Walking with Friends

 I LOVE being able to go walking and get some exercise with my friends.  It's also nice to have the time to chat together and enjoy the fresh air too.  Addie likes it most of the time and Micah loves being outside so it works for all of us.  :-)

Delightful Moments in Time

Today we finished putting the Christmas stuff away except for the lights outside and Kevin still needs to put the tree in the box.  I did notice right before bed I forgot about the garland up the post by the stairs.  I'll tackle that tomorrow since after spending literally all day putting Christmas away, reorganizing the garage to make things fit, consolidating Christmas stuff to get rid of one box and reorganizing the food storage I am TIRED!  I sat down to fold some clothes while Kevin did bed time stories and I laid my head down for a moment and was out!  Kevin said he too fell asleep while reading.  He was saying words that weren't even there so in the book, "Corduroy" the bear died.  lol  Too funny!  I woke up to the "breaking sound" of Glenn sitting on the open lid of my wicker blanket basket.  Sadly Glenn's been having a rough time this past month or so listening to us right away.  I had to ask him 4 times raising my voice finally to get him OFF the basket lid so he wouldn't break it.  It hurts my heart that he can't just listen and gets so upset himself with and ends up throwing a major temper tantrum on the ground (which now is an immediate count of 3 and he's sent to his room).  We have told him that once he's 4 he can't be throwing those major tantrums and needs to use his words.  It's okay for him to be upset but throwing himself on the ground screaming isn't okay.  I reminded him he has only 17 more days till his birthday.  I keep wondering what's going to happen on his birthday...hoping and praying when I remind him that he's 4 and can't do that anymore that he will stop.  One can hope at least!

After nap time Kevin really wanted the family to go for a walk.  We bundled up and headed around our block the LONG way.  It was FREEZING outside.  It was 37 degrees, "feels like" 26!?!  It was super cold.  Kevin took turns carrying the older two on his shoulders while I pushed Addie.  I finally gave her my gloves for her hands because she wouldn't keep them in her coat.  I was cold then with the bitter wind blowing.  We cut back through the neighborhood through the school to the park to head home and the kids HAD to play on the playground.  We gave them 5 minutes since it was so cold. Kaila immediately ran over to the corner of her school and then came running back calling, "Mommy, Mommy!"  I ran back over with her and she showed me the roses still on the bushes.  It was amazing there were still alive.  We then watched in wonder as the leaves swirled all around us in the alcove as the wind picked them up.  Kaila watched in delight and then ran around after the leaves!  It was a wonderful moment.   We were all happy to be home in the warm house.  I know Addie was too despite her constant cry of protest about leaving the park to walk home.  She thankfully stopped her crying upon entering the house.

Kaila's wearing the new hat I finished for Addie this week

 

 

After we got home we finally smashed out last two gingerbread houses.  Glenn had been begging the last few days but the timing was never right.  I finally decided the timing was NEVER going to be right so we just pulled them out and let them have at it.  It was right before dinner but I didn't care.  It was wonderful to see how excited Glenn was to finally be able to get into the candy on the houses.

There were pieces of candy and frosting all OVER the downstairs from their smashing efforts

 

  

Kevin's on a new diet of sorts this month (28 days) trying to help fix his gut and food sensitivities.  It's mostly Meat and Veggies but right now he's just cutting out wheat 100% but avoiding most grains and he's cut way back on dairy not eating any yogurt or cheese.  He's made some really yummy meals.  Today he even made Bi Bim Bap.  It was super yummy.  He made it with Cauliflower instead of the typical rice.  It was great though my dish had more cauliflower than I needed.  He ate the rest of it though.  I tried getting Addie and Glenn to try it.  They both turned their noses down on it before even trying it.  Addie we finally convinced to try it after saying it was yucky and once the meat was in her mouth she said, "Yummy!"  Glenn then walks over saying he'll try it but spit it out of his mouth before he even really tasted it.  Silly boy!

Homemade Bi Bim Bap...YUM!

