Do you think my kid needs a yard?

As much as I love living in CA, and I have even embraced the benefits of renting but there are days when living in a less expensive place would be nice. That way my poor boy could have a yard. Don't get me wrong- he abuses this little patch of cement and dirt. I don't think anyone has ever been so grateful for a patio, but I know he secretly longs for a yard. I too long for a yard (not to take care of), but to let my kid run with all day long with no mom hovering over his every step. To a kid a yard=freedom. To a parent a yard=freedom. It would really be a win/win situation. Needing to look on the bright side, here are some pictures of the monkey making the most of his patio. He likes to drive his truck, use spatulas as shovels, and bring dirt inside. His latest obsession is sitting in the empty pot (I told you I didn't want to take care of a yard). It's the best seat in the house. Now if he could only find a way to watch Backyardigans from the porch...

Ode to my niece's and nephews

So I had a surprise on my camera and decided to post them. Thanks guys for taking such lovely pictures and leaving them for us- we wouldn't want to forget you!
This pic is actually super cute- you look like a model!
Adam, this pic is so you and pretty gross! I think Evan will love it!
Eric- how cute and unprepared for this are you?
Hannah- you are pretty cute!

St. George Trip

We went on our annual trek to someplace other than SoCal with our friends the Blad's, Ebmeyer's and Koch's. We had a blast! It is go great to have been able to stay in touch with our HB clan. This year we abandoned our usual Mammoth Mtn. trip and headed to a warmer climate in St. George. We stayed and an incredible place- the entrada- big thanks to Steph's sister for letting us use their vacation home. We played games, chased the kiddies, went hiking and swimming, ate good food, we even went and saw Les Miserables at Tuacahn. It was a super fun trip!
This is Charlie and Evan- they were BFF's on the trip. Evan LOVED this little car-it must have been fun to drive something that actually went somewhere.

As promised...

Here are a few pics from my trip home for my sisters wedding. I brought my good camera and didn't end up taking any pictures of the actual wedding, my sister in her dress, my cute niece, or anything very wedding-ish. I was too busy chasing my son and trying to get a bite of my food before it was too gross to eat! So, here is what I got...
My busy boy!
Everyone needs a self-portrait!
How cute are my grandparents? They really are my heroes!

No we haven't fallen off the face of the earth, but it sure feels like we haven't been home in a while! Evan and I took a trip to Utah to attend my little sis' wedding and then took a road trip to St. George to have our annual friends trip. It has been a fun few weeks but I am ready to return to a regular sleeping schedule! Did I mention that Evan has mono? Don't ask me how he got it, (He's not a playa, he just crush a lot) but he was dead dog sick for a little while and has been sleeping longer that usual. I'm trying not to get too used to that! He seems to be on the mend, but the doc said it could last up to 4 months- please bless that's not the case. Pics and more details coming soon...

18 Months

I can't believe my little guy is 18 months today! Time fly's too fast. Evan is growing up so fast and has all sorts of his own personality. His vocabulary consists of "Whoa!", "What's that?", "Right there!", dad, mama, shaking his head "no", blowing on things when they are hot, making car noises, grunting, whining and crying. He is also an excellent pointer! The two of us are pretty effective communicators. He is obsessed with his blanket, his new chair, his hot wheel cars, the key to the truck and dogs. We have been working on animal sounds but as far as he's concerned every animal says 'ruff, ruff'. He does make an 'Oh' sound for monkey and sometimes cows make a 'vroom' sound (as do cars), but for the most part all animals sound the same. He loves being outside, dancing,singing, Barney, playing airplane with his dad, turning on and off lights and appliances, and helping mom out around the house. People tell you that you love your kids in some sort of crazy way, but I never really believed it. I love this boy all sorts of crazy! Every new face or noise is exciting. Nothing melts me quicker than his smile or laugh. I love watching him catch on to new things. I love when I teach him something new and three days later he lets me know that he got it. I love his cuddles in the morning, which help offset 6:30 a.m. wake up cries. I love his open mouth kisses. I love it when he does boy things- he has been walking around with two or thee hot wheels in one hand and his blankie in the other. I love that he is really nice. He is busy, but he is laid back at the same time. I only hope that I can be a good mom so that I can help him be what he is supposed to be. I'm so blessed to have him.
Evan's favorite way of helping do laundry. He lays in the warm clothes when you pull them out of the dryer.

He loves to read! He will flip through this book and make noises as he points out the different animals.
A boy and his chair! He cracks me up when he's in his chair, he just kick back with a bottle and a blanket.
Bathtime! The one thing I don't love about being a mom is cleaning the high chair numerous times a day. I wish they made disposable trays! Maybe that could be my big money making invention!

Point Loma

This weekend we were lucky enough to have my cousin Chris and his wife Anna and baby Scout come visit us. I'm so lame for not taking any pictures of Evan and Scout because those two love eachother. Scout spent the weekend in my closet trying on all of my shoes and Evan just followed her around. We worked out a babysitting schedule so each of us could go to the temple and then we went and had some fun. We decided to go to Point Loma and visit the old lighthouse. It has such a beautiful view on all sides. Evan had a great time running all over the place. Our entertaining has actually turned into a campaign to get Chris and Anna to move to San Diego. Hopefully it works! We would love to have some family down here.

I love this little video of Evan- it shows just who he is right now. Busy, loud, active, figuring out words, and cracking us up all the time. He just gets bigger and smarter everyday- time really does fly!