CDM & Orange

Our OC tour, day one, involved lots of walking...

PERFECT! 

First up, a stroll on the beach and around the fancy neighborhood of Corona Del Mar. 

One of my personal favorite spots. 

Not too hot, not too cool. This is a beautiful time of year. 

Next stop: Old Town Orange! 

Last night was pretty MAJOR. 

There's your hint. 

I'll try to post details later today.

And, well, we've got BIG PARTY PLANS for someone special tonight. 

Just wait.

love, kerry

Potty Time!

Really, really behind on my posts... 
Sorry! I'll do my best to catch up quickly.


And so, speaking of behind. Audrey got her 1st POTTY last weekend! We went all out, and made the entire experience exciting and celebratory. Such a big day for such a big girl! When we arrived at the store and found the potty aisle, we were pleasantly surprised by the numerous and diverse options. Who knew there'd be a market for at least 30 versions of baby toilets?

And, it took our little girl, oooooohhh, about 3 seconds to pick out her favorite...

MEEEEEEESSSSSSKKKKA!!!!!!!!!

  

She was so happy. As if we were with the REAL Mickey Mouse at Disneyland (from a non-scary distance, of course). She would not let it go....not in the store.... not for the cashier....and certainly not in the car.

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I wish there was more to say about the literal potty experience once we got home. 

Audrey really just thought it was a new, pretty toy. (That also sings 'hooray' when flushed).

We brought out our potty training book she loves to much, the reason for buying the potty in the first place, and we studied....and practiced.

LOTS. 

She was more or less focused and interested (for a 22-month-old). 

But, then a good song would start playing in the other room, and she'd immediately be distracted by the NEED to DANCE!!!!

Who could blame her? 

It is a party potty after all.

We'll get there soon enough.

love, kerry

Summer Pops

These three...

...are just perfect!!!

(We miss you boys already.)

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Enjoyed a wonderful summer day all over the OC today. More details to come. 

Until then, enjoying life's simple pleasures.  

love, kerry

Race Car Fast

Story time at the Huntington Beach Library is one of our favorite Saturday morning activities. Miss Deborah is a reading, song and dance genius. The kids LOVE her, and even the parents too. The themes of the week are always relevant and fun. As usual, Audrey's most favorite story time event has got to be the dancing...

She's really getting good.





love, kerry

Proud

I'm just so, so, so PROUD and grateful and HAPPY about this exciting {WORK} news...

The future is exciting. 

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Click here to learn more. 

love, kerry

Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

Hi Mom! Happy Birthday!!!

We hope you and Mike are having a ball on vacation, and that you're relaxing and enjoying your special day! I'm sure you've got lots of fun planned! Can't wait to hear all about it. 

I've got a big day myself, and am hoping your birthday luck applies to me as your daughter. ;)

love, 

kerry, john and audrey

Happy Birthday, Grandma Jean!!!

Hi Grandma Jean!!!! Happy Birthday!!!!

We are REALLY looking forward to our trip next month. It's going to be an amazing visit, I'm so glad everyone will be there, and you'll just L-O-V-E meeting Audrey for the 1st time. 

Trust me, she's pretty perfect. You'll love her.

I hope you're kicking butt at bridge with the girls, enjoying the garden and kitties, and having a WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY!!!

See you soon!

love, kerry, john and audrey

Family Portraits

We're always coloring, painting, sticker-ing, stamping, marker-ing at home (although, not always on paper or mommy-approved materials), and it makes me really happy to know that it's still a big part of Audrey's day at school.

She brings us home at least two art projects a day! 

Isn't that wonderful?

Although, most of the time (at least at home) there's no direction or instruction. 

It's just- go to town baby girl! Be inspired and create! 

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Well, let's be honest. I'm making us sound like better parents than we really are here because it actually comes from a place of- I'm sooooo tired, stressed, overworked, crazy right now baby girl- pretty please sit and color nicely by yourself so that we can just finish this one five items on the list. 

Still, her work is beautiful and I love it. 

But, for the first time ever, I wondered what she'd do differently (if anything) if I gave her a few, simple instructions to follow. 

"Audrey, draw Daddy here...."

Followed by 

Mommy

and Audrey 

and finally Jesse........

She's amazing. 

And, follows direction well. 

Audrey's First Family Drawing, 22 Months

love, kerry