Little Getaway

A month or so ago we planned on going on a trip right after David finished the semester. After three long weeks with super spaced out finals, the week of our trip came. I suddenly got really sick and could barely stand for more than a minute at a time. I was so mad! I wanted to be feeling good for our trip. Luckily by Friday morning I was much better, so we headed out. We got a great deal on the Omni hotel in San Diego. We drove down, had fish and chips, walked around, checked in.

 We went to the movies and then went to dinner at a little bar where you cook your own meat.

It was fun and yummy. And I got a Shirley Temple!

It seemed appropriate to see Anchorman 2 since we were in SD.

 We had a fun and relaxing time. Just what we needed to recharge after finals

and prepare for the holidays!

Mamas + Babes

Lately I've been finding myself being drawn to photos of moms and their babies. I think every day I understand more and more the amazing relationship you can have with your children. Newborns depend on you for actual life, but toddlers depend on you for comfort and happiness. It's a new experience with each thing Jude learns and it's so much fun (and sometimes challenging).

We get to choose what kind of relationship to have with our kids. We can be too easily frustrated and constantly saying 'no' or we can be involved, teaching and enjoying having them around. I've been trying to think about this when I have a frustrating day (like yesterday and today).

yellow skirted mama
orange sweatered mama

Picking the Tree

We decided to try something new this Christmas and cut down our own. We found a tree plantation down Cajalco in Lake Mathew and headed out to find the tree.  Jude had fun playing in the dirt and we spent a while searching for the perfect tree.

Thanksgiving 2013

Yummy food (including a delicious smoked turkey), cold weather and fun family.

Chloe reading her book on the couch totally takes me back to me at family gatherings 20 years ago...

Sunday Dinner in Moorpark

Date!

 For the first time in a LONG time we went on a double date. We've known Nicole and Jeff for a while (she was around when we met at volleyball/TGIFriday's) and we just happen to live minutes from each other now. It also happens that we are all four huge foodies...we love to eat good food.

We headed to the Salted Pig in Riverside for some  deep fried, battered bacon wrapped dates and the best brisket sandwich I've ever had. Oh, and a fresh ginger ale made with real ginger! Yum. Then we walked off our food comas over to the Mission Inn for some cupcakes.

We're already planning our next outing! 

Bye Boys

My brothers both left a few weeks ago- Kyle to move to St. George for some new scenery and a job and Trevor to go work in Hawaii for a few months. We had dinner at Cheesecake Factory (David was at school) and said goodbye.

Downtown Disney

In November we met up with Zac and Kara and Lola and Sabine while they were visiting Disneyland. Our passes are expired :( so we met up and ate in Downtown Disney and I got my baby holding time in. Jude LOVED Lola and we had a fun visit.

David Visits Arizona

David went to Arizona with his family for his Aunt Tina's funeral. It was sad circumstances, but I'm glad he go to go be with most of his family. I asked him to take lots of pictures and this is what I got:

An empty Fenn taco plate

Park Fun

Girls Weekend

We planned this sleepover like two months ago. David lovingly agreed to take over Jude duty for about 24 hours so I could head down to San Diego to have some girls time. It was so fun! We ate so much yummy food and explored and shopped and laughed. We stayed up late crafting and watching movies, and drank way too much caffeine. I have to say that I don't have a ton of girl friends that I talk to often, mostly because girls are flaky, emotional and dramatic (this includes me). Cori is not one of those girls. She is honestly one of the best friends I've ever had, and she is a good friend to everyone she knows. She never flakes on anyone and drives long lengths to go to parties or visit loved ones. I'm so glad she's my friend. And yes, I did miss Jude. 

Sprinkles cupcakes with an ocean view at La Jolla

Alien necks

Walking around Hillcrest after breakfast

Christmas crafts, A Walk to Remember, giant sodas

Watch Me Grow: 14 Months

14 months! Oh man, each month disappears. Jude is almost running everywhere he goes now. He's gotten some good bumps on his head from losing his balance. I took him to the doctor a couple weeks ago because I thought he had an ear infection. Turns out he was just rubbing his ears because teeth were coming in. He now has 12! All four top and bottom and 4 molars. He is so much fun and cracks us up all day long. He's started doing this 'go crazy' thing where he shakes his head around and makes funny sounds. He dances and mouths the words like he's lip syncing and its hilarious. He is obsessed with wooden spoons and brushes. He tries to hold as many as he can at once and gets mad if he can't pick them all up. Even though he's busy, he will still cuddle and relax with you before or after naps.

He loves sippy cups and his pacifier. He loves putting shoes and socks on. He loves baths. He really loves peanut butter crackers and if he sees the box he will beg and sign please forever. He climbs on the couch all day long, can open some doors now and tries to get outside EVERY chance he gets.

One of my favorite things is finding random items in weird places and realizing that Jude threw them in when no one was looking. The other day I couldn't find my phone and it ended up being in his toy box. I looked in the laundry basket last week and in it was a dog toy, a plastic wrench and my hair brush. It makes me smile every time.

We gave him a little haircut since it was getting a little long in the back. It's not the best cut ever, but it will do for now.

Wooden spoon obsessed

Buddy waiting for lunch at Cafe Rio

 Watching Curious George

Sitting in his wagon

Cuddling at church

Dipping his quesadilla in the grease

at Rosie's

Collecting animals at Bass Pro

Handsome pant-less man

Chocolate cupcake gone wrong