A Day at the Beach

Mommy and Raif

Bailey holding the sea slug

Colby and the sea slug

Raif fast asleep in his tent, oh what a life

The weather was so beautiful this weekend we decided to take the kids in the avon (little boat) over to the beach. It was Raif's first time playing in the sand. He had a little siesta when we first got there, but then had fun squishing his toes in the sand. Colby and Bailey decided to make their own tide pools and find sea creatures to put in them.

Santa Ynez Trip

Aaron and Sarah invited us for a quick get away to Santa Ynez for a dinner hosted by one of the wineries they belong to. We packed up on Friday morning and headed up to Santa Ynez. We dropped off our bags at the Hertzog's place up there, and were off wine tasting. We had a great time and were so glad to be able to spend a little time with great friends, minus kids! Sarah even got the chance to be our wine pourer (what were they thinking!) Thank you to the Irelands for inviting us and to the Hertzog's for their generous hospitality.

Bailey's Discovery

Here is a recap of my conversation today with Bailey:

Bailey: "Mommy, Boomer has a hole in his body."

Mommy: "A what?"

Bailey: "A hole in his body."

Mommy: "Where is the hole?" (As I glance over to Bailey she is lifting up Boomer's tail pointing at his bottom)

Bailey: "Under his tail."

Mommy: "That is where he goes to the bathroom, Bailey."

Bailey: "Oh, okay."

The things toddlers say...

Easter Brunch

Our family photo
My mom and Dad with Raif

Stike a pose Lexy!

Jaymee finding more eggs.

She is her father's child. I can't keep shoes on her.

We hosted an Easter brunch this year. We had Colby's parents, my parents, my sister and her girls (Eli had to work until 6 a.m. so he was not in any shape to hunt for eggs), Grandma Pat, Grandma Donna, Colby's Aunt Jennifer and cousin William (who were her from Hawaii for a few days), and we welcomed home Colby's brother Guyton who just moved back from Houston. We had a lovely brunch in which everyone brought something (much easier with two small ones in the house). I didn't get a chance to take many pictures, even though everyone brought something there is still a lot to do when the party is at your house and I didn't get pictures of everyone.

Easter Day

The Easter bunny put a new Ariel nightgown in Bailey's Easter basket. We had to change into it.
Found another one!

Boomer trying to eat the colored Easter eggs.

Bailey shared one egg with her brother.

Bailey right after she woke up.

The Easter bunny showed up at our house the night before Easter and boy did he hide a lot of eggs! The holidays keep getting more fun as we watch our little girl grow up. Raif even got in on the fun by holding his one egg his sister so generously shared with him.

Coloring Easter Eggs

Bailey and her cousins Lexy and Jaymee
Jaymee with her prize egg.

Lexy creating her masterpiece.

Bailey loving the event.

My sister had us over for our traditional coloring of the Easter eggs the night before Easter. Bailey and her cousins Jaymee and Lexy had a fun time creating masterpiece after masterpiece.

Raif

Just a cute picture. Not much else to say.

Ballet Class

Reach for the sky!
Reagan and Bailey ready for class!

Ballet pose at home.

The beaming face!

Bailey has been begging me for 2 months to find her a dance class now that she is 3. I finally started searching for one that is not already too far into their session. Los Altos had a new toddler class that just opened up. I was a bit hesitant, if you know Bailey you know why. I thought it would be a total massacre, but just when you think you know what your child will do, they go and do the opposite. Bailey's face was beaming the entire class, just like it does when she sees the princesses at Disneyland. She participated and followed along with a lot of the class. She did not do the congo tap dance line, but other than that she was great. After we got in the car she started crying asking why we had to leave and when she gets to go back. We have a break next week for spring break, but we'll be back in two weeks. Keep your fingers crossed that all goes well!

Visit from Great Grandma Donna

My mom brought over my Grandma Donna to have lunch (and do my hair and Grandma'a hair.) Raif slept a lot of the morning, but woke up in time for lunch. Bailey and Raif are lucky to have 3 great grandmas. Their ages range from 80 to 93! Good genes is all I've got to say!

Spring Flower Planting

Bailey took this picture of the ranunculus
Front Planter

Other side of front planter

Backyard planter, Bailey picked lots of these flowers.

My mom's creative masterpiece

Since Colby went fishing on Sunday, Bailey, Raif and I enlisted the help of my mom and dad to plant some flowers in our backyard and to add to the front yard. I was so tired of looking at empty planters with only bark in them to keep away the weeds. We spent a few hours and a few dollars at Armstron Nursery and turned our front and backyard into some spring time fun!! Thanks Mom and Dad for all your help. I promise to try and not kill all the flowers.

Lily

Most of you that have seen Lily do not see her on a good day (Lily is supposed to be a frilly dog, but deep down she is a rough neck). She had a day at the groomers yesterday so I thought we should take her picture to show how cute she can look on a "good hair day." Bailey asked for the cute purple bows.

Easter Bunny at the Grove

Raif, Bailey and Me
Raif, Bailey and Grandma

Inspiration to us all to plant spring flowers!

My favorite of Raif

Bailey is actually looking at the camera.

My mom and I decided to have a fun filled afternoon at The Grove to take the kids to see the Easter Bunny. Raif thought the bunny was hysterical and Bailey thought he was the best thing in the whole wide world...but she decided this after we had her picture taken! We had a great time walking around and the best lunch at a little cafe sitting outside in beautiful California springtime weather.