4th of July Weekend!

Our 4th of July weekend was fun-filled and jam-packed with things to do and people to visit! Friday started off with a patriotic workout at Stroller Strides in Fullerton. Ali made sure to bring music to keep us pumped up to the themed workout! After class we celebrated the July birthdays and sang "Happy Birthday" to Logan and the other July kiddos.

Saturday started with a one-year-old birthday party honoring our lil' friend, Quinton! After the party, we headed down to Solana Beach to visit with our besties--the Penarandas and Bridgfords. We had so much fun with the mamas cooking in the kitchen and the dadas barbequing outside. It was so nice and relaxing to sit back and enjoy good food with even better company.

The Penaranda House

Here I am holding my precious niece, Kalea.

Uncle Josh and Kalea. It was so funny because Josh really wanted to hold her but then he was nervous because he said he forgot how to hold a newborn. Wow, time flies!


Solana Beach

On Sunday we visited the beach. I love Solana Beach because it's so family-friendly and not overly-crowded! We arrived at the beach and there was plenty of parking. I know this seems like a minor detail but I'm used to struggling for parking in Newport when I go to the beach. Once we parked, we walked over to the playground and grassy area which sits on top of the hill overlooking the beach. It was perfect!

Ang outdid herself, once again. She decided to make matching 4th of July outfits for all of the kiddos! They were too adorable. Since Lo couldn't wear one of the dresses, Ang decided to use the same fabric used on the girls' dresses and she sewed it into a tie on a onesie. Too cute! If you're ever up for a silly challenge, try and get four kids to look at the camera and smile at the same time...it was impossible for us! We tried and tried, and believe it or not, I think this one wound up being the best picture!

I can't tell you how much I love these two ladies! Seriously girls, you're like sisters to me. I just love how we can spend an entire weekend together after knowing each other for 16 years and never run out of things to talk about. I'm so thankful that our families can get together and spend quality time with one another. I can't wait to do it again real soon.

Gaddy & Stacy's House

After leaving Solana Beach, the Bridgfords invited us to stop by their aunt and uncle, Gaddy and Stacy's house. Gaddy and Stacy live in Oceanside and have a beautiful home right on the water. It was so relaxing and enjoyable to hang out, laugh, and sip on champagne! Thanks so much, Gaddy and Stacy, for opening up your home to us and allowing us to visit with you both. We had an awesome time!

4th of July Birthday Celebration!

On 4th of July we headed to the Dowdee home to celebrate our dear friends, Ryan and Jared's birthdays! We had a blast hanging out by the pool all day and eating yummy BBQ. It was the perfect end to a perfect 4th of July weekend!

Happy 11 months, Logan!

Our little guy is getting so big! It's hard to believe that he's almost a year old! As of now, he still has not taken any steps on his own, so we'll see if he does by his b-day. However, he loves to pull himself up and stand. He has officially found his voice. He loves to shout! Sometimes it's Da-Da and other times it's just yelling. He says Na-Na sometimes, which I think he uses toward me. The only time I can get Ma-Ma out of him is when he's crying and upset. He's got four teeth and his fifth is on the way! We just love our smiley guy so much! Thank you, God, for such an amazing gift.

Summertime Fun!

I must say that I absolutely LOVE summer! What's not to love? Pool parties, the beach and tons of fun in the sun! We have definitely been enjoying our summer time!

Recently our friends, Ryan and Shannon, invited us over for a pool party. They have a son, Quinton, who is three weeks older than Logan. We had so much fun hangin' out with everyone and relaxing by the pool! Thanks again, Loyds, for having us over. We can't wait to get together again!

Pool Party at the Loyd'sJosh, Logan, Kristy, and Trever

Daddy "trying" to teach Logan how to swim

Logan's first time in a pool! He loved it!

Thanks, Trever, for letting me borrow your cool floaty!

Thanks, Q, for letting me borrow your hat!

Each year, for the past nine years, Josh's dad and family come out for a week during the summer and rent a beach house in Newport. We look forward to this every year because we always have such a blast visiting with family and friends! This year we got the "Tommy-Bahama" house on the boardwalk. Thanks again, Papa and Nana, for so much fun at the beach house!

