the great outdoors

Like most toddlers, Tristan is most content outside. He could wander around and explore for hours. Two weekends ago we went to the Big Island for a visit and spent most of our time in their great big yard. Tristan could get lost in this yard! My dream is to have a big yard one day, to let this wild animal loose. We have a little yard but since we are higher up in the Valley, our yard slopes, and it's really scary. Tristan plays in it sometimes but I'm always afraid that he's just going to roll right down it and get hurt. Until I get my big yard, we do parks and the beaches.

Picking wild flowers.

Skateboarding with Dad. He is ready and focused.

So happy. Life couldn't get any better than this.

"Dad, you blow my mind! you are so good!!"

Little stinker. You can tell by this picture that he rules our lives.

Playing with Dad.

California highlights

The main purpose of this California trip was to try and be there when Brookie had her baby, so I could meet baby Joaquin, and be there to help them as much as I could. The timing of Joaquin's arrival was perfect. I had about a week to spend with Brookie before her little man came. And a little over a week after to chill with Joaquin. The only problem was that I was sick for part of the time, and so was baby T, so it kind of ruined my plan of bonding with baby J and relieving the tired parents when I could. I did my best. Meanwhile during some down time, T and I tried to keep ourselves busy. Here are some highlights below;

Tristan reunited with baby Ben. This is when they last saw each other.

Tristan modeling in baby Joaquin's clothes. These may be 3 month old jeans? ha ha.

Lots of swim time with Papa.

Being teased by Aunt Chelcie. I think he liked it though.

Cousin love. Reconnecting with cousin Von.

All 4 cousins together. Taking this picture wasn't easy. Von, Addi, and Joaquin were just fine, it was my son that was trying to escape the whole time and wouldn't hold still.

Since T and I were in town, as well as my Grandma, my parents decided to celebrate their Anniversary with everyone! Sad for them but they did just get back from a Cancun trip so they were ok.

Me and Grandma Flo.

Our attempt at getting a picture of all of us out at dinner, minus a few.

We did a few more things that I don't have pictures of, like going to Disneyland with T and a couple of friends. He LOVED it there! It really is a magical place, the only place that can wear him out and make him sleep! I was sad but excited to come home. We missed Christian SOOO much while we were gone. Two and a half weeks is a long time. Thanks for the fun times family. Hurry and find another excuse for us to come back and visit sometime soon!

Baby Joaquin

I don't think I have seen a more beautiful baby! His jet black hair with those perfect lips. He's gorgeous! My sister, Brookie, gave birth to Joaquin Ashton Gonzalez on May 31, 2010. Stats: 7 lbs. 11 oz. - 20 inches long. Brooke was a champ during the delivery. I ALMOST made the cut to be in the room when he was born but Brooke got stage fright last minute and requested only my mom and Mando be in the room, which I totally understand. Brooke and Armando are amazing parents! I just love this little boy and wish that I could have had more cuddle time with him while I was in town, but unfortunately I was sick for half of the time, and Tristan (my little leach) was sick as well. I can't wait to watch him grow! Welcome to the family sweet little Joaquin.

Congratulations Brookie and Mando!

mommy's little helper

So much to catch up on, but for now I will leave you with these two pictures of my little helping hands. I don't think I could bake without them. Many pictures to come from our recent trips!

Sneaky little fingers.

spaghetti face

I'm not sure why kids enjoy rubbing sauce all over their face when they eat. It's weird to me. But he seems to be having a good time. Sorry for the blurry photos. He can never sit still for a picture anymore.

week in review

We inherited this big monkey from a birthday party last Saturday. They saw that Tristan was spending more time with it than the other kids, so they thought he would want to take it home with him. We'll give him one more week with it. Anyone interested in adopting this monkey? Truman?

This is what my boys made for me mother's day morning.

Dad teaching Tristan how to blow bubbles. Notice the hand holding. Adorable.

Many nights hanging out with the Thomsons, trying to catch up on Lost. We just started season 5 yesterday. Do you think we can catch up for the series finale this Sunday? Two seasons in one week, it's possible.

Tristan at the petting zoo. He loves picking the goat's noses, playing with the fun dark round pebbles under the goats (aka goat droppings), and when the goats pee, he thinks it's a water fountain to play in. Lots of hand washing takes place at the petting zoo. He loves this place.