Father/Son Walk

My walking buddy yesterday. I felt very safe with Superhero Glenn by my side. 
                                                                            -Kevin (Daddy)

 

Strollin'

My friend Nola and I have been out walking again.  After I take Kaila to school I walk in the door and ask Addie if she's ready to go for a walk.  She runs to put on her shoes and climbs up into the stroller. Then we head off to Nola's house for our walk.  Since Kevin's been off of work he's been able to take Glenn to school which has been so nice.  The kids generally like the walk except for the last few minutes and then they are finished and it's a race to get home before they climb out of the strollers.

Skinny bones

So yesterday I took SP in to WIC to be checked and she weighed in at 13lbs 8.5 ounces. I thought that was another drop from before...so that was a long appointment talking about what I can do to try to get her weight up since she hates baby food. Basically she said I was doing everything that I could and SP looked good in the face with a little chub on the thighs. She is slender though and did drop on their weight percentage from their last weigh in too. Today though was her weight check at the doctor's office and she was 13lbs 10.5 oz which was great. She's now staying on the 5% line for weight so we are happy about that. He doctor was very pleased to find that out especially since she's not liking baby food. I still am giving it to her and getting a few bites in most times before she turns up her face at me and pushes it away.

The girl's with their pokes.  So sad!

My doctor told me a story though about a little boy that was at a different clinic that had a huge weight drop but seemed fine otherwise without a fever or in pain but ended up having a major UTI so she wanted to check SP for that and her thyroid since that can cause a weight drop too just make sure everything is okay. Sadly for me and SP they take blood draws from babies in their arm. They had a hard time getting her tiny vein and were moving the needle around inside her arm. It was gross and painful to watch. SP didn't like having her arm tied up and held out and was screaming before they ever poked her. It was so sad! They undid the band too early to and had to retie it on since they needed more blood. Thankfully she urinated int he bag the taped on her while all that happened so we didn't have to wait around for a long time. I got a call this evening though that they found bacteria and skin cells in the urine so it wasn't a clean draw, either she wasn't cleaned well enough or the bag was tainted so if it comes back positive they will have to catheterize her to get a clean draw but if it's negative then she's fine. We will find out tomorrow what will happen. She has a nickel size bruise on her arm from it. It's so sad since her arm is so tiny already! She is also referring her to a PT since she hasn't seemed to increase in her motor skills the past two months. She's still not rolling over than once if that and still won't sit up with minimal support. She seems to be at the same place she was at 4 months actually. The PT is really great our doctor said and will just evaluate her to make sure everything is okay.
DD had her appointment with the Specialist about her legs EARLY this morning. Thankfully DH took her. He said the x-rays looked normal and couldn't see anything. They did some blood work so she got poked too this morning and we will find out the results from that tomorrow too I believe. Thankfully DD was great during it this time and only cried a little before hand. 

On a great note the older kids and I went for a walk in the rain with our umbrellas and them in their boots and raincoats. It was so fun to have them take turns saying which way to turn. It was pretty cold though so I started directing them back toward home. I miss all the walking I did in Paris so I wanted to get out a bit though it was a SLOW pace with the kids. From all the walking I did last week I lost about 5 pounds and moved down a size in pants! Only a little more to go and I'll be back to where I want to be. I'm so happy! 

Tasting one of the chocolate treats from Paris...YUM!

All the different candy bars I grabbed to try.

I got my hair cut and colored today. It's really cute and ready for Paris! I'm so excited for that trip with my sister. I just love how new hair and getting a little pampering can brighten your spirits! Since the weather was "nicer" (aka not raining) we decided to go for a little hike though the sun was going down fast so we opted for a walk on the Spring Water Trail instead and ended with a little time at the park. It was FREEZING but the kids had fun and I tested out new camera some more and really DON'T like so we are sending it back.

Bundled Up

DD asked to go for a walk so a walk we did go...just took about 30 minutes to get all bundled up first since it's still so cold here and we didn't go too far since it was again SO COLD!

Knock, Knock

Grandma surprised us with a visit tonight. She wanted to know if the kids wanted to go for a walk with her. It ended up being a family walk which was wonderful. DD brought along her stroller and lion on the walk while Daddy pushed SP and LM in the double stroller. I collected leaves along the way for some art projects. It was a great walk though it got dark before we got back to the house. I love fall time!

