Category: FAMILY

New year, new us! Just kidding. Same old stuff here. EXCEPT, this year we are doing 1,000 Hours Outside! We are so excited to hit our goal of spending 1,000 hours outside for the year. We are only halfway through February as I type this and, let me tell you, this is no easy feat. This month we were outside WAY MORE, Dad got a new hobby, Mom and Dad spent our first night away from Chloe, we cheered on our football team, Chloe learned new tricks, we took our annual family snow trip, oh, and we got Covid (but we had no idea).

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What better way to start our year off than with a trip to the beach. We love the beach. This month also happens to be the anniversary of Scott’s dad Chuck’s passing and the beach always reminds us of him. We tend to spend at least a day at the beach every January. We miss him.

We obviously spent a ton of time outside this month. 1,000 hours is not easy! Scott also picked up a new hobby this month – photography. He now has both a digital and a film camera. I can’t wait to get his first pictures back!

Scott and I took our first overnight trip away from Chloe. Shout out to Grandma Leslie! Before we left, though, Si and Gma Shell and I had some girl time at the nail salon. For our overnight we drove down to San Diego. Scott thought it would be more “open” than it actually was, but we still had a good time. And we found a phenomenal Mediterranean restaurant I can’t wait to go back to. Also, on the drive down to San Diego I remember mentioning to Scott I my throat felt a little funky, but I didn’t think anything of it because I felt fine…

We took a trip to Irvine Railroad Park. It was our first time and we had so much fun. Si got to ride a pony, we rode the train, and we walked around for a while. We even got to see a kid fall into the lake.

We root for the Chiefs every year and this year is no different! The girls got lots of sister time and we, of course, cooked and baked with Si.

Chloe turned 8 months old and a few days later we spent one evening at Genene’s house to celebrate her birthday! I was so nervous because I had a runny nose earlier that week and everyone is so nervous about any symptoms right now (for good reason apparently) and I didn’t want anyone to feel uncomfortable. I okayed it with Genene before I came. I felt good the day we went, I don’t even think my nose was runny that day. We had a great time with everyone and Chloe even crawled for the first time!!

And we ended our month with a trip to Crestline! When Sienna was a little over a year we took her to the snow for the first time in January. The next year, we randomly did the same. So this year we planned our third annual family snow trip. I think that tradition is a keeper. This was Chloe’s first time in the snow. We were fortunate enough to be able to use Genene’s family cabin. I had been there once probably over a decade ago and I totally forgot how great it was! The balcony looks right out at Lake Gregory and there was SO MUCH SNOW. It was a perfect little trip. (*Hindsight: on the way up to the mountain Chloe cried a lot so we stopped thinking she maybe pooped her diaper. Neither of us smelled any poop so we thought she duped us. I decided to change her diaper anyway just so she had a fresh one, and she definitely did have a diaper full of poop…)

Oh my gosh. I don’t even know what happened. It is February and I am just now posting for December. The holidays were obviously busy, but I think somewhere in there Chloe stopped sleeping through the night and that completely kicked our asses. We even broke down and bought a sleep training program. We would have never even thought to do that with Sienna. Good news, though, is that sleep training program worked! Shout out to Taking Cara Babies (and my cousin Jen who recommended it)! I am now starting to get a little bit of my life back. I am up at 5:00 a.m. today able to post some updates!

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December was a busy month. It felt like it went by quickly, but also went on forever. I tried to make sure Sienna got to do a ton of fun festive activities. Si made her own wreath for her door, which she loved so now we do them for every holiday. She also got to create her first letter to Santa and deliver it directly to Santa! She picked out her own (mini) Christmas tree for her room and decorated it with a tree skirt and all. We decorated cookies, took Si ice skating for the first time, and took the girls on a carriage ride in their pajamas to see Santa.

Mom and Dad ran the Reindeer Romp 5k. (And then enjoyed a quick beer in the parking lot to celebrate.) We think this may be our new thing! Dare I say one day we might even run a half marathon together one day? Hhhmmmmm. That celebration would require lots of beers.

We played, tried to support small businesses, celebrated the holiday with friends and family, and we rooted on our Chiefs!

My mom said all she wanted for Christmas was a picture of Chloe in her CHP uniform like we did with Sienna. I tried to do it alone and, well, this was the outcome.

Mommy and Sienna went on our first mommy daughter date. We obviously got dinner (to go, #pandemic) and went Christmas shopping.

Our favorite cousin lives in Japan right now. My brother is stationed there for about one more year. We haven’t gotten to meet Ezra yet and he will be a year old in March. We all miss him so much. It’s crazy that you can miss someone you have never even met. We cannot wait to hold him and kiss him and shower him with love. Until then we Facetime when we can and talk about him with the girls so when they meet they won’t skip a beat. This year for Christmas my cousin Jen inspired me to make a cute little gift for the grandmas. It included a handprint from each grandkid. Well, that meant I had to somehow get Ezra’s handprint from Japan. His mom and dad sent his little gold handprints in the mail and when I opened them I couldn’t help but cry. My heart hurt and was so happy at the same time to see and feel his little painted prints. I did not expect to get that emotional. I really cannot wait to hold that little boy in my arms.

