Girl Time in LA.

The middle of September found us scrambling, and getting excited for this trip

to the wonderful, beautiful, fun city of Los Angelos, California!

Not just to take in the sights of the city, but to visit this very dear friend. Krys.

I think Kenden developed a small crush on my bestie while we were there.. he became sort of attached, and would get all sweet and flirty with her..not to mention the open stare (with much admiration in his eyes) at any given time.

 Dear Son, yes, she is an amazing lady, but you are far to young, and I have a feeling that by the time you grow up, well...she just may no longer be available. :) 

 Anyway, on with the story.  

Melinda and I were chatting one day, and mentioned in passing, 

how much fun it would be to go visit Krys. Of course, we didn't think it would actually happen,

but once our husbands heard the idea, they both took action, and decided that it was to be a go. 

They also decided that it needed to be a week long trip, instead of the long weekend we were thinking it would be. Yes, very sweet, good men we both have. 

Mel and I were able to meet up in Chicago, and fly the rest of the way together. 

Such a blessing it was. We made it there safe and sound, and after trying to make our way through crazy, city driving, (and a few detours:) We made it to a supper stop. (We ended up visiting the famous "El Pollo Loco" several times throughout our stay. Cheap, Mexican, and delicious salads. 

Need I say more?

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The beautiful Krystal, and her handsome little admirer.

The first morning, we made our way to a delightful little coffee shop (that of course) we would be later returning to as well. 

Lexi, enjoying her own special snack, while we drink coffee and talk. 

These dear children rather adored each other. They did soo good while we ran here and there..allowing us to catch up and have a grand time. 

And even though our children are gems (most of the time:) Krystal's dear cousin offered to babysit for several hours, so us girls could go shopping in Fashion District. 

Seriously, peoples, that was the best place to go fabric shopping that I've ever been to in my life! Please.. I want to go back!! I could have spent all day there! 

There just so happened to be a swimming pool outside at Krys' apartment, so if course, we had to make good use of it at least a few times, and soak in some of the beautiful, California sunshine!

Kenden, enjoying the sun from his seat. (he was sitting there cause his mother had wishful thinking that maybe, just maybe he would take a nap.) He loved the water too, but I must say, he looks pretty content right where he is. 

We went out to Olive Garden one evening..it was fun and delishious! 

I haven't been there in ages, and I guess I forgot how fantastic the food really is.

Sadly, I don't have the best pictures from that night. I believe Melinda has the really good ones.. 

Hopefully I won't have to beg to hard to get them..and just maybe a few more photo's 

will show up on here at some point in time. 

Melt me....!

We got to spend a day on the Santa Monica beach. Need I say it was a splendid day?

I was hoping to take Kenden's 6 month pictures there, but he wasn't exactly impressed. 

He was tired, and wanted to touch the water, but it was so cold, it would make him cry, and then the sand was fun too, but not really to sit in, mom! So, these are the best of him that I was able to get. Kinda sad, but still oh-so-cute!

These precious babies couldn't get enough of each other.

 K, maybe not entirely true, but almost at any given time, Lexi could walk up and say 

"Heeey Bebe, and then they would both giggle. Priceless!

And, here is the only decent picture I have of all of us. Melinda...I'm counting on you! :)

He was happy..as long as he could stand on mommy's feet. 

I kinda really love palm trees.!

The day we left, Mel and I had to soak in more sunshine while Krys was working..

and this scattered mother lost her little boy's hat. 

So, she went searching the house, and found a stretchy scrap of material, 

that would just maybe work. He then acted somewhat like a clown. 

He kinda fit his outfit pretty well. Hey, what else are you supposed to do when you don't 

want his poor little head all crispy burnt? 

Here we are about midnight, waiting to fly home. 

Thank-you Krystal, for hosting us, and giving us such a lovely visit.

It was so great to be able to catch up again, and just talk about life with people 

that actually "get each other". 

And, here's a little man, who was quite happy to see his daddy again!

Oh, yes, we had a good trip, but we (I) really missed my husband!

This is what was waiting for me when I got home. 

