This is Baxter eating his lunch. Yes, Baxter. Sometimes I feel the exact same way you do.

La Heaven

Every time we stay in La Jolla it gets harder and harder to come back. Last week was no exception, every day was wonderful. We went to Sea World for two of those days. The first time we took Drew to Sea World she was barely a year old and was toddling around. This time however she was large and in charge, pulling out her map and trailblazing the way to each exhibit. She was excited about each animal down to each fish in all of the tanks we saw. When asked though, she will say her favorite part is when her and daddy got splashed by Shamu.















Every other day that we weren't at Sea World, we were parked on the beach. I think Drew could have wrapped up in a towel and slept on the beach. She would walk down to the water, hauling her boogie board, and the second her feet touched water would drop her board and ride the two centimeter surf. She's pretty amazing. We played frisbee, a beach tradition. We built killer sand castles. Drew had sand coming out of her ears. Literally. She might not have ever come back home if she didn't miss her puppy so much.





















I'm already thinking about our next trip.

Birthdays

Jason and Drew's big birthdays were on Sunday and we had a great party weekend. Jason lost all birthday decisions three years ago when Drew was born. She got to pick the cake, the Spongebob plates, and basically stole the entire birthday limelight. Pssh, three year olds.

Of all the possible birthday cakes, Drew asked for two things. Blue frosting and all different colors of m&ms.



She had been talking about her birthday party every day for at least two months. When the day arrived she couldn't nap and couldn't wait. I stalled in every way possible before the party guests (family) were to arrive at 5pm. I curled her hair. I painted her nails. She tried on different princess heels. She chose this dress to wear. Even though it's a dress I needed pictures of for my shop and now it's covered in blue frosting.



Basically we have the best family ever and she had the time of her life. And got really great presents too. It has been like Christmas in our house this past week.



All I can think about when I see this last picture is kissing her cheeks. They are soft, squishy, and cool to the touch. Best things to kiss ever.

Drew loves to tell me how she is growing bigger. That her feet are getting bigger. Her hair is getting bigger. Her eyes are getting bigger. And her hands are getting bigger. Every time I tell her in reply that she can't grow any more and she needs to stay small. And every time her reply, "Never."

Halloween in the Heat

It's been miserably hot here, but we are already gearing up for Halloween. (I've been dreaming about it for months now.) I'm not the only one ready for Halloween because these dresses have been selling in the shop. Here's a new one for this year... same leggings and same cute model though.











Has Drew changed much from a year ago?

Meet Baxter

Baxter is Drew's new puppy. He was an early birthday present and is the sweetest little beagle. Drew has long been obsessed with dogs and we figured now was a great time to get a puppy. Heck, we just potty trained one, we can potty train another. Really though, this guy acts like he is the newborn baby of the family. "Oh, I'm so cute with my sad eyes. Hold me and cuddle me."

How is Drew adjusting? She's obsessed. When we brought him home, we put him under a box with a bow on top. She lifted the box and was stunned for about 5 seconds, then ran circles around the house laughing and shouting. Then he touched her slightly with his paw and she started bawling.

See, he had some sharp little puppy claws and Drew's pain tolerance is at a negative two. For a while she would run away any time he came near her, would wear long stretchy black pants to protect her legs, and drew in claws on all pictures of him.








Now things are much better and Drew carries him around the house like one of her stuffed animals.

Welcome to the family, Bax.

Summer Snapshots

Friends
Family
Swimming
Potty Charts
Sun Splash
Tan Lines
Kisses

famiy pics

Our very good friends, Zach and Rachael Olson, took our first official family pictures for us a few months ago. Drew has become a real chore to take pictures of, so I was amazed at all the great shots they got of her and of us all together. The Olsons have been taking pictures for a long time (they even took our engagement shots over 7 years ago!) and are at the moment revamping and getting a brand new website. But you can follow them on facebook here at O2 Photo Studio until the website is done. They are so talented and great to work with.

The dress Drew is wearing is one that I have meant to put in my etsy shop for a long time now along with my other summer dresses. Not sure if or when I will get to that. Because lets face it, long ago I have started looking toward the fall.