Play Group Halloween Party

 So we kicked off the Halloween season with a big Halloween Party with our Play Group.  And of course being in Texas, it was still like 90 degree's the day of the party. So Tigger just wasn't going to make it. With a little quick thinking and big Thank You to Aunt Julie, for giving us this scarecrow costume last year ( and a little prayer that it would fit this year) we had a great costume ready. And Hunter even won "Most Creative Costume" That's my little man, he can rock anything you put on him !!!!

 Playing outside the club house

 So maybe a scarecrow was not really the costume we should have picked for this Monkey. In the past few weeks, he's gone from a toddler to a total Monkey !!!! He figured out how to climb out of his crib, and then the pack and play. So this weekend we will be breaking down the crib and turning it into the toddler bed.. (boo hoo) Pretty sure there will be tears shed that first night, I'm guessing it will be from me and not Hunter. I'm so not ready to let go of "my baby" yet !!!! (sniff, sniff)

 Sign of a good party, not in the car more than 5 minutes and he was passed out cold !!!

checking out his treasures he won in the costume contest!!

Corpus Christi Weekend

Life's a Beach .......

I'm a little slow in getting this post up. But 2 weeks ago we spent the weekend down in Corpus Christi. The weather was beautiful, the only problem was a little thing called "Red Tide" From what we read before going, it's something in water that kills fish, turns the water "Red" and then puts something in the air that causes a tickle in your throat (almost like an allergy) Nothing serious, but very annoying.  We must have been on the tail end of it, the water was clear and there were only a few dead fish (that had been there for awhile) so we still played in the sand and water and had a great time.

 Walking on the beach with Daddy after dinner

 Hunter and Madalynn playing in the sand

 Diggin in the sand

 Our little water bug. He didn't care that the wind was blowing like crazy and the water was cold !

The group: Mike and Jessica their kids Dillion and Madalynn, Dan and Ann and us !  ( Greg works with Mike and Dan)

Happy Halloween !

Trick or Treat......

 Well, I can honestly say I think Halloween may have just become one of my favorite Days of the year !!! Although, neither Hunter or I were feeling to great today, we still had some fun. I was feeling a bit adventurous and decided it was time to get in the kitchen with Hunter and make something. So we made some chocolate pudding for our "Ghosts in the Grave Yard" dessert. And to my surprise it went really well.

 Sitting in the chair, waiting to help with the mixer for the pudding. I tried really hard to get a picture of Hunter holding the hand mixer, but couldn't seem to get the shot. Maybe if I had a third hand it might have happened.

 Testing the pudding, had to make sure it had been mixed well enough.

 Nothing better than licking the beaters....... Yummy !

 Watch out, Tigger is ready to hit the street for some Trick or Treating. Another nice surprise, when we tried on the costume a month or so ago, we had a major melt down. but tonight, he put it right on (even the hood) and didn't fuss.

 He caught right on to what he was suppose to do. Such a strange sight to see people sitting in lawn chairs (and shorts) handing out candy. I remember having to get costumes 2 or 3 sizes bigger just so the winter coat and 3 layers of clothes could fit under it. Such a great night we had. We gave out almost 300 pieces of candy in about an hour. Glad we picked up the extra bag of candy yesterday.

 After about 6 houses, Hunter just stopped, sat down and started looking through his bucket. I guess he was just taking it all in.

Sure looks like he asking if he could have that piece of candy..... Happy Halloween.!!!!!!

19 Months Old

Well, our little guy is 19 months old already !!!!  So keeping with our newly found tradition, here are some fun little tid-bits about our little monkey.

San Diego Zoo

1. Weighs 24 pounds

2. Is 32 inches tall

3. Has almost grown out of his size 5 shoes

4. Is wearing 2T shirts, and 12 month pants (although we're about to move to 18mnth's for the length)

5. Can now climb out of his crib

6. Loves to play Ring Around the Rosie

7. Favorite activity is playing outside

Outside the Charger's Stadium

8. Has mastered a somersaults all by himself

9. Has 2 new teeth coming in, for a grand total of 13

10. Cars and Trucks go "vroom vroom"

11. Knows his body parts. (nose,eyes,ears,mouth,belly button and toes)

12. Will only eat Chicken Nuggets and Banana's whole (no more cutting into small pieces)

13. New foods: cauliflower with cheese sauce, carrots, and broccoli

14. Has entered the negotiation phase ( eat 2 bites of this and you can have that) LOVE IT !!!

15. Favorite Things: Elmo, fish, Thomas the Train and Buzz and Woody from Toy Story

16. New Words: "Anke You", "mama" "dada" "hi" "Ball"

17. Favorite Foods this month: chicken nuggets, PBandJ, mac and cheese, grapes,yogurt smoothies

18. Loves to help clean and do laundry (training him early)

19. Still taking 3 hour naps in the afternoon

As you can see, our little guy is keeping us very busy. But on the flip side we've kept him busy the past month with our family vacation to Chicago, then returning home for 5 days before joining Daddy on a business trip to San Diego. It's been a crazy month, but we've experienced so much as a family and made some great memories. Now it's time to get busy on some scrapbooks. After all Hunter is 19 months old, and I have yet to complete a single page in a book for him. YICKS !  So many things on my "Need to Do List" that my "I Want to Do" list never seems to get a fair shot. Maybe someday, I will figure out the balance.

