San Francisco!

It's been just about forever since my last blog post and so much has happened in the past 2 weeks! Last week Jonathan was working at a conference up in San Fran so Jayden and I decided to tag along and make a mini vacation out of it! The last time I was up in San Fran was about 20 years ago...so we had such a fun time exploring the city! When Jonathan was working, Jayden and I just hung out and walked around the city, but as soon as he was off work we were out exploring together!

Jayden was perfect on the airplane rides! The 1 hour flight was a breeze compared to the 5 1/2 hours to Hawaii! As soon as you reach the maximum altitude you're already descending!

After we landed we headed for our hotel. We stayed at the Marine Memorial Club & Hotel ~ which was an awesome location! Just a few blocks from Union Square and Nob Hill :)

It seemed like we walked about 20 miles while we were there...and most of the time it seemed we were going uphill! Friday we booked an Alcatraz tour so we walked all the way down to Pier 33! It was a super long walk, but the views were pretty amazing!

Jayden bundled up and ready for our adventure!

On the way to the pier, we decided to walk through Chinatown! 

Jonathan and Joe made the walk fun! Hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil!

I loved the lanterns hanging above the street! Definitely added character to the area! 

I love this pic! We had an awesome view of "crooked street" when passing Lombard street! I wish it wasn't so blurry...but it was pretty amazing in person!

Jonathan was a little nervous we were going to have to hike up that hill pushing the stroller haha 

After a 40 minute walk or so, we finally made it to the doc! We arrived just in time...we boarded the boat about 15 minutes later and we were off to Alcatraz!! And I couldn't believe how quick the boat ride was! Less than 20 minutes and we were on the island! 

Jayden loved being on the boat! Jonathan even took her next to the "splash zone" so she could see the birds flying and the flag waving in the wind! Luckily they didn't get soaked like other people that were out there!!

We were even brave enough to go in the "splash zone" for a quick picture.

I can't believe the cells were only 5 feet by 9 feet! I could reach from one side to the other! 

Jayden & daddy behind bars.

Jayden peeking through the visitor window :)

Visiting hours are over!

Such an amazing view outside the main entrance. 

I know you're jealous of our headsets LOL

After our long afternoon at Alcatraz, we decided to take the bus back to the hotel (thank goodness)! Everyone was super tired, especially Jayden, so we had a quick dinner and went to bed early! 

The next day Royce came into town to tour the city with us! 

First stop...Cable car museum!

Next stop ~ Lombard street! 

Look at that view!! It was such a beautiful day and the perfect day for exploring the city! 

Lunch with the boys & Jayden :)

After lunch we were off to Ghirardelli Square! 

One of the first times my family went to San Fran my parents took my picture next to the mermaid fountain...so ofcourse I wanted to try and recreate the photo with Jayden :) Unfortunately she wouldn't really turn around because she was obsessed with the water!

Next stop...Fisherman's wharf!

It kind of reminded me of Newport Beach ~ very touristy but super fun! We strolled along the boardwalk and just enjoyed the day! Jayden loved seeing the birds and listening to the music!

Last stop...GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE!

I'm so glad we made it to the bridge...we didn't walk across since we were exhausted but it was a beautiful day and so much fun exploring! 

Family photo op!!

Probably one of my favorite pictures from our whole trip! 

Awww how I love that smile! <3

After our super long day walking around the city, we FINALLY made it on the trolly! 

Jayden was so exhausted she fell asleep cuddling with daddy :)

One of my favorite parts of San Fran was the delicious food we ate :) I loved how we ate at a new non-chain restaurant every night and Jonathan even ventured out and tried new foods! YES! MY JONATHAN TRIED BRUSSELS SPROUTS!

I was in such shock I had to take a picture!

Mind you...moments before Jonathan was claiming he did not like brussels sprouts and yet after trying them he was diving in for seconds!

Overall we had an amazing time and I'm so glad we walked a ton so I didn't feel so bad about eating so much while we were gone! I feel like there was so much more to see and do up there...so one day we will have to head back up to San Fran :)

Jayden's First Steps

That's right! Friday night Jayden took her first few steps!!!!!!! I'm still in awe that our little 16 pounder is trying to walk! It came out of no where and all the sudden she was taking 2 or 3 steps! Unfortunately we don't have any pictures or videos since she stopped as soon as the phones came out to record :( but I have a feeling she will be walking in the next few weeks! And now my phone is constantly ready for her next baby steps! <3

Easter

I love Easter! It's definitely one of my favorite holidays...and this year it was so much fun celebrating with Jayden.

Last year Jayden was released from CHOC 2 days before Easter, so it was pretty low key and we didn't get an Easter Bunny picture :( ...This year we not only got the best Easter Bunny picture ever, but since the weather was beautiful we spent most of the weekend outside!

Saturday we were off to the mall to meet the bunny! We got there just in time...there were only 2 families in front of us and seconds later there was an enormous line!

Waiting in line to meet the bunny!

BTW I love this yellow sundress! Uncle Parker got it for Jayden's birthday and even though it's a little big, I thought it was perfect for pictures! I still can't believe she kept her cute yellow bow on for longer than 2 minutes!

As we were walking up, Jayden was waving to the bunny...as soon as I set her on the bunny's lap, she lost it!

Tell me this isn't the BEST Easter Bunny picture EVER! I'm obsessed!

