All Good Things Must Come to an End

We had some fun despite the rain. All five of us crazies made it to Mission Mall to play in their little kid friendly spot. There were only about 5934 unsupervised children running around, stomping on my child, but Tyler still enjoyed playing somewhere new for a bit.

Once Heather and I got sick of searching for our kids we shooby-dooby(ed) on down to Ruby's for a yummy lunch. The kids were starving and we were craving a delicious shake. Sooo good! Our little ones turned on the charm after getting some food in their tummies. Madelyn has been so funny being a little mommy this trip. She's been giving Tyler his pacifier, rubbing the boys' backs, helping them share, and feeding Tyler his food!

Benjamin got a fun car to play with and loved watching the train go around and around. He even got to end lunch with a gumball from the fun machine.

Once we were home the kids had fun just being with each other. I made Tyler wear his jacket around all day since it is stinking cold here. I couldn't resist taking some pictures of the little guy with his hoodie on. He is just so wonderful. We are hoping for a good night's rest and a quiet car ride home tomorrow. We are bound to have another full weekend of house hunting once we get home...wish us luck!

It's Raining, It's Pouring

Sadly, our adventures in California have come to all but a stand still. The powers that be decided now would be a good time to open the heavens upon this promised land. It has been raining for nearly two days solid now. We still managed to get out to go shopping though- and run through the rain with our kids. We all look so out of place since all we brought with us are shorts (oops). We definitely got some dirty looks for taking our kids out in the rain dressed in so little- but the kids sure loved it!

Due to the weather we are doing what everyone does when it rains...baking! Heather made some banana bread and I made some cookies. We are trying to remember what to do in California with kids when it's raining. We might make an outing to the mall and have a little treat at Ruby's...if only Tyler would wake up from his nap!

Weather woes aside- we still have some dang cute kids so here are a few pictures of what our kids do best- eat!

Auntie Morgan comes to visit too!

One of my best friends since High School, Morgan, made the time to stop by and see us last night. She is one of those genuinely good (and absolutely hilarious) people. We had so much fun together working at TLC (for way too long) and playing and now she is just as good at playing with the little ones.

Her mission was to hold Tyler until he liked her- but that didn't take long. Tyler went right to her when she came in the door and loved her every second after. Even Ben and Maddy wanted to play. Ben would have Morgan cock the guns (nurf guns) then run around shooting stuff. The kids loved having the attention of one more person.

Morgan was also blessed with the experience of witnessing bath night. It's funny to have someone new in the loop to ask, "how do you know what to do?" I swear that's exactly what I thought when I first had Tyler too- then you just make it up and it looks like you know what you're doing! Hope we get to spend more time with Morgan soon. We have been so lucky to see all these friends so far- and it's only Thursday!

Our Date with Popa

We got to go on another fun walk this morning and get in a good morning nap and then we had a great date with Popa Dunn. Popa came and picked us up at my parent's house. Tyler got a cute stuffed tiger from his Popa (which was immediately shared with Benjamin and Madelyn) then we headed down to Dana Point to enjoy the beautiful weather.

Popa goes bike riding all the time at the beach so he knows the good places to eat. We grabbed some yummy fish and chips for the adults and a corn dog as big as Tyler. There were a lot of fun people and dogs around so Tyler enjoyed every second of being outside in the salty air.

After lunch we got some ice cream as a special treat and then walked around Dana Point Harbor. We sure are lucky to have such a wonderful great grandpa. We miss having him around to ride with Ryan and enjoy his company.

Visiting with California Friends

We had a blast yesterday going on walks, playing with cousins, running errands (finding some wooden puzzles for Tyler's birthday), swimming in the spa, and seeing our old buddies Michelle and Bradley.

Michelle and I worked together for the school district. We saw more of each other during our pregnancies than anyone else. We had the same doctor, worked with each other, delivered at the same hospital, we both worked with the Young Women in our ward, and we both ended up have C-sections. Needless to say, we have quite the bond after all the fun times we've been through. Tyler and Bradley were born only two weeks apart. They have had some fun times- typically their visits involved some crying and sleeping- until now.

It was so much fun to see the boys actually "play" together this time. Both boys are big, smiley, and adorable. We loved visiting and hope to see them both again soon!

On the road again...

We are posting from good old Mission Viejo this morning. The weather was, well, just like Las Vegas yesterday. It was about 105 when we got here BUT it actually cools off at night! Miracle of miracles.

Let's catch all you bloggers up on the rest of the weekend. Ryan's new work schedule keeps him busy until 2pm on Saturdays now- blah! When Ry got home we met with our new realtor and got the home search re-started. After that lovely encounter it was time for a nap, and some spontaneous thinking on dad's part. We called up Michael and Jenna to see if a young, hip, couple like them would want to meet up with some old fuddy-duddys like us for dinner at fantastic Cafe Rio (yes, that makes three weekends in a row that we have dined at that fine restaurant). We got to see the happy couple, visit, and go swimming in their pool after!

Tyler loved the pool and made sure to wave to the other people around. We love having cousins so close that we can meet up and have fun with. Tyler loves Jenna and is already growing quite fond of baby Abigail (only 85 days til we meet her).

Sunday we tried to do Tyler's hair to show of his new 'do. It kinda worked. We were mostly just messing around with it all day and it ended up being flat anyway. But he is adorable and had a blast playing with everyone around us at church. We had the Waites and the Blackwells over for yummy family dinner that evening and then we got all packed up to come here.
Monday morning before we left Tyler wanted to spend all morning with his dad. He was so sad to leave him that Tyler fell fast asleep in Ryan's lap! It was so cute. Tyler hasn't been able to sit still enough in ages to fall asleep while being held. Ty and I miss daddy- but California is beautiful so far. More fun to come and more pictures to follow!

The First Haircut!!

It is a big moment in any mother's life...the first haircut for my little boy. Thankfully, my sister's sister-in-law (resident hair cutter extraordinaire) Emily, happened to be staying the night last night and graciously agreed to do the damage for me so that I wouldn't freak out or pay some yahoo dressed up in a funny outfit to cut Tyler's hair while he was screaming in an airplane hair cutter's chair!

The experience was quiet pleasant. Tyler couldn't take his eyes off of the beautiful woman cutting his hair (or he was just trying to figure out what was going on) He sat fairly still, let out a few giggles, some smiles, enjoyed a bit of a granola bar, and voila- haircut over!

He is so handsome- but so grown-up looking. I am so glad that I didn't have to try to do it on my own, but part of me misses my little boy already. I guess they have to grow up eventually.

BEFORE

DURING

(note the little goatee...a little hair transplant ;) )

AFTER