Oh, Avery...

About a week and a half ago, Ben was "on-duty", meaning I was upstairs getting ready. Well, when I came down, this is what I found. Avery had drawn herself a kitty face! I do have to give her points for creativity!

Sweet, sweet Sleep

Nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby!

My Favorite Reason

It seems that my to-do list is never ending. There is always atleast one load of laundry waiting for me, my bedroom is the always neglected room of the house that needs serious attention, Graysen's bedroom is waiting for updated pictures, I need to pack up clothes that the kids seem to be outgrowing at a rapid pace, and the coffee table has Ave's hand prints and Gray's slobber marks all over it. My house may not be perfect and there will always be errands and laundry waiting for me. And for one reason or another, every day things will be left undone but I accept that because I choose this instead!

Yes, my laundry is under them being wrinkled and crushed!

No that is not where I normally keep the toilet paper!

(She picked out her jammies and her shirt is on backwards, nice huh? I promise pictures, I don't always promise decency.)

And yes, Ben probably would have had a heart attack if he had seen this in fear of Gray breaking the dishwasher door. But I took him off... as soon as I got this cute picture!

Beautiful Weekend

Last week, we had a break in the weather. It doesn't feel like we have had much for summer weather this year but we had a gorgeous weekend. So we took advantage and got out. On Saturday, we took a hike to Nojoqui "Falls". Okay, so it wasn't much of a hike but just right with two kids and there definitely wasn't much to the "falls".

That said, it was a perfect day, perfect weather and a great place to let the kids get out and play around.

On Monday, we were off to Avila. Ben only had to work in the morning, so as soon as he got off we headed to the beach. I actually laid on the beach and read a magazine, ahhhh... can't remember the last time I did that?! Then we went to the Farm to pick apples. That was an experience. It was more like running through grabbing as many apples as you could find without getting eatten alive by yellowjackets! Not really what I had in mind. But totally worth it, when we came home and Avery and I made applecrisp. Yum!

Another Great Trip to MT!

Despite my better judgement, I made a decision to go to Montana without Ben. Two car rides and one plane ride with two children and five bags, a stroller and myself.... recipe for disaster, right? But they were awesome, actually they were even better than awesome! Besides our three trips to the potty between security and the gate, and then having to go one. more. time. right after the plane took off. Yeah, besides that, they were great!

The longer I'm away, the more I appreciate Montana each time I go back. Oh my goodness, it is beautiful! I do love living in Santa Maria, but the beautiful, clear nights and sunny (ALL DAY) days were so pleasant! And as always, we had so much fun spending time with family and friends. Avery and Nana had fun playing lots of games, reading books and watching movies. Mom and dad even had a "camping night" for Ave. We were going to try to take her camping but right before we came, the weather took a turn for the worse. So we set up "camp" outside, roasting marshmallows, swimming in the hot tub and the three of them slept in the motorhome. Now that's my idea of camping! And only in Montana will the weather go from 45 degrees one day to 80 degrees the next day. As for Graysen, he was lovin' his Papa. Since Gray has been born he just loves his Papa, it is so sweet. And with so many girls and so much estrogen, I think Dad was really enjoying having a little boy around!

Uck... sticky marshmallow hands!

We have been fortunate to see them every few months since we moved to California. It will be a long time until March when we get to see them again! And next time, Ben (a.k.a my photographer) will be with us so there will be more, many more better pictures!

GrAySeN is eLeVeN MoNtHs!!

We have had a VERY busy month, yes, even busier than our usual. The kids and I braved a trip to Montana by ourselves for a week and a half and we have had something going everyday since we got back! But I finally got unpacked and back into something resembling a routine.

In the midst of all this chaos, Graysen has turned eleven months. It also seems that with those eleven months has come an attitude, even though his sweet, innocent smile will win you over everytime! It is so fun to watch him learn and grow each and every day. I am so thankful for two beautiful children who teach me new things every day.