Balboa Island

We just came back from our vacation at the beach house on Balboa Island.

It is always a special time when we are there. 

That was where Ryan and I shared our first kiss and also the site we chose for our engagement pictures.

 Ryan also has many fun memories there when he was a child, so bringing us there makes it even more special. 

This was Brenden's first time there and he absolutely loved it... of course he got so much attention from everyone because he is so darn irresistible.

 It was nice that both sides of our family visited us there too.

 Also, Kylah invited her best friend Emily to make the trip down south and spend the week with us.

The week just flew by!

 We celebrated Kylah's 14th birthday and Brenden's 8 Month,

 spent hours at the beach, 

lots of walking around the island with the stroller, 

admiring all of the historical old cottages and amazing new beach mansions...dreaming of one day owning our own beach house,

 hungry for many frozen bananas and balboa bars,

 shopping around the cute boutiques, 

riding on the ferry to the fun zone, 

shell picking,

 paddling around the island,

  people watching on our porch, 

and of course spending two entire days at

 Disneyland and California Adventures. 

What fun! 

We should have each only packed one backpack for the week...so he says...Hilarious!

Early morning breakfast stop on our way down south.

Kylah's birthday cake awaits.

We made it!

It must be summer, lots of cars coming onto the island.

The beach house.

My sister and her boys walking to the beach.

Boys at the beach.

Winding down....yeah right!

Cousins.

Happy Birthday Kylah!

Showing off his skills.

Walking...walking...walking....love it!

8 month photo shoot

 

Checking things out on the water.

Laying around...that's all they do.

 

Many, many times.....

Balboa Bars.....Yum!

Me blogging at Starbuck's down the street.

Hauling the stuff down the street to the beach on the dolly he created.

Paddling around the island.

Location, location, location....

Knocked out in the stroller. What!

Kylah, Emily and Matt in the water.

The girl...Just chillin'.

Going shopping of course.

 

My new ornament.

Playing with papa.

Waiting for the sun to set.

People watching out the front door. The best part of the house.

Murray Family Farms in Bakersfield. Quick stop on our way home.

 

It's like crack.....freakin' delicious.

She is going to be so mad when she sees this! Ha, ha

Disneyland will need it's own post!!!!

XOXO, Tania

Kylah : : 14 Years Old

Happy 14th Birthday girl! 

I can't believe that you are fourteen years old today! It seems not to long ago when you loved to be swaddled in order to fall sleep and always had your pacifier in your mouth. Time goes by too quickly. You are about to start high school in a couple of weeks. Oh my goodness! My little girl is not so little anymore. In fact, you are much taller than me.

You have grown up to be a wonderful little woman and I am so proud to be your mommy. I know that you will excel in high school and I can't wait to cheer you on at your volleyball games.  I hope this birthday brings you lots of happiness. It's so special that Brenden turned 8 months old today too. Oh he loves his big sister.  I love you very much! 

For your 14th birthday you went to the One Direction concert with your friend Anna and spent the day at the beach house in Balboa Island with family and best friend Emily.

Pink Champagne cake from The Madonna Inn

Kylah and her best friend Emily. We brought her down south for the week.

With cousins and Emily

XOXO,

Tania

Brenden :: 8 Months

Happy 8 Month birthday my little man!

Here we are again, another month has soared by leaving me, yet again, feeling like you're growing up way too fast. You're moving all the freaking time. Seriously, sit still. :) You crawl sometimes, but mostly you stand any chance you get. It's funny because you will push up on anything to stand up. It makes me think that you are going to walk any day now. It was nearly impossible to get a decent photo of you this month. You just want to move and explore and frankly, I got a workout trying to wrangle you for this photo shoot!

You are so musical. You pause or move your arms up and down when you hear music. And those vocal chords are definitely being exercised with your new high pitched happy squeal that you do. I guess you decided that it was a good idea to have 4 teeth come in at the same time. No fun for either of us. Mommy had a cold and since you are a momma's boy, you got your first cold too. It was so sad to know that your nose was all stuffed up and had a low grade fever. You hated when I had to clean your nose or even wipe it. Changing your diaper this month has been a nightmare. You will not stay put! However, you are an awesome traveler. We drove down south twice this month and you did amazing. You slept for 3 hours at a time! We can take you anywhere and we love that. Baby food isn't your favorite, you rather have breast milk. That is fine, I love our bonding time. Clapping your hands is the new thing for you and you are so proud when you do it.

I still have those moments where I look at you then look at daddy and say how the heck did we get so lucky? Love you tons and tons. 

For your 8 Month photo shoot, we are at Balboa Island on vacation......You just love it!

XOXO,

Tania