Tuesday, May 8, 2012

John's Incredible Pizza Co.

On Friday, March 16 our family visited John's Incredible Pizza Co.  It was actually my first time and really our first time as a whole family.  Jim had been there when the kids were smaller (he went with my Dad to pass time, while I hosted a baby shower), but the kids did not remember the experience, so for the sake of this post, it was our Family's first time. :)

Jim had taken the day off because he would be leaving in the afternoon to go on our church's men's retreat,  so we didn't have a ton of time to be together as a family and it was pouring rain.  However, the idea of visiting this establishment came to mind and we did it.  We were very impressed and the crowd was perfect on the weekdays along with a more reduced price for the buffet.  Everyone had so much fun and the food was delicious, except for the fact we had to scarf it down because the kids were so antsy to ride and play all the games.   Who could blame them really!  It also, was a fun way to help celebrate Daddy's birthday, which was the next day, that we would be missing because he was going away on his trip.

Here are a few pictures of the kiddos and Jim in action.  Fun times!
 Oh yeah, I was there too.  A final picture of the kids with Mommy (the action photographer, capturing having fun).

Disneyland Vacation

Our amazing Disneyland trip back in January for Evie's Birthday and a fantastic Family Vacation 7-10.  This trip has actually been my focus for a whole photo album in Shutterfly along with a few other Shutterfly albums.  This is why I have hardly been Blogging lately.  So where I actually have a ton of details about this wonderful time, the Blog is going to get the super condensed version and mostly just some of the best pictures! :)

Here is a cute picture of Evie as we drive to the airport with my parents.  Thanks for taking us bright and early to the airport Mom and Dad.
We had a real nice flight.  Everyone did amazing and while it was a bit of a juggling act with the two car seats and luggage trying to move around we managed and made it to our destinations.
One of the first rides of the day for our family once at Disneyland was Finding Nemo.  Here are Evan and I in the submarine.
Then we rode the Buzz Lightyear's AstroBlasters.  Evan thought this was cool until he saw Zurg.
One of Evan's favorite rides, by far...Autopia!  He loved being able to drive a real race car.
A family photo with Mickey and two nervous kiddos.  This was our first attempt at a family picture with a character at the park.  Memories!
Evie did get a little more brave after our visit with Mickey and actually gave Minnie a hug!  We were so proud of her.
As you can see we started to get even more comfortable as the trip progressed; here we all are with Pluto.
This is a picture of Jim and the kids at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, in California Adventure.  Both kids absolutely loved this place, especially Evan.  Just look at that joy on his face.  It was an awesome place to get out some energy and run!
Here is our super brave little guy with Handy Mandy.  He got his picture with him all by himself and actually smiled.  Awesome to see this progression through our trip.
Our sweet little birthday girl waiting in line for Dumbo.  What a beautiful two year old!

Here is a picture of Evie and Daddy on the ride.
Our trip included seeing the new World of Color show at California Adventure it was fantastic.  Here is a cute picture of Evan waiting for it to begin...
...and here is a picture of Evie and I after the show had finished, but they still had the cool water and lights on display so you could get pictures.
Evie on Toy Story Mania.  We all had a great time on this ride.  I just love how little she is in the seat.
Our picture with Buzz Lightyear while Daddy was waiting in line for his roller coaster ride.
Daddy had to ride at least one roller coaster, California Screamin' was it.  This was a perfect one because me and the kids got to see him blast off!
Evan picked out this cool jet for his special Disneyland toy.  He had so much fun running and pretending to fly it all over the park.
My little posers during a potty break near the Magic Castle!
Evan and Daddy on Gadget's Go Coaster.  They had a blast!  Mommy and Evie couldn't ride (Evie because she was too short and Mommy because she was prego) so we just took some pictures and watched the boys in action.
These were just two adorable picture of Evan hugging one of his newest favorite Disney characters, Bolt.
Overall, the trip was awesome and huge blessing to be able to spend time with family, celebrate our little girl's 2 birthday, and of course have fun at the Happiest Place on Earth. :)  Good times for our first Family Visit to Disneyland- Here's to many more!

Sunday, May 6, 2012

No Training Wheels

I am way behind on all my blog posts.  Evan is basically riding his bike all by himself these days.  We still need to help him get started at bit, but no more Training Wheels and he can stop all by himself and even go in circles!  It is so exciting to see him grow and learn.    

It all began on February 20.  That was his first time getting his feet wet with Daddy and figuring out the bike balancing act.  He did awesome as you can see from the pictures below.  Thank goodness for Daddy's determination too; helping someone to ride a bike is back breaking work, especially for this prego mama. :)
Evie wanted to get in on the action too.
A lot of the initial practicing took place on the grass at Veteran's Park.  That way Evan would have a nice soft landing spot when he took his initial spills.
There's our little bike rider- so proud!

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Our little Dora

 
Evie has started to enjoy dressing up.  Here she is in her Dora Costume that Grandma Shirley got her this past Christmas.  I think she looks so cute and grown up.  My baby is growing up so quickly!  Also, she is currently one of Dora's number one fans! :)


Sunday, March 11, 2012

Good Friends!

We recently hung out with our good buds the Wisners at the mall and got this adorable pictures of the kids together.  We told the boys to switch sisters.  Everyone thought that was pretty funny.  Sure do love these guys!

