glory days.

So Mike and I finally went on our fist real date in about 2 years. We need to make it happen more often! However, we will have to get a second job to finance a babysitter. Who knew babysitters in LA did not exists for less than $15 an hour?? Not me! I guess paying someone $100 for the night is worth it if it is once every 2 years. Luckily our friends had a cousin who was up for the job and she was great!

We had stress free night getting shakes at the hip Cafe 101 and going to the OMD concert (which was amazing!). I could not believe that no one I talked to had any knowledge of who OMD was when I said we were going to their concert. I am sure they just didn't realize they knew who they were...everyone knows this song

Easily their most famous song, but definitely only one of MANY gems. They are 23 years older now at a young 51 and just as fabulous as ever! Worth every penny! And we had the pleasure of being introduced to Mackintosh Braun as their opener. They were really awesome.

Fingers crossed we can get out again before another 2 years goes by!

The highlight of the date came from Mike telling me he felt pretty cool being at an awesome concert with a hot chick. HA! He makes me smile.

my birthday.

I woke up to a delicious smelling carrot cake baking in the oven. Mike made his first stacked cake for me and it was awesome. We had Wahoo's for lunch and delicious Thai for dinner. Thanks Mike!

rain and forts.

It as been a little rainy and cold around here for the past few days, so yesterday we made a fort. I knew Zoey would have a good time because she loves anything that is similar to a tunnel. I was just surprised at how fun Felix thought it was. He was smiling, laughing and rolling around in it until Zoey couldn't resist the urge to knock it down. Maybe I will have to make a bigger one on Sunday (Sunday was always fort day around the Steele household, with separate rooms and all).

eventful week.

Last week my sister Kim and family came into town and we joined in on their vacation.

Monday, Zoey went to Huntington gardens and loved every second of her freedom to run wild in a vast open space. She was so exhausted by the time she got home she fell right onto the lawn crying with no interest in moving. She was not happy to have me carry her inside as evidence by her worst temper tantrum to date.

Tuesday, I was reluctant to have her miss another nap, but we tempted fate and went ahead to Disneyland. It was a fun, very busy day. We made it on a whole 2 rides, but Zoey and Felix had a good time.

Wednesday we took a break.

Thursday, we made it to park day without any unfortunate incidents. I did however, have to drag Zoey crying across the sand when it was time to leave. That is always fun.

Friday, we went down to the Long Beach Aquarium with "all my cousins" as Zoey says. Another day of running wild while Felix napped in the baby carrier.

Saturday, we chanced the rain and made it to the beach for some hotdogs and s'mores. They were delicious and the beach gave us perfect weather.

Now I am looking forward to a nice relaxing week at home with maybe one or two activities at most.

something I consider daily.

I found this on Pinterest and had to post it. By the way, Pinterest is awesome. I have had an empty account since my friend Meikel mentioned it a while back, and Briana inspired me to start cataloging the endless bookmarks on my computer. You can see mine here. Now I need to back away from the computer and pay attention to my kids.

happy 2nd birthday zoey.

Zoey in the human ball

We just got back from a fabulous weekend in Arizona celebrating Zoeys second birthday. Zoey was so excited to see all of her cousins and over the moon about everyones backyards! She had the time of her life playing outside all day without an adult having to be standing next to her. She had a great time with all of her cousins at her party. We had a bouncy house (thanks to my sister Kim who purchased one at Costo years ago), a llama pinata, pin the tail on the donkey, burgers and dogs, and an awesome rainbow birthday cake (thanks to my sister Brooke.) Here are a few pictures of the festivities.

Rainbow cake

pinata

presents

new shoes.

I love to buy shoes and I have been holding off on getting any more for Zoey until I found the perfect pair that would not cost much. I finally found a pair and we both love them. She asked me if she could go to Disneyland and wear her shoes so she could show them to Goofy. I was laughing pretty hard.

beach weather.

(zoey and mike, santa monica beach)

I have become pretty attached to California over the past 3 years. I am reminded of people living in cold weather from pictures on facebook and it makes me love the fact that we can go to the beach in February. I used to love the snow, and I still do for skiing and such, but I do not miss the cold! Thank you for warm weather California!

redemption.

Success at the park today! Zoey had a great time. No sand in the eyes and laughing on the swing.

bad mom.