It was such a happy basket, and letter, and and.. I felt so special and loved. 

I am convinced that I have the sweetest man ever..and does he ever know his wife?!!

Some of my favourite things..coffee, chocolate covered coffee beans, mugs, a candle, and the Starbucks travel mug that I had eyed just a time or two. ;)  

I love him. And, I am so blessed!

Home! (part 2)

At long last, I'm back again.

 After traveling many miles, 

spending quality time with lots of different people, I'm home again.

 And oh, is it ever a good, happy place to be. 

As much as I love to travel, and see family and friends again, there is seriously no.place.like.home. 

So, now it's time to play some major catch-up on this thing.

 I've created I'm-not-sure-how-many-posts. Now, it's time to get them beyond my head, 

and on the actual page.

Look out, dear people..there just might be a huge picture overload coming right up. :)

A family "picnic" on the front lawn

 Two little boy-cousins --  Kenden & Bronson. Are they not darling? 

Getting to know each other on Grandmas front porch.

 She even has a bench just their size! (almost:)

We had to take a daily picture (or two) to send home to daddy.

Oh, how we missed him! 

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And now, the reason we made the trip when we did. 

My aunt Jean, donated  "Tea with Hope (and her daughters)" to the fundraiser-auction

they held back in March. Jenna and I were so blessed to be able to make it out for the event.

Poor Brianna was greatly missed, but it was such a joy to be a guest there!

Jenna, Mom, Kenden & I, Janelle & Camille

It was a beautiful day for an outdoor party! 

Breathtaking. Down by the river. What more could you ask for?

I'll just let these pictures speak for themselves.

Mmm...so beautiful and SO delicious! Blackberry Lemonade, anyone?

My Grandma with Kenden. 

I am so blessed that I get to call her "Grandma".

 She is the most beautiful lady, with such a sweet, gracious spirit.

Her house is always so.much.fun to go visit..You might go see her latest quilt, or just sit at the kitchen table and she'll pull out cookies, or ice-cream, (or whatever is on hand) put on the tea kettle (or coffee, if you prefer) and sit down for a lovely visit. 

Yes, I hope to be like her when I grow up.

And, yes... I do miss her very much 

Little man, waking up from a nap. Had to take a break from all the ladies, I suppose. 

And then, he came back for more snuggle time with mommy.

The delightful dessert. Mmm it was all so tasty, not to mention cuute!!

Here are the ladies that put it on and served us. 

(the 3 on the left are my Aunts. LeAnn, Jean & Carol) 

They did an incredible job.. 

It was such a fun, special day.

5 Months

Our little man hit the "5 month mark" out there. 

I'm doing horribly at keeping his months updated here, but we can't miss it all-together. 

The new chair is more fun to chew on, than anything. 

Right now, pretty much everything belongs in the mouth. 

Charming. Simply charming. 

Have I mentioned yet, how much a love this little guy??

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Yes, it may have been long ago, that all of this happened, but it's still so much fun to go back and look at the pictures, and remember. Memories are such a precious, precious thing.  When I was debating weather or not I wanted to go (without my husband) it was a hard choice. I wanted soo badly to be out there, but I did not exactly like the thought of being gone for a week, (esp knowing that I was going to be in LA for another full week, not even a month after I came home) but now, I am oh-so-glad that I was able to be there. It's the moments we remember, not the days.. and yes, the reunion with my man was sweet, but looking back, I believe that these moments..memories from my time in OR, you can't put a price tag on. 

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Another side note. I feel so wordy. Sometimes it takes me a full paragraph, to say what could be said in about 2 sentences. So, I guess you just have to bear with me. 

I hope you all are enjoying every day to the fullest. We've been having some Gorgeous, Fall days here, and we're just soaking them in. I think Fall has got to be one of my favourite seasons. (well, they're all kind of like my favourite) but there's something so fun about pulling out the sweaters and slippers, coffee and blankets, and those long cozy evenings.....?!! 

Also, Fall just so happens to be the time of year when Starbucks brings back those all-famous Pumpkin Spice Latte's. I just might be hooked.

