California knows how to party...

A part of my family drove down from Utah the day before Lauren's birthday and spent a week with us. My parents and one of my brothers, Paul. My grandparents came too but stayed with my Aunt and went out with my cousins during the week. Our week was packed with lots of fun things, first up was Sunday, the day after Lauren's birthday. We attended my cousin Johnny's ward in Rialto because he was being set apart as a high priest and then joined the High Council. Todd wasn't able to join us because of some last minute meeting he had to attend because he's in the Elders Quorum presidency. He was on his way to meet us afterwards at the park where we were having lunch when he called me telling me he got a call from the stake telling him that they wanted to set him apart today as 1st counselor in the Quorum. He knew this day was coming he just didn't know it would be that day. So he picked me up at my aunt's house and I left the kids with grandma and grandpa. I went back to be there for Todd and then drove all the way back to Fontana to meet everyone at the park. What a crazy day! The park was awesome, the whole playground was covered by a massive tent which is great for whities like my daughter and myself, I wish I had pictures but I don't.
Afterwards my parents and brother went back to their hotel which is right down the street from our apartment and we all took naps. Then I made navajo tacos, they are probably one of my favorite foods and we all were starving after sleeping so it was the perfect meal.
The next day we went to Newport. The weather was perfect like usual, cool breeze from the ocean and the warmth from the sun. Our first stop in Newport was the Newport Sports Museum. It's free for the public and really cool if you're into sports, it has everything.

They had a basketball court inside, that's why Lauren's shoes are off.

First was football, we saw O.J. Simpson's signed football, then we went into the golfing hall.

Next was basketball, our personal favorite.

Then the basketball shoes, the pictures don't show you how massive they are.

There was a surf hall, that was neat too. I found these shorts, so cute...their style hasn't changed much.

The tag says, "Quicksilver Boardshorts circa 1976"

A.J. spit up all over himself at the museum, really bad. So he was just in his diaper half the time we were there. Good thing we were right across the street from Fashion Island, we ran into Macy's and got him a new outfit, one fit for Newport. A polo shirt with the word Surf on it and little shorts with surfboards printed on it. Now he fit right in :)

Next stop, Ruby's on the Pier! It was only a 15 minute wait and the pier isn't a bad place to wait, watching all the people on the beach run into the waves and the surfers swimming past all the breaks. Huge yachts and fishing boats out in the distance. Lauren wanted to jump right in, which is scary but funny at the same time.

After Ruby's we walked over to the Ferry that takes you to Balboa Island. A little man-made island with a little community on it. All the houses are different and the icecream we got on main street was really good. The shops were full of great things, like electric guitars covered in california license plates, very cool. That store did not want people taking pictures so no pictures of that either. We went home after that and relaxed.
Todd and I love Newport, we would move there in a second if we could, we have so many fun memories there. The first year we were married we went kayaking in the little gulf at Newport and some friends joined us and now with both our kids we walked around Balboa Island, we will definitely be back so we can daydream some more about living at the beach.

Lauren turns 2!

Two years ago on August 13th, Todd and I had a baby girl. She has Todd's boundless energy and always has something to say to everybody. But she doesn't look anything like him, she's all mommy :) At two, Lauren can count to ten with a little help, she can repeat Beatles lyrics, play air drums, and dance.  She loves gummy snacks and popcorn, even though she eats like a bird she still has tons of energy. 

This last Saturday Lauren celebrated her 2nd Birthday. It went off without a hitch, unlike last year. Last year, I went grocery shopping the morning of, this year I learned my lesson and did everything this last week and prepared the food the night before. My parents, brother, and grandparents drove in the day before the party, my mother in law was in town helping my sister in law with her new baby so all of them were able to come too.

So here are the pictures starting with the invites I put together on the computer and with Todd's help, printed.

Eating Lunch

 Lauren's Birthday Cake

Cupcakes!

 I copied a few pictures from Sonya, my mother in law :)

After cupcakes we had Princess Emily stop by and visit to read a couple stories to the kids.

 Not all the kids are in this picture, some like my nephew Gaige refused to be next to the princess.

 My niece Brooklyn and Lauren are starting to have shared interests, it's fun to watch them interact.

After she left we opened presents, lots of presents. Then everyone went swimming in the pool. I think it was a success. All the little girls were still talking about Princess Emily and the boys couldn't get into the pool fast enough. After Lauren got out of the pool she changed into her birthday outfit that her Grams brought for her.

Thank you to everyone who came and made this a special day for our daughter. Lauren went to bed a happy little princess.

Father of the Bride

So tonight after the kids went to sleep, Todd chose a movie for us to watch and I chose a card game to play. The movie: Father of the Bride, the game: Crapface, it's a card game...I won a lot :)
During the wedding scene, Lauren woke up and she wouldn't go back down, so we decided to have her join us downstairs for a little bit. She sat with daddy and shared a blanket. After Steve Martin's character gave away his daughter Lauren asked, "What's he doing?" Todd responded saying, "He's giving away his daughter. It's the worst day of his life. Will you stay with Daddy?" "Yes" Lauren replied, not knowing the verbal contract she has just made with her father.

Todd picked her up and started dancing with her, which ended up in a giggle fest for Lauren. All I know is that my purse will be chock full of kleenex at Lauren's wedding, not for me but for the Father of the Bride.

Our kids

Every day is a new day, I learned that from my kids. Children's memories are very short especially when they're so young. I try and talk to my daughter in the evening about the activities we've done for that day and see if she remembers, and the plans we have for the next day. Sometimes she amazes me and brings up things she did the week before, she's mentioned details and I can't help but be proud. Even when we're staying in the whole day, I try to do something new with her and A.J. It's a hard job but being parents has been the most amazing blessing.

A day at the park

Last week we decided to go to the park for family time. Lauren loves the wading pool.

A.J. decided he needed a nap.

So Todd decided to join him.

Our story begins...

Todd and I live in Claremont, CA. and in the center of Claremont is The Village. I fell in love with The Village when Todd took me there on one of our first dates, and after getting married decided we couldn't live anywhere else, we still feel that way. I grew up in Brigham City, UT which isn't very big and after moving to Southern California, where the cities are one of the largest in the country, I longed for a small community, well lo and behold I found it, in Los Angeles County of all places.
Today Todd and I have two small children, Lauren who is almost 2, and A.J. who will be 7 months in a few days. Now that we have kids, I feel more a part of the community now than ever. We've been going to the wading pools that are in three parks here then going to the library to cool off and listen to story time.
On another subject, I'm currently planning Lauren's 2nd birthday. My parents and one of my brothers will be visiting for a week and I've been planning the itinerary, there are so many fun things to do around here!