Beach HouseWe're all just checking out the boardwalk.

Josh, Logan and Alex.

Me and my niece, Alex

Logan loves to play with the football--okay, so he really likes to just put it in his mouth, but it makes Daddy happy to see his son take such an interest in it!

Luckily, the Bridgfords were able to join us for dinner one evening! We love them so much and always have a blast with them.

Lillie and Logan definitely have a special connection.

Logan with his Auntie Brooke

Josh with his Dad and Aunt Kathy

Logan with his cousin, Alex

Logan and his Great-Aunt Kathy

Lo's first time on the beach experiencing sand!

Our little family enjoying some fun in the sun!

Lo had fun playing with the sand-toys

Yes, of course he had to put the sand in his mouth!

Happy Father's Day!

I am so truly blessed to have such an amazing husband, and Logan is truly blessed to have such a wonderful Daddy. Therefore, we wanted to make Father's Day extra special! This year Josh's dad was in town on Father's Day, so we were able to hang out with him. However, I wanted to have a Father's Day celebration with just Lo, Josh and I, so we celebrated before and after Father's Day.

Before Father's Day, Stroller Strides had a fantastic idea of having a cookie exchange for the Dads! I decided to make Snickerdoodles (one of Josh's favorites) and was able to collect a delicious bag of goodies from all the Moms who baked yummy sweets for the Dads. Thanks, Stroller Strides!

Before Father's Day, I decided to get Josh a few gifts because he deserves it. I got him shoes, hats, and an air compressor--yawn--, but the best gift was a picture of Logan dressed up in Josh's tie and shoes. I then placed this picture in an engraved frame that reads, "Thanks for working so hard, Daddy!" Now Josh has an adorable picture of Logan to keep him going during those rough days at work.

After Father's Day, Josh asked me to make him my mom's Bolognese recipe, so I made Spaghetti Bolognese with homemade garlic bread. It was delicious!

I'm sorry but isn't this adorable!? Who wouldn't be motivated to work hard by this picture?



While we were there taking pictures for Daddy, I decided to have Logan do a cake smashing picture to later be used on his birthday invitation. Lo absolutely loved the chocolate frosting and made sure to get it everywhere!




Daddy enjoying his yummy meal!

Logan loved it too!

Happy 10 months, Logan!

Logan is changing and growing so much each day. He now has four teeth and a fifth on the way. He has his two bottom, one of his front top teeth and a side top tooth. It's so cute to see him smile! Logan loves to pull himself up to the coffee table or the couch and stand! It's so fun to watch him think about a task and accomplish it.

Daddy likes to spike Lo's hair during bathtime!

Our lil' guy pulling himself up and holding on

Logan pulling himself up to a standing position!

Nebraska!

As we set out on our first family vacation, we decided to stop off first in Nebraska and then continue on our way to Chicago. My dad is originally from Nebraska and still has tons of family currently living there. Although our visit was short, it definitely was sweet. We enjoyed ourselves and our fun-filled 24 hours in Nebraska! Lo on his very first plane ride!


Papa and Lo. My cousin Rachel got Lo his first Nebraska Cornhuskers hat! Go Huskers!

My dad's family, from left to right: Aunt Debbie (my dad's sister), Aunt Iona (my dad's mom's sister), Lo, Dad, and Cousin Gail

After our fun-filled evening, we decided to meet my Aunt and Uncle for breakfast at the Cracker Barrel before our flight out to Chicago. Pictured here are all the boys: Uncle Jeff, Josh, Lo, Dad and his brother, Uncle Dave.

The ladies and Lo relaxing outside the restaurant after our delicious breakfast! My mom, Aunt Lisa, Lo and I, and Aunt Debbie.

Outside of the Cracker Barrel are tons of rocking chairs and this huge game of Checkers. My dad and Uncle Jeff had a blast playing each other in Checkers!

Here's Josh, enjoying the rocking chairs! Poor guy never takes any time off, so here he is sitting back and relaxing.