Out and About

Today we took the kids for a walk around the neighborhood. We stopped by two friends homes but they both were gone. We were hoping to show them SP and visit but it will have to be another time. It was nice to get out but I was ready to sit down when we got home. I had thought that I would have a break half way through to visit and without that happening it was more than I was wanting to do. We all survived though. When we got back and feed SP and when I lifted her up to burp her she had a massive blowout the side of her leg and it spilled onto me. It was nasty! I'm so glad we were home though and not at someone else's house when that happened!

Wok...A walk please?

Glenn went up to the stroller and said, "a wok, a wok" (aka "a walk"). I said, "no, but maybe daddy will when he gets home." He walks into the kitchen and yells a the top of his lungs, "Dada, Dada!" I told him daddy wasn't home. He looked at me all sad and went outside to play with his sister.

DD started asking me a few minutes later to go for a walk. I was so tired from the zoo and said no so she asked, "What about Grandma." I told her she was tired from the zoo too so then she said Grandpa. I told her she would have to ask. She called him on the phone ("Hi Grandpa this is Kaila." after some small chat..."Take me for a walk please.") He couldn't resist and came over to take them for a walk. It was so cute and nice to have some peace for awhile. DH enjoyed coming home to a quiet house too. :-) The kids were so lucky and got to go to the park too but then DD had an accident at the park and they came home earlier than Grandpa was going to.

DD and I took a walk down our road with LM. We had lots of fun enjoying the sun that was shining and looking at all the pretty flowers, water, grass, trees and sky. We were lucky enough to see a horse too! DD love it so much that she didn't want to turn around and return home that she threw a fit in the middle of the street. Thank goodness we don't live on a busy street. There was this dog coming toward us though and I didn't know it (whether it was a friendly-nice dog or one who is mean) and I needed DD to get up. She wouldn't so with LM in the front carrier I had to pick DD off the street and carrier her since she wouldn't stand on her own. That was fun! The dog ended up being a yellow lab and reminded me of my childhood dog, Sandy (she was the sweetest dog ever). This dog seemed nice too and followed us all the way home. Literally up to our door which meant she went up our LONG driveway and around to the back to our door. I had DD walk up half the driveway because I was getting so tired from having carried her the rest of the way and LM too. She loved the dog. Once inside she threw the biggest fit since I wouldn't let the dog in the house! Silly girl. The dog sniffed out our surroundings for awhile but finally found his way back home (I hope, he/she was gone at least). My parents came over and cooked us some yummy pork chops with mash potatoes and broccoli for dinner. YUMMY!

(DH went to the book store this evening by himself to look at Ireland books but stumbled across these beauties and HAD to get them for DD)

So I found out my friend had her baby early this morning at 3:45am. She wasn't due till April 7th but everything is fine with the baby. He was 5lbs and comes home in a week. My friend will be released on Wednesday. Another friend and I are going to go and see her after I eat dinner in about 15-20 minutes. He's going to be so little compared to my giant 9lb baby. He's nearly half the size of LM.

I went and saw my friend's baby after dinner. He's so tiny! He's only having problems regulating his body heat so hopefully he will be able to figure that out soon. They said the longest he would be there is 2 weeks but hopefully just 1 week. We weren't able to hold him this time because of the heat issue but we got a good chat in. DH was in "h-e-(double hockey sticks)" here with the kids. I guess LM all together the hour and a half I was gone was good and quiet for only 7 minutes. So sad. He's never been like that ever and feel asleep before I got home and stayed asleep and cuddled with me for almost an hour. I think he was so tired from crying so long. My poor baby!
DH did get a little impatient because he text me a few times when I was in the driveway dropping my friend off before heading home. Trying to figure out where I was and hoping I was close. LM wasn't crying and was even asleep when I walked in but DH still handed him over to me. He had had enough!

