Kim's visit

It has been 2.5 years since we've seen each other, and this was a long-anticipated visit! Ken took off work so he could be with the 3 boys back home.

Olivia and Lydia, 3 months.

 The kids adore Lydia. Gabe was allowed to hold her under strict supervision :)

 A picture by Olivia.

 One morning, Gabe and I made buttermilk chess pie. Everything was going well until I had to take 15 seconds to do something for Olivia. I had pushed the eggs and mixing bowl far to the other side of the counter, but Gabe still managed to "help" me. He said, "Mommy, look! Egg!" This was after he drew all over furniture and the carpet with blue crayon, and also ate several pieces of gum from my purse. Turns out those were signs that he was sick, but I didn't think of that until after his nap that day, when he woke up with a 103.5 fever. The Dr. thinks it's a virus, and to let it run its course.

 Happy girls

 Kim giving love to our sick boy.

Kim and Olivia put on several "wild theatricals" (Little Women:)... Princess style.

My 4.5 year old!

It was a great visit!

 Reading time while I make dinner

Beach

Seal Beach on Labor Day

 Sand in all crevices.

 She loves to be buried

Bunkbeds

As Gabe is thinking about climbing out of the crib, and also to have a place to sleep if we have guests, we got bunkbeds! It's a twin over a queen, and they can be separated later for individual bed frames. We moved their bedroom around to fit everything. Bill hung a "blackout" blanket in the window and it actually works. The kids were getting up about 6:45, and now it's almost 7:30-7:45. 

 This picture is included so you can see where the crib is (in left corner.)

I took Olivia to a gymnastics class at the Y yesterday. We tried one class for free, and I think we're going to enroll. She did great and loved it!

Getaway

We spent the night at a friend's house last weekend. The kids enjoyed the pool a ton, and they fed us great food too! They have teenage kids who played with our kids, and also 2 small kid-friendly dogs who kept our kids busy :)

 I enjoyed eating figs from the tree that hung over the pool, while floating. :)

 Gabe with a sucker for a treat.

 Lounging

 Lunch

 Mark, the grill master

 Mark gave us figs to bring home and I've been wanting to try this summer salad. It was as amazing as I thought it would be!
(Figs, honeydew, cantaloupe, greens, prosciutto, drizzled in a balsamic syrup.)

Morning reading with Daddy

 On Gabe's 2nd birthday. He would hardly touch his birthday cupcake because of the sores in his mouth from hand, foot, and mouth disease. Poor guy.

 Olivia dove right in!

 Loves her new swimsuit

 First night in new bunkbeds...

Happy 2nd Birthday Gabe!

I was going to choose one or two of my favorites over the last 2 years, and I just couldn't do it. So, here are 13 of my favorites.

 

Swimming fun in Temecula

Olivia as a flower girl

Matt and Alli's wedding

Olivia was the flower girl at our roommate Matt's wedding on Aug. 4th. The ring bearer, Conner, was only a couple weeks older than her, and they made a great pair. This is at the rehearsal on Friday.

 The moment Olivia has been waiting for!

 Bill and I got great seats so Olivia could walk up and then sit with us :)

 It was an outdoors wedding at Secluded Garden Estate near Temecula.

 Olivia is thinking, "I could get used to being called a pretty little princess all day long." When she saw herself in the mirror in the bathroom, she gasped and exclaimed, "Wow, I AM pretty in this dress!" That's my girl!

 Matt waiting patiently.

 Look really closely and you will see Olivia dropping flowers and Conner next to her.

 The wedding colors were gray and yellow.

 Married!!

 Olivia is so proud!

 Please give us a nice smile kids!

 Reception

 Olivia made a friend with Ellie, a cousin of the bride. She was a little younger than Olivia, so when Olivia insisted they pick up every single petal after each wedding they pretended, Ellie did it.

 Dancing

 Tifiny watched Gabe for us so we could really enjoy the evening and focus on Olivia and her duties. We had a great time swimming at the hotel pool each day. This is Sunday right before lunch in our hotel. He wanted to lay in bed, and before we knew it, he was out. It was a great weekend, and we are glad Matt and Alli are married!