Happy 1st Birthday Harper!!

The Hoods came into town to celebrate Harper's (and Grandpa's) birthday.  It was a crazy busy week, we crammed in so much in one week.  We trick-or-treated, went to Sea World, the Temecula wineries, the SD zoo and Disneyland.  Believe it or not I did a horrible job documenting the week with pictures, especially Disneyland.  It was one of the hottest weeks in Southern California all year so the parks we especially hot.  I will just have to take the girls back to Disneyland and re-meet all of Mickey's crew.  We had the best visit to the zoo ever.  All the animals were out playing; the Panda and her baby were out walking around, koalas who sleep like 20 hours a day were walking on their branches (probably looking for a new sleeping position), the polar bear was swimming, the baby chimp got mad at Papa Hood (Reagan calls Grandpa - Papa) for teasing him, the snow leopards were even awake and meowing.  Disneyland was awesome and the kids loved it too.  Reagan got to meet Donald Duck, who she loves, and was very upset when he had to go use the Ducky potty.  She met the whole crew except for Daisy and Pluto.  Their end of the day parade was definitely a highlight.  Reagan was in awe through the whole thing. It was a whirl wind of a week but we all had so much fun.  It was really cute the morning after my family left.  They left before Reagan woke up and when she came downstairs she grabbed my hand and led me to the spare bedroom and just looked at me.  Please come back soon.

Harper got hooked up for her birthday.  Tons toys and clothes and plenty of cake.  I can't believe she is one.  Enjoy the pictures  click here.

Helping get the spare bedroom put together

Harper imitating Frankenstein

Reagan and her new friend the Sea Lion

Getting ready for Trick-or-Treating

Splashing in the water with Papa

Harper sporting Goofy's Hat

Reagan loved the merry-go-round

Harper preparing to dig into her birthday cupcake

Goofy!!!

Harper loved her cake

Pre Halloween

Reagan fell asleep on the ride

Reagan's 1st Pony Ride

Harper found a pumpkin she can carry

Reagan as a Leopard (or a kitty as Reagan calls it)

Harper as a Fairy

Reagan's ears ended up being too big and fell off

Birthday Girl's Tutu

Reagan being silly

Harper as the headless baby

Harper trying to zoom away on rocket

We went to Sea World for their Spooktacular event and it was insane. The Park sets up areas so kids can go trick-or-treating before Halloween on the weekends leading up to Halloween. The lines were insane and 1 and 2 year olds don't do lines so we just walked around and visited with Shamu and others. The girls did get dressed up and they were too cute. Reagan's ears for her leopard (kitty) costume didn't fit they were huge and Harper's costume may have been a bit snug especially with a onesie under it. I was surprised b/c it was a 12-18 m but I guess it ran a bit small. I set the bar high because these costumes were too cute so I don't know what I am going to do for next year. We definitely got our moneys worth for these costumes; we hit Sea World, 2 toddler parties throughout the week and then Halloween. I picked up a big pumpkin trick-or-treat bag that I found and they provided us with some laughs putting it on their heads and walking around. These 2 are comedians.

I finally was able to fix this blog to let me put captions under the pictures.  I am not computer savvy 

Enjoy the pictures click here

Pumpkin Patch & Palm Springs

We took the Halloween season by storm and went to the pumpkin patch 4 times. We went to 1 twice b/c they had the best rides and the slide that Reagan loved. Plus a petting zoo where they got to meet a baby goat. The pumpkin patches seem to wear them out so it was a chance to get outside and come home with tired munchkins.

Then off we went to Palm Springs for Phil's firm retreat. For the second year in a row we had a sick kid so I couldn't enjoy the adult festivities that were planned. Harper got croup the morning before we left so Phil rushed her to the doc's office to get some meds to help reduce the coughing so she wouldn't be up all night. Too bad those meds didn't help her sleep in. I think she averaged 5 am the 3 mornings we were there. It was a really nice hotel because they had a kiddie area where the water was 1-2 feet deep (both girls thought they were really cool to walk in a pool) and a sand beach for the kids too. Then there was the lazy river; I took Reagan on it and she fell asleep which made for a relaxing hour in the sun. It is always nice to get away even if I couldn't enjoy some a night out without the kids.