Brave Girl

Long but productive day. VT, lunch (Arby's $1 menu), bank, play time outside (mom weeding, raking, planting), naps, more play outside, taking the garbage out (two trips down the drive), walk to the horse (patches), knock on a strangers door to ask if DD can jump on the trampoline (DD got her wish), walked home, collapsed on the couch..., made dinner, went to YW and back on the couch! I'm TIRED!**Note on DD wanting to jump on the trampoline**
DD saw the trampoline by the horse and made a bee line for the trampoline. I told her we couldn't just jump but needed to ask. So she asked me. I told her she had to knock on the door and ask the owners of the trampoline. I figured she would forget as we passed by the house but she didn't and walked right up and knocked on the door. Brave little girl!

On our way home from the bank DD put this headband on her head by herself. It was so funny when we got home because her bangs were standing straight up. I ran in to get the camera but she had taken it off. Here are some pics of her putting it back on and some of LM (who's VERY tired and ready for his nap).

July 8, 2009

I had fun with DD at swimming today! Her teacher had a bunch of stations for them to rotate through (noodles, WET (tea cups/ pails and such, mats, dumb bells, independent). She LOVES the noodles the best and finally blew bubbles for the first time--still drank plenty of the water though and came up coughing once. She had a blast and loved it. I wish we had a pool for her to swim in all the time. I think she would start swimming fairly soon. She's figuring it all out and it's awesome!!

We went to my friend's house afterward since she was watching LM for us and I bathed DD and myself there and let DD play with her friends for a little while before they needed to leave and we came home and ate lunch.

It's nap time now so I'm going to go and try to get some sleep myself and maybe read a little of my new book.

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After naps today I went and picked up a hiking backpack off craiglist. It's definitely used but still in working condition. We need another one for LM since he's getting so big. It's just too much weight to have in the front pack especially for my back and shoulder. We have the Lewis family annual camp out at the end of the month and we went on a hike last year so I want to be able to do that again this year with both kids.

I picked up dinner since it was already 6pm and headed over to let the dog out to pee. I then called my mom and she met us up at the trail for a walk. I took the dog too hoping to let her get some exercise but she was a LOT of work along with the stroller. My mom and I took turns with the stroller or the dog. It was nice to get out and walk though.

Look who's rolling!

LM broke his bassinet today. I was switching laundry and he was still fussing so I checked on him and the top part was fallen over. He was fine but I can't use it. I didn't know what to do since DD was asleep, one p-n-p is at Grandma and Grandpa's (they are in CA/UT right now), our other p-n-p is lent to a friend's mom, and DH's working until 1am or later. I text DH about it and he called me and said to call up our friends that have a p-n-p to use. So SMART!! They were able to come over and set it up for me too! It was so nice. LM also decided to roll over from his tummy to back to tummy to back while I was talking to DH and missed half of it! I'm so proud of him. He desperately wants to crawl. I think he would rather crawl than roll but happens to roll from trying to crawl.

June 7, 2009

I'm so sad that in ONE week my little baby girl with be TWO!!! How did that happen. DH just informed me that there are suppose to be a few showers the day of her party too. Now I'm a little stressed since it's suppose to be an outdoor water party. There's no way everyone will fit inside either. I don't know what to do. I'm going to hash it out with my mom and DH and see what we come up with as a back up plan. I hate the unknown!

Today went pretty well since I went to church by myself with the kids since it was DH's last day of training on the river. DD loves my friend, Kari (who's daughter is her best friend) and she finally found her half way through the service and went to sit with her. My MIL held the baby for me while I was in YW. I taught my old Sunday School class off the cuff too since they didn't get them a teacher and I was just popping in to see who their new teacher was and no one was there. I need to call someone about that.

DH fed LM a bottle that I had in the fridge that needed to be used before it "went bad". I just love watching LM wrap his fingers around his Daddy's hand.

I took DD for a walk around the yard this evening and it was so fun picking flowers with her. She kept swinging the roses around though and making the petals fall off. She was all concerned about the petals falling but didn't stop whacking it until they were all off. It was kind of funny. The roses smell so good!!!