Tristan enjoys looking at himself in the mirror with his crazy bath hair.

happy mother's day

...to all of the wonderful mothers in my life, who inspire me and teach me so many things. I am surrounded by incredible women and I am thankful to have them in my life. My mom is special; she is one of my best friends. She is so talented, thoughtful, and beautiful. I really don't know what I would do without her. I love you mom!

14 months

Tristan is growing up so fast. I thought that I would record a few things here about our little 14 month old, so we can remember what he was like at this age.

• He claps his hands together and smiles whenever I say "yay!"
• He makes his body go limp and screams when he doesn't want me to pick him up; like in the grocery store when he wants to run around and grab food off the shelves. He even doesn't mind when people around him are watching. It's really fun for me.
• He's signing 'more' and 'eat'.
• He loves to dance to techno music.
• He doesn't like missing out on things; therefore he never wants to sleep. Nap time is still a struggle, his morning nap no longer exists. The other night we had friends over for a BBQ and when it was time for Tristan to go to bed, he screamed in his crib for a long time because he just knew that our friends were still in the living room hanging out. He was climbing out of his crib and insisted on hanging out with us, and ended up going to bed after 9:00 that night. Two nights later we were watching Lost with some friends and we had to fake a goodbye with them. Tristan and I walked them to the door and waved goodbye to them. Our friends had to hang out outside until we let them in again (sad! We are so mean). Tristan quickly fell asleep because to his knowledge, no one was out there having fun without him.
• He's a monkey and can climb anything! He has mastered the stairs, kitchen table, couches. Anything that's high up, he can climb it.
• When he gets hurt, he doesn't cry. He has fallen over in chairs, smashed many fingers, and has bonked his head over and over again and he immediately just shakes it off and moves on.
• He's obsessed with water. He finds a puddle and can hang out there and entertain himself for hours. The ocean. I'm surprised the salt water doesn't bother him but he loves getting smacked in the face with waves. He has no fear running up to a big wall of white water. Scary.
• He talks a lot. But we don't really understand what he is saying, just jibber jabs. And he loves to laugh at his own jokes. He says a jibber sentence and then cracks up at himself.
• He finds our cellphones and paces around the house with the phone to his ear as though he is on an important phone call. When I try to take the phone away from him, he goes limp and screams, (see second bullet above).
• He still loves his books.
• When he hears a dog bark in the distance, he barks back. It's the cutest little noise you could ever hear.
• When I point to a shark or a dinosaur, he growls.

LOST wrap party

Last weekend was the Lost wrap party and we are fortunate enough to have two great friends who work on the show to get us in. :) Alyse (below on the left) works in the Accounting Department and Shiloh (below on the right) works in the Art Department. Christian and I are a little behind on watching the show, we are just starting season 3. We're lame, but we are trying to catch up. I was able to get a couple of pictures with my faves. See my stalker pictures below.

I couldn't decide which smile of Sawyers I liked better, so I posted them both! He really is as handsome in person:

We spent the most time chatting with Hurley. Very cool guy. Look at Sawyer blowing into my ear in the back. He just couldn't get enough:

John Locke (aka Lock Hatch). He's dreamy too (but not in this picture):

Ben, the Other's leader. This photo is funny because our heads are tilted together and touching, as though we are dear friends. Locke actually took this picture of us. He kind of just stole my camera and insisted on taking it:

As you watch the series finally of the show, don't blink because you might just see Christian and I roaming around in the background as extras. :)

Waimanalo with the Thomsons

Last Saturday we went to Waimanalo Beach with the Thomson family and Miss Haley. This beach day couldn't have been more perfect; the water was warm, light wind, the sun was out. Tristan is starting to enjoy getting slammed by the waves. Not one peep comes out of him, he loves it apparently. It scares me!

Tristan with his new best friend, Ezra. Ezra was adopted into the Thomson Family on April 1st and he is probably the easiest baby I have ever seen. He's such a sweetheart!

Tristan takes family photos very seriously.

Constantly pointing. I think there was a helicopter above us.

The Thomson Family. Love them.

p.s. I'm over the huge photos! I still need to figure out how to size them perfectly. Working on it.