flying solo

This week I took the kids and met up with some friends at Disneyland.  It was the first time that I have gone without Kit with both of the kiddos.

We had a great time!

Ryder did amazing on the Astro Blasters.  

(It just isn't Disneyland unless we see Buzz...)

 I get a few maps at the entrance of the parks and I ask Ryder to help me to make sure we know where we are  going.  (My responsible little first born takes that job SO seriously!)

 We got to end the evening with saying goodnight to McQueen.

(Toy Story and Cars are definitely the favorites right now...)  

Thanks Carpenter's and Weber's for loving on us and giving me such a confidence boost!

A tasty new meal from Pinterest...

I have been pinning several recipes on Pinterest and I have been wanting to try some of the recipes on my family.  This one has been on the top of my list and it is a new family favorite!

Here is the recipe for these Cheesy Doritos Chicken Casserole.

It led to a 9 x 13 of goodness!

If you try it, I hope that you enjoy it as much as we did!
Ps, the kids have been playing together so sweetly when we are getting dinner ready or cleaning up:
My heart melts looking at this picture:

creating:birthday invitations

Next month we are having a little party to celebrate eden's first birthday and baby dedication with our family.  I wanted to have some fun with the invitations!  The theme is going to be picnic related and I can't wait to get all the details together!

I decided to combine oil cloth and card stock:

I sewed a pocket on the card stock for the invitations to go into.

I am so excited to share more of the party details with you!

a little trip to disneyland

We took a little trip to disneyland last week.  It's always so fun!

Cars Land:

If Ryder could move to Radiator Springs, he TOTALLY would!

 He got to meet Lighting McQueen:

His face was priceless as we were walking up to him.  

"Mama, it's QUEEN!!!"

Then we saw the Pixar parade.  Ryder was in heaven! It had everyone of his favorite characters.

It really doesn't get better than the excitement and wonder of your favorite little person!

Then we headed to the pier:

 "Ok Ryder, how about a serious space ranger face..."

 Eden did great:

(She remained seated the entire time♥.)

A little silliness:

It is so fun to be all together...  

My heart is so full!

valentine "brownies"

Ryder and I made these for Kit and they were really tasty.  Here is the recipe via Pinterest:

Mix strawberry cake mix, 2 eggs, 1/3 c. oil, spread in 9x13 pan (dough will be thick) and bake at 350 for 15 minutes. For glaze, mix 1 c. Powdered sugar with   1 1/2 tablespoons milk or water. Pour over warm brownies. 

 It's not a good cooking experience unless everyone from Cars is present.

 It's always fun to try something new and tasty AND have my favorite little helper there, AND make an early valentines day treat for Kit.

Thanks Pinterest!

11 months old

Today Eden Marie is 11 months old.

Do you know what that means?  It means our baby girl will be a 1 year old next month.

I just can't believe it!  She is: joyful, beautiful, relational, dramatic, hilarious, and fierce!  We are so excited to watch her grow...  We love her so much!

creating: Ziploc bag window easel

I found this little activity and it was perfect for Ryder.

You place finger paint in a gallon Ziploc and then place it in a window to make the colors come out brighter.

 Ryder kept touching it and then looking at his hands.  He was so confused there was no mess...

 Eden wanted to get in on the action too...

It was quickly moved out of reach.

This was a perfect little indoor activity.  We will be doing this again!

The Children's Museum at La Habra

Last week my mom treated us to a year membership at a local children's museum.

We all had sucha great time and Ryder LOVED it!

 There are all sorts of hands on stations and Ryder had so much fun seeing how things worked.

Driving is a favorite:

Gas prices can gouge you, even when you are 2 1/2 years old♥.

Since the wheels on the bus is a favorite,

Ryder was ecstatic that he got to drive one!

The main exibit was on dinosaurs.

Ryder was in heaven!

 The girls:

It was such a treat to be together and it is such a special gift to have a place that we can spend time together as a family.

Ps, Ryder tuckered himself out with all the fun he had!

That is a huge endorsement for me♥:

 Thank you so much mom for spoiling us!

Happy monday friends!

Good morning friends!  I hope that you had a great weekend.  My mom, the kids and I had so much fun being together while Kit was out of town last week.  I love that she is close and that we can get regular times of connection.  That makes me so happy and the kids LOVE her!  All that to say, I was so happy when Kit got home on Saturday.  We all missed him so much!
We just can't get enough of him.  It's hard to share...
He jumped right in...

I realize what a team mate I have in Kit.  He is an amazing father and husband and life is so much better when he is home with us!♥

meeting new members of the family...

Yesterday we hosted a littel imporomput get togerther to meet my cousins baby girl that was born a few weeks ago.  My other cousin, Heather, was in town from Idaho so we got to see her too!  My grandma, Uncle Sal,  my sister, and my niece completed the group.  We had breakfast together and enjoyed getting to meet the newest member of the family.

Here is the group:

Ryder meeting Ava for the first time!  So precious...

Melissa and Cole:

I was able to do little photo shoot too:

Big sister Olivia:

 I am so excited that Ava is here and part of this crazy family!

Welcome baby Ava!
Have a great weekend friends!