Two Birthdays and a Wedding

All in one day!  AND Dave was gone helping a friend for half of it.  (He told his friend earlier in the week he didn't think we were doing anything - when he found out he figured as long as he was there for the wedding he was good!)

This little boy turned three.  His parents were pregnant at our wedding three years ago and had him like the day after so he and Karrots are 9 months apart.  *:o)

His mommy made the cupcakes.  Didn't she do a great job??!!

Birthday boy #2 is just 3 months younger than Karrots.  His little brother is 3 months younger than Rusty.  It was fun being pregnant the same time as their mom.  His theme was construction zone.

Karrots in her construction hat.

Had to leave early but got all kinds of goodies...I thought HE was supposed to get the gifts!  We got cookies, a huge goodie bag, the cupcake, and construction hat.  Thanks guys!

The wedding we went to was for a girlfriend I've known since elementary school.  I found her on facebook like a month ago!  We got to drop the kiddos off with grammy and head on out to our old stomping ground, Olvera Street. 

She was gorgeous!!

LOVED it!  They had a mariachi band outside the church after the ceremony and once everyone was ready they lead us over to the reception at Union Station.  The band continued to play for an hour of drinks on snacks and then lead us into the dinner where they got up on a balcony and continued to play.  What a great way to lead things!

 Cake topper...cute!

The bride and I...

Pesto Grilled Cheese

A new lunch favorite! I got tired of just plain old melted cheese and added tomato, pesto sauce and onion.

Also, a quick tip from our family to yours, we cook ours with mayonaise instead of butter on the outside. It grills the bread perfectly!!

Enjoy!!

Thankful Thursday

• I don't look like a boy! (See previous post.)
  
• I'm only experiencing cold symptoms - NOT the swine flu!
• Our kids' fevers have never lasted more than 24 hours.
• My hubby can fix cars!
• A dutch oven!  I've been wanting one for years and finally saw one at Cost Plus World Market that just dropped to $60 and I had a coupon for an additional $20 off! 
• Great neighbors!  We're hoping to have our next door neighbor and his girlfriend over for dinner soon.  I love it!
• I love cooking!  I couldn't imagine eating out all the time (for health AND pocketbook) or having to eat something I didn't enjoy making.
• Crockpots and allrecipes.com - I made corned beef and cabbage last night from one of their recipes.  DELICOUS!  It's awesome because we've been trying not to eat piggy and that cuts out an old family favorite crockpot recipe for saurbraten.  This is the perfect alternative!
  
• I only have one more Christmas gift to get!  AND most of the wrapping is done!  (That's right...I'm anal to get it done early!)
• The option of non-chlorine disposable diapers!  The velcro in the BumGenius ones are destroying my fingers because my hands have been so dry lately.  
• Vitamin City!  Their customer service stinks but their prices are cheaper than most other places!  1/2 gallon of raw milk for $5, Earth's Best diapers for $10, Earth's Best crackers/cookies for $1.49 (Babies R Us just had a sale on them 3 for $5...I got ripped off!).
  
• Walmart - one stop shop for everything but groceries.  PLUS their fabric is a great price!!
• Karrots learned to put her shoes on!
  
• Organic Toaster Pastries!  Costco sells them - a healthy alternative to pop tarts!  WAAY easy in the morning.
• Sleep.  Could you imagine never being able to or having to rest?
• Got to see my aunt this weekend!
• Great in-laws!  My parents and our family-of-four are having Thanksgiving with RED's family!  This is a common theme with them.  Usually his parents have it with his sister's family, her inlaws and her hubby's wife's parents.  That's right - 3x the in-laws! And they get along!
  

New Me!

Hacked most of my hair off!! Hopefully the kids can't reach it now! Hopefully it'll be easy to style this short, too, as I don't have a lot of time to put into it.


Fresh out of the salon

After I styled it...as I can NEVER do what my stylist does

Thankful Thursday

• For a safe trip!
• Getting a chance to meet Red's family - finally!
• Free YoCash! (That's right!  Addict!!)
• The start of a great community on our block.  I get to hang out with the mommies today while the daddies watch the kiddos!  
• Great in-laws!
  

Karrots at Play

Our Trip up North

This past weekend we went up north for Red's grandma's memorial.  We split the trip up heading north by staying at his parents and then did the whole 9 hours or so (not counting our stops) straight coming back.  We stayed at his sister's along with his parents and other sister's family.  It's always nice to see everyone! 

The trip wore Red out...sleeping with his princess cup

Cousins!  She helped out a TON with Rusty.

All the grandkids taking turns choosing knick knacks and memories.

Karrots with her memorabilia - clip-on earrings

Auntie with the youngests

 
Karrots trying to be like her older cousin

Rusty lookin' good!

Karrots playing with auntie's cat

Cousin "Acky", as Karrots says

 

The girl cousins - I just met the middle two this weekend!

 

Brothers

 

Auntie reading to most of the cousins

 

"BUG!!"

 

Playing bug with papa

 

 

 Bowing to our awesome hostess!

 

 

 

 

 

What a great auntie!

  

 Signs we saw off the 5

Pea Soup Andersen's

On our way up to Cottonwood this weekend we stopped at Pea Soup Andersen's in Santa Nella for lunch. This place is so fun! They have yummy food and a gift store with all sorts of knick knacks and gifts. This is the place we discovered Walter the Farting Dog while on our babymoon in Solvang. 

I tried their Count of Monte Cristo sandwich. Ham, Turkey and cheese layered in egg bread and grilled, topped with powdered sugar and served with raspberry sauce. YUM!! I can officially say I will be craving these.  Hopefully I can find a good recipe online as there's no way I'll be driving that far for just the sandwich.

Meet Our New Pets!

Red went to a class on worm composting and brought these little guys home! They get to stay inside so the temperature is comfortable. Now every time Karrots walks by the boxes she's saying, "worm!!"