Jayden was in a much better mood at dinner once I let her take off her bow and she was away from the bunny :)

Such a daddy's girl! <3

Sunday morning we were up bright and early...after breakfast, we were off to church with Grandma Pam, Grandpa Scott, Adam & Crystal! It was such a beautiful day - after the service we hung around outside...all the kids were running around and Jayden was pointing and wanted to go play also! 

During the group picture - Jayden must have seen the Easter bunny again because she freaked out! 

Orrrr.....maybe she just wanted to go play in the water LOL

I can't believe she loved being in that ice cold water! I swear she could probably live in water...she's like a fish! So naturally, Jonathan and Grandpa Scott took her in the pool and jacuzzi when we went to the Ericksons :)

Grandpa even took Jayden in the ice-cold pool...he was shivering, but not our little swimmer! She was loving it and waving to everyone!

One of the highlights of the day was that Ella Bella made an appearance so the girls were together!! I'm so, so, so happy Bre & Al came over with my precious niece! I love how much the girls love each other and love playing together! 

We didn't have an Easter egg hunt or color eggs since the girls are too small, but next year we are going all out! It will be so much fun and I'm sure it will be here before we know it! <3

Oh Maverick

This week we were so lucky to have Maverick staying with us since Pam & Scott were out of town! Oh how we love when our "part-time" doggie is with us! Even though he is a little monster sometimes, he is deeply missed once he's back in Tustin :(

His new favorite place in the house is right next to Jayden's highchair, pretty much because he knows some (if not all) of her food will end up on the floor at one point or another...so he just sits and waits...patiently :)

And I love how the one night Jonathan and I decided to on our "diet", Maverick wanted a bite of my cupcake. He sat and stared at my delicious cupcake for a good 10 minutes. I'm sure he's thinking if he sits and stares long enough, he might actually get a bite! 

He was right...I ended up sharing with him :)

Since Jayden's been quite a fussy babe these days due to her teething, nap time is definitely a luxury at our house! It just so happens whenever Jayden goes down, so does Maverick! 

The house was so quiet with both babies sleeping! 

Now Mavierck is back in Tustin :( 

It was so sad...Jayden was literally looking all over the house for Maverick today. She misses her furry friend! She was up next to the back door pointing to go outside and she was even tossing her food over her high chair for him...unfortunately now I have to clean it up instead of Mav.

Awwww how I love this little girl! And one of my favorite parts of the day is picking out her outfit! Seriously...how cute are those pink boots?! I LOVE them! :)

 I can't believe they have stayed on her feet! Usually she pulls off anything I have on her feet...socks, shoes, sandals! But not the girlie pink cowgirl boots! 

So adorable <3

Hopefully they go with all her summer outfits as these might be my new favorite thing! 

Luckily for Jayden, mommy knows that boots go on the INSIDE of the pants...where as Jonathan once asked if his boots go inside or outside the pants...muahahaha...I seriously wish I didn't answer him seriously and he would have put them on the outside of his pants...that would have been CLASSIC! :)

I love being an Auntie!

Obviously my favorite thing in the world is being a wifey and a mommy...but a very close second is being an Auntie to the best nieces and nephews in the world! I am so blessed and love my sisters' babies so, so, so much! Anddd I had the privilege of watching baby Ella the other day! I'm not going to lie, I was a little nervous watching Jayden and Ella at the same time, but both girls were perrrrffffeeecctttttt :)

Of course I had to take a few pics with the girls! 

Once Jayden saw herself on the camera she got really excited and started laughing...too cute!! <3

The only babe we were missing was little Brooklyn! Who, by the way, is a cute little blondie these days! Tell me these blonde pigtails aren't the CUTEST?!

Awww how I miss her and those cute boys who stole my heart!!

Yep...that's right...these boys :)

Ahahahah I love those little troublemakers! 

Anyways....back to me babysitting....

When Bre dropped off Ella, I love how she told me she probably wouldn't sleep...little did Bre know that I obviously have the magic touch...

Not only did Ella sleep for me, but she took 2 long naps in 6 hours! :)

Since both girls were napping at the same time, I was pretty bored so I decided to start spring cleaning!

I know it doesn't look clean...but this hall closet is spotless compared to before! 

And I even cleaned out the garage!! Well I should really say "part of" the garage...the other half needs to be cleaned out also - but I decided to leave that for Jonathan :-D

Such a fun way to start the weekend! 

Clean house & cute babies <3

Awww I love my life!

One Smart Girlie Girl

Jayden is quickly becoming miss independent and she is finding all sorts of new things to do by herself!

The past few weeks our poor babe had a runny nose, so it seemed like we had to wipe her nose every 30 minutes...well now when she finds a baby wipe or a tissue, she just holds it up to her face to try and wipe her nose! It's hilarious!

When she's done holding it to her nose, she tears it up into tiny little pieces and hands each one to me...or puts them all over the floor :) It sure will be nice when she learns to pick them up haha

A few days ago she picked up the brush to brush her own hair...even though she didn't quite get it right, it was too cute not to capture on camera! It's going to be so much fun when her hair is long enough for pig tails or a french braid! :)

And my new favorite...peek-a-boo! It is toooo cute! When Chloe and Livi were here a few weeks ago they were trying to play peek-a-boo with Jayden but she didn't quite get it. Then a few days ago, Jonathan and I were playing with Jayden and I popped out from behind a wall and said "boo" and she put her hands up over her face!

It was definitely a highlight from last week... andddd I'm so glad I got it on video :)