May 11, 2009

I got up at 6am to go walking with my friends. DH didn't think we would do it and said he would pay for us all to go out to dinner if we went all week at 6am. I went to my friend's house and found out her baby was sick and my other friend bailed and stayed home since the baby was sick. I came home and walked around our property instead. DH won and we didn't even get one day it. I was pretty bummed about that. I'm walking by myself tomorrow too but at least I know it.

DD seemed to be falling all over the place today. DH was reminding her that her head is too heavy and she needs to pay attention to how she moves. I think she's focusing too much on something and not paying attention and looses her balance or trips on something. DH's been very clumsy the last two days too! Thankfully I've been fine.

My back went out on my again today so I went to the chiro. He bet me up this time. I was so off that I have to go back in later this week for another adjustment. I feel so much better (a little bruised) but I'm walking better. My mom came over afterward to work on the quilt. Somehow our measurements were off and we are short fabric. My poor mom was so frustrated and said she just hates sewing because it never works out. I can see why. I do too but still try here and there. I'm hoping to figure something out on my own and to call her up and say it's finished. We will see what I am able to come up with.

My mom let me take her car to get LM a calendar for his first year. I've been wanting to do that since I did one with DD so I'm happy I got that done. I need to get his foot prints on it for last month before he's 4 months on the 19th. LM has been moving around so much more with all his kicking and pulling. He pushed himself off the blanket my mom had him on and he turned himself sideways on the play mat later this evening. He's growing up so fast. Since my back was hurting I tried getting him to walk across the floor so I would have to carry him and he completely takes steps with his left foot. His right doesn't seem to understand what to do. It's cute though. DD tried to be the big sister to help him walk too! I can't wait to see her truly help him in a few more months.

Big Changes Ahead

April 30, 2009

My little man is 101 days old today!

Today I went walking again. I went Monday and flaked out on Tuesday (rain) and Wednesday (DD needing to cuddle) but made up for it today and walked for over an hour. It was nice to get out and the sun was out today too! That always makes it so much nicer!

DH's taking a test for the National Guard. I think our choices are for him to get a job through them (in July when they are hiring again) or go back to school to be a paramedic/firefighter. School would require a move down south about an hour or so. The Guard if he got in the position he wants would require him to be gone for 30 weeks straight. Both are tough choices but there doesn't seem to be much else out there.

DD helped me weed outside this morning. It was so cute to see her go and pull things out of the grown (thank goodness she stayed away from the flowers) and put them in the garbage bucket I was using. She also figured out how to climb down the railroad ties that are on the embankment to the downstairs window. I'm not pleased about that because it's so steep and dangerous.

Her cough just woke her up after only an hour of sleep so I better go and see if I can get her to sleep again. I hate that she's so sick. Her poor nose is running like a faucet too but DH noticed yesterday that all four of her canine teeth have finally come in. I noticed the bottom ones poking through weeks ago but the top ones are almost fully in especially the one on her right side. The bottom ones are in more now too. Now all we are waiting for are her 2 year-old molars. I hoping the teeth are the cause to the runny nose but DH thinks she really does have a cold which I would contribute to the air plane ride.

Tonight DD was such a big helper with keeping LM happy while I cooked dinner. She's such a good big sister even though she's so jealous now and wants all the attention and to do the same things LM is doing (playing with the play mat and sitting with the boppy around her and pretending to fall all over the place).

DH got home in time for dinner from taking his test. He needed a 50% to pass and 70% to be a paramedic. He had scored about 75% on his two short practice tests and one long test last night but wanted to do better. He went to boarders and looked at the "for dummies" book they have for the test. He helped him with all the formulas for the math section and he told me he scored a 96% on his test!!! The recruit was so excited for him. He's only had one other person score well on the test in his 4 years and that person scored a 98%. He told DH that he could do ANYTHING he wanted as long as there was an opening in that area. They are meeting next week about all of his options now. I just pray that he meets the health check since he had a bulged disc in his neck from his second accident. I hope it's better now but he has to get it looked at again. It's all very exciting though and I'm so proud of my man!

