Hello, Friends

Bubba would like to thank you for thinking his mischief is cute (we think so, too).

However, Cullen is still undecided. I'm going to have my hands full when these two are teensagers, aren't I?

I'm over at Salt&Light today posting about why religion works for me.

Go check it out and give Lauren's inspiring blog some love!

Meet Bubba Monster

Remember last summer when we talked about Cullen's alter-ego Ralph? Well, we have another new friend in the house. A little crawling tornado named Bubba Monster.

Can't you see the wheels of destruction turning?

Bubba Monster likes to pull books and magazines off the table. Eating library books is a daily hobby.

 He likes to start his day off right with a bloody mary (which he found emptying out the pantry).

 He gets gated into one corner of the playroom by big brother so that he can't destroy the train tracks.

 Then, gets markered-on by said big brother when he breaks free and destroys the tracks anyways (Cullen did get in trouble for this one).

 He hangs out in a onsie and fleece vest while ripping magazines to shreds.

 Did I mention that Bubba Monster loves to destroy train tracks? (Cullen also got in trouble for this one, poor kid).

He is really good at ripping artowrk off the wall and then giving my crazy eyes, whatcha gonna do 'bout Mom?

 He pulls himself up and attempts to climb the stairs, roughly 30 seconds after I got off the phone with my mom and said "O don't worry, he can't pull himself up on things and he's not interested in the stairs yet."

Other favorite activities include, but are not limited to:

Playing in the bathroom

Trying to get to the dog food bowl

Knocking over the zoo Cullen likes to build with his blocks

Getting a hold of my cell phone and drooling on it so much that the speakers didn't work for a day

Freaking out if you have food and don't give him any

Destroying train tracks (it was worth another mention)

Welcome to the family, Bubba Monster, you might be the most lovable choas-maker around.

Parents' Day Out

On Saturday, we gathered together with some friends and headed out to Carmel Valley for a day of wine tasting and adult conversations. We are so grateful that we have a good sitter who was willing to spend the day with our boys and our friend's baby and son as well.

The day started with bloody marys at our house and we presented our sweet {pregnant} friend Traci with a sober survival kit since she was willing to drive the parents on the loose around all day.

 Kev was excited

We met more friends in the Valley and started our tastings at Joyce

Dena, me, Heather, Traci and Apryl

The boys at Parsonage tasting room



Steven, Ryan, Kev, Tyler, Chuck

 Traci and I made the mistake of letting our husbands hold the cameras and I had about 30 pictures that looked like this at the end of the day.

 I didn't pay attention to the name of this tasting room, but I also didn't like their wine, so I guess it's not important, right?

We headed outside to snap a few more pictures, but noticed our husbands were tapping in to their inner 10 year olds and found a good climbing tree.

 Look at them go

 After the wine tastings, we found a great little restaurant and sat outside for the next hour and a half talking and laughing.

Sorry Chuck and Heather that I didn't get a pic of you guys!

And on the way home, Traci proved that she is going to be a great mom and informed us that our 4 hour long adult spring break was over and we needed to be quiet now.
So we got home and returned to our normal parenting selves; the kids were thankful for that.

What a great day. Thanks, friends!

How was your weekend?

Friday Fancies: Daytona

While most people are glamming it up on Friday Fancies for the Oscars this Sunday, I have another event on my mind.

 

Daytona. The first time I went to Daytona, I was 15 and I thought my dad was waking me up for school, until we got in the car and started driving the wrong way for 12 hours. He had surprised me with a trip to the race for the weekend. Totally normal Daddy-Daughter date right? We had a blast. I've been back once, with the hubs in 2010 and I would love to do it again. So on Sunday, while every one else is watching the red carpet on E!, I'll be getting my classy-redneck on and watching America's great race.

 

Ganni zip hoodie, €215
French Connection cotton tank top, €40
AG Adriano Goldschmied short shorts, $220
Pierre Balmain platform wedge booties, €665

Trust me, this outfit was not complete without beer!

What are you up to this weekend? Have you ever been to a race?

Lenten Reflections

Yesterday marked the beginning of Lent and while I am do not often chat about religion, it is an important part of my life and I happen to love the season of Lent. We were at mass last night and the priest reminded us that Lent wasn't just about giving something up, but about actually making a change to have a better life/be a better person. What an important reminder right?

I gave up inpulsive shopping {read: go to Target for a box of wipes, leave with $80 worth of crap}, sweets {mindless eating} and facebook {I don't actaully use facebook often, but I check it all the time. And it has gotten worse since I have it on my phone. If there is a pause in conversation, I bring it up. The other day, I was looking at it while holding Bennett and giving him a bottle. I felt horrible when I realized he was looking at me for attention, while I was engrossed in where a kid who was in my 9th grade math class went on vacation. While I have no issues with facebook itself, I know for me, it is a time waster and made me constantly judge people.}.

