Visitors

Jim's Mom and her friend Bruce came to visit us this last week in Palo Alto all the way from Chicago. It was her first time meeting Everett, and it's been over a year since she's seen T so we had lots of catching up to do! We visited the campus, took some day trips, and ate a lot!

Many years ago (but not too many ;)) she was a Stanford student herself. It was fun for her to see the campus again and remember all the good times she had here.

One night we went to PF Changs and Talmage learned how to use chopsticks. For such a little kid, he did an awesome job! I'm hoping he'll take after his momma and serve a mission in Taiwan someday.

James had an interview in San Francisco one day so we ventured to the city. We had lunch with his sister Carolyn (who also works in the city) and spent the remainder of the day walking around Ghiradelli Square and the wharf.

We went to Dunes Beach and T had a blast making sandcastles...for five minutes or so! It's a good thing the beach is only 30 minutes away or I'd be bitter! Also, he is super afraid of the waves. He loves to swim but for some reason the ocean terrifies him (maybe it has something to do with his interpretation of Veggie Tales that a shark ate Jonah in the ocean). The trip ended in tears, sobs rather, when the tide started coming in. Oh bother.

I did get TWO pictures with my honey while we were at the beach though, so I'd say it was a pretty successful venture.

On the last day of her visit, Care and Bryce came down to our home and we spent the day together. We had a BBQ and went to the Stanford bookstore. Carolyn is having our first NIECE in t minus 3 3/4 months and we are thrilled to meet her! Care bought her a Stanford onesie, and I can't wait to see her in it!

I was awful at taking pictures this week, but we did a lot of other things like visiting Los Gatos, lunch at Nordstrom and a trip to Home Depot to buy a new washer/dryer. Woohoo! Thanks for the visit Mom and Bruce!

The Game, The Pool & The Dish

Last weekend was filled with LOTS of fun. It all started on Saturday when a simple walk turned into a crazy Stanford football adventure. It was Stanford's first home game and we obviously can't go (Ev's not even allowed to go to church yet, let alone to a football game!) but we decided to just walk around the stadium. SUCH a good idea! We had a blast partaking in all the pre-game hype, and left before either child had a melt-down. Touchdown for us!

Talmage had his face painted for the first time. I know that S doesn't look like much, but I was excited. At a street fair in NYC I thought he'd love to have his face painted but after waiting in line for 20 minutes he screamed his head off and refused! Needless to say, this time went much better.

We watched the band, the cheerleaders and T's favorite, the dancing tree. It was SUPER entertaining. Knowing that my father-in-law spent his undergraduate days in the Stanford band made watching them perform that much better.

Daddy and T enjoying the show. That little cutie couldn't take his eyes off of the action and when they finished each song he cheered the loudest. Such a Stanford fan!

I was trying to protect Evie's ears as he slept like, well, like a baby. Sidenote: Ev also had his first blow-out seconds before this picture. Did we have extra clothes? Nope. Did we go home? Heck no. We watched the rest of the performance first! Awesome parenting, huh?

On the way back from the game we saw the swimming pool and realized it was calling our names! We get in free with our student card, and that is a price we're definitely willing to pay.

Talmage LOVES to swim, and he's getting pretty good at his cookie monster arms. He also loves to wear my glasses, and put them on his head. He is so cute and is getting so big.

Me and my boys at the swimming pool. Neither of them look all that excited about being with me, but believe me, they are!

On Monday, we decided to hike the dish--a radio telescope owned by Stanford. The hike was 4 miles, but between the boys crying, screaming, wanting treats (both of them), or being tired it felt like a lot longer. BUT, we made it to the top and a nice lady even took a picture of us together, so that's a plus!

The view was amazing, and the hike was actually really refreshing. Maybe we'll try it again sometime...when the kids are grown up!

brothers.

the cutest brothers ever.

both in all blue.
holding hands.

his smile is full of tongue.

and so precious.

all on the quilt my talented friend christa made for us.

thanks christa!

REAL firetrucks

Look out Palo Alto, looks like we have a new firefighter in town and they've already put him behind the wheel!

We took Talmage to our local fire station and they treated him like royalty--giving him a fire hat, letting him ring the bell, calling him Fireman Talmage, and sending him home with other swag. He was so excited to see the "REAL firetrucks."

One of the fireman allowed Talmage to sit in the back of the truck and T asked him to close the door. Before he (the firefighter) knew it Talmage had locked the door and was smiling proudly out the window. That little pill! Luckily the window was open (and even if it wasn't, I felt safe knowing that we were AT the fire station!)

He was also able to go inside an ambulance and they gave him the cutest teddy bear with casts and crutches! Right when we finished looking at the trucks they got a call and with bells ringing and lights flashing they were off. It was the perfect way to end our experience.

T-I-double Guh-Rrrr

My parents went to Disneyland to celebrate their anniversary and brought the boys back some awesome treats. Talmage got a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse set and carries them around wherever he goes. He calls them his treats (ie, "Mommy, where is my special special treats?") He has the cutest pretend voice and uses it often to "check on Donald" or ask Minnie if she wants her "favorite, favorite juice box!" He is so darn cute!

This little guy got a Tigger onesie that is almost too precious for words. Gosh, he looks adorable!

But the best part, by far, is the Tigger bum! Thanks Mema and Pepa. We love our treats!

Vacuum

I love to vacuum. Of all the chores in the house, vacuuming is definitely my favorite. I love to see a super dirty floor, vacuum, and then marvel at how clean it is. I know, I'm weird.

But this week I realized that vacuuming is great (and my favorite) for another reason as well...

Baby down so I can vacuum. Vacuum on. Baby fast, and I mean FAST, asleep!

I love to vacuum!

Half Moon Bay

On Saturday we decided to drive to Half Moon Bay, an easy 30 minutes from our home. It was gorgeous and we had a great time! We love living so close to the sandy, beautiful beach.

The boys going down to the water for the first time.

Evie slept through his first beach trip. I think the waves must have been comforting.

But big brother made up for it by being a little crazy man!

They ran up and down the beach about a million times. T loved the feeling of sand between his toes (who doesn't?)

He was, however, a little scared of the water. Anytime a big wave crashed he jumped onto my lap. I wasn't complaining!

Jim buried T's feet and he thought it was the funniest thing ever.

And when it came to wave chasing, T kept a strong (crazy strong) grip on me. What a fun day!