Family Reunion

The girls and I flew back to California for a visit and to attend the Guenther Family reunion. My Grandma or "Gigi" as the girls call her, came from a brood of 9 children, born to German/Swedish parents who lived in Shafter, CA. It was so much fun getting to see all the cousins, and catch up on what has been going on. Living so far away from family make us appreciate the precious time we do get to spend together!

Maddie Grace taking a walk in the backyard

   It was the second time I flew by myself with the girls, and they did fantastic! This time of year is Jarrett's busiest, and this year was especially crazy for him because he was heading up a committee for the new university president's inauguration. Poor guy had only 2 days off the entire month of September :(

We had a wonderful dinner with Papa, Grammie and Uncle Matt. Papa made an apple crisp and it was delicious!

 We took a visit to Grammie's work to visit her co-workers and say hello! The girls couldn't wait to throw pennies in the fountain outside. We went to Chuck E' Cheese for lunch and went shopping for cold-weather clothes for the girls!

 We had a nice visit with Papa and he made us breakfast one morning: Pancakes and Bacon!

Lindsay photo bomb!

 On Saturday we went to the family reunion at our cousins home downtown. There were around 60 people, and there was tons of stuff for the kids and yummy food! Here are a few pictures:

Balloons!

Our family Matriarch, Grandma Rosie

Lindsay playing with her cousin Bella, whom she just met.

Hello family! Chatting it up...

 Madison loved it when Uncle Matt held her! She didn't seem to mind being up high, he is over 6 feet after all! I think she felt pretty safe with her big strong uncle. He didn't seem to mind lugging around his tiny little buddy too much :)

Maddie and Uncle Matt

Hula Hoopin'

Giant backyard bouncy house

 There was a huge playhouse in the backyard that all the little cousins had a blast playing in. It was pretty fancy- electricity, built-in china cabinet, real kitchen and chandelier! Adorable!

Perfect weather, and lovely chats!

Madison (19 mo.) and Ellis (15 mo.)

Tiny Tots... preferred to watch safely on the outside!

Me, Cousin Pam & Cousin Teresa

 On Sunday we spent the day with Nonna, Grandpa, Aunt Katie & Walker and cousin Katarina! Nonna made us breakfast in the morning, and the girls had so much fun playing together outside on the swing set. We also had a surprise visit from cousins Anna & Cassidy who were in town from Nor Cal, and loved catching up on their adventures.

Nonna and Maddie Grace

OLIVE-YOU! Sweet cousins Lindsay & Katarina

We had such a lovely visit, with perfect fall weather (for Bakersfield at least) it made leaving on Monday even harder! But it was probably a good thing because seriously, I think I gained like 5 lbs. There was a LOT of good eating. Love you family, and thank you for such a wonderful visit!! Can't wait to see you again soon! xo

Farewell Summer!

How can this summer be over already? It is suppose to be in the 80's-90's for the next couple of days, but after that, there is nothing but low 70's predicted for the next week! We have noticed a chill in the mornings and evenings, and there are already leaves piling in our front yard! Here's a quick recap of some fun summer stuff we are saying goodbye to...

Sun hat Beauties

 We didn't make it to the shore very often this summer, so at least my sun hats got some wear by the girls!

Pretty Girl after church one morning... I taught Sunday school this summer and the girls were my helpers after class organizing my lessons :)

 There were lots of trips to the park... I think I should have bought stock in mosquito repellent! I am so not going to miss the mosquitoes.



"Cheese!"

 Visited a neighborhood lemonade stand...

 Also checked the Camden Aquarium, and I don't know who had more fun, J or the girls. Every year our DVR is filled to the brim with shark shows from Shark Week on the Discovery Channel. Is it a coincidence J happen to suggest a visit to the aquarium right after? LOL.

 We wanted to picnic on Labor Day, but instead got rained out. We made due with a carpet picnic in the playroom, with the girls favorites: hot dogs and chips n' dip!

 Daddy made Smores for Lulu and Maddie one evening...

 Daddy had some visitors at work while it was slow this summer... 

 

I am thrilled for autumn, mostly because it is my favorite season. Here's why:
1. Fall Foliage
2. Pumpkin Spice Lattes/ Salted Carmel Mocha/ Dunkin's Pumpkin Coffee.
3. Boot and sweater weather

Last year we tried our best to enjoy fall, but after living in a warehouse and closing/moving into on our first home took over. I didn't even decorate last year (shocking). So this year we are doing it right... pumpkin patches, apple picking, harvest festivals, and enjoying long walks through the changing trees... and yes, as of Sept. 2nd my decorations are up. Hello Fall, bring on the pumpkin!!!

Eighteen Months

Little Miss is 18 months old...

Peek a boo!

 

Found my bellybutton! Wanna see it?! LOL

 

 

Playing in Big Sis's room... is there anything more fun?!

