Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday! I am so thankful for her! My mom has one of the most kind and generous hearts I know. I am bummed to not be celebrating her birthday with her in person, but I know that she's having a great day and really enjoying spending time with my dad. They are going to her favorite Mexican Restaurant for dinner tonight: Lupe's. Oh how I miss that place! They have wonderful tacos and chips and salsa!

Mom I love you and hope that your day is as special as you are! I look forward to the next time we get to hang out and spend time together!

Happy Birthday!

Big Stuff...

My little Monkey is getting so big! He turned 5 months old on Monday and this week he's started really being able to sit (unassisted) for little chunks of time. I was able to capture a picture this morning of him being so big! He gets this big smile on his face and you can tell he thinks he's "big stuff."

I actually think he'd be able to sit for longer, but as mentioned in a previous post, he's a little obsessed with his feet, so once he starts going for them, he topples over on his face, but could care less because he succeeded in grabbing his feet and he's all smiles!

My Little Helper

Madison has grown up so much in these last couple of weeks. She has started making really good choices, all on her own. Her bedtime prayers have become much more sophisticated and empathetic. Her overall personality is just overflowing with joy and she brings me joy each and every day.

As most of you know, I absolutely LOVE to cook and bake, especially for my family and friends. Well, last night Madison asked me if she could help me make dinner. She helped me pretty much with everything except taking things in and out of the oven...she even helped me taste test a few things. It is so fun to have Madison in the kitchen with me. I need to remember to take more pictures because she really does a great job.

Last weekend she helped me make pancakes. She made the batter. She poured the batter on my griddle and she even flipped a few pancakes! She was so proud of herself and I was beaming on the inside. I love spending time with my sweet girl and my heart overflows with pride for this little girl and how special she is!

Hand in Hand...

Can I just tell you that I am the luckiest girl in the whole wide world!?! Sorry ladies, I have found the most amazing man and he's already taken. I was blessed to marry him 7 years ago (July 25, 2004).

Alex is such a loving friend and husband. He is my partner on this journey we call parenthood. He is the leader of our home. He is the one I want by my side, ALWAYS! He is so loving and caring. He melts my heart with a simple smile. He puts butterflies in my stomach when he walks in the room (still). He brings a smile to my face at random times during the day when I think of him. He makes me proud to be his wife and an American with his commitment to the Marine Corps. He makes me a better person. He teaches me new things every day. He not only tells me he loves me, he shows me h loves me. He is a man of integrity and character.

Alex, I love you more today than I did yesterday. I am so blessed to call you mine and to have you by side in all that we do. I couldn't imagine walking through life with anyone else. Thank you for choosing me! Thank you for loving me! Happy 7th Anniversary My Handsome Prince...looking forward to growing old with you, holding your hand in mine and walking through this beautiful life that God has blessed us with!

5 Months Old

Where has time gone...my baby is 5 months old! It really feels like yesterday that I was prepping to go to the hospital to have him. It all feels like just the blink of an eye. I am trying to keep every moment close to my heart. It's nice that my phone now has a camera because I can just keep clicking away, when I forget to bring my "real" camera. Praying these memories stay engrained! I love you sweet boy!

"Feed the ducks and what have you got? Fat Birds!"

A couple of weekends ago, we went back to Santee Lakes so that Madison could "teach" Alex how to feed the birds. It was so precious watching them together and hearing Madison coach Alex..."dad make sure the bread pieces are small enough, you don't want to make the ducks sick."

We had a great time together as family. We ate lunch together on our picnic blanket. We fed the ducks together, and we rested and enjoyed the nice weather together.

Hudson also enjoyed himself. He loves being outdoors...so much so that he fell right to sleep when we laid him on his mat.

Ice Cream Date with Friends

The other day, Melissa watched Madison for me, while I took Hudson to one of his appointments. Melissa took the kids to Baskin Robbins for some Friday afternoon ice cream. Here is a picture she captured....so fun!

Thanks for always taking such good care of my kiddos Melissa! You're awesome!

Feet, Tongues and Big Sister...both are pretty great!

Lately Hudson has been obsessed with a few things: His Feet, His Tongue, and His Big Sister!