LM was sitting up so well today. He still is slumping over but he's trying. DH was able to hold him on his hand in the air without back support for a long time and LM was just giggling away. DD had to have a turn too and DH said she was A LOT heavier than her brother. She's now 26lbs at her last appointment. DD is also repeating so many words finally! She even said "blow" all by herself today when DH got her more food and forgot to blow it off. I didn't even know she knew that one. She also repeated her name for the first time today and was so pleased with how happy we were for her (Kala was how she pronounced it was it was so cute!)

LM didn't wake up at 9 for his last night feeding. I'm worried now that he will be up all night to nurse. YIKES. I need to get to bed but I have to get pictures ordered online for an all day scrapbooking party on Saturday. I'm so excited to get started on DD's baby album.

I find myself many time of the day with one kid on one side of my lap and the other kid on the other side. Thankfully this moment didn't involve tears from one of the children but a pleasant story time.
LM is trying to sit up and can for little burst by himself. He still loves to fold over. He's getting close though.
This is much better momma!

DD almost always has to test out what LM does. It's so cute. She even rocked around like she was off balance and fell back. What a ham!

April 25, 2009

Today we got up extra early to make it down to Salem for the MS Walk. As a family we walk each year in support of our SIL who lives with MS. It's a fun tradition and we love to show our support to her, raise money, and bring awareness to this issue. We pray someday soon the Lord will lead someone on the path to the cure for all who live with MS or may be diagnosed down the road.

Thanks to Grandpa for pushing the stroller the entire route. DD loved it too. She was scared of the Cheetos guy (her favorite chips though). We all gathered at DH's sister's house in Dallas afterward for some fun and pizza.

With DD, as your sister, you have to learn early how to do fist bumps. I think she's been asking for them from LM since he came home from the hospital. It really is cute! Today he seemed to pick up on it and was giving them to DH.

April 23, 2009

I can tell from DH's explanation of DD's sleep (he gets up with her during the night and I deal with LM) that we are going to have to sleep train her again and our noise machine was broken from the flight.

We watched my friend's daughter while she took her older sister to swim class. We took the girls for a walk up the road to see the horses. They loved sitting by each other. I can picture them giggling together when they are older too. I just love watching them interact with each other! DH treated them to a run up the driveway (uphill in boots. . .what a good daddy). We all had ice cream after for a treat. Yum!

We discovered while in AZ that LM loves to sleep this way (burp cloth over his face). We guess on why since he can't tell us (darkness, warmth, or maybe comfort).

LOOK who's 3-months!!!

Daily Happenings

April 22, 2009

Fun photo shoot with my boys!

We made it home. We woke up and packed the van Tuesday and drove to Phoenix. We had a police office in front of us most of the way which drove DH crazy. We had to rush and drop my sister off at her place and return the van to the airport. We didn't have much time and we were told we had to have out luggage checked 30 minutes before boarding. We were pushing it. It wasn't easy getting all the stuff unloaded from the van, piled on to the shuttle, off the shuttle, through the airport, up the elevator, further through the airport and checked. Thankfully we had lap children and that pushed us to a line that had no one waiting! What a blessing. We made it with plenty of time. We had to go through security and I forgot to empty one of DD's sippy cups which caused LOTS of chaos since it was liquid. I guess kids are exempt from the liquid protocol and they could test it with a test strip. I was able to use the restroom, DH got us some food, and we loaded the plane. It was perfect timing (though rushed) for the kids not to have too much down time. The flight was full but we were able to still have a seat for LM though the kids were both awake for most of the flight and finally slept the last half hour. DD was having a hard time not kicking the seats but thankfully the seat in front of me was empty. She did great though for having sat through a long drive this morning and a long flight too. Through all the stress of getting everything off the plane and packed up (we didn't want to risk waking the kids to pack up for landing) we lost one of our awesome hospital combs left in the pocket of the airplane. It was great seeing Nana picking us up though and the green grass!! I really didn't care for all the bland rocks everywhere. Now tomorrow will be filled with lots of unpacking and laundry. It's after midnight now. I was at knitting and visiting with my friends till late--Yeah Blazers for pulling out a win and an awesome game!!! so I need to get to bed before LM wakes up to eat.

The flowers DD picked on her walk with DH. Look at how she arranged them in the mug. Some are taking a bath even. I love it!

