake came out with the oh-so-tempting icing balloons, he had so much fun. I am so glad Tyler and Barbara were able to do this and what an amazing bunch of pictures we got!

Those two front teeth are just waiting to come out! Can you see them? That is Krew on a sugar high.
Krew learned that frosting tastes really good and that birthdays are fun. I love his little personality and these pictures capture it perfectly.

escaping the heat

I am loving Emman's pose. He pulls these out of nowhere.
This week we have been escaping the heat and heading to the water! Our little house gets way too hot (no AC in house or car... ah!) and so we have to go do something fun (ex. beach, splash park, pool). rough life.

The other night we joined my parents and family in going to a very authentic mexican food restaurant. A little too authentic for my liking. and can't they use another, more appetizing name other than "guts"?





Healthy.

Two things I'm looking forward to in the near future:

• We're moving into a different house! not too far though... And I'm really excited.
• Chase (my bro-in-law) and Lisa's wedding! I love those two together. And they can pretty much thank Kylie and I. :)
  
• And my good friend Kristin is coming to visit in Sept.!

An exciting few months ahead.
And we're loving this wonderful summer weather! Keep it coming.

Ahoy birthday boy!

And here's a little birthday bash for the little one year old! This kid is loved! Krew's 1st birthday was so much fun! Krew knew just what to do when his cake was put out in front of him. He put on quite a show and loved all the attention. Things may not have gone as expected on the planning side but honestly, who cares when you have lots of yummy food, the ocean and wonderful people surrounding you? It was just so relaxing. I felt so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family surrounding and supporting Krew. We had such a fun day hanging out together, talking, and eating at the beach, someone suggested we do it next week! Done deal!
I still can't believe Krew is one. And just since he has turned one, he has been doing all these big boy things like saying the word "hi", jumping on the bed, getting his first 3 teeth and making dog sounds. I love my little one-year-old and I am so excited for the year to come.

a Sunday afternoon in Presidio park

Instead of doing our usual dinner at one of the parents house, we went exploring around Presidio park and mission hills. We first looked drooled over the historic houses in mission hills with their views over downtown. We spent time in the park where we met my family and played frisbee, bocce ball and watched my twin brothers attempt the two-man somersault.
Sunday afternoons are meant to be a bit lazy but oh so relaxing.