Alexis' 1st Birthday Party

On Sunday we had a party for Alexis' 1st Birthday. She had a Happy 1st Birthday Princess theme, and seemed to enjoy herself. She had her petting zoo, pony, and pinatas.

The kids seem to have fun decorating sand buckets, chasing animals, or playing with the squirt guns. The animals seemed to behave themselves and so did the kids. I think the animals only attacked twice~ my Mom and Andrew. I guess a goat butted him, poor guy. Jeffrey terrorized the duck and the pig. I was so happy, I actually got to hold my duck it did not bite. I gotta tell you, someone told me the duck was by himself so I could get him. (It's been my life long dream to own a duck.) But honestly, how could I transport a duck, a dog, and two kids back to Lancaster?!?!?

Alexis was a good sport and participated in most everything. Her favorite was the zoo and her cake.

We were thankful for everyone that came and hope that they enjoyed themselves.

See the slideshow below...

4th of July... a little late I know

For those of you that know a big tradition for our family is the HB Parade. A few of us, the torch has been passed here and there, get up about 4:30 in the morning and get a spot. This is great cause those people great parking. For the rest of us it means you have a spot, but you better get your a** there early. We did not get there that early and had to walk. I'm convinced I parked somewhere near Fountain Valley and had to walk. Because of our 'walk' neither I or Aaron brought the camera down. We found out about this when we got to the car. We figured we'd just get other people's pictures. Hence the timing of this post.

We started off the day at the parade. Kristina, Bear, Karina, and AJ saved the spot for us this year. It was a parade, but the kids seem to enjoy it.

The band stopped by our spot and allowed Jeffrey to play his drum. Gampy with Jeffrey and Alexis.We even had one of our own in the parade as my Dad marched with the HB VFW post. He said he enjoyed it but it was hot.

*Kris*Daddy*Kathy

After we had a bbq at my parents' house. It was a lot of fun. We had some great food, and enjoyed the water with waterballoon fights, hoses, tosses, etc.

I teamed up with Aly in the balloon toss, and Aaron tried to scare her into dropping it!

The day ended with fireworks and more eating. It was a great day, and I was glad I was able to enjoy it this year!

Wild Rivers

We took a Kavanagh/Cambare trip to Wild Rivers. I was a little hesitant because I didn't know how Jeffrey would handle it, but he had a blast. (Unfortunately, Alexis did not go. I just thought she was too little and I would have to worry more about her burning and being uncomfortable.) He was a big boy and did some of the kiddie rides by himself!

Alexis's 1st Birthday

Today is officially Miss Alexis Kendyl Kavanagh’s first birthday. She woke up around 7ish and wanted to be up and moving. The first thing we did was a photo shoot so we could get her thank you cards ready. She did well for about 5 minutes and she was done.

After that I ran all over the place like a chicken with my head cut off. Luckily, my sister and in-laws were able to watch the kids so we could do the running around.

We had some family over to watch Alexis dive into her birthday cake. Aaron was not able to see Jeffrey do his cake, but was able to be here for Lex. She was a little unsure of what she was supposed to do with it, but got the hang of it.

Our one big milestone for the day is that she started using her walker toy! We are so excited, and we know the days of her crawling and rolling are limited. She is determined to have her freedom!

Tomorrow is her party. I am excited and the same time stressed. I’ll have to write about it later. It truly amazes me how time flies…. How did she go from this to this in a blink of an eye?

Packing

I remember the days of packing for away games in college. It was easy. Pack your uniforms, and utilities (toiletries), some jammies, under clothes, and wahlah! You were done.

As life went on, it was pretty easy. Grab the first 10 outfits you see, and throw them in a bag. I'd listen to some music as I was packing, or perhaps talk on the phone.

Now it's darn near impossible to pack!

Now, not only do I have to pack for myself, but 2 other people and I cannot just grab the first 15 outfits I see. And I have to deal with the kids. It's as if they know to go completely nuts when they see the suitcases!

I have Jeffrey throwing clothes everywhere because he thinks it's funny. Alexis wants to get in on the act and sits on the clothes. Jeffrey wants to pack every toy he has because his Gampy or Grandma Donna doesn't have that at their houses. Trying to get in and out of the rooms has become a challenge as Alexis has made herself a bouncer of every door. She'll decide to either let you in or slam the door in your face. It truly never stops over here.

Even Fozzy wants to get in on the acts. Or maybe he just wants to make sure he doesn't get left. He loves seeing his Tia Kristi, Bear and Stitchy.

Santa Monica Beach

Aaron and I decided it was finally time to venture out to the beach with the kids. An unfamiliar beach, rather. I don’t know why but I am always a little skeptical to take the kids to a place I’ve never been. But nonetheless we went, and did not get lost. I have to admit I was a little scared when Aaron just turned off the GPS system.

We got there and all of us were in great spirits. Jeffrey wanted to go straight in the water and so we went. Alexis stuck her piggies in the water and did not make a fuss. She hung around and was happy to play in the sand. It was great till we realized that she was eating the sand. It was kinda hard for her to dispute it as she had sand lipstick. Panicking Aaron, splashed water in her mouth, and that was it. She’d had enough and did not want to be in the wet sand or the water.

So Aaron and I alternated playing with Jeffrey and staying on dry land with Lexi.

She enjoyed the sand, and he enjoyed the water. The day was capped off by a pod of dolphins. I got a few pictures of the dolphins, but not a clear shot.

We ended our day by getting some Frosty Freeze. It was great time, and it really wore the kids out. It’s 8:42 and both kids have been in bed for a half hour.

Kicking off Family Week

Today was family day. Every day the kids do not go to Ms. Vickie’s, it is Family Day. Since Ms. Vickie is on vacation, it has become Family Week.

We decided to kick off Family by going down to Santa Clarita. We had lunch at Islands (The kids and I eat there all the time, but Aaron never gets to go.) and walked around the mall. Jeffrey and now Alexis were able to play in the kids' area. And by the way, where were these areas when I was a child? I would've loved something like those areas.

Here are a couple of shots I got. The two of them hanging out.

And Miss Alexis Kendyl... not even a year old... flirting with a boy!

After our mall adventure we decided to have a bbq/home camp out. After dinner Aaron and I put up the tent and let the kids and dog roam around. Jeffrey was SO excited! He could not fathom the idea that he was going to sleep outside. After Alexis went to sleep we roasted some marshmellows and made s'mores. Jeffrey like watching us roast the marshmellows, but did not went to eat them or the s'mores. I'm not sure I can name a child who DOES NOT like s'mores, but I guess there could be worse things. Jeffrey loved the fire and hanging out with just us. As I post this, they are sleeping in the backyard. Hopefully they make it through the night...

Las Vegas 2009

Aaron and I were fortunate enough to take a trip on our own~ just the two of us. We chose to go to Vegas, and hang out. Not the normal party stuff you'd normally do, but for us taking a nap from 5-7 was something we could never do.

We went out took some pictures

Saw some celebrities

Smoked a cigar (Aaron just upped his street cred.)

And played our favorite.... The Chicken game



All in all it was a great trip, and we enjoyed being able to hang out with one another. We can't wait to go back.