We're Just Girls...

We saved the date, and after some last minute scrambling and lengthy facebook messages...

we made it up to Hume Lake for our

2nd Annual Point Loma Girlfriends Weekend!

Our days pretty much consisted of eating, chatting, sharing, laughing and more sharing.

Throw in one walk, one game, some silent karaoke and there you have it.

3 amazing days of friendship that went by waaaaay too fast.

Out and about. Good for the body, soul, and for photo opps. 

Look at these beauties...

Lilly Johnson joined us this year! 

And then the lights were dimmed and the head phones were brought out.

Needless to say, I love these girls. 

I treasure our friendships. I appreciate their balance of humor and raw emotion.

I adore the memories. I look forward to making many more.

Thank you for making the drive, the effort, the sacrifice, and the desire to do this each year.

Thank you, Whitney Houston, 

(may she rest in peace)

for your powerful voice that provided our theme song for our 2012 trip!

Of course we ARE just girls, as Kathleen so plainly stated.

But deep inside your words ring true...We're Every Woman.

So this is love...

Happy Valentine's Day!

To my love: 

Thank you for capturing my heart. 

Each day you amaze me. 

Each day you are my best friend. 

Each day I see the Lord through how you love your son and me.

Each day I fall harder for you.

Today, we'll write it on paper. Forever I will show you.

 To my little love:

I didn't know I could love a little boy so much, so quickly.

I fall more in love with you at every new stage.

You bring so much joy to my heart. 

Happy first Valentine's Day, Graham Thomas. 

(Let the pink milk tradition begin!)

You boys have my heart. Forever.

It's beginning...

To look a lot like Christmas!!

We made the trek to the fancy tree lot of Lowes...It hasn't let us down yet.

We were so excited for Graham's first Christmas tree hunt.

He was a huge help.

Daddy Claus wanted to go big big big for G's first tree... 

Buuuuut because Graham was bored out of his mind, we opted for the mid-size.

2011 Trim the tree night:  Chinese food, champagne, a fire, and a family of three...

 Kyle's ornament this year.

 Graham's first Christmas ornament...My, how things have changed.

We picked a winner.

Good 'ole Kern County Fair

There were so many things that Kyle and I were giddy about sharing with Graham once he was born. Believe it or not, Kern County Fair was one of them. We love the fair!

I have always loved it, but then add in the fact that we made it a yearly tradition with Zach and Caitlynn, and our excitement quadruples. (Have I mentioned I love tradition??)

This year we messed up our planning so we didn't get to pal around with the Bell's... We missed them.

It's fun to think about when Graham will actually be running around these corrals and giggling at the animals...

But in 2011, he's a sleeper.

Graham meet goat. Goat meet Graham.

Oh yeah, and this happened. HUGE, ongoing poop session. Hilarious. We used an entire thing of travel wipes. We laughed until tears...

But we felt much better afterwards. And since we were alert, we could take in all the sights and smells of the amazing Kern County Fair. Until next year...(ahem, Z and C)

Hello Fall.

Bakersfield seems to skip fall. We may have a few "cool" days here and there but usually we go from 100s-80s and then jump to 50s.

We have to use events to gauge our fall season. The traditions we cling to symbolize the fall months.

2011 was no exception...and now Graham was in tow!

Tradition #1: Nipomo and the Avila Barn!

Nipomo naps. Precious boys.

Aunt Caitlynn and Uncle Zach came to Nipomo! There was a lot of "love on Graham" time...

The fall visit to the Avila Barn. A fall must. So the camera was pretty busy...

My pumpkins.

Not so thrilled pumpkin.

We love them. Obviously.

Grandma and Grandpa joined in the weekend fun.

Alike in so many ways...

Ok, so Graham doesn't have a firm grasp on the fun and tradition that comes with the Avila Barn pumpkin times quite yet... But he will...

...and he will love Fall because of it...fingers crossed.