Christmas day ended up being fun and exciting and a little busier than I expected. I wrote recently about how I was sad Scott had to miss out on the holiday with us. Well, before Christmas he mentioned he got Christmas day off and I never believe it until it happens because something always comes up where he has to work or I get excited and things change. AND THEN he tells me he got Christmas Eve off. I still held out because I didn’t want to be let down. I waited a while and finally told Scott I would cry from excitement if he really did have Christmas and Christmas Eve off. Well, a few hours later, he called me to inform me there was a mix up and he, in fact, did not have Christmas Eve off. I expected that and should have known not to get excited. And you are probably wondering why I was still bummed since he got Christmas off. Well, he works nights so each shift is like two days worth because he has to sleep before and after. So he ended up getting Christmas day off, but he worked Christmas Eve so he was tired and needed to sleep Christmas Day. However, we then also ended up hosting Christmas Dinner. Which I loved. So I at least kind of did get the Christmas I was hoping for. I still loved it and had a great time and am very grateful for the life and family we have. And most importantly, Sienna had a great day.

We started the morning with Grammy and Grandma Leslie (Si has more grandmas than usual). We had mimosas, breakfast croissants, and opened gifts. It was splendid. And while Scott slept later in the day we got ready to host dinner for Scott’s side of the family. It was kind of a last minute thing so we did tamales. I really enjoyed having a small intimate Christmas dinner, especially for my first time ever hosting. It ended our Christmas perfectly! The next morning we had a post Christmas breakfast with just us four. I love my little family.

Scott did end up getting New Years Eve off. Before the girls went to bed we played with sparklers in the driveway and looked at the stars. (Si loves the stars and planets and the moon.) I got one single picture from the night. Scott and I spent the last few seconds of the year on the couch watching Jeopardy and eating leftover enchiladas. We did go outside after midnight to watch the neighborhood fireworks. They seemed way better than 4th of July’s. I guess everyone was excited for 2020 to end.

Where did November go? I feel like I blinked and it was over. The way 2020 was going, I told Scott I wanted to put up the tree and start getting into the Christmas spirit immediately. So we put it up November 2. Our kitchen was finished this month! Sienna started preschool! We went to some birthday parties, put up Christmas lights, and celebrated Thanksgiving

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We started November off with a work party for Dad. Sienna had fun running around and getting dirty… and eating.

The next day we put up the Christmas tree! Grammy came over to help.

We got our kitchen done and it was officially finished this month!! I never thought Scott would agree to a new kitchen in this house, so when he mentioned being open to it, I ran with it! We are so happy with the final product! Somehow it seems to look bigger now. We added can lights, replaced the cabinet doors (no more glass), new hardware, added a whole cabinet, removed drawers and added a dishwasher, added backsplash, added a small wine rack, added crown molding, and framed the window (I am still looking for the perfect roman shade), oh and painted the kitchen and dining room grey!

Sienna started preschool this month! It was the absolute cutest. She was soo excited and a little nervous. She walked right in like she owned the place. Now she barely even says goodbye to us when we drop her off. She absolutely loves her teacher. I could not be happier that we ended up at this school.

We had some family fun on walks, at birthday parties, and just hanging out at home.

And, of course, we celebrated Thanksgiving! Sienna made some festive crafts for the holiday. She loves to cut and glue and paint. Scott had to work on actual Thanksgiving so I took the girls to hang with Grandma Leslie for the holiday.

October has been busy. Chloe turned five months old! She started rolling over from back to front and sleeping in her own room. Scott and I celebrated an anniversary. We went to Downtown Disney, Oak Glen, found a stray dog (gave him back), carved pumpkins, shot a bow & arrow in our backyard, and started our kitchen remodel!

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We had been staying home a lot because we had the new baby and the restrictions from Covid, and Sienna and I were going crazy, so we have been trying to go on more playdates to get out of the house and try to make life feel a little more normal for the kids and for me. We love hanging out with my friend from high school and her daughters! We go to the park, splashpad, play places, etc. Sienna and Raegan are less than a year apart and same with Rylie and Chloe.

Scott and I celebrated five years of marriage on October 10. It’s been quite a ride with multiple moves, loss of loved ones, multiple children (daughters specifically), Scott changing employers, me quitting my job to stay home with the girls, and just learning who we are individually and who we are married. I’d say each year, though not respectively easier, has only gotten better. We celebrated with a 5k and then dinner and drinks.

Sienna (& Chloe) LOVES her grandmas. This month, Si got to go shopping, ride the train, and go to the “library” (Barnes & Noble) with Grandma Leslie. She also got to decorate pumpkins with Shell, and swim and paint rocks with Grammie.

Sienna was also quite the baker, chef & painter this month.

We went to Oak Glen for the first time! We went with Scott’s coworker and his family (Chloe stayed with Grandma Shell). Si got stung by a bee almost immediately and her hand swelled up pretty bad, but she still had a fun time! We picked apples and pumpkins, went on a hay ride, dipped candles, threw tomahawks, had lunch, and just had a good day. And then, the next day, we carved pumpkins with them!

And then it was Halloween!! Sienna started her day as Belle, then changed to a ladybug, and finished dressed up as Cinderella. Dad was Prince Charming, Mom was Gus Gus the mouse, and Chloe was a pumpkin, of course!