So last week I decided to venture out to park day with the girls in the ward and I learned just how lame I am as a mom. We got to the park and Zoey walked around like she had no idea what to do. I guess it has been a lot longer than I had realized. About 10 minutes into her play time she managed to get sand in her mouth and eyes and started screaming bloody murder. Poor thing. She let me get all the sand out of her eyes and went back to playing. Next, I decided to push her in the swing and thought she was having a good time. After hearing nothing from her for several pushes, I peeked around to see her face, and she was bright red holding her breath from complete fear! I guess she is out of practice on the swings. After a few more tantrums we packed up and headed home. I am so lame! It looks like we will be joining park day every week so Zoey can learn the ropes.

Side note: I can't wait for Felix to be big enough to run around. They will have so much fun together.

baby felix.

I love this boy!

He is 5.5 months, smiley, rolling all over the place, sitting up, and makes us all happy.

rose parade.

For New Years day Mike and I decided to make the trip to Pasadena to see all of the floats from the Rose Parade at the after show. It was really fun and something we will definitely do again. The floats are really amazing to see up close with all the intricate work. There is great food (as pictured below: bratwurst dog and garlic fries) and the crowd is not too bad. If you have not been you should go next year! Here are some pictures of the adventure.

obsess much.

I guess I am addicted to making wreaths. I am thinking I will be done as soon as I have one for each holiday. Valentines wreath complete. I of corse found the idea on a blog. I found it HERE.

favorite discovery.

I love to decorate sugar cookies, but I hate baking them. They never turn out the way I expect them to and with no dishwasher the aftermath is a nightmare.

This year I wanted to make them because I knew zoey would have a great time decorating them. I discovered I can get everything pre made at our grocery store bakery. Best discovery ever! I didn't even have to make the frosting and they even tasted great.

Zoey ate cookies and frosting the whole time rather than trying to decorate, but she was in heaven because her favorite person, Siena joined us. And I was happy to host Chevon's fist experience decorating sugar cookies, even if I cheated on the baking part. I should have been a little embarrassed because Chevon is the best cook and baker ever.

I am looking forward to Valentines for another sugar cookie day! Anyone interested in store bought cookie decorating?

family band.

christmas 2010.

We had a fabulous Christmas in Virginia this year. We had our own pre Christmas at home so we would not have to haul things back and forth and it was fun to celebrate twice. The kids got way too much stuff, but they are having fun playing with new toys.

And Grandma Warner made Zoey this fabulous jacket that she has worn every day since we have been home. She also wants to wear her new rain boots from the second she wakes up until she goes to bed!

stockings hung with care.

I finally finished!

gingerbread house.

I am trying to keep our month of December full of fun family activities to take advantage of being finished with shopping. We read a Christmas story every night from a book my mom put together. And we made this gingerbread house from costco the other night.

steele family siblings.

Thanksgiving.

We just got back from a fabulous thanksgiving weekend with my family. We made the long drive up to the family cabin in Greer, Arizona and met up with all of my siblings and their respective families. It was a FULL house with 12 adults and 18 children, but we had a great time making and eating thanksgiving dinner, hanging out, playing settlers, watching movies, taking family photos and walking to tin star. Here are a few photos from the trip... family photos will be posted later.

new wreath.

I am working on getting all of my Christmas up tonight so it will all be done when we get back from Thanksgiving. I will be making this fabulous wreath over the break.

I will also be making some advent calendars for Zoey and Felix. My mom made us each one and I loved it. We each got a piece of candy from it every day and it was a serious challenge not to eat it all in one day. We will also all be making these ornaments for all of the kids at the cabin. I found the idea on my friends Kara and Brianna's blog (which is Fabulous)! And lucky me, my Christmas shopping is DONE! I have a shopping free December ahead! I still have to get Mikes things, but I already know what that will be so no sweat!

picture time.

zoey 20 months

felix 3 months

mirror.

This project has been in the making for well over a year now and I finally finished it. It took about 10 seconds so I have no idea why I never got around to it. I bought the frame from Ikea about a year ago, had our neighbor cut the glass for it about 6 months ago, got Mike to spray paint it gold about 3 months ago, and finally put the turquoise coat on last week. I will finally be hanging it in Zoey's room today. I can check one more thing off my list and get busy on the next item. I hope to complete them before the year mark!

(Ikea frame)

(finished mirror)

chairs.

One of my favorite past times is sitting on my Grandma Nellie's patio in Mexico, on her fabulous patio chairs, looking out over the valley and watching the lightening storms on the horizon. I wish I were there right now!

(this is me 3 years ago, pre pregnancies and 30lbs lighter enjoying the patio)

It is even better when the sound of music is coming from the town park. I can't wait to have a back yard, or even better, a front porch to put some of these chairs.