Bringin Down the House

Wednesday's at 10am have been a highlight for Abbey. We go to our local record store downtown called Boo Boo's Records for music time. Heidi is the woman who runs the program. She dresses like a rock star and always wears a flower in her hair and leads kids in acting out childrens songs. She plays songs like "Wheels on the Bus" and the "fire Truck" song. Abbey loves going to Boo Boo's and so you have to imagine our sadness when Heidi tearfully said the program was ending.
At the last music time we showed up early to get a good spot. There were 75 parents plus their kids packed into the tiny back room. It was madness and Abbey seemed to take on the personality of the party like atmosphere. She was a wild woman that day; running through the crowded room, getting up and down the stage, lying down on the stage and taking music shakers from other kids. Needless to say I was excited when the last song which is always the very popular "Fire Truck" song came on. Abbey of course ran up on the stage to party. Well, on this last music time ever, on the last playing of the"Fire Truck" song ever, Abbey (accidentally) pulled the cord. The music went silent and all you hear are voices singing the song for the last 30 seconds. That's my wild child for yah, she always leaves an impression. :)

Johnson Ranch Hike

A recent adventure that we had has been on my mental wish list since we first moved here. A couple miles out of town there are these hills that are just gorgeous during the spring. They are electric green and it reminds me of Ireland. For years I would think how can I get back there to hike around some day. It was all private land until a couple months ago when it opened up to public use. Needless to say we packed a picnic and took an easy Saturday afternoon hike.


We had a lot of fun exploring another beautiful central coast spot. For anyone that is local the hike is called Johnson Ranch hike , off the 101 between SLO and the Avila Beach exits.

Fun after the Rain

It has been a pretty rainy winter here on the Central Coast. So, when the rain stops we take full advantage of being outside with our active two year old. Most of the time we go to the park but we have discovered an adventure right outside our door by walking up the hill that we live on.

Kevin showed Abbey how to put leaves in the run off water and watch them float away. Her favorite was putting a flower in a half of a walnut shell, calling it a "boat" and then letting it loose in the water.
She loves to watch them race done the hill until see can't see them any more. Sometimes she'll chase after the leaf and other times she'll just lie down and play in the water.
What does your family do after it rains?

A New Side of Pismo

The place that we live in is so beautiful and has so many places to discover. Every once and awhile we break out of our routine and explore a new place. Recently we went to the see the Monarch butterflies in Pismo Beach. There is a cluster of Eucalyptus trees that the butterflies come and live for awhile. Fun to see but hard to capture with a picture, hence no picture.
But while we were there we saw a path and Kevin always has to see where a path leads him. And I am so thankful we did because just as be reached the beach we came upon the scene above. It was incredible! And to make it more perfect there was a homemade swing just Abbey's size.
We will definitely be going back but with a picnic this time. And it has inspired us to explore more new places. What adventures have you been on lately?

Two Already

Our little girl is 2 years old now. These last two years have gone by so fast and I can't imagine life without Abbey in it. She has been a truly a blessing to us.
Above is Abbey patiently waiting to blow out the candle and eat the frostly off the cupcake. This picture also shows off her annual birthday shirt. This year I decided to use buttons. And she loved it. She walked around all day saying "birthday shirt" and playing with the buttons.
Emma and Abbey playing with the party favors. I might have gone a little crazy buying fun favors since only three kids were at the party.
All the kids joined in to help open the presents.

Abbey you are full of life and energy. You think everything is funny so you bring so much laughter in our house. When people meet you they always comment on the joy you have and how beautiful your red hair is. You don't like to play by yourself, you are a true extrovert. You are tough, it has to be a pretty good fall for you to cry. But you have a tender heart, you give hearts and kisses generously. Right now you like Sesame Street, Veggie tales, reading books (especially Curious George) and going to the park. Your favorite foods are pot stickers, mac and cheese with broccoli, toast, gnocchi, oranges and of course any sort of treats. You would rather play in the dirt than play with dolls. We love you so very much Abbey and we are so thankful to live everyday with you.

East Coast Christmas

After Hawaii we made our way to the other side of the country. First we stopped in Michigan to see my brother Sam graduate Farris State College. We are all so proud of you Sam!
After the graduation we hit the road for the 10 hour drive to Lockport, NY for Christmas with the Marotta family. Every time we go to New York we eat like kings so I wasn't surprised when my doctor said at my prenatal visit this past week I had gain a couple extra pounds. We ate the best buffalo wings (you know Buffalo, NY is where chicken wings where invented), my mom's amazing coffee cake, seafood, prime rib, and authentic Italian bread, meat and cheeses. My parents go all out and now I need to go all out with exercising.

We also did some winter activities with Abbey that was so fun. We went sledding a couple times. Yes that is my brother being crazy in the background.
And we built a huge snowman, as you can see we used all the snow in the yard. Luckily we had two strong men, my dad and Kevin to lift the 100lb body and head .
Abbey was so in love with her snowman that she had to give him hugs and kisses. So cute.
It was a fun to be with family and for Abbey to being with her Uncle and grandparents. Especially since she was in a phase of saying "I love you Papa", "I love you Gaga (grandma)", and "I love you Sa (Sam)". What a sweet kid and what a sweet visit.

Hawaii Christmas

We are just getting back to normal around here from all of our traveling during the Christmas break. Our first destination was a wonderful vacation from Kevin's parents and sister to Kauai. It was beautiful, relaxing, and a lot of fun with family. We were in the water everyday, Abbey lived in her bathing suit and her floaty ducky thing.

This is Abbey chasing a wild chicken. They are everywhere on the island of Kauai. It is crazy to be in a parking lot for walmart and see wild chickens crossing your path. But i know what you are thinking (or at least my dad), man that girl has a Olympic runners stride on her. We have Abbey on a strict running schedule everyday to develop that natural speed of hers. Just Kidding. But that girl does love to run.
We went to the north shore one day and tried to go to this secluded natural ocean pool that happens at low tide. It is call Queens Bath. I had heard it was beautiful but dangerous at high tide. After making the mile hike to the ocean we arrive at this sign showing the total deaths in the area; 29! Needless to say we were getting nervous so the women stayed where it was safe as the men (Kevin and his dad) went to check things out. They headed out on this cliff walk with crashing big waves and I was nervous. By the time they returned, 20 minutes later I was not happy because I had started thinking the worst. see picture below (me with angry face and Abbey crying).
After that we headed to some safer waters. This is us with Kevin's sister Denise at the gorgeous north shore.
We did so many fun things...We ate a lot of shaved ice. This is so delicious with macadamia nut ice cream. yum.
We danced!
We played on a hammock in a beautiful place.
We swam with beached sea turtles.
And of course we played on the beach.
Thanks Lamb parents and Denise for an amazing vacation!