San Diego

So many pictures taken.... so hard to pick the best, but here it goes

Throwing pennies into the fountain. (cleared out every one's purse's and pockets)

So after spending 10 days in Chicago, we came home for 5 and then took off to San Diego for another 9 days away from home. Are we crazy ?  Sure felt like it... But we had a great time while in San Diego. Beautiful weather, family, great food (Portillo's) and fun times and finally getting to see the San Diego Chargers Stadium (high light of my trip)

We hadn't been in the State 24 hours, when we had to make an unexpected trip to the Urgent Care Sunday morning, Hunter had a run in with a banister causing his forehead to swell like an egg. What a scary moment in time. Everything was fine, thank goodness !!!! What a way to start a vacation. I sure hope that's not the start of many more accidents and trips to the ER. (grrrrrr Boys)

Although, Greg was on a working trip. We did get to spend a few days seeing the sights together. On Sunday we drove up to La Jolla. Where they have a great "Children's Beach"  Or should I say, it use to be a Children's Beach, but now is home to hundred's of seals. Such a great afternoon we had strolling along the water watching the seals and letting Hunter and his cousin Joshua run and play.  I must say, if we ever won the lottery, I just might considering moving to San Diego. The minute we stepped off the plane, I was in LOVE.... but then Greg so kindly reminded me if we were to ever move there I would have to work 2 jobs. So I immediately said "No Thanks" I'll just soak it all up in the next 9 days.

Here are some seals lounging on a rock

Monday, Greg had to work and Hunter and I went to Sea World with Aunt Anne, and cousin Susan and her son Joshua. OH MY....... that is one amazing place !!!!! I thought the Sea World in San Antonio was nice, but after spending the day in San Diego, San Antonio will never be the same. I was so impressed with everything and wished we could have spent more time there.  Hunter really  loved all the exhibits with the under water viewing area's, and the Turtle Reef area.

If you look close at the right side of his head, you can see the nice pretty battle wound

After spending two days in the hotel, due to rain. I was feeling very brave and ventured off to find the beach with Hunter. Didn't realize it was going to be a 25 mile drive and 2 major melt downs.  Over all, it was a fun morning with my little monkey. We played in the sand, I tried to build a sand castle but Hunter kept knocking it down. Then we ventured down towards the water. Wasn't sure what to expect, the last time we had him on the beach he was 7 months old and terrified of the waves. But my fearless little guy, took on the waves like a champ. Splashing in the puddles, that is until one slightly bigger wave got a hold of his little feet and knocked him down. And boy was that water ICE cold.  Hence, melt down #1 - me trying to dry him off and get him changed while he is continuing to play in the sand.  Probably looked like a WWF wrestling match on the beach. (luckily we were the only ones out there that morning)  After that, I was DONE with the beach and started for the car, when melt down #2 occurred. Right in the middle of the parking lot......(one little boy was not ready to go ) "This was a good idea, and yes we had fun" was all I could say to myself !!!!!

Knott's Berry Farm..... What a great place, and what a day of firsts for Hunter. His first carnival ride, actually rode this one twice. Played his first carnival game. And actually did really well at throwing the balls into the cups floating in the water. He didn't win, but sure came close a few times. Had cotton candy for the first (and probably the last) time.

Trying the cotton candy for the first time. The Giant sized Elmo, Greg won for him !!!!

family photo at Knott's Berry Farm

A quick stop to the "holy ground" of San Diego - The Charger's Stadium !!!!!! I was in awwww

The giraffe in the middle is only 2 weeks old. Born at 6'1" and 170 pounds

And we finished up our little working-vacation with a trip to the San Diego Zoo. I had such great expectations going into the zoo, that I think I was a little let down with the overall experience. Don't get me wrong, it was a beautiful place, but not very family friendly. Massive hills, little sidewalks, and TONS of people made it very hard getting around with a toddler in the stroller. Over all we had a great day there, the weather was absolutely beautiful and we saw some pretty amazing animals.

Momma Kola with her baby in the pouch.

A stand off between a toddler and a goat. Guess who won?????

Thanks to Aunt Anne, Cris, Susan and Joshua for making us feel at home and showing us around, we'll be back for sure. ( charger's game for sure next time)  We had a great time, and it was so nice to spend time with everyone.