Little Miss Trouble.

Getting into Mommy's yarn.

Getting into Mommy's purse.

Unfortunately, these photos need no explanation.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM!!!

Katelynn enjoyed a summer treat...a chocolate dipped ice cream cone. (Yes, I took her clothes off and sent her to the backyard to enjoy it)

Sea Life at Legoland

We finally made it to the Aquarium at Legoland. Carson and Katelynn LOVED it. It was small enough for them to walk by themselves and discover at their own pace. They enjoyed the "lego people" in the tanks with the sharks!

We sat quietly in the "fish room" and watched them swim all around us. We felt as if we were part of their school!

Yeah...I can pedal!!!

While Paul and I spent the weekend in Las Vegas, Carson and Katelynn spent the weekend with Nana and Gran at our house. It was a hot summer weekend and the kids spent the day playing outside and then resting in the air conditioned house. Carson figured out how to pedal his trike. He was so proud to show Mommy and Daddy when we got home.

Vegas...baby!!!

Family and friends out to celebrate!
"Clubbin" in Vegas.

Winning big? Or, just paying the dinner bill?!?

Paul and Joanna hanging out at our cabana.

We had our first weekend without the kids when we celebrated Paul's 30th birthday. We had a blast with family and friends, sitting in our Cabana at The Encore pool, and gambling at night.

Fourth of July!

We had a great time for the Fourth of July. We walked down the hill to the Mission Viejo street fair. (It was pushing 90 degrees, and we were pushing two kids in a double stroller, so we didn't stay long) We enjoyed a fun afternoon of hula-hooping, bubble gum blowing and dessert contest. We watched fireworks from the backyard with family and friends while toasting smore's. What a great way to spend an All-American holiday!

Carson 3 year old appointment.

Carson went for his 3 year appointment. He has grown taller again and is a little over 40 inches, which puts him in the 95% for height. He is about 35 pounds, 65% weight. (always tall and skinny) He was a great patient and did a vision test and even went potty in a cup! He got one shot and a finger poke and was very brave for the whole appointment.

One shot and no crying...what a big boy!
Carson got a finger poke to test his iron level and cholesterol.

Del Mar Fair fun.

Carson threw a dart, popped a balloon and won a panda prize...what fun!
The goat hopped up to get a better look at Carson.

Katelynn enjoyed the batter-dipped potatoes. Yummy...fair food!

Carson had great skill at throwing darts. We went back to win a monkey prize for "Sissy" too.

Carson and Katelynn with Uncle Timmy, hard at "work" in the parking lot.

Look what I can do!

Silly Katelynn looking at the world. She just figured out how to bend down and look at you between her legs. It cracks her up everytime!

Make a wish...

Happy Birthday Carson!

After Disneyland we went to church and Carson graduated into the 3 year old class. He got lots of good wishes from his new sunday school class. We let him choose where to eat dinner and he picked the grill at church. (It is next to a skate park and he loves to watch the big kids while we eat) We stopped at the grocery store on the way home and he pushed his own cart to get ice cream and a slice of cake (all his choice). It was a wonderful day!

3rd birthday fun!

After waiting in line for 10 minutes, Carson finally got his turn to see Pluto. He gave him a hug and turned around to get a photo. Carson spotted someone across the way and shouted, "Goofy"! He just about ran out of his arms toward Goofy. Pluto seemed a little disappointed to be upstaged by another dog.

Carson and Goofy.

Waiting for the train at the Main Street station.

After a long, fun Saturday celebrating at his party, we got up the next day and went to Disneyland. We went on the train and over to "Pirate Island" (formerly Tom Sawyer Island) Carson had fun on the train and playing in the caves of the island.

Carson's 3rd Birthday!

Cheese!!! Carson posing with his safari cake.
Katelynn having fun in the jumper.

The Mitchell Family on Carson's 3rd birthday.

Carson with some of his "animal friends"

Carson celebrated his 3rd birthday with a safari theme. He had a blast with friends and family in his jungle jumper (he even got to jump with his grandpas and uncles) There were games and craft for everyone to enjoy and thanks to a great family friend, many "animals" joined the party. It was a great day and we all had a lot of fun!

Napping friends.

Carson and Reggie love to snuggle up and take a nap. Not quite sure how Carson got the floor and the dog got the couch for a nap, but neither seemed to mind.

Happy Father's Day!

We had a fun Father's Day. Paul was in Seattle for the weekend and returned home early Sunday morning. The kids were so happy to see Daddy! We spent the day at Lake Mission Viejo and Carson enjoyed swimming in the chilly water. We were so happy to spend the day as a family together and counted our blessings of having a healthy family. (Last year Katelynn spent the weekend in Oakland Children's Hospital with the stomach flu)

Arrgh, Matey...walk the plank!

We may read the story of Peter Pan a little too often in our house. Carson made a "plank" for his pirates with a play sword that he stuck through the pirate ship.

Searchin' for bugs with Shannie

Looking for ants with his Aunt.

If you look VERY close, you can see his ant on the yellow toadstool.

Carson caught his ant on a leaf.

Thanks to Sonic Burger kid's meal, Carson is the proud owner of a bug house. Auntie Shannie came over last weekend and he was so happy to look for bugs with her. Surprisingly, bugs were hard to find in our yard. We searched under rocks and in the bushes, but only found some ants. We caught a couple of them, and then released them into the flowers. It was a fun bug hunt.

Mama...It's broken.

These are three words you do not want to hear from your three-year old. Here was our conversation
C:"Mama, It's broken."
J:"What's broken?"
C: "The blue chapstick"
J: silence...no clue what he's talking about.
Carson brings me what's left of an Office Depot blue gluestick and I notice his blue "chapstick"

Katelynn's 15 month appointment.

Katelynn just had her 15 month appointment. She did a great job and showed the doctor how well she walks and talks. Her motor skills are great (she can climb on top of any obstacle). Her fine motor skills are excellent (she can unzip any purse in an instant) Her verbal skills are the best (she repeats SO many things! Baby, taco, roar, mama, banana, daddy and many others!) She is a big girl. Tall, but her weight is balanced for her height. Happy and healthy...until she got three shots.

Sitting on the scale.
Having a snack.

Three shots...ouch!!!

She's all girl!!!

Katelynn has been walking a for a little over a week now. She quickly realized that she should carry things around too. She is such a girly-girl and carries her purse around the house. If she isn't carrying it, she grabs her shopping bag.

"I love my Reggie!"

Carson has decided that Reggie is HIS dog. We always knew that we got Reggie for him to play with and grow up together and now Carson has "claimed him." He will argue with us if there is any mention of the dog belonging to anyone but Carson. It's so sweet when he grabs on for a big dog hug and says, "I love my Reggie!"

Katelynn in walking!!!

Katelynn started walking last week! I put her down and she took off down the hall. I thought it was a "one-time performance", but I stood her up again and off she went. I grabbed my phone and got this video (sorry about the quality). She is pretty fast now and starts and stops without falling. In just one week, she has gotten better with her balance and gets up on her own without help and just walks away. It still cracks us up to see her walk into a room.

The Sights of Summer...

Playing football with Daddy at the Memorial Day church picnic.

Exploring the outdoors... one step at a time.

Eating watermelon...yum!