San Diego Getaway!

This past weekend found us on a mini-getaway down to San Diego! Brant was attending a conference on Friday-Saturday afternoon, and had the novel idea for me and the kids to join him for the second half of the weekend. We all jumped at the opportunity to get out of our normal routine and have some family fun!

The drive down to San Diego was uneventful, thank goodness. I somehow managed to drive for 2 1/2 hours without stopping once for both a toddler and an infant - truly amazing. We picked Brant up at Point Loma Nazerene University (where the conference had been), and ventured down to our hotel on Shelter Island. We stayed at the Island Palms Hotel, which was right up against the marina, with a view of the beautiful skyline. This is how Maddie felt, to finally be out of the car. (No, that is not her car seat, don't worry.)
And this is how Geoffrey felt to finally be out of his car seat!Maddie and Daddy, getting re-aquainted with each other on our patio, after their brief, two day separation. Needless to say, they were quite happy to be reunited (as was I!).Our private patio.This was the view right across the street from our hotel room.Me and my little man.Brant and his little beauty.One happy family!We weren't the only people visiting San Diego that weekend. Saturday evening, we traveled over to our good friend Glendon's parents' house in El Cajon, where we had dinner and hung out with Glendon and Kaytee, his parents and sister, too. We also had the wonderful opportunity to meet their 5 month old daughter, Lucy, and introduce them to Geoffrey. It was great!

I love this shot...boy meets girl, while big sister remains in the picture to be sure everyone knows who she is still around, too!Somehow I missed the memo that I was supposed to put my face in this picture, too, but that's okay. It's still cute!Geoffrey is still working on his neck muscles. :)
Prediction of things to come, perhaps? Geoffrey's like, "Yeah, mom. Check me out! My first girlfriend!"They are officially life-long friends!Stay tuned for the continuation of our special getaway, with a post about the San Diego Zoo!

Valentine's Day

When you have two children under the age of 3, one being only 2 months old, what do you do on your Valentine's Day? Spend it at home with your beautiful family, that's what! Can you blame us?!

Our little beauty is growing up so fast!
He does have my heart!Making Valentine's Day crafts.Valentine's Day is full of CHEESE!!After work, Maddie helped me bake a special cake for Daddy. But before we could eat it, we had to frost it!Sweetness.How's it coming, Mommy?Could we move it along any faster? Ooh, sprinkles, too? I can help!Pretty! Can we eat now?I love sugar! Happy Valentine's Day!

Making the perfect picture

I love to hold baby Geoffrey!
Hmm. I wonder what would make this picture even better.
What do you think, Geoffrey?
I think I shall give you a kiss!
Ah, yes. That's the ticket!

Superbowl Fans

We hosted a party on Superbowl Sunday, this year. We had 14 adults and 8 kids in our house at any given time throughout the afternoon. As is required at any fantastic Superbowl party, we had way too much yummy food, the conversation was popping, the commercials were mesmerizing, and the game was barely watched by anyone(*with the exception of Brant, who was practically the only football fan in the room..)

I didn't take any pictures during the party, but trust me - it was great. Instead, I took a few snapshots of my cuties (yes, all three of them), prior to the game. Enjoy!

Twins??

Maddie and Geoffrey. 2 months old. Can we say, "Related?!"

2 month stats

Geoffrey Patrick
9 weeks 2 days

13 lbs 12.6 oz

24 inches long

15.98 inches around the head


What a little man!

My Disneyland Birthday Party

"You are invited to a special birthday party at The Plaza Inn at The Disneyland Resort, with your adoring family, and special hosts, Mickey and Minnie Mouse!"

I was given an invitation similar to the one above a few days prior to my birthday, and I knew I was in for a special treat. As if it surprises anyone, we went to Disneyland for my birthday this year. In the afternoon, we headed over to The Plaza Inn to "check-in" for the birthday party. We were seated at a table, amongst several other tables and families celebrating birthdays. We were given souvenir cups filled with lemonade and party hats, complete with Mickey Mouse ears sticking out of them. Right away I knew it was going to be an event for the camera, that's for sure!

My sweet baby girl, knowing we are about to celebrate my birthday with "birthday cake!!" She was really talking up the birthday cake, just to make sure that Brant and I wouldn't forget. :) (As a matter of fact, as I am typing this, she is saying, "Look, Mommy! Birthday cake!" Aww. The lasting effects of sugar.)

My little man getting in on the birthday celebration, but not sure what I just stuck on his head. :) My wonderful husband, who only knows me too well. :)

Our head baker, "Pat E. Cake." He was actually pretty funny and entertaining, doing his comedy and song and dance for the crowd. He informed us that we would be competing in a cake decorating contest, with some cakes that he just baked for the occasion. Next, they brought out individual cakes, frosting and sprinkles for us to decorate.Maddie, was very curious and excited about this activity. Amazingly, she never tried to eat it while decorating, she was just excited about the process.Multi-tasking. :)
Ta-da! Magically, we were all the winners of the cake decorating contest! (Shocking, I know!)
While everyone started to enjoy their cakes, they asked for anyone who was celebrating their birthday to come stand up front to be sung to and celebrated. Not missing a chance to be in the spotlight, I didn't hesitate and marched proudly up to the front. It wasn't until I got up there and turned around that I realized I was surrounded by several 5 and 6 year-old kids, towering above each of them (enter: flashbacks to my own childhood/tweener years). Ugh. I proudly smiled and took in the moment of humiliation with dignity, because darn it! It was my birthday, too!! :)
As the birthday song was coming to a close, our special friends, Mickey and Minnie Mouse came out and greeted the crowd. They also did a conga line, and at the conclusion of the dance, Minnie took Maddie by the hand and walked for about 30 feet together. It was so sweet, and I know every single girl was jealous of my little lady in that moment. :)
Here we are, happy as can be to be celebrating my birthday with Mickey and Minnie! After this picture was taken, Minnie reached over and kindly pushed Geoffrey's head back upright...oops. :) (It's not my fault M & M are so short, that I have to bend down to get in a picture with them!)
Geoffrey's first ride - the carousel at California Adventure. He loved it.
Geoffrey's second ride - Dumbo. Maddie loved it. Geoffrey stayed fast asleep. He still loved it.
Geoffrey also rode on It's a Small World, but no pictures to prove it.

And finally, on my actual birthday, we went out as a family to eat at Red Robin. I just had to include this picture because it truly depicts how Geoffrey felt that night - chill...laid back...no big deal - such a boy!