Current Dinner Conversations

...E's first hair cut...

We all know that E is totally sportin' the baby mullet. There is just no denying that he's got some major party action in the back.

W is all for getting his first big boy hair cut AFTER October. He is convinced that E should be McGyver for Halloween.

I *think* I'm ready for a hair cut now. Half of me really wants to see what he'll look like all cleaned up..at least a trim. The other half of me loves the long, surfer look and doesn't want to face a more 'grown-up' look. 

...Our next car purchase...

We dropped of my car at the dealership for a once over before leaving for vacation. While there, we popped over to the showroom to check out the VW Routon, their version of a mini-van. We were impressed and hopeful that this could be the next purchase after saving up for the 'affordable' price tag.

Unfortunately, after mom's Consumer Reports investigation, we discovered that its prone to break-downs and is actually a Chrysler's body base. Yuck. No, thanks! So we're back to square one. I don't want an SUV or a popular mini-van. We have been oohing over the Pilot but actually seeing the inside of a mini-van, made it much more appealing to a mom with future kids in mind. Sigh. So we may end up with a Sienna or Odyssey...just like everybody else. Either way, we best get to saving!

...5 weeks of vacation...

Part of W's up-coming job will include very long hours during the work week. A bonus to this will be the 5 weeks of vacation time he'll be awarded during the first year. Recently, we've been swooning over the idea of finally making it to Hawaii. We've tried a few times to make it there on the cheap, but it never came together. W has never been and it's been yeaaars since I've been back. Kaui was our go-to island growing up, but I feel like we should start with O'ahu with Pearl Harbor and all its history. W is a huge history nerd buff.

Anyway, it's on our  'to-do' wishlist for the up-coming year. I do cringe when thinking about buying three tickets, but I figure we'll need it after having to adjust to two kids and another job with the potential of a commute.

Travel is such a bug, huh?! You come back and you're already brainstorming future trips.

...W's Men's Group Study...

It's been delightfully fun to see God providing opportunities to help meet our New Year's goals. One of W's was to start a parenting book together. God answered that by putting W as a co-leader for an early morning men's group. They are going through a parenting book that we had heard of before from various families at church and are excited to read along together as the group does.

It seems to be targeted toward 'older' kids but so far lays a great foundation for practical application. It's goal "is to build family relationships while helping kids learn better ways of responding to life's situations." From what we've been told, it's a great practical companion to another fabulous parenting book that we've read.

Final Days of Vacation

On Thursday, we met up with Ams and Abby for a trip to the zoo. They had some guest passes and thought it'd be a fun place to hang out for the day.

Although E didn't take a great nap before we left, so he was not in the happiest of moods. And it was pretty hot inland. Hard to imagine those animals being comfortable in that heat too. Even with those things against us, we had a great time checking out the animals and spending time together.

That evening, we put my dad, who had motorcycled down that morning, in charge of 'watching' the sleeping babe. Then W and I headed back to Jon and Amy's place in Brentwood for some dessert and catch-up time.  

The following day was more mellow. We stuck around campus during the day since it was too chilly and foggy for the beach. E got some lap time with G-ma, busily working away.

That evening we went out to eat at Paradise Cove Beach Cafe. A kid-friendly place with lots to entertain E.

Wes showing the crazy peanut barrel and hanging pictures. 

The place is right on the beach so while waiting for our food to come, we spent some time chasing the seagulls...

 running from waves...

 and getting wet.

The portions were enormous here! This was the app I ordered that was consumed by four different people, with food still left over. I should have know, given the size of the water glasses!!

 

So, although we didn't go anywhere new or exotic, this definitely was a fun-packed and relaxing vacation. It was great to see so many people we love and not feel like we were rushing down and back like our usual So. Cal trips. Just makes us long for all of W's family to be closer. Sure, we look forward to our comfy beds and the predictability of routine, but it was such a fabulous time!

Jack & Kate- Plus 4

Meet Jack & Kate:

{Kate- I hope it's okay I stole this picture from your blog. ;)}


I met Kate during my freshman year at UCLA. We were living in the same dorm building, Sunset, {right, Kate?!} and bonded quickly. I think it helped that she was from Danville and I, Ptown, seeing as we were both living large in LA. We went to our first {and last} frat party together. And we've stayed in contact when she went into the FBI, then when she moved to Vegas, and finally now that we're both wives to wonderful men and Mamas to stubborn but adorable boys. Nothing like facing the same challenges that bond you yet again, and faster.

