California State Fair

We had a blast at the State Fair yesterday. We went to celebrate Madeline Kann's bday and really enjoyed hanging out with the Garamendi family. Maddie loved the petting zoo and Connor loved the rides! A fun time for sure!

Vacation Bible School

Connor had a blast at VBS this past week at Southport Community Church. He learned a lot about Jesus and had fun making friends, learning songs, and doing crafts. He got to perform in front of the big church this Sunday and I was so proud watching him perform!

SUMMER FUN!

Ice cream in the backyard!

Watching Daddy hit home-runs!

Watching the ducks at McKinley Park

Backyard water play!

Summer Fun!

Here are some pictures from our summer adventures! We've spent lots of time at the community pool and at the splash park. We've had lots of fun on outings including the zoo, Fairytale Tow, the Children's Museum, Folsom's Mini City,  and the park. Connor and I had a week of "dates" with just us since Madeline as still in daycare. We played Putt-Putt golf, went to Chuck E Cheese and went to the water slides! He was so brave and went on every slide that he was allowed to go on! I was very impressed! Mallory went with us and we had a blast! I'm already dreading the end of summer. I'm having so much fun with the kids!

Zoo Camp

Connor had an awesome time at Zoo Camp last week. He was sad that it was over! He got to go all week, and then on the last day, we got to go to his "Art Show" and stay to enjoy the zoo afterwards! He came home each day with lots of fun stories for us and he seemed to learn a lot about the animals!

Madeline is 18 months!

Our sweet daughter is 18 months! The time is really flying by! She is such a sweetheart. She snuggles and loves to give hugs and kisses. She loves her brother, and refers to him as "Bubba" or "Connie". She's talking a lot now! It just melts my heart when she says Mommy and Daddy. She likes to pretend to talk on the phone and clearly says, "Helloooo!" The last time I counted, I estimated that she has about 25 words! Her favored toy is any and all babydolls. She likes to carry them around, wrap them up in blankets, and push them in the stroller. It's amazing how she imitates what "mommies" do. She'll carry a little purse on her forearm, push the stroller with that hand, and then hold the phone up to her ear. She's already learning to multitask! One of Maddie's favorite things to do is play peek-a-boo. She'll initiate it and will hide around a corner or behind something and pop out saying "Boo!" She laughs hysterically when she 'scares' us. Connor is still the one to get the best belly laughs out of her! She likes to watch Connor and Daddy play baseball and she's starting to learn how to throw overhand. This summer, she has really enjoyed playing in the water! We go to the recreation center pool frequently and she is so happy in the water. She prefers to explore and bounce around on her own, but also likes to play games with mommy in the deeper water. She tolerates going under water and is beginning to float and kick. She's recently taken to books more and will often bring us books and then back into our laps to sit down. She loves to have books in the carseat with her and will flip through the books, looking at the pictures. She LOVES music and likes to dance. Whenever she hears music, she'll begin to shake her body and move around to the beat. It's adorable! She continues to be a good eater. Similar to Connor, she doesn't drink milk, but loves smoothies and yogurt. Her favorite foods are grapes, strawberries, spaghetti, chicken, pancakes, sausage, popsicles, guacamole, meatballs, and turkey. We just had her check-up and everything about her is perfect! She is 2' 7" (27%) and 23 pounds (59%) with her head being 47cm (68%). She has 6 teeth now (4 on top and 2 on the bottom). There are 2 more back teeth breaking through now. She continues to sleep well- usually 7:30-6:30am with one nap in the afternoon which is anywhere from 1-2 hours long. She loves her blankie and continues to use her pacifier when she sleeps. Maddie has the most beautiful smile and her eyes are just gorgeous. She gets a lot of attention when we are out and about. We are often stopped and people just gush over her. She often looks at them like they're crazy, but I'm sure she'll grow to appreciate the compliments. In fact, we had lunch at Subway today and a sweet grandpa came up to her and proposed marriage! He said he would wait for her to grow up. I told him he'd be waiting a very long time! Madeline is quite the girly girl. She often will go into Auntie Mallory's room and bring out necklaces and bracelets to wear. She likes to wear dresses and she'll bring nail polish to me for me to paint her toes! Such a sweetie! Although she's girly, I think she has an adventurous and athletic side to her. She loves to climb around the house and at the park. We have to keep a close eye on her! On a few occasions, people have been shocked at how adept she is on playgrounds at such a young age. I attribute it to wanting to keep up with big brother! She still loves slides and has begun to like going on the swings more. She's such a fun little girl and enjoys all of the outings with brother. She loves Fairytale Town, the zoo, and most recently, the Children's museum. We are so blessed by Madeline Emma. She brightens our day everyday!

At their 18 month and 5 year old check-ups with Dr. Phan at Kaiser. 

Madeline's 18 month photos... Our princess!

4th of July!

We had a wonderful 4th this year! We started out with our friends at the Roseville 4th of July parade! It was short and sweet, and the perfect parade for our little ones. Maddie especially liked it! We then went over to our dear friends Kirsten and Jeff's home for a bbq with all of our friends. The kids had a blast playing in the water in the backyard. We headed home for a quick nap time and then Mimi and Mandy, Chad, and CJ came over for dinner. We met our neighbors outside for dessert and fireworks. We are so blessed to have awesome neighbors! Michael then got Madeline into bed, and Mimi, Connor, and I snuck out and drove to see the big fireworks at Raley Field. It was a busy, wonderful day!

Father's Day at Poppy and Mimi's House

Pops and Grandma's Bday Celebration!

Happy Father's Day!

To the best DADs I know...

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!

I feel so grateful to have such wonderful grandpas for our kids! Connor and Madeline absolutely adore their Poppy and Pops! Michael and I often talk about how lucky we are to have great dads and I think Michael is the amazing dad he is because he had great examples!! Not all men are willing to snuggle babies, change diapers, wrestle on the ground or go on a roller coaster with a 4 year old. Dave and John are always more than willing and excited to hang out and engage with our kids. I'm so thankful for them!

And to my amazing husband... no words can explain how thankful I am for you! You are an amazing dad! Our kids light up everytime they see you! You make them laugh and make our home such a happy place to be. You are so hands on... changing diapers, doing the nighttime routine, coaching tball, and playing tea time with Maddie. You are such a blessing to our family. I am thankful for you each day and I feel so blessed to get to spend my life with you. Parenthood is so much fun with you by my side!

This picture is just one of those "awesome daddy moments" that I happened to capture with a picture. After he got up early with the kids so I could sleep in a bit, I came down to them dancing in the kitchen. Pretty awesome dad, huh?!? He makes our lives so happy!