Our steadfast provider

I just wanted to take the time, to confess to all of you out there that read our blog, how much I love my husband. He works so hard for us everyday. And I know that he does it for us because you can see in his eyes how much he wants for us to have all we need and want. And how important it is to him that his kids are raised by their mommy. His sacrifice of early mornings and late nights are so much appreciated. I don't know how he does it sometimes. He's just amazing. God truly created the perfect match for me when he created the hot guy that I get to call my husband. We miss you when you are gone, honey, but we look forward to when you are home and we can "camp" in the dining room and cuddle on the couch while it's raining outside. We love you! ~Mommy, Aidan and Cruz

MAMA!

Cruz said Mama yesterday for the first time! He has said it before, but not in reference to me. It is one of those moments in life where you feel total bliss. He now is saying mama, dada and a bunch of other jiberish (is that how you spell that?) words. He's so cute!

San Francisco

Unfortunately, Joe had to work late both Thursday and Friday of our trip, so we didn't get to explore the city as much as we would have liked, as a family. So, we decided to add an extra day to our trip so that we could really enjoy our vacation together. We decided to rent bikes and bike across the Golden Gate bridge, and return by ferry. Aidan had been asking, everytime we passed one on the pier, if we could ride on a boat. So we knew that he would love that part of the excursion. The ride was a little bit more difficult than a "beginners ride" as the rental company described it. But it was a really, really beautiful way to see the city. We would recommend it to anyone who even remotely likes that sort of thing. Just be prepared to work just a little bit (there are a couple of good sized hills where I had to walk), but it was doable. We had so much fun exploring the city and enjoying it's food. We WERE all happy to come home, though, and sleep in our own beds!

San Fran so far

Joe had a 2 day job in San Francisco this week, so we decided to come with and take a long weekend. The drive up was a little crazy, but we made it and were very thankful to be here- FINALLY!! Both the boys did great, until we had about 2 hours to go, and they were both just so cranky and didn't really want to sleep in the car. Our only sanity saver at that time was the DVD player. Thank goodness for that! The boys and I have had a lot of fun so far, exploring and walking around fisherman's wharf. Aidan got to ride on the double decker "carouself" as he calls it. And both the boys were fascinated with the sea lions that were lounging by pier 39. We are hoping daddy will be off work early today so that we can all go exploring together!

Christmas!

Our Christmas was so great this year! We had my Uncle Pete and my cousin Sam, and my Aunt Julie and cousin Sydney all in town. On Christmas Eve, we all went to church and came back to our house for dinner. Aidan had so much fun playing with Sam. He was definitely the favorite. Aidan could not stop talking about him. Sam this and Sam that. It was so cute! And since Sam and Pete were staying with my parents, even when we go over there, now, Aidan asks if we are going to see Sam. He always loves being around the other men in the family!
On Christmas day we woke up and opened presents. It was so fun this year because Aidan was SO excited to see all the presents under the tree! He had so much excitement with each new gift he opened. So fun to see how much happiness can exude from their little faces! It always reminds me to see things a little differently. If only for a little while... Oh, if life were so simple!
We all got dressed and went over to Nonnie and Poppy's house. We opened more presents and had breakfast with the fam. It was so great to relax and spend some time with everyone we love. Aidan, of course, was more excited about the presents than the fact that it was Jesus's birthday, but he does still mention his birthday, but not the presents. So, hopefully in the long run, that's what will stick. The birth of our Savior is what should really bring us joy during Christmas time. It's so exciting to see that slowly becoming a part of his memory bank.

Boat parade and Disneyland

Every year we go to the Newport boat parade. For me, Amanda, it's one of those things that I look forward to. We get a coffee at Starbucks on our walk down to the harbor, cozy up to eachother in our coats and hats, and watch the decorated boats go by. There is just something about it...I love it. This year was no different. Except we had one more set of interested eyes. Cruz just really seemed to take it all in. The lights kept his attention the whole time we were there. Aidan enjoyed it even more this year, than he did last year. He loved the house that always wins the competition. They have everything from singing bears, to a REAL snowman. There is even a Santa, riding a unicycle on a tightrope that's suspended over the walkway. The boys both loved that! It was so fun to see the excitement and wonder in their beautiful, innocent eyes. It truly makes it feel like Christmas. This time when we rode the ferry over to the island we took a ride on the ferris wheel. All four of us squeezed into one chair for the ride. I think Aidan liked it the most. As for me, well, I'm afraid of heights a little, so it makes me feel kind of uneasy. But the view was beautiful.

On Thursday we took the boys to Disneyland for the first time. Aidan was so excited to "see Mickey and go to Pluto's house." He had so much fun. We got him a pair of ears that we weren't sure he would wear. He ended up not wanting to take them off. He would have slept in them if we allowed him to! I think his favorite was probably the tea cups. When we got off the ride, he turned to me and said: "Go in the cups, again, mommy?" He also loved the huge ferris wheel at California Adventure. Joe took him on that one, and said that Aidan just cracked up when the basket would swing. I guess we shouldn't be surprised that he doesn't get scared easily. He's a little daredevil!

It was such a fun trip. It's funny how once you have kids,what makes them happy, makes you happy. And-at least for now- that is what will make our vacations fun. To see their JOY!

Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving we went to Mark and Lisa's house in La Canada. The boys were both so good on the drive up there and it only took us an hour and a half. Aidan had so much fun playing with Uncle Mark's matchbox cars. He also loved playing with his cousin Natalie (Natawee) and talked about her for the next several days. They played the piano and watched TV together once dinner was over. Cruz was still newly crawling, so he scooted around on the floor a little bit, and slept a lot. He was his easy going self. It was such a good time visiting with family that we only get to see once a year. Aunt Marge was there too, and of course Nonnie, Poppy, Aunt Michelle, and the new favorite, Uncle Brad. (Aidan has a blue matchbox car that, whenever he is playing with it, says that Uncle Brad is driving it, because it's "Uncle Brad's car".) Its really cute. We had such a good, Thankful day at the Durkin's home, who were such great hosts, as usual.