It's Raining.

I don't like the rain.

I like the sun. I like warm weather, tank tops, flip flops, the beach.

Now don't get me wrong, I like fall.

I like that it brings cooler evenings, sweaters and the holidays. 

I really don't like that fall brings rain.

Especially now that I have two young boys, which includes an extremely active 1 year old, that love to be outside.

By 10:30 this morning we had played with play dough, painted, colored, read books, and used all the blocks we had in the house. 

They were busy.

Thankfully Brett is home today and he has been able to keep them entertained with me.

And thankfully he had the great idea of hooking up the bouncer in the garage. 

 Why didn't I think of that sooner?

When they wake up from naps I think I might just let them put on their warm gear and play around in the rain and the puddles. 

I think it'll be good for everyone. 

As, winter weather approaches I'm trying to come up with as many indoor activities for both kids.

Any suggestions?

What do you do to keep your little people entertained on rainy days?

Family Photos.

Back in July when we were on vacation my sister's friend Allie came down to photograph our family.

If you live in the area and are in need of a photographer, you should definitely check her out.

Her business is called Salt+Light Photography and she is awesome.

She is super laid back and easy going, which makes the session so simple and fun. 

She always gets the kids to laugh and she somehow gets them all to cooperate at the same time.

I don't know how she does it.
She's a miracle worker.

I'm just now trying to decide which ones I love the most to hang on walls and place around the house.

We took group shots, individual family shots, couple shots and just some of the kids. 

There are so many good ones to choose from. 

These are some of my favorites.

Isn't Allie great!

How will I ever decide?

Saturday Afternoon.

On Saturday we took the kids to Seal Beach. 

Ethan loves it there and I'm sure, as Jacob gets older, he will too.

Brett loves it because it's the beach. For him, the closer we are to the ocean the better. He would live there if we could. Someday, maybe we will.

I love it because the main street is so quaint and cute. I could stroll up and down the street for hours.

Plus the kids get worn out and always end up taking good naps. Bonus.

Our first stop was the jungle gym.

The kids climbed and played and ran around on the sand.

 

Then we took a stroll on the pier and decided last minute to eat lunch at Ruby's.

We had never taken the kids there and I haven't been back in years.

A little fun fact for you...I worked there, like 12 years ago. It seems like just yesterday but at the same time so long ago.

The kids got mini ice cream cones at the end.

 They were pretty happy about it.

A lovely way to spend a beautiful, sunny California afternoon with my family, if I do say so myself.

InstaFriday.

It's InstaFriday time!

I didn't really take that many photos this week, so here's a few.

 

Jacob was getting ready for bed the other night and would not let go of the football.

He's making Brett very proud.

Ethan on a morning walk. 

He likes to wear snow boots. 

He's never worn them in the snow but he loves them.

I took the boys to the aquarium this week.

I love that we live so close.

The turtle is not always out swimming so Ethan was extremely happy we got to see him.

 

 I went to the grocery store alone to pick up a few things.

I got to use the little cart with no kid seat.

I never get to use that one. I felt rebellious. 

Uggs...a sign of Fall and cooler evenings.

 

Date Night at Coldstone, just me and E. 

 Jeanette's photo challenge this week was to take a picture of something we had just made.

This is one of the things I completed this past week.

It was my first time making felt rosies, which were super easy, and now I want to put them on everything.

It is hanging on the back of our front door and I love that we can write little messages or words of inspiration.

Happy Weekend Everyone! 

I'm linking up here...

Boom Boom Pow.

I've got a whole lotta stuff running through my head right now but no time to get it out.

So in the meantime enjoy my boys, dancing.

disclaimer: this is not the edited version of this song. i think i need to get it.

and yes, my living room looks this messy most of the time.

Blog Sugar '11.

Last night I attended Blog Sugar.

It was fantastic and oh so sweet!

From the decor to the food to the speakers, it was all fabulous.

When I first heard about Blog Sugar I was hesitant to go, so I asked my sister to go with me.

I'm not super outgoing and I knew if I had a friend with me I'd be more comfortable.

As I was getting ready, trying to decide what to wear and how to do my hair, I began to get nervous.

I was going to be meeting some serious bloggers, that are seriously awesome. 

My insecurities started to set in.

My blog is not big and fancy, I don't have an etsy shop, my pictures are not fantastic and my writing doesn't dive deep.

I felt that I was going to be a tiny fish in a huge pond.

But I was wrong.

Now that doesn't mean I wasn't a tiny star-stuck, (blog-struck?) when I met

Heather, Jules and Lisa Leonard.

I mean, they're pretty great, right? 

And I'm pretty sure I looked like a big dork talking to them. Fantastic.

Anyway, as I walked into the courtyard all my nervousness and insecure thoughts vanished. 

I was there and I wanted to have a good time.

I needed to make the most out of being there and I did.

I met a ton of fabulous ladies and I can not wait to learn more about them through their blogs.

I was inspired by the speakers.

I was encouraged to write and tell more.

I was challenged to do more personally and with my blog.

I walked away feeling welcomed, happy, and warm.

Thanks for an amazing night! 

When can we do this again?

Here and There.

I feel like I have a million things running through my head. 

I need to get them out.

Here goes.

Last weekend we spent some time in Palm Desert with Brett's parents.

We relaxed, swam, ate, played...you know all the good stuff.

I only took a handful of photos and this is the winner for my favorite.

His little face is seriously just too cute.

We came home Sunday and Brett had to turn around and go back out there for a work conference. 

He comes home tomorrow. Hallelujah. 

It's tough being a single mom.

Hats off to those who do it every day.

I'm wiped out!

A few weeks back we went to a local car show.

I saw this beauty...

It's the perfect color with the perfect accessories.

I'll take it.

All of it.

I've been getting crafty lately.

Probably because Fall is here, although it doesn't feel like it, and I'm looking forward to handmade gifts for the holidays. 

I've got a list of things I want to do and I'll share along the way, that is if I actually do them.

Ethan is loving preschool.

Every time he goes right in the class and doesn't look back. 

He hasn't cried once.

He's not shy. 

He doesn't get that from me.

And he comes home smelling like his teacher from all her hugs. 

I love it.

Have you been watching any new shows the last week or so?

I'm so glad good TV is back.

I love a good sitcom and I've been missing my favorites like Modern Family and The Office.

And Glee and Two and a Half Men.

I'll stop there since it's kind of embarrassing how much TV I actually like.

And last...

Blog Sugar is just 3 days away!

I'm excited and nervous. 

Meeting new people makes me scared. 

If you're going and see a girl who looks really uncomfortable, like she wants to escape, that's me. 

Say hello, so I don't run.