friends forever

mia and caleb have been buddies since they were literally infants. even after the gordons moved to utah, they have maintained a sweet friendship. the gordons were recently here for a couple of days so we got to meet up at a park to spend some time together. mia and caleb ran right to each other and ran off like they haven't spent any time apart. they even talk about getting married, which i just think is hilarious coming out of the mouths of kindergarteners! we miss our friends being close, but we are happy they are doing so well in utah!

we love our friends

my friend, sam, and i have been friends for so long i can't even remember when i first met her! she lives in california now, but she visits her family a couple of times a year and we are lucky enough to get to see her and her cute kids when they come. i about cracked up when i saw the fancy outfits the girls were dressing up in. i guess george didn't want to get in on that action. we're already looking forward to the next time we get to hang out...i hope it's soon.

the mia rose bush

my parents have this gorgeous lady banks rose bush that blooms for about 2 or 3 weeks right around mia's birthday. it is our tradition to take mia's picture in front of these beautiful blossoms each year. the blossoms may be beautiful, but mia is even more so!

cheers to old friends!

i still keep in touch with a few friends from back in the day, which i love. my good friend cathy, who i have been friends with since we were 12, was in town, so we met up at a park to catch up and let the kids play together. i love how with some people it doesn't matter how long it's been since you've seen each other, you just pick up like it was yesterday. and i love how our kids act like they are best friends!

donny & marie

russ's parents came to visit us for a weekend in march. we took them to see donny and marie as their christmas present. it was so much fun to hang out with them without the kids! i think that's the first time we've ever gone out as just adults since mia was born. we always have a great time when they are here. we're so lucky they come often.

gotta love papa steve

my pops loves to come over and play with the kids, and they love when he does! he is seriously the most playful, rambunctious, loving guy. he hasn't seemed to lose a bit of energy or youthfulness over the years. gosh, i wish i could be more like him!

waking beauty

i bought mia this pretty floor length nightgown. she loves wearing it! i snapped this photo literally right after she woke up. i love my little princes...

our little garden

small yard=small garden. but some garden is better than none! this year we planted jalapeno peppers, serrano peppers, anaheim peppers and tomatoes. the goal is to make our own salsa!

yay for family!!

melinda (russ's sister) and eliza came to visit us last week. we had the BEST time and did a ton in the time they were here. we played outside with sidewalk chalk, played a ton in our backyard (eliza absolutely loves to slide and swing), went to the park to take pictures of the kids, played at the park, saw the bellagio botanical garden, ate pastries at the paris, swam in the jacuzzi, made crafts, ate out and just had a plain ol' good time. we REALLY appreciate them making the effort to come and visit. it's so great to be together, which made it hard to say good-bye.

georgie is seriously intense with chalk (and crayons). i'm hoping he'll be an artist :)

eliza's first experience with sidewalk chalk

my pretty little lady

what a cutie

stud

cute cousins!

eliza only really smiled when she found this pine cone

so grown up!

i love this kid

this picture cracks me up!!!

mama and daughter

these are george's new favorite pajamas. he wears them EVERYWHERE. he loves to push the button and then pops his arms out like wings.

melinda was tickling george's toes, and he was laughing hysterically!

rub a dub dub...

cheesy grin

we have thin blood...george had to bundle up in 60 degree weather.

bellagio botanical garden

making a wish...

making a wish...

this chihuly ceiling is one of my favorite pieces of art. i think it is incredible.

i was letting eliza kick me in the butt while she was swinging. she thought it was pretty dang funny. i don't think i've ever heard her laugh like that. she kept saying "kick katie!"

egg garden

i do a lot of crafts with the kids to keep them occupied, especially when mia is on track break. one of our most recent crafts was an egg garden. the kids planted grass and sweet peas. my original thought was that we could transplant the sweet peas to the flower pots in our front yard, but i had no idea these things grew to be 5' tall! i guess that's what i get for not reading the package. if anyone wants some sweet peas let me know :). after the plants had grown for about 2 weeks i told mia and george i wanted to take some pictures of them with their garden. george flat out refused to be in the picture, and mia went upstairs and put on this get-up. how are my 2 kids so completely different?