April 17, 2009

Today we took another walk up the other direction with the kids in the double stroller this time (DD gave us a fit about holding her hand a few times the day before and I wasn't going to deal with that again). We hit up a strip mall of stores. One we went in was completely for blacks and they looked at us very strangely for coming into the store. We picked up on the vibe and turned around and left. I got to go in my first QVC pharmacy store and then we went to the grocery store which was completely Mexican with Spanish music playing and everything. DH got a drink from there and we walked back to the hotel. DD fell asleep on the way back and I tried calling my sister to tell her she could work longer if she wanted but she had already left. We let DD nap in the stroller in our room and she woke up only about 10 minutes after my sister arrived.

We decided to have lunch at her hotel and see where she works. We never made it over there the last time I was visiting. Her hotel is AMAZING. It doesn't have the complete WOW package that the Plam Springs hotel had but it was very nice and I loved the patio area we are at with the two pools of water and waterfall. Thankfully LM slept through all of lunch and DD ate pretty well. My sister showed us around her hotel and to her office. I fed LM in her office while she took DD and DH around to see some other colleagues and the rest of the resort. It was a beautiful place. Someday it would be nice to go back and lounge by the water and read a book.

This is one of the first photos taken of the hotel back in 1936. They have tried to keep the front looking very much the same which I think it does.

This is an old picture of the inside of the hotel. It look just like that only it has a stable floor now and over thousands of dollars in remodeling repairs to make it safe.

Here's a picture of it now

The Patio we ate lunch at (though it was light then)

After lunch we headed over to a train park that my sister's boss recommendedd her to take us too. His son had his last birthday party there. It was a fabulous park. It had three seperate play grounds. A tiny tots playground, and young childrens playground, and an older kids playground. DD had fun walking all over the playground and climbing the structures and slides. I even took LM down a slide too in the bjorn I was carrying him in. After playing on the structures for about 30 minutes we headed over to the train and carosel. We bought tickets for a dollar for each thing and DD was free for all of it since she's not 2 yet! My sister took DD on the carosel and I took LM while DH stayed behind and took pictures. It was lots of fun and after the shock of being on the horse DD enjoyed it and wanted to ride again! We didn't though since we had tickets to ride the train. We headed over to the train and it took you all around the large grassy areas of the park. It was a good 5 minute ride and DD loved it after getting over the fact that we weren't on the carosel any more.


After the park we went to the mall where they have the movie in the park every Friday night. I fed LM again in the nursing room of the Macy's department. I didn't even know they had a room for nursing but they do and it was lovely. DH looked for shoes for his race the next day with my sister. He forgot his at home. DD had enough of the store by the time I was finished feeding LM so we headed out to the park to sit on the blankets. DH went and got food for me and DD (he wasn't hungry) and I played with DD. We were asked to move our stroller over a million times. It was getting so frustrating since we arrived early so we would have a pick at where we sat and had the stroller all ready by us in case we needed to leave. DH finally just folded the stroller up after taking everything out of it to put by us. DD didn't really care for the pizza DH got us from California pizza kitchen but she did eat the bread. DH decided to walk around with her before the movie started. I went to find him since he had been walking with her for about 30 minutes but I couldn't' find him. I tried calling him yet he didn't answer. I found a place selling ice cream and got some for DD to help her be quiet during the movie. The movie started and DH still wasn't back with DD. I tried to text him some more and he finally wrote back that DD wouldn't let him come back so I ended up gathering all the stuff and putting it back in the stroller by myself. It was a bit frustrating but thankfully we figured out the car situation earlier with my sister if we needed to leave early with the kids. She got a ride with one of her friends that came and we took her car to our hotel and DH would pick her up in the morning for the run.

Once back at the hotel I could tell DH needed a break from DD so I told him to go out and find some shoes since he didn't get the ones at Macy's and some food to eat. I put the kids to bed and watched a movie and started Ella Enchanted that I borrowed from my sister to read. He returned after a couple hours and was rejuvenated. It's amazing how much energy it takes to deal with an almost 2 year-old.

Over all it was a very fun day.