Brother's Home!!!!

Michael is home from Alaska!! The past 5 months have gone by sooooo fast! We had my mom, dad, grandma and Michael over for family dinner tonight and it was sooo good to see him! He couldn't believe the changes in Tyler but then again when he left, Tyler wasn't crawling, eating people food meals with us, saying mama or dada, etc. So much has happened!!! My parents brought over the steaks and I made yummy sides, including these potatoes - soooo tasty! Tyler loved them too! Anyways... we had a very nice time and it's great to have him home!

* Michael fell asleep after dinner - He's had a long day... And look at his nice, white legs LOL. They've definitely been up in Alaska for awhile!

Happy Birthday Anna!! - 9.11.2008

I've been wanting to post something about this all day and it's now 9:30 by the time I'm getting around to it. This day brings back both happy and sad memories I will never forget. My cousin, Jill, gave birth to her daughter Anna around 2-3am September 11th, 2001. I woke up that morning to get ready for school (my senior year) only to discover the twin towers burning on my TV - (My mom had come and turned the TV in my room but being the very grouchy person I am I rolled over and put the comforter over my head - I know - SAD!) Shortly thereafter as I wgot up and made my way to the kitchen, I found out that Anna had been born early that morning. We watched the tragedy unfold throughout the day playing on all the TV's at school, but I had the excitement and anticipation of meeting Anna later on that day. I don't know... just a strange mix of emotions that I'll never forget. I can't believe it's been 7 years...
Happy 7th Birthday Anna!

And I just realized this is my 100th post!!

Two Front Teeth!

I finally got a super cute picture of Tyler showing off his two front teeth!! Too bad he has macaroni and cheese all over his face! The boy LOVES the stuff! I've tried a few different kinds and his favorite is the Stouffer's frozen mac and cheese. He inhaled it last night for dinner!!

And then one of the husband... I tried getting a cute one but all he would say is "I'm not Tyler! You can just put a camera in my face!" Lol. Understandable but still... I actually took a video with my cute "make Tyler smile" voice but it didn't work... I'll save him the embarrassment and not post that one... hahaha.

Infinite Grace

Women of Faith was once again AMAZING this year! I absolutely LOVE that weekend each year! This year I went with one of my best friends, Araceli, and her mom and grandma. We left first thing Friday morning (felt bad leaving a teething Tyler with dad but he survived) and went to Fashion Island to walk around, shop and have lunch. The weather was PERFECT for outdoor shopping. It was so nice to get out of the heat!! I love that mall with all of the fountains and things they have there to entertain kids. I love it! We stopped at CVS to get cards and snacks and then got all checked into the hotel with time to spare before the conference started so we played a few hands of Nertz (just about the funnest card game ever!)

Like I said in my previous post, Natalie Grant was there. I absolutely LOVE the girl! I saw her for the first time 2 years ago at The Revolve Tour when Araceli and I helped chaperone girls from church at that conference. I've been in love with her ever since. Her music, her personality, everything about her. She's great! Do I sound a little obsessive? LOL!

Anyways... I had a great weekend away and took away so much from the conference. It's crazy to see that arena packed full of 15,000 WOMEN! All of the men's restrooms are converted into women's restrooms for the 2 day event. I probably saw a total of 5 guys - all of which were working or volunteering or was a husband of one of the speakers... lol.
It's such a great experience though! I highly recommend it!!! I can't wait for next year!!


Oh and as far as Chad goes... he survived. Tyler was A LOT to handle for 2 days with teething and all but everything went fine. Chad actually met a ton of family up at Lake Hemet and camped with them overnight and had helping hands there so it was good.

Katie McGihon Photography

Katie's website is officially up and running! Check it out!!

Katie McGihon Photography

Last week Chad and I met her at The Garden's on El Paseo to have our pictures taken. I felt like we were taking engagement pictures again being all lovey dovey. It was cute... Tyler was a SUPER good boy in his stroller the entire time! We went over to the McGihon's afterwards and had really really yummy steak and amazing fettucine alfredo!! Mmmmmm!!!


Thanks again for everything Katie!!!
Love you tons!!

I've Been Tagged!!

I am so excited, I have been tagged...Here's the deal, I have to list 6 unspectacular things about myself, then tag 6 other people... ** oh and I've decided to spice it up a little and add pictures **

1. I LOVE Pop Tarts and sugary cereal for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Or as my husband puts it "I just love sugar." There have been many a night where I've had cereal for dinner. I love it! But not the healthy cereal, just the bad for you stuff.