 And... just the thought of Christmas coming right up, well, it's a pretty happy one. 

Home! (Part 1)

Do you ever wonder sometimes, where "home" is? I do. It can get so confusing sometimes.

I mean not really, but kind of. Most often when I think of "home" I think of our little house in the city of Waterloo, where my husband, son and I create happy memories together, and live our every-day lives.  But then, when I talk to Graham at the supper table, I say "back at home..." Meaning "home" in Oregon. Sometimes it's so confusing.  All of that to say that I went "home" (to Oregon) this month for a week, to visit the family, and go to a tea that was donated by my aunt Jean for the benefit auction they held for my mom in March. It was Kenden's first time flying, and I did it alone.. I was slightly apprehensive,  but of course, my son, being the angel that he is, did really good, and the flight wasn't sooo bad. :)

He was actually having quite the little party with his toes. grinning and cheesing away..keeping his mother occupied for the however-many-hours it was that we sat at JFK. 

 I think he kinda wants the camera! He was so good..but next time, let me tell you I will be taking a stroller along. Traveling for 12 or more hours with an infant, and no break whatsoever for your poor arms and back..yes this means someone got a little sore and tired.  

I thought this looked kind of cool while the sun was setting..watching jets taxi... until it was our turn to fly out, and we taxied for over an hour (yes, more like 75 minutes) because there was a "traffic jam". Not exactly my idea of a good way to start an already loong (6 +)  hour flight.

Cousins! Bronson was a little tired I guess...the excitement was already worn off for him, cause Jenna and her children had landed an hour or two earlier.. Kenden was thrilled to meet another little buddy though. :)

My brother, meeting his nephew for the first time..taking him on a walk around the yard.. I kinda like this one.

Kenden with his Auntie Janelle, at a backyard party. 

I think my poor baby felt somewhat lost and neglected when we got home and he had no one to lay on  the floor and entertain him like his uncles. 

He loved all the time that was spent out on the porch swing..not sure how many hours he spent out there, with various care-takers. 

Relaxing on Grandma, on her beautiful porch, soaking in a lovely day..what more could you ask for, anyway? Yes, life is good. 

Having a little Grandpa time here.. we are sad that we can't be closer to Grandpa and Grandma, so they can watch him grow up..

It was so good to be able to meet up with my good friend, Heather Smith! She's the kind of friend, that sadly, we don't do a lot of communicating from across the miles, but have sweet times together when I'm home. We had a lovely afternoon catching up at Starbucks..the only problem was that the time went way to fast! She is such a dear, sweet lady! Thank you, Heather, for taking time to fit this visit in your full schedule that week! I treasure our friendship.

Kenden got to taste his first food while we were there, and let me tell you, he l-o-v-e-d every single bite. My baby is growing up so fast!

Getting a bit more aggressive here, and NO, ice cream was not his first food, even if we were with Grandpa. Bananas will do just fine for now, thank-you-very-much. 

Had a family get-together one evening, and sadly I didn't do so well with taking pictures.. I did manage to get one decent one from the evening, with cousins Megan and Melissa, and we can't forget Chavon. He was having quite a high time sitting there silently while we talked. Such a cute little goof!

Mom, and my little sisters went shopping, and then stopped for some lunch..Kenden, since he's had his first taste of food, decided that it's plain torture to sit through a meal and not get one little teeny bite. How cruel! At least he could chew on my straw..but then there's the moment of panic, when he swiftly grabs the straw farther down, and shoves.. Son, I don't want you gagging, or anything. Careful here..

Little sisters posing with the trash, since we didn't get the camera out before we ate, like normal people would..

Then again, we're not normal. Or are we??

My little angel..fast asleep with his precious bunny. It kind of wears a little one out, being at Grandpa's house, with all kinds of stuff going on all.the.time. But we had such a good time. (Even though we missed our favourite person, dreadfully!) Sadly, Graham couldn't come along with us this time. Next time please?!

There will be another post following (hopefully before too much longer) of the tea party, and my little man's 5 month photo's.  For now I need to get moving.

 Happy weekend to one and all!