taylor on overdrive

being out in Los Angeles, we don't get to see too many of our friends from TU (unless they already live here). so, when we get to see multiple, awesome TU friends in 1 week, it's pretty darn exciting.

one of our best friends from college, chris hill, was in town on business. so, he finally got to meet our kiddos and we had an awesome dinner on melrose. loved it.


and our wonderful, fabulous friends, the lamberts, stopped by on their way to malaysia. yes, malaysia. they scheduled a nearly 3 day layover in So Cal - woo hoo - and we had a blast. avery and maggie got to meet for the first time and learn that they are bff's.

this was playtime by jumping off the toybox, onto the airmatress. and no injuries, i'm proud to say!


hiking in the santa monica mountains





we've really enjoyed hungry, hungry hippos lately

good times

fall is in the air...even in LA

We don't have the beautiful signs of autumn - the changing leaves, the fresh smells of nature, the country farms with rows and rows of pumpkins. But, we DO have pumpkin patches set up in grocery store parking lots.

Gotta love LA...
I love fall and I love that we really do have SO much to do out here. But, here are our latest adventures...

Nana was here! Have i mentioned how much she blesses our lives? don't know what we'd do without Nana's (my mom) love, generosity, humor, care and sacrifices at all times.



the good ol' petting zoo


she found the air vent in the inflatable pumpkin :)

cuties

(he's laughing there, just in case you weren't sure)

Time to carve the pumpkins!

not too sure about it yet...


avery loves it!


okay, now someone is interested


this is the face avery wants on her pumpkin

and to top it all off...she's sad that she can't use the knives. oh dear.

the time has come

i waited long enough. a good 19 months. that is the age he was when Caleb had his first haircut. i figured that since it was hanging down in front of his eyes, nearly touching his nose, and the fact that he couldn't see...well, it was time. i was just so sad to say goodbye to those precious red little curls! but, we did it. and i think he aged a few years. check it out...



he did great for the first 5 minutes. then...this

and showing me that beautiful hair


avery, having fun with the hair

the adorable, amazing after shot

renaissance girl

avery jane...a young lady of many talents
brave pirate

fearless tree climber


happy to help mommy cornhusker


expert canned good stacker (also, this keeps them busy while i'm cooking)

messy ice cream cone eater

and simply the cutest little blondie on the planet

2 really awesome kids

avery is going to a little preschool this summer, just 1 day a week, til the end of august. i am so glad that she really likes it. her first day, she cried. but, ever since her first day, she now waves and yells "bye mommy!" and goes about her business. oh, my heart. so, this is her on her first day of school. her really odd, but funny smile. :)

fun times in the backyard



i leave the kitchen for a few minutes and come back to caleb, having emptied a bag of cheerios onto a plate and having a feast

and then, today...





ahhhhh.....