First day of Preschool

They had us make a "Kissing Hand" picture for them with a kiss from us

And there she goes in like a big girl....

Today was Taelor's first day of preschool and she loved it! Not a tear from her....or me (surprisingly). She was so excited to start school today, especially since she thinks she is such a big girl because her classroom is at a "real" elementary school and they get to play where the kindergartners play. I can't believe this is Taelor's last year before she starts kindergarten, sad? yes! happy? yes! I am feeling both emotions, so happy that she is growing up but at the same time sad that she is not my little "baby" girl anymore, she is entering the "real" world and that somewhat frightens me but I know I have to let go and that she will be ok.  Taelor I  hope you have a wonderful year at preschool, that you are a sponge for learning, that you make new friends and that you dream big dreams but most of all have FUN! We love you and are so proud of you!

Starbucks Pumpkin Spiced Latte

Awe....when I got to work this morning this was on my desk in a Starbucks cup! A little taste of FALL in a cup....and it was also the first day (for this soon to be season) that I wore my boots today, I cannot wait for Fall to be here!!!! I work with such a great group of people but my buyer really knows the treats I love....only because I do SO much work for him! Thank you Ken, this and the blueberry oat bar made my morning!

A snapshot in time

Do you ever just take a moment to capture your kids while they are playing? The other day while I was playing in the kids room I took a few moments to take some pictures of my kids, well just being kids. There were not posed shots (except for the few they had to do), it was them playing and being in the moment. I went around the room and took a few photos of their dresser and their favorite stuffed animals. I want to be able to look back in years from now and remember what a day in the life of my kids was. I mean don't get me wrong I take thousands of pictures on a monthly basis but they are usually when we are out doing something or at a special event, rarely do I capture them in these kind of moments, Taelor a 4 year old and Ethan a 3 year old! I will cherish these forever!

Taelor 4 Years Old

(Don't ask why she was in a bathing suit!?!)

Ethan 3 years old

Forth of July

What a fun day Forth of July was! We started our day bright and early at 8 am and headed down to Huntington Beach to my cousin Dawn and Manuel's house. They live only a few blocks from the beach and it was perfect. We headed to Main Street for the parade and WOW was is so BUSY down there, fortunately they have friends that live on Main Street and blocked off an area for all of us, so we had front row seats to the parade. The kids loved every moment of it and especially loved being with their cousins! After the parade we headed back to the house for lunch and then walked to the beach for a few hours. Afterwards we BBQ'd back at the house and then at night we walked back to the beach for the fireworks! It was a perfect day......until we needed to leave! It took us about 45 min just to get around the block, that is how crazy it was down there. The kids were wiped out and so were we but nothing beats spending time with your family and having a great time!

Sunsets

We love sunsets and so do our kids! Taelor asks if we can go watch the sunset all the time! Saul and I have been going to Look Out Point on top of Corona Del Mar beach for 13 years now (wow, yes 13 years) and we love this spot! We pack a picnic dinner and bring a blanket and just enjoy the free beauty of the sunset and ocean. The kids love to watch the boats go by and see the big waves across the way at the Wedge. Every time we go here it reminds me of when Saul and I first started dating, we have watched many sunsets here and we love that we can share this love with our kids and that they are loving it too!

Summer Fun

These two loved sleeping in the same bed

Swimming

My little fish Taelor

My babies and me!

Daddy and Ethan

My Sweet girl

At the end of June we spent a few days in the desert at Rancho Las Palmas Resort and let me tell you this place is so great! The kids had a blast and so did we. They have a lazy river, water slides, beach area and a big pool! It was such a great get away. Going to Palm Springs always reminds me of being a child and growing up because we spent every Father's Day weekend there. I hope to make this a yearly tradition for my family as well. Taelor finally got the courage to swim (with floaties on) and once she went, she was off and there was no stopping her. Ethan did a little swimming but is still a bit timid if you let him go. We spent most of the time in the lazy river (sorry no pictures as this mama was to busy floating away). The kids loved sitting on each of our laps as we floated our way around the river about 100 times! This hotel is wonderful, it is so relaxing and so beautiful, they even had an "adults only" pool that is far from the kid pool. The ambiance at night is so peaceful with a fire pit outside by the lobby and comfy outdoor seating that you can listen to a band while sipping on some wine (not that we were able to do this since we had the 2 little ones, but just saying). I am dreaming of this hotel right now.....good thing I will be going back at the end of September for our women's retreat!

Car mat

If I would have know this car mat from IKEA would bring hours of entertainment for my son I would have bought it a long time ago! Ethan LOVES his new mat, actually I dont know who loves it more, daddy or Ethan, daddy is reminiscing about being a little boy and having just as much fun driving the cars along the roads! If you have a boy this mat is a must, for $14.99 you will be glad you got it. And my daughter even enjoys it too!

Update on Me...

Surgery went well last Thursday and I am recovering great. I cant wait to see wait to see how my defibullator looks since it very thin, very excited about that! Taking it "easy and resting" is hardly ever in my schedule, but when I am forced to do it, it is actually quite nice. This picture is Taelor entertaining me with a puppet bag show, I love the imagination that girl has! Ethan joined in the fun too. Hubby has been taking great care of me, the kids and the house! We have been blessed by family and friends for visits, dinners.. prayers, support and help with the kids. Especially both sets of Grandparents that took them for the weekend, thank you!! I still haven't left the house but hopefully tomorrow we can venture out to Yogurtland! I know it is simple pleasure's for me right now! Looking forward to being all recovered and back to "normal" life....whatever that may be, and enjoying the rest of summer!

My Story

http://myyearoffaith.blogspot.com/2011/07/day-200-lynnaes-story.html

I was able to share my story on my friend Amanda's blog, My Year of Faith. Little did I know that I would be blessed with so much love, support and encouragement! I hope that my story at least touched one person 's life to let them know that living a life of faith is so worth living! And I would encourage you to continue to follow her blog,  it is such a great reminder of always being faithful especially in the times we need it the most.

Father's Day

Banner for daddy (didn't have time for Cricut and no ink in printer)

Yep this is where Taelor's eyes lit up (what girls wouldn't?)

Mom, I can lift this!!

I have the best dad and I am so happy that I married a man that is just like my dad and that my kids can say they have the best daddy! Saul is such an amazing father, he is so lucky that he gets to spend a lot of time with them as his work schedule is much more flexible than mine. He lives for our kids, he gives them all the best, yet he is still strict and wants to raise our kids as best as he can. I mean what father isn't strict? Mine was and hey I turned out just fine, actually I think the boundaries that were set for me at an early age made me who I am today with good morals and values just as my hubby is passing on to our kids. My dad would give his shirt off his own back, he will and does drop anything when you need him, he is outgoing, he never says no to anything, he shows up for everything, he makes you feel special, he loves unconditionally and most of all I am so proud to call him my dad! We spent the Saturday before father's day with him at lunch at Cheesecake Factory and walking around the Spectrum, it was a perfect day!

This father's day we spent the day at the Natural History Museum in LA. It was a great museum especially if you have kids who are into animals. I don't think Ethan stopped talking from the minute we stepped inside till the minute he fell asleep on the way home! Taelor on the other hand enjoyed it too but she just soaked it all in with only a few words.....that is until we went into the gems and rocks part. OH MY, did her eyes light up. When we walked in she asked daddy if there were diamonds in here? ( A girl after my own heart ). First of all I don't even know how she knows about diamonds but oh well her very far future husband will have to fork the money out for that! Anyways she was in awe of all the different gems, I have never seen her so into anything as much as she was into these! It was a fun filled day celebrating daddy!