Sequoia National Park

Trying to keep our adventures alive, yet keeping it a little low maintenance due to our move, the extra expenses that accompany the move, dragging around an 8 month old baby, etc., we settled on our family trip this year to the Sequoia National Park! Nothing fancy, nothing too exotic, but it was a fun mini trip nevertheless. Gotta break in our minivan some how, right?

We went through a lot of Disney movies in the car and a lot of lollipops to survive this road-trip  Even Darren kept going through those suckers. (Can you tell he is the 3rd child?) But no one got car sick which I believe is a record for us. And the kiddos did great! Success!

I'm not a nature person at all. I know that isn't a news flash to you all or anything, but being in the crisp mountain air this past weekend was really refreshing I must admit. It smelled great up there. It kinda smelled like Christmas too which got me excited for the upcoming holidays.

My boys in front of the "Sentinel" tree.

The girls loved finding a walking stick each and were fascinated when we told them we were going to see the "General Sherman Tree", the biggest living thing in the world!

Here we are standing in front of a tree that was hollowed by fire.

We survived our nature filled trip. The girls climbed rocks and trailed through dirt. We even hiked a little. And the words, "I hate nature" never left my lips! Another success!

can't stop, won't stop

Today Darren is 8 months old!
The past month has been filled with astonishing physical growth for D.
Not only has his two bottom teeth come in, but he has also mastered,
-how to sit
-hot to crawl
-how to crawl and then transition to a sitting position
-how to crawl up the stairs
-how to pull himself up

The kid doesn't stop moving! I bet he will be walking before his first birthday...

Beverly Hills & Hollywood

My sister, Leslie, has come into town to visit us for a couple of weeks! Natalie jumped out of her car seat and quickly opened the car door to give Leslie a big hug when we picked her up at the airport. We are a little excited to see her. ;)

Visitors equals another excuse to explore the land we live on. Leslie has never been to Beverly Hills and I haven't been to parts of Hollywood. So, lets go!

Our first stop was at the famous Sprinkles cupcakes. Tim and I have decided that even Sprinkles doesn't compare to the red velvet cupcakes in London. Hands down Sweet Couture wins. So to avoid a cupcake disappointment I ordered the raspberry cupcake instead. MMMmmm good!

We took our famous cupcakes and ate them at the famous Beverly Garden Park across the way.

After our treat we drooled some more as we window shopped along the famous Rodeo Drive. The only thing that would have truly topped our morning LA experience is to have seen a famous person.

After lunch Tim dropped me and Leslie off at Hollywood Blvd to quickly scope out the famous walk of stars. (Darren was asleep in the car and this tourist destination is crazy busy. Not really a place for three littles in tow.) We just walked up and back down on the opposite side of the street and made a few necessary stops along the way. It was pretty cool and pretty Hollywood.

And what is more Hollywood than the famous Hollywood sign?

Peace out, LA.

4 year check-up

Weight: 32 lbs 10-25%

Height: 40 inches 50-75%

Likes:

Fruit, especially strawberries.

Favorite color: pink

Picking up snails and collecting them.
Playing with legos.
Lollipops.

Dislikes:
Tomatoes, hot dogs, and pizza.

Snow White (Hates her hair and dress.)


We love our spunky, sassy, and sweet Natalie!

golden 4th birthday

Celebrating your children's birthdays is one of the many highlights of being a mom/parent. I love seeing their genuine, innocent excitement as they await their special day.

For Natalie's 4th birthday she chose breakfast at Ruby's and a little shopping spree from the Disney store and Lego store. We have had such pleasant weather this summer in SoCal this year so eating outside near the coast with great company and yummy food was just the right ambiance for a birthday celebration.

On her actual birthday we opened up more presents...

and had homemade mac-n-cheese and cupcakes per her request.

She got a little shy during her Happy Birthday song.

Happy Birthday my little Natalie! We love you!