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Our 2 Year Old Evie

Our beautiful angel, Evie Joy, turned two on Monday, January 9.  We were so lucky to be able to celebrate her special day at Disneyland!  Here she is with Mommy and Daddy in front of the Magic Castle.  More on this trip in another post.
Here are some of Evie's special milestones to date; at two, Evie is:

-The cutest little love bug we could have ever imagined!
-She loves to have fun, giggle, play hide and seek (This is especially true when anyone comes over or Daddy comes home from work.  Both kids have to run and hide and try to anxiously wait for them to find them.  Usually they come running out or just laugh and giggle in their hiding spots.) 
-She sings, dances, wrestles, runs, climbs, pretty much anything she sees brother do she wants to do, 
 
including ride his scooter and bike.  Here she is attempting to reach the pedals on her own bike.  This is one of the downfalls to being petite, it is taking her awhile to reach those pedals.  We are still not there yet.
-She loves her brother so much and enjoys being the little sister.  Here they are on January 3 giving hugs.  They have the best time together.  She really looks up to him and Evan enjoys helping and playing with her.
-She talks all the time and has no problem expressing her feelings.  Sometimes it takes a few times to figure out certain things she says, but usually we can put the pieces together and figure out what she is communicating. 
-She is exploring the potty and has a much bigger interest in being potty trained than Evan did at this age.  She recently got to get big girl panties (Dora and Minnie ones) and Easy Ups (Dora) at the store.  She is not super consistent in always telling us when she needs to go, she usually wants to go try when Evan has to go to the bathroom (I am telling you these kids love to do pretty much everything together).  As with Evan we are not being too aggressive with the potty training and know it will come in good time. 
-She loves her family and the best is when she says, "I love you so much (Mommy and/or Daddy) or I missed you...if we are away, etc.  It melts your heart!
-She enjoys friends, below she is pictured with Savannah and Gavin, but her favorite friend is her big brother.
-She can be pretty good at sharing, but usually needs a little encouragement from family. Nevertheless, she will will fight for a toy too and this is usually the case with her brother.
-She hasn't had too much separation anxiety when going to Sunday School class or MOPPETS, but has cried a few times.  However, quickly calms down after a few minutes in the class.
-Evie's favorite characters are Dora, Minnie and Elmo.  
-In coordination with this she enjoys watching these characters too, but her big favorite is truly Dora.  Lately she has been asking us to put a show on and usually that request is for Dora.
-Evie also can be found enjoying Bubble Guppies, Max and Ruby, Team Umizoomi, Little Einsteins, and of course Dora.  She has began to tell us if she doesn't want to watch a certain show too and insists on changing the channel. Usually it is something Evan wants to watch and thus we have to figure out an alternative activity or compromise. 
-She has a great time at the park and is our little swinger.  She always wants to go "rocket high."  Here she is being pushed by Grandma Shirley.
She thinks the slide is pretty fun too!
-She really enjoys dancing, music, and singing.  She can sing her ABC's (needs a translator, a.k.a. Mommy and Daddy), The Wheels on the Bus, Twinkle Twinkle, and other childhood favorites.  She also loves most Disney songs and has her favorites she desires to hear in this genre too.
-She also can count forwards and backwards.  Not always correctly, but will get it right on lots of occasions.
-She enjoys clothes and lately has been pretty opinionated about what she wants to wear or what hair bow she will allow you to put in her hair.  
-Here she is with pigtails.  Here hair is getting longer and thicker.  I am having fun styling her locks as long as she cooperates. 
 
-She is all girl and her favorite color is PINK.  Just like her momma. :)
-She loves babies, playing kitchen, and make believe. 
-If she gets an boo boo, she will usually say she needs ice or a band aide, especially if she knows there are special character band aids. 
-She is a good sleeper and goes down about 8:30 p.m. and wakes up about 6:30 a.m.
-Her afternoon nap was consistent until we went to Disneyland for her birthday and it hasn't exactly been the same since we returned.  She doesn't want to sleep in her crib anymore for naps and instead will usually get a little nap on the couch.  I don't mind too much as she sleeps through most of the noise that Evan and I make while she rests.
-She continues to be a moderate eater.  She will gobble up her favorites if she hasn't had too many snacks, but always leaves room for dessert.  Her favorite foods are cheese, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, peanut butter, sour cream (yes she will eat it by the spoonfuls), butter (again enjoys it in clumps), and cereal.  She doesn't love trying new foods, but can sometimes be bribed if she will get a dessert or if it comes into her mouth like an airplane (Daddy can get her to eat a few new things by flying the spoon in and using special airplane sounds).
-Playing outside is always a thrill.  Especially after or before rain.  Here she is in some adorable rain gear Grandma Knight and Aunt Alison selected on January 21.
-She loves books and has several favorites.  The best is watching her read stories to her babies.
-Evie is my little crafter; she enjoys coloring books, stickers, and stamps.  I couldn't be happier, because I love crafts too.  I imagine future days of all of my girls and I crafting together.

It is hard not to give into our little sweetheart because she is so darn cute, but we try to be firm and hope that she is growing up to be a wonderful woman of God.  We sure do love this little girl and are honored and blessed to call her daughter!