Trip to see some bones

A few weeks ago, we decided to take the boys to the La Brea Tarpits to see some fossils, AKA "bones," according to Max. The boys had a great time running around and seeing the exhibits and interactive displays. Listening to Max's interpretation of the mechanical Saber tooth tiger attacking a sloth was hilarious. He is such an animated story teller.

As a parent, I often wonder....

what my kids will be when they grow up. We can scratch manicurist off the list for Max--definitely not his forte.

Take a look at his client's (Sam's) toes
Sam thinking..."Good thing I didn't pay for this"

Max also did his own nails.
The story is, Max snuck a bottle of polish out of my room while I was blow drying my hair. Then he proceeded to paint nails. Luckily for me and Max, it didn't get anywhere else. Curious little boy!

Eye Spy...

...two little boys. See them?There they are! This overgrown area of the yard is a great hiding place and awesome for finding sticks :)

When grandma and grandpa give you lemons...

...make lemonade. Grandma and Grandpa Mitchell have a huge lemon tree. So, we get a bag full every time we see them. I typically use them for baking, but recently Max and I decided to make lemonade together while Sammy slept.

He was excited that I was going to let him use the juicer.

The lemons are huge!

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

Sammy Dancing

Little Guppy

Hmm, guppy sounds so innocent and sweet--this kid is more like a pirana.

In the car on the way to the pool I asked him. "What is the number one rule at swim lessons?" I was hoping he would say, "listen to my teacher," because he tends to want to just be crazy and swim wherever he likes. He replies, "no pooping in the pool, only pee pee." Well... I'll take what I can get!

Check out Max at swim lessons:

Family Vacation

Vacation, how I love thee. Thankfully, my boss is a handsome, sweet, and did not mind me taking time off work. So, we headed to the Sunshine state to meet Grandma Cindy and Grandpa and Grandma Hrusa. We had a wonderful time with everyone and hated to leave. Here is a snapshot of our trip.

Moochie chasing after a hot girl.
Carnival rides with Grandma.
Max and Daddy tearing up the track.
The way the light hits his face is simply majestic. :)
Moochie on a Ferris wheel.
I guess this is his owl face. Silly kid!
Matching heads.
Enjoying our time together, but simultaneously thinking, next vacation = NO KIDS!
Petting sting rays at the Marine Science Center.
Love my family!
This picture sums up our trip.
"Shark!"


Felt like we were in an episode of Lost.
Florida thunderstorm.
Climbed to the top of a lighthouse.
Max enjoying his sugar intake for the day.
I wonder if it is hard to life your head when your cheeks are that big.
Max "surfin," as he would call it.

Heading back to the airport.

Thank you Grandma Cindy and Grandpa and Grandma Hrusa for a truly unforgettable trip! Love you guys.

Through the eyes, well helmet, of a child

Chris received a new Go Pro helmet camera for his birthday and of course, Max thinks it's his. This thing is awesome and so is Max. SO watch the video and the check out my new Web site www.socalstriders.com for more videos of Max.

Parenting Advice: Power Tools

Power tools, even the toy versions (see below), should never be allowed at the dinner table. For when they are submerged in a bowl of yogurt and the trigger is pulled by a mischievous 2.5-year-old, walls, floors, and brothers will be covered in yogurt shrapnel. The pure pleasure in Max's eyes when he admired the outcome of his work made me realize that he could care less about any punishment I gave him.

Good Morning

A rainy morning calls for bagels on the couch and Monsters Inc. with my brother.

Parenting Advice: Top drawer no-no's

Don't leave any form of cream, lotion, Vaseline in your child's top dresser drawer. Even if it is hidden under diapers and you think they won't find it, their mess-making boy radar will locate that stuff and encourage them to squirt it all over their carpet, bed, wall, and brother. Keep in mind this will take place during the 3 minutes it took you to change a load of laundry.

I Love My Job

Friday was spent watching my little guys play at the splash park with a few of my mommy friends and their kids. Yeah, definitely don't miss my 9-5er.
The adorable photos are courtesy of Rachel Minyard Photography.

Picture of the Day - 3/6/2011

Sammy is turning into quite the character. He was cracking himself up with these glasses.

Picture of the Day - 2/21/2011

I'm behind--I know! So, slowly but surely I'll get to posting all the pics I've taken over the last few weeks. In the meantime, someone in our family things he has a future in juggling. Not sure where he saw this, but it is pretty entertaining.

Picture of the Day - 2/2/2011

Actually, a video...

Picture of the Day - 2/1/2011

Snack and movie time. Okay, okay, I admit the second photo was staged (Max was asked to hug his brother.) But cute, nonetheless.

Picture of the Day - 1/31/2011

Run Sam! The boys are finally at the stage where they sometimes play with one another. If you consider Max taking every toy, piece of food, or drink from Sam playing.

Picture of the Day - 1/26/2011

And... I'm... spent...

Picture of the Day - 1/25/2011

Finally big enough to sit together and share a bagel at the table.

Picture of the Day - 1/24/2011

Pizza with Great Grandparents.

Picture of the Day - 1/23/2011

The flashlight is one of the most played-with items in our house.
Goofball.