Trick or Treating

We had a great Halloween this year with the kiddos and friends (and their kiddos). We headed over to a friend's house and the evening started off with a nice warm bowl of chili and cornbread. The guys crowded around the TV flipping back and forth between the USC game and World Series to catch a glimpse of the games before the evening of trick or treating. Shortly after dinner, needless to say, the costumed-out kiddos were anxious to head out.

Laekin was Cinderella. The princess theme was pretty much a given, since her whole world revolves around Disney princesses at the moment. Mamma had fun doing her hair (after googling "how to do a Cinderella hair-do") and letting Laekin wear eye shadow and lip gloss. After she was all dressed up and looked in the mirror, the biggest, proudest smile overwhelmed her face....she was glowing. We weren't planning on her wearing her plastic Disney princess high heels, but she dug them out the toy bin and brought them with her. You could hear her 5 houses down, clickety-clacking down the street. She had to be so uncomfortable, but she didn't say a word.

Micah dressed up as a monkey (hand-me-down costume Laekin wore last year - yes, he fit snugly into the costume she wore last year as a 2 year old). We knew we definitely had one trick or treater on our hands this year, but much to our surprise, we had two! Micah was a pro. Laekin must have briefed him on the process or something, because he had it down. He followed the other kids up to the door, stuck his hand in the bowl of candy held by the stranger, and quickly turned around and headed back for the sidewalk. Between houses, he was biting on a Reese's stick....after about an hour, the packaging broke open and he enjoyed the fruits of his labor...his first Halloween treat.

Birthday Boy

The past year.

Micah-

Happy 1st Birthday little guy (on October 8th)... I guess you are not so little anymore. This year has flown by. It has been a blast having a little boy. You love being outside, getting dirty, exploring and trying to figure things out. The other night the four of us were in your and Laekin's room. Daddy was trying to put a bookshelf together and Laekin and I were on the ground reading. You were all about "helping" daddy put the bookshelf together as you took a toy and started hitting it like daddy was doing with the hammer. You were so interested in what daddy was doing and you wanted to help till it was done!

Your personality is coming out more and more each day. You are all over the place now walking, exploring, and trying not to get knocked over as your big sis runs past you. We love that you still love to cuddle with us and you will always give kisses when we ask and even to sis when she asks too! Many times when we are sitting on the floor near you you will come over and just sit in our laps. We love that you are trying to communicate with us... you say "mama" "dada", and your other 2 words sound like "dog" and "out" (which you say when you stand in front of the sliding door).

One of my favorite things about having 2 kiddos is watching your and Laekin's relationship grow. I will never forget the look on her face when she first met you. Even as an infant, you would hear her voice and turn your head towards her. I cherish the pictures we have of the 2 of you together. It is a good reminder that Laekin really does love you (despite some of the things that she has done to you!). But you know how to fight back now. It is pretty funny to watch you when she takes your toys. You go right to attacking! I love to watch you guys. I love that you love being with Laekin... and sometimes get real sad if she leaves the room. I love listening to you and Laekin "talk" to each other at night as you stand up in your crib looking over at her. You are such a joy Micah and you have blessed our lives more than you will ever know. I love you so much and I am honored to be your mommy!

1-2-3

 

Laekin turned 3 on September 10th! It was really fun to celebrate with her since she really understood that it was her birthday! For the first time I got to reminisce with Laekin about the day she was born. We looked at pictures together from her Birth Day as she kept saying "I was a tiny baby". That evening we got Sprinkles cupcakes and she got to open her Princess bike! She was so excited and has loved riding her big girl bike.

A couple days later we had our families down for a pool party and BBQ. My mom made a great cake. Laekin loves everything princess at the moment and she got lots of princess gifts!. She also got her first "pet" from her Auntie. It is a Beta fish that Laekin named "Dora" (we will save her for another post!). It was a great day and we enjoyed celebrating the 3 amazing years that Laekin has been a part of our lives.

 
 
 
I love the look on Micah's face here!
 

 
 

 

Laekin and Grammie

Sum Sum Summertime

We have had a wonderful summer and have definitely enjoyed the outdoors the last couple of months. And I (Jen), though it is September, will refuse to say goodbye to summer... until it is official (September 21st). Back in July and August we went on vacation to Lake Topaz and Lake Tahoe. We spent lots of family time together: the first week with Jen's family and the 2nd week with Jeremy's family. Jen and Micah then flew to Chicago for her good friend's wedding, and since then we have been enjoying our amazing beaches.

Laekin and her buddy Jake tubing together

Hot air balloon at Lake Topaz

Jeremy surfing


Jen surfing

Boat buddies

We went biking in Tahoe

The fam

Hiking up to Angora Lakes in Tahoe

Gretchen's wedding in Chicago!

Good times at the beach

Nana Dot

Can’t believe it has already been 1 year since you passed away. We take some extra time today to honor and remember you. We remember how hard you fought those last few months to live. We miss you, we miss your sense of humor- your wit, your love for your grandkids and great grandkids, your laugh, and your love for life. We love you Nana.

A new tradition

We started what we would like to make a tradition this past 4th of July. We pulled the kiddos out of bed just before 6:30am and headed out for a 5K run. Ladera Ranch hosted the "Freedom Run" so we signed up for the 5K race. Not running very consistently lately, we made the goal of finishing the race under 30 min (don't forget, we had to push the double jogger stroller the whole time, which weighed almost 100 lbs with the kids in it!). Well, we came in at 29:18 meeting our goal! It was a very fun morning and a good start to our 4th of July holiday. We enjoyed the buzz in the atmosphere - lots of people, a pancake breakfast, crowds cheering you on, and good old race day adrenaline. When we were leaving, Laekin was disappointed saying, "I want to go back to the race!" She thoroughly enjoyed the free 5K ride and all the people watching she got to do. I (Jeremy) have already set the goal to cut 5 minutes off our time and run under 25 minutes next year (while pushing the jogger). We'll see!