Family Pictures year Three

As much as the hubby belly aches about getting his pictures done, I know in 20 years from now he will really appreciate it.  Myself, I love them and look forward to them every year.  Which says a lot because I hate having my picture taken.  You have to trust your photographer to make you look....presentable.  And Max, he looks so handsome.  Although he wouldn't keep his tongue in his mouth for most of them.  Also another great skill of a photographer!  Shooting toddlers is no joke, but so worth it when you get that shot!

And I am loving the wagon! 

Currently {a link up}

                                                                    click here!!!


It's interesting this whole blogging thing.  I am not super savvy at it.  At first I did it to reflect.  Then I did it to gather followers (but that was no fun and felt false and forced) and now I do it to vent, journal and catalog memories of our life.  It's the perfect modern journal I guess. I've always journaled, but now this one has a special motivation.  And I like the fact that friends and family can read up to see what were are doing, and to make sure were are surviving all the lovely chaos that ensues when you have a family.

Anyways, I started this post because I was reading the blog at Harvesting Kale. Such a cute blog.  I have probably been following it now for 2+ years.  What is interesting or odd is that you really become invested in those you follow.  Routing them on, emphasizing with their ups and down, or becoming inspired.  That is what I like about this blog.  It stops me from time to time to blog about what is "currently happening" in my world.  And I like that!

Theme: celebrating, growing, playing, setting, feeling

This month we are celebrating Max's Third Bday.  I can't begin to explain the change I see in him everyday.  Some times its slow and steady and sometimes he seems to wake up years older.  Like tonight, we were quietly bike riding around Century Link Field (what I have for a backyard) and he stopped and said, "oh shit".  I was like, what? And he repeated it like three times.  As to just make sure I got it right.  Crazy thing is, I don't' recall saying that today, or yesterday.  Don't get me wrong, I swear, but shit! I didn't realize this was now a word in his vocabulary.

Max is growing, growing, growing, as said in the above paragraph.  Tonight as I was putting him to bed (in his new big boy loft bed) he said to me, "I was a bad boy?"  Since he said it in a question, I asked him-"were you a bad boy today"?  He said "yeah".  I mean, since when did we start having these conversations.  It instantly tug at my heart and I grabbed him and kissed him.  "There is always tomorrow sweetie".  "We can be good together tomorrow".  Which he immediately replied with, "and eat lots and lots of candy".  "We'll see".

Max loves playing on his bike.  He wants to ride it everyday, all the time.  He is quite good too.  But man do we need a new helmet.  This kid is destined for a concussion.

Our setting has now changed from small town, to bigger town.  Stockton is slow and steady.  And Seattle is, not.  I forgot how everyone is in a hurry here.  A hurry to really go no where.  To sit in grid lock.  It pass one car, just to sit one car a head in a massive traffic jam.  Ugh, I hate Seattle traffic.  Also, our setting is a lot louder now, and busy.  Some I missed.  All the energy and life in the streets.  There is a real feeling of being alive where all the action is.

Max seems to be feeling pretty ballsy.  He turned Three and hasn't looked back.  He is mouthy, more defiant, and whiny.  It is driving me crazy.  And to think I am feeling sad about not getting pregnant.  

Maybe it is the universe saying "you are not ready"? Maybe?

selfie!!

Pike's Market in PS

Big boy bed

Jazz hands

                                       

Life

Our time in California flew by, as it always does.  This trip however was so busy.  We had tons of visitors, and tons to do.  Moving into our new house was so exciting and we didn't waste anytime getting our garden ready.  I always wanted one and this one did not disappoint.  And I can't believe our good fortune.  The veggies that have come have been greater than I had imagined.

Max also attended his first preschool in California.  That was also super fun for us.  Max always asked for school and still does even though it is out for the summer.  Oh and he is now fully potty-trained!! What what!

The hubby started his garage project (pictures to come) and has finally bought his long awaited sports car.  (mid-life criss????)  But it's really cool to see his goals come to life.  He has been saving for years for his car, his new baby.

But now we head back North to spend the rest of the year, which will be equally amazing.  My BFF is having her first baby, and my other dear friend is having her second baby girl.  I will be busy as ever, which I like.  And if any luck I will too, conceive our second bundle of joy. 

Good bye California, see you..........not really sure when.

Hammocks from Panama

enjoying the view on the front porch

HAM

nuggle time

soaking in the rays

look who turned three...

First let me say sorry for the pant load of pictures, but what can I say.  It was his third Birthday party people.  Big day! Big deal!

This year I opted to not have a party at home where I would spend hours picking out cute decor and appetizers recipes and balloons and favors and.....you get it.  I wanted it quick and simple.  Something that the adults could enjoy and the kids.  SO, we picked Seattle Playdate.  This awesome indoor play structure that serves good food, and adult beverages! 

We had cupcakes, pizza, wings and tons of juice (and ciders for mama). It was awesome. Max ran around for about 4 hours straight.  He was mesmerized by the presents and attention (although he was pretty scared for the first hour).

It was great to see all our friends too.  It has been almost four months.  Love having all my favorite people in one space.

Happy Birthday to my favorite three year old.  You make this mama so happy!

You complete me.........snarf!

weeeeeee....

Mama and Ava

My ladies

More and more legos

Ra, Ra, Ra

Shea monster

Zoe

disclaimer: Beer was for hubby lol

sibling love

practice round

This trip to California has been pretty delightful.  One of those reason being is this lil family.  It really does take a village you know.  To make a place feel like home, one needs to set up a community.  And this time in California I feel like I have accomplished that.  It has always been a difficult task.  It is hard setting up roots in a place when you only are there for a season.  But this season was a little different. When I arrived in March I told myself I was going to really put myself out there.  Meet people and try to really connect.  And it worked.  I met me some really awesome moms.  We even had a few ladies night with wine and good eats.  So nice to have some time with out monsters so that we can talk about how bad they are. :)

I convinced one of my friends to let me take pictures of them.  My skills were getting a bit rusty.  I am thankful for her and her daughter for letting me use them (who Max shares the same birthday, coincidence?), and for being my friend!

a lil photo bomb 

Birthday parties!!!

My sweet boy turned three this week! Three! Holy moly has three years flown by.  And I hate how everyone says that.  Once you have kids the time time will escape you.  But damn it! It is too true.  So the only thing I can do is cherish all my time with him.  That even when he is driving me crazy and there is no safe place for me to hide, I will cherish that time.

We are planning his Birthday party for Seattle so we had just a little bit of birthday fun for the monster.  Breakfast (milk) and a toy in bed.  Then some presents from family, and then off to a Birthday party for his sweet friend Grace.  She shares the same Birthday!

                                          

                                                     

                                                    

The Par-tay!  How cute is Gracie's mom for creating this magical place for the kids to play.  The theme: Gracie's Wild West!

Part of the crazy crew.  Max refused the paparazz 

Baby K, and Mama A

and they had a live band, Stockton's own,
The Afternaps

the kids loved it

Max always looks a bit shell shocked with
these wild and lovely ladies

cutie patotie