Ryan's First Trip to the Firehouse

A couple of weeks ago we went to Tehachapi for my step-sister's baby shower. While we were there, Ryan got to visit the fire station with Papa. He had a great time pushing all the buttons and checking out the lights. Thanks, Papa, for the fun time!

Happy Earth Day!

I've never been a big "Save the Planet" kind of girl--I drive a Suburban and am a registered Republican. However, since having kids, I have become more environmentally aware and try to do my part. I haven't adopted anything earthshattering--just the little things that if everyone does will combine to make a big difference. Our efforts include:

~Recycling everything we can

~Using canvas shopping bags

~Using cloth napkins instead of paper

~Switching to energy efficient lightbulbs

~Using Nalgene bottles for water instead of disposable water bottles

~Washing clothes in cold water and using the quick wash cycle when appropriate

~Getting our windows UV coated to keep it cooler (and use the A/C less)

I'd love to hear what others are doing to help save the planet!

Mad Skills

So I just started taking a cake decorating class, and this is the first cake I did. I'm definitely no Duff Goldman, but hopefully I'll be able to make cute cakes for my kid's birthdays. This whole domestic thing is turning out to be pretty fun...

Happy Easter!

Disney Fun!

Two weekends ago we decided to pack up the crew and head to Disneyland. Ryan absolutely loved going on the rocketships, Dumbo and the Autotopia, as well as lots of other rides. Annie was her usual angel self, and we made some great memories.

Valentine's Day at the Zoo

This year we decided it would be fun to take the kids to the zoo on Valentine's Day. They recently opened a Little People Zoo area that we wanted to check out, and we wanted to enjoy the amazing weather we've been having. (While most normal people do things like go to the zoo in the summer, when you live in Arizona you do everything outdoors anytime BUT the summer.) Ryan had a fabulous time, and I think Annie enjoyed the fresh air. I was just happy to get some good family time in outside of the house...

Too Cool for School

Annie's Blessing

Yesterday was Annie's blessing, and we were excited to have family together to celebrate the special event. My parents came down from California, and Bryan's sister and her family from Portland had coincidently planned to come into town for the weekend. My sweet mother-in-law hosted a wonderful brunch at her house afterward, and my mom made Annie's beautiful dress. We enjoyed showing off our sweet little Annie Bear and not to be outdone, Ryan was looking pretty dapper himself!

Be Careful What You Teach Your Kids...

Whenever Ryan plays Lego's, his favorite part is destroying whatever gets built. Bryan has encouraged this, and we've always thought it to be really cute when he knocks down whatever contraption has been created and started laughing his cute little belly laugh.

Well earlier this week I went to the Carter's store, and while I was looking around I sat Ryan at the Lego table. After a while another little girl came over who was probably about 3 1/2. She started building something (a castle, according to her), and all of the sudden I hear Lego's falling and that cute little laugh. This was quickly followed by the sound of the little girl crying. I went over and saw exactly what I was expecting. The little girl's mom explained that Ryan was little and he wasn't trying to be mean, and I apologized. Suddenly his destruction didn't seem quite so cute...

My Sweet Angel

Bryan snapped this picture of Annie and I napping the other day. I haven't taken a lot of pictures of her (or anyone!) lately, but I think this one captures her sweetness. She is SUCH a good baby--so mellow and happy. Now that she's smiling and cooing, it's even better. I absolutely adore this little girl--she is my saving grace on hard days, and just looking at her always brings a smile to my face.