 Stats:
* 17 lbs, 14 oz (such a tiny tot!)
* 30.5 inches tall

Favorites
*Food: Blueberries, Mac n' Cheese, chicken, pancakes, scrambled eggs, beans, spaghetti, strawberries, cheese, French fries, chips n' dip, hot dogs, pizza.
*Words: "No", "Sssh she" (sissy), "Mama", "Dada", "cheese", "all done", "turkey", "bebe" (baby), "Shish She" (goldfish crackers), "Boo Boo", "Hot" (can mean cold or hot), "Ball", "Bear", "Cat", "Pup Pup", "Book", "Car Car", "Go Go", "Hi", "Uh O", "Nigh Nigh" (good night), "Milk", many body part (slightly embarrassing at the grocery store) and all the grandparents names, plus some animal sounds! She has began to combine words, like "No Mommy!" and "All Gone" or "What's That?", "More _". Her vocabulary is expanding daily... today I heard "Bak Pak" (backpack).
*She can say "Pee Pee" and "Poo Poo" and will tell us when she goes, which means we better change her diaper pronto or she will try to take it off... we might be potty training earlier than expected!
*Will give hugs and kisses when asked (of course if she feels like it :)
*Will gladly point to pictures when prompted: Sesame Street characters, animals and beginning to recognize shapes. Yesterday she pointed at said, "Star!" and it was indeed a star!
*Loves music and dancing... especially with big sister.
*Reading.... Her favorite thing to do is sit on your lap and read. I think I probably read 20 books a day... and it is never enough for her! Her favorites books are "I'm a Big Sister" (sorry Maddie, you'll have to stay our little sis) and any book with puppies or Elmo. She loves going to the library where we check out board books, and has so much fun sitting on the carpet at home looking through them.



"Look Mama! I'm swimming!"

*Water Baby... Oh this girl just adores the water. We went over to visit a neighbor with a pool and Madison wanted to put her face in the water, refused to wear floaties or a vest/raft and wanted to jump off the side into my arms. Yikes! Thank goodness we don't have a pool in our backyard. At bath time she will lay on her tummy in the water and "swim". She puts her face in, and will look up at me and give the biggest grin.
*She is taking 1-2 naps per day, and goes to bed around 7:30-8pm, and wakes up around 6:30am.
*Hair... Gorgeous golden brown hair, and Hazel eyes. They look more brown to me, and I like to sing her, "Brown Eyed Girl" song. Has four new molars.. only teeth we are missing are the canines and 2 yr. molars!
*Just discovered her first freckle, on her leg! She told me it was a "Boo Boo"...
*Madison is such a little love. She loves to cuddle, and has a sensitive heart. She often gets jealous of Big Sis when she is with Mama, and squeals with joy as soon as she hears the door open when Daddy is home. She will clasp her hands when we say our prayers at night and say, "Aaa-mn" (amen!).
*Dislikes... whenever Big Sis gets something she doesn't, cleaning up toys, when Mama can't hold/pick her up, having to go inside after playing outside, not being able to climb the stairs.
We love you our sweet brown-eyed girl!! xoxo

Christmas in August

On Saturday we drove into Lancaster County, PA for a little Christmas fun.... yes, we realize it is still August. For awhile now we have been wanting to check out the National Christmas Center, since we saw it a couple of years ago when we first visited PA. We had lunch at Dienners, a fantastic Amish smorgasbord buffet before we headed over to get our Christmas spirit on!

Sweet Sisters

The National Christmas Center is a museum, gift shop and life-size nativity all rolled into one. I wasn't sure if Lindsay was going to remember the nativity story, but in big sister fashion, when Maddie pointed to say, "Bebe! Bebe!" Lindsay told her matter-of-fact, "That is Baby Jesus Maddie."

As we wandered through the rooms, I was a little overwhelmed by the sheer volume of stuff in that place. It was a little over the top, and my head was swimming with all the things to look at.

 

Santa figurine anyone? There were literally thousands.

Daddy and his girls behind the reindeer. They made Lulu a little nervous, and we tried to tell her they weren't real, but wasn't about to pet them. LOL

Daddy and Maddie in "Santa's Workshop"

Tried out my flash..lol

 Calling all train fans... there was a huge, multi-train Christmas village display...

 Maddie saw the trains and squealed her best, "Choo Choo!"

Little girls and a big boy got a kick out of watching the trains...

 Replica of a Gimbel's department store circa 1945...

My absolute favorite part of the museum was the nativity display. They had collected hundreds  throughout the world, and it was humbling to see the gospel so many countries, languages and cultures. It was interesting to discover that nativities were created to tell the story of Jesus's birth, before literacy was commonplace. Each culture had utilized their own materials and artistic style, from the elaborately painted Russian Dolls to the beautifully hand carved wood nativities from Africa and brightly colored figurines from Peru.

 

Nativity from Wales

 

I thought the wax figures were a little creepy, but loved that the girls got to see the story "live".

 

Frankincense or Myrrh anyone?

 What a fun day to get excited about Christmas and the wonderful reason we celebrate it: Jesus!