Out of the Mouths of Babes

 I was holding both girls in my lap tonight just joking around with them and Maddie was being dramatic. She kept saying, "I scared. I scared!"

I kept telling her there was nothing to be scared of. Suddenly, she grabs the front of my shirt, pulls it open, looks down and says, "Mom scary boobs!"

Thanks Mad. 

After that little episode, we've moved to the floor and Charley is "flying" on my feet. This is our conversation:

Charley (as she's flying in the air): "Mom, I know almost anything (meaning everything)"

Me: "Oh really Charley?"

Charley: "Yeah, anything except what you tell me."

Hmmm. I'm trying to decide if she meant that when I tell her about something she doesn't know about that that would fall under "except what you tell me", or if she's just being honest and letting me know that she remembers everything except what I've told her. You know, selective memory? If my experience holds true, I'm leaning toward the later!

Gotta love 'em - the little darlings.

The long road home.

As it was a vacation of sorts, we made the decision to drive down the PCH to go home. It tacked on a few hours to our trip (!), but it was a good choice. We had lunch in Monterey, missed 17 Mile Drive around Pebble Beach because we were running out of daylight (sad, but we’ll catch it next time), and ended our day in a blaze of glory. Literally. I could have taken shot after shot the drive was so beautiful. Luckily (for you) we ran out of daylight half way down! We hit some pretty intense fog in the darkness that freaked Charley out a little bit, but, other than that, I would recommend the drive to all.

Smile Charley, smile!

Can you spot the lighthouse?

Our little angels were exhausted when we got home, but they were so excited to see the Christmas tree was still there that they refused to go to their beds!

Golden Gate Bridge

We took the long loop back to Berkeley just so we could show the girls the Golden Gate Bridge. Charley loved it!

 

My cute family – San Francisco in the background.

Action shot.

Charley’s new pose. She refuses to show her teeth in pictures anymore because, “Ladies don’t smile like that Mom!” Oh, my. I’m really in for it with this one.

Me with America’s next top model.

My Maddie.

Alcatraz

Palo Alto/Stanford

We had a great Thanksgiving this year with just my brother Steven’s family. Thanks guys!

As Ameri had the next day off, we decided to take advantage of that rare gift and go up to Northern California to check out some of the schools up there that Ameri is applying to. As Ameri was going to take a class at Cal State Berkeley on Monday, we decided to stay in a nice hotel on the water there. In my opinion, it was the only redeeming thing about the city of Berkeley! I’m sure many would disagree with me about the place, but I’m hoping we don’t end up there . . . people are crammed together like sardines and it is one dirty, ugly city! But . . . that’s just my opinion!

On a better note, we also had the opportunity to visit Palo Alto and the Stanford campus. Wow. Wow. Wow. I fell in love instantly!

Charley introduces us to Stanford University. . . a HUGE campus!

The Main Quad – isn’t it gorgeous?  

Someone needs a haircut!

Even the ladybugs liked us! :)

My Princess Diana shot.

At Play.

After Charley’s Thanksgiving feast at her preschool, we decided to go and enjoy the great outdoors. Well, it’s definitely not like the great MONTANA outdoors where I grew up, but our lovely, local, manicured outdoors suffice! :) Regardless, we give thanks to God for our little slice of Heaven. As a matter of fact, as we were walking around the gardens Charley said, “Mom, I think this is what God’s garden looks like.”

I couldn’t agree more Charley!

Charley wanted to take a picture.

Checking out our next real estate purchase . . . if only!

Hills. Need I say more?

Taking the initiative.

Don't you love it when your toddler climbs over to her crib, tries to climb in it all the while saying, "Nap, nap!"

Oh, wait . . . that never happens - except for today! What a little angel. Sweet dreams! 

Exciting News! For a mom at least . . .

 Maddie loves to be naked. She also loves to be in the bathroom when Charley is using it - she's quite curious about the whole process. She likes to take off her diaper and sit on her little potty while Charley is doing her business.

While Charley was at school today I decided to put in "Elmo's Potty Time" just for kicks to see if she'd watch it. (She's only 22 months and has a short attention span so I wasn't expecting much!) About 10 minutes into the movie she starts tearing off her diaper and saying, "Elmo potty! Elmo potty!"

I figure if she's going to be naked, I might as well put her on her potty and let her watch the show. Two seconds after I get her seated, she proceeds to use it. Wow! Now, to a lot of you reading this you'll be thinking, "Is that what your life has come to Kristi? Are you REALLY that excited about a little pee in the pot?"

The answer my friends is yes. I am. It's a milestone - Maddie's on her way to "kicking the habit". Bless you Elmo.

The Big Night! Halloween parties 2 & 3! Phew . . .

I’m going to apologize right now for the number of pictures in this post! I am a proud Mom and just can’t resist showing off my little princesses! I love these two little girls and all of the smiles they bring my way :)

Cinderella checks out Minnie.

Ready to go Mom? I am!             

Waiting for Daddy to arrive.

Our first stop was at Charley’s friends Lexi and Kylie’s house.

Maddie was totally freaked out by the “Hulk”!

Notice anything different about me?

Our church’s Halloween party!

Shaggy and Marge Simpson . . . Andrew & Annette.

Snow White & Tigger . . . Becky & Ethan.

Ameri, Maddie and our friend Jane. Maddie’s first piece of candy for the evening!

Playing around while everyone cleans up. Lauren, our little nakey friend, was the CUTEST chicken I’ve ever seen! I’m so sad I didn’t get a picture of her dressed up!!

Helping clean up at the end of the night!

The girls slept really well that night! Hope you all had a very Happy Halloween!

Halloween Morning

I was glad Halloween was on a Saturday this year because we were able to spend some time with Ameri that we usually don’t get to. It was a real holiday dedicated just to having a good time! We spent the morning at one of our favorite “haunts”. It was the perfect way to start our day!

Our dose of the macabre that day! Ameri sighted a huge praying mantis eating a bee . . . you can see another bee flying precariously close! We also sighted a huge hawk on one of the lawns. Unfortunately, I was too slow to get a picture. :( She was a gorgeous sight to behold though!