 Lent challenges me not to only find my faults and things I need to work on, but realize what else I can do to change. How about using that extra money for something good? Or teaching my children healthy eating habits instead of handing them 3 cookies from the box I just opened? Or talking to my husband in the car instead of checking my newsfeed? And for the love, pay attention to the sweet baby in front of me.

In the spirit of all of this, I had to repost this reflection that Susan found in her church bulletin and shared yesterday. I love it as a way of life for everyday, not just this time of year. Thanks for letting me borrow this, Susan!

Fast from emphasis on difference; feast on the unity of life.

Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of life.

Fast from thoughts of illness; feast on the healing power of God.

Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.

Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.

Fast from anger; feast on patience.

Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.

Fast from worry; feast on divine order.

Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation

Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.

Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.

Fast from hostility; feast on forgiveness. 

Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others. 

Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal truth. 

Fast from discouragements; feast on hope. 

Fast from facts that depress; feast on verities that uplift. 

Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm. 

Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire. 

Fast from shadows of sorrow; feast on the sunlight of serenity. 

Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence. 
Peter Millar. Our Hearts Still Sing

Anything you will be fasting/feasting on this season? I know I need a little bit of each one of these!

Long Distance Survival

Did you know that Kev and I dated long distance, then spent almost 15 months apart as newlyweds? Want to read the whole story? Head over to {long distance loving} to see how we survived! Thanks for having me, {av}!

One More Day of Weekend

Did you have Monday off? Hubs did, which meant we had one more day to play. It started with happy baby Bennett (and serious Curious George watching Cullen)

 Kev did have to do a bit of work and Cullen insisted that he had 'work' to do too.

 In the afternoon, we went down to Fort Ord Dunes State Park for the first time and found another ocean vantage point.

 Just try to contain yourself with this picture. These two belong to me- it is almost too much to handle.

 I know I always say this with pics of Bennett, but seriously, no photoshop elements here, just Baby B and his beautiful eyes.

 And Cullen found a play place made of driftwood.

So thankful for a natural playground for my children.

On another note, today is Fat Tuesday, are you celebrating?

Are you giving up anything for Lent?

Weekend Review: Chris and Katie Visit!

O, hello there {says Bennett}. How glad are you that my pictures are bigger and you get to see this face up close and personal now?

 This weekend, on of Kev's best friends from West Point, Chris, came in town with his girlfriend Katie. We had the best time. These two have been friends for 12 years and every time they get together, it is like no time has passed at all.

 Bennett warmed up to Katie immediately and would spend the rest of the weekend trying to get her attention.

 We started the tour-o-Monterey with wine tasting

 My outfit here was inspired by my Friday Fancies a few weeks ago. I found the blue maxi skirt at Old Navy for $24. Thanks for the tip Laura! I love it so much.

 Later that night, after dinner and putting the boys to bed, the four of us stayed up too late, having some drinks and laughing about the good ol days. It was so fun.

 Saturday morning, we did what we always do with out of towners and took Chris and Katie for the drive down the coast.

 This never gets old to me.

 After that, we headed down into Carmel and hit the beach there. Cullen and Chris braved the chilly water.

 Katie, this pic is for your dad with Pebble Beach in the background!

 Saturday night, we left the boys with a sitter and went out for a night on the town. It was actually the first time Kev and I have left the boys at night since we moved here. I was a little worried about Cullen going to bed since we are still adjusting to the paci-less situation, but my sitter texted me at 7:45 to say that C had gotten off the couch, turned the TV off and looked at her and said "I'm tired and being a good boy. I'm gonna go to bed now." She took him up, tucked him in, and didn't hear another peep. Why doesn't he do that for us??

We had an awesome dinner at a.w. shucks and drinks at Hogs Breath. Kev and I enjoyed the good company and knowing the boys did just fine with the sitter.

Group shot at Hogs Breath Inn

 On Sunday, we headed down in to Monterey to walk on the pier and saw a whole family of sea lions swimming next to us.

 I love the one hanging out on his back!

 Cullen stopped to check out the live crabs for sale

 And I forced everyone to take one more picture before Katie and Chris took off.

All in all, such a wonderful weekend. We are so blessed to have lifelong friends in Chris and Katie and can't wait to see what other adventures life has in store for us over the years.

Thanks for coming guys, we miss you already!

PS- If you have a minute, pop over to my friend Martha's blog and give her some love. Her hubby left for Afghanistan over the weekend and she could use your prayers and uplifting words.