Since she's still very local and I haven't seen her in ages, we decided to meet at an ol' place we used to frequent in our college days: 3rd St in Santa Monica. It's literally been over 5 years since I've last walked the promenade, but used to go so often. It was one of the cooler places you could get to by bus {#8, I think} that was outside the 5 miles radius of campus we were confined to, without having cars.

So fun to come back years later with my whole family in tow {we're the plus 4}! Man, what one person can accomplish in just 6 years.

Here we are with all our boys. And doesn't it just make you jealous that she looks this good after only 6 months?!

We walked around the farmers market among all the good looking people of LA. E was all about helping Papa push the stroller through the crowds.

 And of course, trying to ride other people's bikes.

Oh, and checking out the fountains.

And it'd be a crime to not mention... the one store we actually went into was the Apple store. But were basically escorted out by the security as E tried to take apart the store front display. It was really funny watching W rush around trying to corral E while putting back the balloon-looking things. Such a good Papa!

After saying our good-byes {from a way too short hang out}, we headed home for naps. W let me get in a good snooze, then I joined them for some grass play time before dinner. We tried putting E in his bumbo for dinner and putting it on the tile for easy clean up, but he was having none of it. He wanted to eat the rest of his dinner like this:

And he did fairly good, all things considered. We certainly laugh a lot around here from his crazy antics!

W and I got to sneak out for some dessert and drinks after my mom got back from her evening session. We also got in a wonderful walk.

And in honor of Kate and her out-takes from Jack's monthly photo shoots, I thought I'd share what she has to look forward to as her little guy gets more and more wiggly... and distractible!!

Thanks for hanging out with us, Jack and Kate!!

Headed For The Coast

On our last day with the Swensons, Carolyn pulled out their giraffe pool before afternoon naps. It has been very warm down here so it was a huge hit even for pregnant toes!

All the kids loved the running water!

We added some pool toys

This inflatable pool was quite spacious but they all crowded around the watering hole: the giraffe's tail that spurted water.

And of course drank the hose water. What is it about running water and insatiable thirst?! I constantly offer water from a cup but he's just not as interested?! Sheesh!

After E was up from his nap, we loaded the car and headed onto the PCH. Truth be told, our original vacation was joining my mom at Pepperdine University. We just tacked on the extended weekend to see our cute family. Every year, my mom's church attends the Bible Lectures at PU. I've gone a few times before this: when I was a junior/senior and checking out colleges {Pepperdine was in my top #3} and again when I was at UCLA since I was already done here. It's basically a multi-day conference of speakers, lectures. etc. on Biblical topics. Plus, hello?!, you are in Malibu for cheap!! It doesn't get much better than that!!

We left before traffic, rolled onto campus, unpacked and got situated in the on-campus apartments in no time. Right before putting E down for the night, we took a family stroll around campus. 

Did I mention our apartment has an ocean view?! Um, could you imagine being a student and seeing the coast every.single.day? The whole campus gets a breath-taking view.

I might actually be persuaded to run if I could have this.

We're hoping for more beach, visiting some of my college friends who are still in the LA area, and just get in some more family time. G-ma is very excited to get her Ezra-fix while she is away and we're more than happy to oblige!

Happy Birthday, Mama

It worked out perfectly that while we are visiting, Mama Judy {my MIL} celebrated her 69th birthday. A shindig was held in her honor at Wes & Carolyn's.

W with E and Wyatt

Aly-Berry snuggling E in the hammock

Par-tay time with lots of yummy food!

Wyatt and E even got in some bath time before pjs.

The lady of the hour!

All cousins present

The 2009 Swenson babes...and just because I can, here they were back in Jan 2010...

My, how they've grown! And to look more like each other too!

And the future 2011 Swenson boys; June & Sept, respectively.

{so loving the farmers beach tan. yikes!!}

While the grown-ups were saying their good-byes, the cousins started playing "Ring Around the Rosie". E had already been put down for the evening so he missed out.

They were too cute! It was the classic Swenson full-house which I just love. It was great to see everyone especially the little ones because they change so fast. Hopefully, Mama felt loved and treasured by all her local family and those visiting!

Happy Birthday, Mama Judy!