Day 2 - Sweet California

Today we kind of laid low because tomorrow the Mister is off and we are going to hit the road early to try and get in as much as possible. So the boys and I just chilled this morning and then joined Toby for lunch. We ate at a great little Mexican place that had a great view. Sam ate his normal gallon of salsa (just like his Dad)! Toby then took us to this little deli/bakery and let the boys pick a treat.

We then headed back to Old Pasadena and went to a little cupcake bakery called Dots. We ordered several mini cupcakes and enjoyed them thoroughly. We tried Marble, Vanilla with vanilla creme frosting, Red Velvet, and Strawberries and Cream...they were each delicious. Then did some more shopping. We stopped in at Ralph's to get some groceries tonight and Jack said he needed a treat and he of course picked out a Hershey's bar (his favorite). So I think it is safe to say that as of 5:30 this evening...we have had quite a bit of sugar. Yet, I am sure we are not done because we are headed to The Grove tonight to see Santa and watch it snow in LA. And hopefully see a few celebrities.

California - Day 1

So we made it. It being the incredibly long drive from Texas to sunny California. Our first night went okay and the boys and I ventured out to explore Pasadena today. We went to KidSpace Museum and the boys LOVED it...so much so that there was a bit of fit throwing when it was time to go. The museum even had a tricycle race track...Jack was in heaven. We played in water, painted, explored bugs, build blocks, watered plants, climbed rock walls, and even made our own root beer. We then ventured to Target to get a few essentials. They loved the downtown Target with the huge glass elevators in the middle. We all got a nap in and are home playing, doing laundry and cooking dinner. Just like a normal family...except we are in a one bedroom apartment in California and Toby is working six 12 hour days. Other than that...perfectly normal.

GIANT BATTERY

AWESOME BUGS!

WATER SYMPHONY (USING WATER GUNS AND DRUMS)

CLIMBING

JACK LOVED THIS PUZZLE AND SET ALL THE DINOS UP

WORKING TOGETHER

PLAYING AT THE PARK BY THE ROSE BOWL

DON'T TAKE OR PICTURE MOM!

THROWING LEAVES

I'm Back....Hopefully

After a very long blogging hiatus I am back with lots to post about. Much of it will probably just have to be skipped. We have been enjoying fall and have been busy. We are starting to gear up for Christmas which means lots of shopping and sewing. Here are a few things that I have been creating lately. Hooded towels for my friend Brittany's son, Rhett, Jack, and Sam.Thanksgiving cookies for Jack's school party. Inspired by the amazing http://bakeat350.blogspot.com/.Halloween cookies also inspired by Bake @ 350...she really is very talented.Towels for my friend Niki's kid bath. Jack sporting his Thanksgiving shirt for his holiday party...Sam has one too.

Jack's Halloween shirt...Sam's got stained before I could take a pic.

And just because...my little Mickey Mouse and Boba Fett.

Embroidery Madness

I finally figured out how to work my embroidery machine and I have gone crazy....

here are some things I have been making.

Rub Some Dirt in It

We use this phrase a lot around our house (if you know Sam you understand just how much). Tonight the boys took it to a new level. Gotta love the dirt drool going into the planter!

Even in his ears, hair, and under his neck.

They started wrestling in the grass but I was not quick enough to catch speedy Sam.

Riley's Baby Shower

I have been meaning to post pics of the baby shower we threw for my friend, Niki and her sweet daughter-to-be Riley, but had not gotten to it. So today while I was cruising blogland I saw that Kelly was hosting a baby shower linky deal. No time like the present to show some pics.

The buffet! Another angle of the table.Sorry for the blurry pic but wanted to show how we folded the napkins like diapers.

We used her baby shoes, pictures, mementos, and toys to give the shower a vintage feel.

Kim, Niki's sister-in-law, made these delicious Hawaiian sandwiches and pasta salad.
I have a collection of vintage silver baby cups that I had used at my sister's baby shower so I used them again...love that I used them twice!
We put flags in the cheese to tell what kind it was and you can see her invitation in a frame behind the cheese pedestal.

Pasta salad...yummy!

More of our fruit and cheese display.

A tray of little candies...Niki's son, Hudson, loved this most of all!

The cupcakes...not a great picture but the best I have.

The cookies I made for her shower. I was inspired by http://bakeat350.blogspot.com/. She is amazing.


I stole this idea from a blog but can't remember where. SORRY! We set out diapers and encouraged everyone to write a funny message for them to enjoy while diapering Riley. I liked it better than a game and it also will prove useful.
A little sign that reserved her seat for opening gifts.

This sign hung on my mantle and all the presents were placed below.

Here is the guest of honor opening her goodies.