2. I love to read! Having Tyler has definitely cut back on that a lot but I still try and fit it in anytime I can. I LOVE Karen Kingsbury.


3. I hardly ever finish an entire bottle of water. As I type this, there are probably 10 1/2 full water bottles in my car, probably 2-3 on my nightstand and many others throughout my house.


4. I'm a total night owl and not a morning person whatsoever. My husband, on the other hand, is the complete opposite! As my mother-in-law puts it, "Chad's a sunflower and I'm a snapdragon," lol!


5. I'm very introverted. I know it's probably not new news but yeah - I'm super shy when first meeting people. Just give me a little time though and I get much better : )


6. I love traditions! I love keeping the family traditions that I've grown up with as well as starting new ones with my family since being married and having Tyler. There are so many that I can't wait to start with him with holidays, starting school, etc. Just things like going to pick out a Christmas tree and watching a Christmas movie while we decorate it, getting new PJ's for our Christmas Eve gift, going to see The Nutcracker, etc. etc. (Can you tell I LOVE the Christmas season?) I find myself getting a little ahead just thinking about it... but I love it and can't wait for what's to come!



"Here are the rules for being tagged...
1. Link the person who tagged you.
2. Mention the rules on your blog.
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours.
4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them.
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know that they have been tagged.

I have been tagged by Mommy Days

Here are the people I have "tagged"
1. Sabrina
2. Amy
3. Kaycie
4. Katie
5. Jessi

Women of Faith!!

I'm leaving this Friday to go to the Women of Faith conference in Anaheim, CA. It's a 2-day conference that starts Friday evening and goes all day Saturday. I've gone the last two years and it's one of my favorite things I look forward to all year. They have an AMAZING group of speakers that just inspire you! Natalie Grant is also going to be there this year singing which I cannot wait for!! She's one of my favorite artists so I'm super excited!! Overall, it's just a great, God-filled weekend that really lifts you up - I'm so excited!! Only 3 more days!

AUGUST has come and GONE!!

My goodness!!! August absolutely FLEW!!! Here are a few random shots of Ty:

BABY SHOWER!!

This past Saturday I co-threw a baby shower for one of my bestest friends, Kaycie. Her mom, Janie, and my mom have been friends since they were like 12. I know, crazy! So anyways... Janie and I put together a shower for her IDENTICAL twin boys that are due in December. I found an idea for theme online and made it a Thing 1 and Thing 2 shower from Cat in the Hat. I had so much fun finding ideas and being creative with it!! Kaycie and Jamie received quite a bit of stuff, 2 bouncers, TONS of diapers, bedding, clothes clothes and more clothes (which are all waaaaay too adorable to have 2 of everything, especially in premie sizes), etc. etc. She still has one more shower so hopefully that'll round off everything else she still needs. Brooke and McKenna, their two girls, are sooo cute and everything Kaycie would open or hold up, Brooke would say "those are for my baby brothers." Anyways... here are a few pictures of decoration stuff and the beautiful mama.

* The Invitation *

* I found this super cute twins poem online and then coordinated it to match everything *
* My first attempt at a diaper cake! *
* Our Thing 1 Thing 2 clothesline *
* Kaycie and I - poor thing still has a couple more months! *
"These are for my baby brothers"
* It was a family affair opening up the gifts - so cute! *
I had a great time helping with your shower Kaycie!!
We're praying for a healthy next couple of months!!
Can't wait to meet you Connor & Cole!!

One last beach trip!

Last Monday I just happened to go to Bolsa Chica State Beach's (in Huntington) website and see if they had any openings. It was my last week off of work and Chad didn't have much going on. Much to my surprise, they had ONE opening for ONE night!! Woohoo!! This place completely sells out in January/February so I was very excited that there was a cancellation : ) We (the Malestic's and us) left on Wednesday morning and spent the day at the beach. My sister Katie and her fiancee Cris met us there (they live in Long Beach) as well as Torrey and her son Jack (great friends of the family). Cris cooked an amazing Philippino dinner for us and then we all went and made smores around the campfire on the beach. The weather was great!! We were able to wear jeans and sweatshirts at night and in the morning. Not too much happened on Thursday before we packed up to come home. It was a fun, last minute trip of the summer. Can't wait for next year!!