We had such a fun-filled weekend to kick off Easter week! On Saturday morning our cul-de-sac had an Easter egg hunt with all the kids. They just loved hunting for eggs and listening to the Easter story!

 Ty even won the prize for finding the empty Easter egg!

After the egg hunt on our cul-de-sac, we headed to the neighborhood park for a bigger egg hunt and to meet the Easter bunny! I was so shocked how brave Ty was! He walked right up for a picture with the giant bunny! No sweat!

 Elena and Grace loved swinging together.

After our big morning of eggs, bunnies, and food trucks for lunch Justin and I worked on transforming our dining room into a playroom... the first step towards prep for baby number three! I am so excited with how the playroom turned out! Now all of the toys are consolidated to one space and I have some grown up space in my living room again!

On Sunday after Palm Sunday mass, my parents and sister came over for some headshots. Isn't she beautiful?!

Then Frank and Erin came over so that Callan could play with Elena and Ty. These three love hanging out. Ty showed off the new playroom. We ordered some Chinese take out and the kids ate in the playroom. I love easy Sunday nights spent with family!

I'm looking forward to a fun week of Easter prep, playing with friends, and hopefully warm weather again!

MLK Weekending 2016

We didn't know how much fun we would have when we woke up on Saturday morning. It was one of those glorious days when we didn't have much planning, but we wound up staying busy having family fun all day long.

We decided to meet Justin's brother and family at Pullen Park so the kids could play and we could all catch up after the holidays. We hadn't seen them since the hustle and bustle of Christmas day.

Callan, Ty, AND little Elena had a great time jumping on all the playground equipment and we have a great time spending time with Frank and Erin.  The boys kicked around a soccer ball and we even rode the train and the boys rode the little bumper boats.  Of course they were the trouble makers that wouldn't sit down! Erin and I just laughed as the ride engineer kept telling the two of them they had to sit. NAUGHTY!!

After we tired the kids out at the park, we headed to the mall to hit the Disney Store (my fave), the Lego Store (Justin's fave), and the inside play area.  We wanted to take the boys to their first hibachi experience so we had time to kill before dinner time.  We were so ready for the boys to watch the chef to cook our dinner for us at the hibachi grill and to do some tricks with food and fire.  They just loved when he made a volcano out of an onion and lit it on fire!

my hot date ;)

We were so exhausted when we got home, we all passed out! On Sunday, we took it easy because Elena's runny nose got worse after the busy day we had Saturday, but on Monday, Justin took the kids to Barnes and Noble while I had a dentist appointment. I love when he gets one on one time with them.  He is such a good Daddy. He treated Ty to a juice box and spent time playing and the train table and reading books.

When we got home and Ty napped, Justin helped my take pictures of Elena for her first birthday invitation.  WHERE HAS TIME GONE?! I cannot believe it's almost time to send invitations for her birthday. I remember taking pictures of Ty for his first birthday! Time really flies when you watch little ones grow! This is just a sneak peek at the pictures we took!

Later that afternoon, he cashed in one of Ty's Christmas gifts and took him to the trampoline park. Meanwhile, I spent time with little Elena grocery shopping and playing at home.  This girl is almost walking now! She's just my little ray of sunshine.  The two boys lasted TWO HOURS! They both jumped their hearts out. Ty could barely make it through dinner before his eyes fell heavy.

Long weekends doing nothing and everything all at the same time are the memories I hope to keep the longest.

Linked up here today!

A Trip to Baltimore: Family Reunion

It had been since Thanksgiving 2014 since we had been up to Baltimore. My mother's side of the family lives there and I grew up there until I was 12. I love going back to see my family and drive along the streets that bring back so many great memories.

most of my family (only missing a few!)

 We left for Baltimore the Sunday after Christmas and this was going to be our first big trip as a family of four (also Elena's first trip to Baltimore and first time meeting a lot of my extended family).

The car ride up was easy because Ty went up with my sister a day early to go to the National Aquarium, so we only had Elena with us.  After we arrived and checked in to our hotel, we headed to my grandmother's house-- the same house my mom and all her brothers and sisters grew up in.  This house has so much history with my family so I just LOVE to go visit.  It's especially awesome to watch my kids play in her basement because it's exactly what I did every Sunday after church when we lived there.

As soon as we got there my grandmother and grandfather had a huge spread of Filipino food, so we ate and relaxed with my aunts and uncles.  

The following morning, I met my oldest friend (we've been friends since the 3rd grade) for lunch at First Watch (LOVE THAT PLACE!).  It was so great to catch up with her.  In the meantime, Justin was holding down the fort with the kids at my grandmother's house.  That night my grandmother ordered bushels of blue crabs for my mom's birthday! This is one of my most favorite things to do... pick crabs and drink an ice cold beer around the kitchen table with my family.  This time did not disappoint! We were all stuffed by the end of the crab feast.

In lieu of everyone exchanging Christmas gifts this year, we did a white elephant gift exchange. It was so much fun to have the whole family stealing presents from each other and laughing at gifts that people brought. We had such a blast playing this game together!

Tuesday was my mom's and cousin's birthday. My uncle took us all bowling for Jenna's 10th birthday. It was Ty's first time at the bowling alley and he loved everything- from the shoes, to holding the bowling balls, to running around the arcade.  We had a great time.  Once we got back to my grandmother's, all the guys were outside around the grill getting everything ready for a big steak dinner.  It's also a Filipino tradition that you eat noodles on your birthday for long life, so my grandmother made pancit-- a Filipino noodle dish. Everything was delicious. 

With two kids, traveling and being around this much family was no small feat! It was such a blessing to have time with my whole family, but we were EXHAUSTED by the time we headed home on Wednesday! I anticipate that our next trip may be a little easier with the kids a bit older, but we shall see! The memories that they are making with the time that my extended family has with them make it all worth it!  

A Night on the Polar Express

Today my sister celebrates her 28th birthday! Happiest birthday to the girl I've known the longest! She's an incredible mother, loving wife, fun sister, dedicated cheer coach, and so much more. I am blessed to have her!  

Last night we went to Polar Express night at my SIL and BIL's club. We were so excited that they invited us to join them and my nephew since we never got tickets to one of the other local Polar Express nights. Ty is the perfect age for it and this might was such fun for him and Callan; and Elena didn't have a bad time either. ;) When we arrived, we picked up out train tickets at the Polar Express booth then headed to the dining room for dinner. So much yummy food. This was such a weeknight treat for us... No cooking and clean-up for me and a buffet of goodies to choose from!

When it was our turn for the train ride, we gathered the kids and headed to the boarding area where it was snowing. Ty and Callan LOVED the snow! Nothing like 70 degree weather and snow. Olaf would've been in heaven! 

The trains pulled up and we loaded in. Our ride to the North Pole included bridges, lanterns, and water, as well as views of the golf course. 

After we got back from the ride, the kids were able to see Santa and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. Unlike our Bass Pro visit, Ty walked right up to Santa and sat in his lap. Then he invited Elena to join him. 

When Santa asked what he wanted he told him, "a present." I asked him if he still wanted a guitar, which he's said from the start, but he replied, "No, I want a present."  Toddlers crack me up. 

We had an awesome time traveling on the Polar Express and seeing Santa. Only a week until Christmas!!