Big Girl.

All of the sudden, Audrey is SUCH a BIG GIRL... And this time, I don't mean big as in size (but yeah, she's wearing 5T now). I mean big in the grown up, I have a big little girl sort of way. It's happening fast. 

Last week was Audrey's annual cardiologist appointment (everything checking out A-OK, so don't worry). 
We left sprinted out of the office, down the hallway and immediately into the elevator to leave the hospital. A nice 60-something couple shared the ride down with us. Audrey was her usual- pure energy.

"I want to press the button!" 

The lady in the elevator politely smiled and said, "she's so cute, of course the baby can press the button."

Audrey was immediately annoyed, and pointed up to the nice old lady.

"I'm not a baby, I'm a big girl!!!!" 

The couple looked at me puzzled. They didn't understand her.
Whew, I thought. Dodged that one.

"What did she say," they asked me.
"Oh, she was just yelling at you for calling her a baby. Can't you see that she's a big girl?"



Despite the fact that Audrey was actually being rude, they LOVED it. Thought she was the funniest, cutest little thing ever. Then again, why wouldn't they?

Audrey was proud of herself for being such a comedian {great}, and we watched the old couple continue to laugh and stare at us while we crossed the street, and went up the stairs to the parking garage.

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We've been up to some more BIG, BIG GIRL changes around the house too...

She's happy in her big girl bed.

With it comes freedom, but we're enjoying her crawling into bed with us, each night, about 2am...however, the constant kicking has to stop.

I've also noticed so much progress in Audrey's BIG GIRL vocabulary lately! Yesterday, it was just one cute, new phrase or conversation after the other. You know me, I wrote them all down...But, here are just a few that we really love, or she says the most often...

"Oh KER-ry. Where's John?"

I asked, "Audrey, what are you cooking?"

"Chocolate," she said.

"I working, Mama." (when she wants to be left alone at the desk).

"This my song, Mama. Turn it up." (She also has memorized several songs we listen to in the car often).

"Kiss it better."

"What are you doing here?" (when we come to get her out of her room, or surprise her in general).

"What made that noise?" (to about everything).

Last night I asked, "Audrey, what time is it?"

"Dora time," she said (looking at her Dora watch). "Dora the Explorer had the hiccups on the beach, Mama."

"I'm going to burn that scary guy."

She's been saying "oh maaaaan" when something doesn't go her way. Today it was "oh bumpers" every time I said no, or she dropped something. 

And, my very favorite...

"Mama, I want to hold you." 

Anytime, Audrey. You can hold me anytime. 

love, kerry

ess eff.

A few weeks ago, John sent me this quick text-

"Surprise vacation booked."

Audrey, I know.

I had a similar reaction to the message.

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We are lucky girls.

John planned an amazing 3-day, 2-night stay in one of our favorite cities- San Francisco. Our hotel, apparently referred to by locals as "The Mark" sits at the top of nob hill, and is walking distance to about everything we wanted to do in the city. 

The view from our room.

Even though it was a very classy, beautiful hotel... Audrey still felt the need to clean the windows.

My little clean freak.

We had the best time.

John, I'm impressed. Nice planning, and thank you again for the sweet surprise! 

I made you a little something as a souvenir...

Audrey at the Top of the Mark.

love, kerry

Reflections: 2012

You probably don't remember this, but we started the year off (literally on January 1, 2012) at the happiest place on earth.

Disneyland- January 2, 2012

Turns out- it was a really, really appropriate beginning to the year.

I'm not going to lie- John, Audrey and I became those crazy Disney fanatics this year. We just love it... So much, in fact, that we made more than 25 visits this year alone. And, to think some kids don't EVER get to experience Disneyland.

We're so lucky.

{Shout out to Mom and Mike for making our 2013 Disney dreams come true again!}

As if going to Disneyland all the time isn't special enough, it was always EXTRA special when we got to share the magic with people we love most...

In case you were wondering, Audrey's FAVORITE Disneyland ride of 2012.... Click here.

Audrey grew up so much this year...

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September 

October

November

December

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When Audrey gets older, we all get older. 

Our biggest birthday celebration this year was for John's big 3-0.

We had a party for John, but ultimately it wasn't the celebration you know I would have liked to host for the birthday boy. 

I was a bit preoccupied with a new birthday of my own:

Open for Business: February 8, 2012

BOOM.

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#major

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So, I may have slipped up on John's actual B-Day, but I made up for it...

With a surprise 30-half birthday party!

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And, we weren't the only ones who celebrated BIG news this year...

Mato and Amy got ENGAGED!!!!!

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Although this year came with its own insane stress, crazy, OMFG-level busy- we somehow managed to fit some really outstanding vacations. #priorities

Mexico with great friends...

Watch it here.

My first Austin experience...

Wine Tasting

Salt Licking

River Walking

Craw-fishing.

The Alamo.

YEE HAW!!!

Read more about our adventures in Austin here, here, here, here, here, and here. 

 Whew!

Our annual Twin Falls trip was...epic.

You just need to watch here. 

And, we had a beautiful Napa weekend...

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Audrey enjoyed her Reno staycations with Grandma and Papa too...

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Once again, Audrey had many FIRSTS this year...

First Pro Baseball {or any sport for that matter} Game:

First Safari Experience:

First Bowling Match {yes, she's a winner}:

First Concert:

Yo Gabba Gabba LIVE!

First Tea Party:

First Potty {one and only}:

First Braid:

First Squirt Gun Fight:

First Flower Girl Invitation:

First {real} school:

I had MANY firsts too this year....

Like my first business- K. Sutherland PR

First Office: Irvine

First Office: Reno

My first {major} team:

Photo from our first agency retreat, day four at the Rose Bowl Flea Market.

First Boss's Day.

And, one #major award....

"Best PR PRofessional," according to Reno News & Review readers. 

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The holidays this year, once again, did not disappoint. 

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Sweet Tinkerbell.

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Thanksgiving.
#girlsweekend

Our Thanksgiving Feast.

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Our christmas was perfect... Watch it here. 

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2012 was our first full year living in Huntington Beach.

We should take more advantage of living a block from the beach, but we're not doing that bad.

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It's not just southern California, though.

We had a few amazing days at our favorite beach up north too. 

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Audrey was TWO cute this year. 

Watch her super-duper, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse birthday party here.

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Thank you, 2012, for bringing our family so many incredible moments, adventures and memories. 

2013- Bring. It. On.

love, 

the sutherlands