Here are few pictures capturing just a couple of sweet moments:

Santee Lakes

Just down the road from us are some beautiful lakes that are home to a bunch of ducks and Madison has discovered that she LOVES to feed them. Here are couple pictures from our first adventure in feeding ducks. Looking forward to the many trips we will take to the lakes...if you have any old bread you don't want...send it our way! :)

It's A Going To Be A Great Day!

My kids woke up in a wonderful mood!

Pure Bliss

Last Sunday, it was a beautiful day! Alex had some homework to do, so I went and laid out by the pool (by myself) for a couple hours, while Madison and Hudson napped! It was pure bliss!

I can't remember the last time I was able to just lay out and enjoy the nice weather, but it was so heavenly, that I plan to make a point to do it more often! :)

My Little Photographer

Madison LOVES to take pictures with our camera and with our phones. Here are two pictures she took and was VERY proud of!

Here's the silly photographer:

An Oldie but a Goodie

Had to repost this back from when Madison had just turned one!

Hoola Hooping

My little Hoola Hooper! Love her!

Here is a little video:

And the tattling has already begun ;)

Alex's Aunt and Uncle sent us these shirts when Hudson was born! Pretty funny! :)

Happy 4th of July

I absolutely LOVE the 4th of July! I think it is probably one of my favorite holidays, after Christmas, of course! I love how for a day, out country remembers how special our great nation is and everyone comes together to celebrate our country's birthday. I love all of the patriotic songs. I love the BBQ's. I love the red, white and blue attire. I love the fireworks. I love the patriotism that everyone shows. I love how proud it makes me feel to be married to a Marine. I love how I always tear up at the National Anthem and I'm Proud to Be An American (when you're a Marine Spouse, those songs take on a whole new meaning). I just LOVE America and I am so thankful for our freedom and for those who fought and for those who continue to fight to keep it!

We had a small BBQ at the Williamson's on the 4th and hung out with them until we went to the fireworks. We sat in the backyard and watched the kids play and Bobby made us roasted marshmallows, which most of us turned into smores! Yummy!

After the BBQ we headed to Mira Mesa to watch the fireworks at a park near Madison's preschool. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed our time together as a family!

Judah Lee Brewster

My sweet friend Diana gave birthday to Judah Lee on July 4th at 8:53 am. He was 6 lbs 12 oz 19 inches. He is beautiful and so sweet!

I haven't had the chance to go meet him yet, but I am hopeful that we'll make it out there soon!

This sweet baby boy was born on the most perfect of days. His daddy is deployed right now defending out country and Judah was born on Independence Day! Very appropriate!

Congratulations friends! We are so happy for you and your sweet growing family!

Angel's Game

On Sunday, we were at Fashion Valley Mall when we decided to be spontaneous and go to the Angel Game at Angel Stadium. It was the last game in the Freeway Series (Angel's vs Dodger's). Madison had never been to a baseball game before, but she's watched several games with us on TV over the years. She was very excited, as were we!

Madison had a hot dog, cotton candy, and peanuts to complete her baseball experience

We had so much fun and as an added bonus the Angel's won 3-1 over the Dodgers and are now tied for first. :)

Thumper

Madison received a little bit of money for her birthday from some family, so we took her to the Disney Store and let her pick out something she wanted.

We bought Madison the Blu-Ray Bambi for her birthday and she's been obsessed with it. Well, when we went to the Disney Store, they were all decked out with stuff from the movie. Madison found a Thumper that she just fell in love with. She decided she wanted to buy him and like most things....she wanted to do it all by herself!

So, I handed Madison her money and she waited in line, went up to the counter, and paid for Thumper all by herself! She was such a big girl! It was so cute to watch!

Flying Baby~

Hudson loves to be lifted high up in the air!!! We always get the most giggles/smiles out of him when he's flying above our heads.

He warms my heart!

Happy Birthday Alex

Alex and I have had some wonderful memories over the past 9 years and birthdays are one of them :) I love celebrating Alex's birthday because it's a day we can help Alex know just how much we appreciate him and all of his hard work.

I am one lucky girl to have Alex as my wife and by my side always!

Babe, I hope you know just how special you are to me and I hope that you enjoyed your birthday celebration this past weekend!

You mean the world to me!

Love Them