Happy 2nd Birthday Lennon Rose!

Dear Lennon,
I can not believe you are 2 already! You are such a SMART, BEAUTIFUL, SMILING, PUPPY LOVING little girl, and it makes your mommy and daddy so happy, and a little proud. You are growing up way too fast...you are a little copy cat, posing the same way as we are, and putting on deodorant anytime you cute, chubby little hands can get a hold of it. I don't think we have had a day where we could see the carpet in the living room, it is always covered in books, pink cowboy hats, Tinker Bell dolls, Yo Gabba Gabba toys, blankies, shoes, puzzles, etc, but we love it. Here are (just the beginning of) my favorite things about you right now:

• you wake up every morning happy
• you love looking at pictures of yourself, it makes me laugh how into yourself you are
• you love your puppies
• you are really into putting shoes on other peoples feet
• your little mullet hair...one day it will grow in the front (hopefully)
• you say "mama" at least 150x a day
• the way you dance to any sound of music
• you love to jump on the bed (even though you know you are not supposed to)
• you constantly have at least 3 strands of mardi gras beads on at all time
• your sweet "loves"
• the way you pat our backs when you give hugs
• you love playing outside with Murphy and Caster, and get so mad when it's time to come in
• your cute little toes, and you will only let me polish them if I polish mine first
  
• everything is "miine" right now (a habit we are trying really hard to break)
• the way you say "pleeeehse" when you want something
• you are super dramatic...just like your daddy :)
• you spin in circles and yell "weeeee"
• you count, well kinda, it's more like "2, 3, gooo", and off you run
• you love babies
• you recently discovered "cokies", and you know your grandpa always has a stash for you

We love you so, so much! You make everything feel right, when it feels so wrong. You light up our lives like you wouldn't believe. I can't believe you are 2 already! It seemed to fly by. And although I miss your tiny 6lb, cuddly baby body; your non-stop, forever learning, pig-tail wearing, Fresh Beat Band watching, car key hiding 2 year old self is more fun than I could ever imagine. You make everyday an adventure, and I am so happy to be your mommy. I love you so, so, so much Lennon Lou!

Happy 2nd Birthday!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy


THEN
October 2008

...and...

NOW
October 2010

Adventures in...TEXAS

For the last 2 weeks, Lennon and I have been hanging out in Texas with my sister/brother in law, 2 nephews and niece. Some days we did a lot, some days we did nothing...and most days we argued over this guy:

That's my boyfriend, closing pitcher for the San Fransisco Giants.

We took all 4 kids to a wildlife center called Fossil Rim. It was a 12 mile road on tons of acres and at least 20 different types of roaming animals. By far the best attraction (I guess that is what you would call the animals) were the Giraffes. They were the only animal you could feed out of your hand, all the others you just tossed food out the window. I could have spent hours there...it was so cool!










We spent a day making these super cute organza flower clips and headbands for Karlee and Lennon's hair. Nikki added some super cute rings to her flower collection, and I made a bib necklace. I love, love, love how they came out!







Nikki and I also made more jam...again...I consider us jam making experts now. We made Strawberry, Strawberry-Peach and Raspberry. So good...and I think we have enough jam to last us till next summer :)



At night we tried to get in as many games of this as we could:



It was a fun trip (minus the Tropical Storms and Tornado Warnings, which I knew nothing about, so I loaded up all the kids to take Karlee to Cheer Practice, then drove back to the house, waited till she was down practicing and loaded everyone up to pick her up!)...I wish Lennon lived closer to her cousins (aka I wish I lived closer to Nikki, haha)...she loves them tons and looks up to Cannen more than anyone! These are just a few of random pictures I took while we were there:

25 Tid-Bits About Me

1. I wish leopard was a color

2. I can't stand it when a cabinet door is left open...it drives me crazy

3. I can't watch a scary movie or shows like America's Most Wanted before I go to bed

4. I wish I would have finished college

5. I think Diet Dr. Pepper taste nothing like regular Dr. Pepper

6. My favorite flowers are Gerber Dasies

7. I have a huge crush on Brian Wilson (the closing pitcher for the SF Giants, not the guy from the Beach Boys)

8. My favorite cookie is Snickerdoodles...hands down

9. My canning partner and I are quite good at making jam (if you ask us)

10. I call Lennon "Linen"

11. I live in flip flops in the summers, and Uggs in the winter

12. I wish I would have never gaged my ears

13. My top 3 favorite movies are: Dirty Dancing, Grease and Breakfast at Tiffanys

14. When I was little, I wanted my name to be Kathy

15. I wish I was craftier (is that even a word?)

16. I sleep with my feet outside of the blankets

17. I collect Barbie Christmas ordaments

18. I have looked forward to taking Lennon to Apple Hill all year long

19. I am super proud of my brother and all of his accomplishments

20. Matt and I never had a honeymoon

21. I should drink more water

22. I love spinach salad

23. I rather be cold than hot

24. I should never be in charge of: directions or cooking

25. I have had my families support and love in every choice I have made, I have a husband that I love more and more everyday, a daughter that surprises me and teaches me new things every second, a best friend to keep me grounded, and an understanding that I am exactly were I am supposed to be in life...I am a wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend; and for all those things, I am luckier than I ever thought possible.

Lil' Lady Bug

I am not sure what my deal with beanies are right now...but I love this one for my lil' lady bug!

cute as a cupcake!

I came across this super cute cupcake beanie a few weeks ago...I want one for Lennon so bad...I think it is adorable! I am going to try to make it...wish me luck!

We be Jam'in.

Nikki(Matts sister) and I made Strawberry Jam today...from scratch! I haven't tasted it after it has completely cooled/set, but the little tastes we had while we were cooking it were delish!

Last week we went to a Giants game in San Fransisco. Lennon stayed with my mom since we didn't think she would make it through the drive, game and drive back home. Matts sister and her kids were here, so they all went, along with Matts parents and Kathy, Shannon and Derrick. We tailgated with some hot dogs and other muchies, and then went into the park to watch the Giants lose. It was still alot of fun!

Monterey

A few weeks ago, my parents took us and my brother to Monterey for a weekend full of awesome food, better company and the ocean...what could be better?! We left on a Sunday morning, and got to Moss Landing aright at lunch time. Awhile ago, Matt and I were watching a Throw Down with Bobby Flay episode and that had hi lighted a place called Phil's Fish Market. They are "famous" for their cioppino, and had won the throw down, so we decided that we were going to go. It was AWESOME! We had told my parents and they have been since then, and we have decided it is going to be a must to stop for a meal every time we go to Monterey/Carmel/Santa Cruz. If you haven't been, you should go...it is worth the drive for the crab cakes alone! So, we had lunch, and then drove to the hotel. The hotel was perfect. It was RIGHT on the beach...and Lennon was in heaven. It was a little cold the first day, so we played on the beach a little bit, then went to dinner on the pier. We walked around for a bit, then went back to the hotel for the night. The next morning, we woke up, had some breakfast and headed towards the Aquarium. Lennon LOVED it! We let her run around for the most part. She could have looked at the giant wall of fish for hours if we let her. She was exhausted by the time we were down looking at everything. She picked out a stuffed seahorse (which was a super cool exhibit) and we headed back to the hotel for naps...I think all of us needed one, but we all used Lennon for the excuse :) We went back out on the beach for a little bit. Lennon definitely was not a fan of sand between her toes at first! We had dinner on the pier again that night. I don't think we have ever been as full as we were on this trip. Matt had seafood for almost every meal of everyday we were there! Everything was soo good! The next day we headed home, stopping at a few of our favorite stand to get some "necessities". Some hot sauce, veggies and of course deep fried artichoke hearts at the Giant Artichoke. We all had such a good time, and I am so happy that we were able to spend a few days with my dad, mom and brother, without a worry in the world :)

Yummy!

My Mom and Lennon at the hotel





Uncle Danny showing Lennon the seals



Walking around the pier

Watching the seals being fed at the Aquarium

Lennon picking out her seahorse toy

Checking out the jelly fish with Uncle Danny

My dad and mom with Lennon

Looking at the giant wall of fish

Playing in the kids room, catching fish









Lennon foot prints

Lennon walking with Matt and my dad

We love you Monterey!