Enjoy the pictures click here

Swim Class

I have a couple of fish. Reagan has been in swim class on and off since she was four months and Harper since she was 5 months. Since we travel frequently; I have to be removed from the swim schedule and when I return I have to squeeze myself back in. With 2 munchkins it is harder to squeeze back in. So my last sessions of 9 classes finally ended the week before Halloween and they started back in May. We couldn't get in all summer because they were so busy so these classes lasted 5 months. I usually go during the day so I could never take pictures b/c I have to be in the pool and Phil is at work. We were finally able to schedule a make up session where Phil could jump in the pool and I was able to snap some pictures and take a few videos. One video ended up being 8 minutes, I forgot what I was doing.

Other than pool time we have just spent time goofing around. Enjoy the pictures click here

Happy 2nd Birthday, Reagan!!

Wow Reagan is 2!! We had a birthday party for Reagan on Saturday and it ended up being an adult party because no kids came. We had a Reagan/Phil combined party so I had cupcakes made of beer for the adults and bought a Costco cake for Reagan. For all of those who know what Costco cakes are they are huge and no one ate it so pulled up a chair and let Reagan play in it. In hindsight that probably wasn't a good idea since Reagan woke up in the middle of the night and I figured she may have had a stomach ache due to her chowing on the frosting. Bad mommy.

They are both growing by leaps and bounds. Reagan's vocabulary is unbelievable. Phil's new favorite party trick is having Reagan say truck but she has issues saying "tr" so she substitutes a f. Yes my child swears every day because she loves pointing our trucks on the road. I ignore the swearing and repeat the right way of pronouncing it but Phil thinks it is rather funny so she finds herself funny. Bad daddy

Harper is still an overachiever. I think she attempts at saying thank you and please. Whenever Reagan asks for things we have her use thank you and please. And I think I hear it in Harper. It isn't as clear as how Reagan says it but I hear it faintly. She is everywhere. This is a challenge. Reagan is somewhat good about staying near me but Harper is everywhere so I am constantly trying to keep an eye on 2 wiggle worms. They are definitely wearing me out. We went to the zoo the other day and it was insane; trying to follow Harper and keep an eye on Reagan it is tiring.

Reagan is definitely an amazing big sister. She is staring to help Harper out, it is so cute. We do this thing when it is time to go downstairs. I will go to the top of the stairs and Reagan follows and then we both cheer for Harper to come so I can carry them both downstairs and Reagan encourages Harper.

Enjoy the pictures click here

Guess Who Is Walking.......................

It is Harper. She took her first step a week ago today and now she is up to 5-6 steps before falling. She is only 9 1/2 months so she is a bit of an overachiever. She loves it!! Let the adventures begin!! I took this video after Harper finished eating some watermelon which explains her lack of clothes - the video is a bit long because it took awhile to get Harper to walk without her ride along


Besides the excitement of Harper walking we have had a busy month. We were in Michigan for the annual Coast Guard Festival and the girls had such a great time. I think the beach was their favorite. We were there for over 2 weeks and rented the cutest cottage. We went to the kids parade, watched the Coast Guard boats come in, went to the carnival (and went on the slowest merry go round ever - I can twirl faster), went to the craft fair, went to the big parade (we had to leave early due to cranky Reagan needing a nap) & top it off with the fireworks (Harper missed them but Reagan watched in awe). Then we decided to save a buck take the ferry from Michigan to Milwaukee and fly home from Milwaukee. STUPID!! We won't be doing that again. Lake Michigan was rather rough and the 2 1/2 ferry ride took 3 hours and all of us were not feeling so hot. Phil and I spent the 3 hour ferry ride covered in throw-up from both of the girls. We were a sight and to top it all off we had to take separate cabs to the hotel b/c Milwaukee for some odd reason couldn't give us a mini van. I threw REagan in the cab with the carry ons while I helped the cabbie try to break our double-wide trying to get it in his trunk. I think Reagan found my cell and wasn't happy that it wouldn't turn on since it needed to be charged and threw it on the seat. Alas, my cell is somewhere in Milwaukee.

Since we have been back we have been busy. We have joined a slew of meetup groups for the girls to play with. Last week we had a playgroup every day except one and I have taken the plunge and hired babysitters. Since Phil is never around and there is so much to do with the house especially painting and there is no way to get anything done with both munchkins demanding my attention. We have found a couple of wonderful girls so we feel lucky.

Click here to enjoy the pics