Excuses

There is one thing that I love-and its having people over. Its great. There seriously are few moments in life that I am happier than when I have a group of people over, happy and laughing, lounging on our furniture and full with a meal that I cooked. It just makes me smile. BUT, at this time in life, our friends just so happen to live in larger homes than our small two bedroom condo, so usually we opt to just hang out there. (Especially when we make it an absolute must that all kids must go to bed at 8pm sharp regardless of who's house you are in, or who's bed you are sleeping in.)  So, its hard to cram a bunch of babies and preschoolers into two bedrooms at our place and actually expect them to sleep. It okay though. Just a season. But in the meantime, Nathan and Christina, every once in awhile, will invite themselves over and swear that the kids can do it-at least try it they say. So tonight we tried it. 3 girls in Tatum and Bradys room. Both babies in our room. The babies? Not a peep all night. The big girls? Well a bit of a different story. Heres the list of excuses that we heard that were supposedly keeping them from sleeping:

1. Thirsty. Needs water (Tatum)

2. Thirsty too. Also needs water (Violet)

3. Needs Her dog "Samma" that she left in the car (Tatum)

4.  Need a softer more snuggly blanket (Lauren)

5. Needs another animal then because mom said she would not get Samma. (Tatum)

6. Has to go potty (Tatum)

7. Has to go potty (Violet)

8. Back itches and needs more lotion (Tatum)

9. Wants to go home (Violet)

10. Tatum is doing something and I need to talk to Lauren about it (Violet)

11. We have been sleeping here for SO LONG (Lauren)

These girls are too much. Although we put on our serious faces with them as we told them its BEDTIME..we sat around in the living room busting up over the pure insanity that is our children. But, we concluded between episodes, we've got some particularly awesome kids. 

90 trips to the bathroom and all. 

HE PASSED!

So another congrats goes out to Riley who is now officially a PGA member! He flew out to Florida for one last time this past week to do some final testing and a presentation..and he passed!  We are all so proud of you RY how far you have come. AND we are so glad to have you home..and REALLY home! (with no practicing, studying or preparing for anything (:) 

Bath

We'll have to let them know when this is no longer appropriate. In the meantime..whoo hoo! Nakey time!

Fancy Shmancy

I would never classify Riley and I as "High Class" by any stretch of the imagination. I mean, not even close. Ya know, we enjoy dates to In N Out, trips to the hardware store, and driving old beat up trucks (which is at the moment broken AGAIN). But every once in awhile, through Riley's work, we seem to experience these crazy upscale, out of this world things which totally blow both of us away. Last night was one of those times. We were given tickets to an amazing charity auction/dinner that honored two golf legends, Jim Langley, and Arnold Palmer. The tickets price per head? $750! and it was held in one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever been in, The San Francisco City Hall. The event also recruited San Francisco's only 5 star chef, and we were served things such as caviar, fillet Mignon and amazing wine, and seated at a table with some of the most powerful men in the world (I sat next to and talked it up all evening with a 4 star Admiral, a member at Cypress Point). After our dinner, there was dancing and the most amazing dessert Bar (of course I had to take a picture!) , and at the conclusion of the evening, we were given a bottle of wine in a leather carrying case and a framed/matted picture of the two legends. It was a great night to say the least, but I will have to say, I sure didn't mind kicking my high heels off the second they hit the floor of our Toyota, getting a coke in a Jack in the Box drive through on the way home, and loading our two pajama wearing, fast asleep rugrats into the car at the end of the night... It sure is fun to dress up and be fancy every now and then, but its good to be back in my blue jeans.

Cousins

These girls are so hilarious to be around. They remind me so often of a little teenage click just so into each other and their little inside jokes. Every interaction is filled with hugs, laughs and of course some full on fights every now and then. The other week a teacher in children's ministry told Christina and I that Tatum and Violet are just like siblings..not sure if that's a good thing or not, but nevertheless, we know they have such a blast together! Yesterday, we headed out to the Aquarium (always a hit) and Ghirradelli for some pink ice cream and rainbow sprinkles.

The Big Bash

Thanks to Nate and Christina for bringing THEIR camera to OUR sons 1st birthday party (because WE sure didnt even though you would think that we would have...whoops). Anyway, the party was a success, I guess, despite the freezing cold weather in the middle of summer? But the important things were accomplished such as: Bradys 1st year being celebrated by friends and family, we ate a lot, Brady got a lot of cool things, AND he totally ate his entire cupcake! (the highlight for me of course) So..good times.

Our girl

Heres a snippet of Tatum after waking up from her nap yesterday. She wakes up everyday just the same: with out of this world hair and in a chatty little mood. This time was no exception. Beware grandmothers: she does choke for just a MINUTE in this video on her drink..but she recovers quickly!