I took a quick somewhat last minute trip to meet up with some of my old Biola softball buddies, Krista and Jen, in Palm Springs. It was the first time I have ever left Lee and Aaron alone overnight, and though I missed them, it was very nice =) It was great to catch up with them face to face and have some girl time. I have been so grateful for their friendships over the years and love them dearly....Lee and Aaron had lots of fun together too.... I think leaving them alone together made them extra onery.... Aaron has a new trick now....


Or he is just being a typical almost two year old =)

Cousin Time

Aaron actually asked to hold Baby Owen for the first time =) It was hiliarous because as he was holding him he kept looking at him and waving saying "Hi" in this little high, soft voice.

And please, do your best to refrain from any comments about Aaron being ready for another sibling..... =)

Water Boy

Where we have been....

Just arrived home from a trip to Florida to visit Lee's family and thought I would post a few of our pics....

(Aaron's Gi Gi and Papa Tim)

Of course, we try to get in several rounds of beach time while there. Aaron always loved going and referred to the ocean as the "Whoah Bo" (as all water continues to be called "bo", a habit we simply cannot break)

(Aaron's Aunt Heidi and Uncle Spencer)

Lee's youngest brother Chad also came into town to rendezvous with us....

We had a good time swimming, eating, shopping, and talking. It is nice to have Aaron older and able to understand who everyone is through skype and pictures, so he is always excited and happy about our visit. He also learned while traveling how to answer how old he is - he likes to say "two!" and hold out his hand while simply crossing his two fingers since he can't quite hold them right. It is so great, though I can't believe my little guy's two year old birthday is a few weeks away.... Anyway, that's the brief glimpse of us this past week and a half!

Driver

I asked Aaron who was going to drive the tractor, implying that he put the little farmer figurine in the seat....

Instead, this was his solution....

Crowded Carseat

For some reason when we ventured out tonight to run an errand, Aaron insisted upon bringing several items along with him in the car....

That's a huge stuffed giraffe that normally sits in the corner of his room, by the way. We must have looked really funny driving down the road....

Cousin time

Lee was out of town this past weekend on a mountain biking trip to Moah, Utah, and Aaron and I stayed quite busy ourselves! Aaron got to have lots of cousin time with Brynn since Owen came home from the hospital and Tanya is still recovering from her c-section. I got a lot of great shots of them BOTH looking at the camera and smiling and just had to share them, since it is usually most impossible to do.....

Notice Aaron holding the baby above. Yeah, did I mention a LOT of cousin time with Brynn? Owen needs to grow up fast so they can play trucks together and do boy stuff. =)

They love to push each other around in this little doll stroller.... It is so cute because they take turns pushing and sitting.

I noticed this week that I had to play a little more of a referee role with them - Since they are both just weeks away from two, it is taking more training to not grab, hit, smother, annoy, pester, etc. It is so funny because when the one gets in trouble for the above, the other is immediately crushed and worried as he/she gets punished. Despite the inevitable bickering, there is a deep love growing between them. It has brought me so much joy to watch them grow up together and watch them in this friendship....

A shot of Aaron with Baby Owen - though Aaron looks angry/terrified he actually was smiling.

And lastly, speaking of being terrified, get ready for a scary picture - Lee decided to do this with his facial hair since he was headed out with the guys on his mountain bike trip.

Don't worry - this dirty 'stache will not be staying.... I'm pretty laidback and submissive, but this is where I put my foot down. =) Really though, we are happy to have him back and be together again! He had a great time with his friends and got lots of great bike riding in!