This & that...

Here are some random pictures from the last couple of weeks. I am a huge fan of Instagram, it's a great way to spice up the pictures taken with your iphone and share them. It's also super handy to take quick pictures here and there when you don't have your camera.

Beach time with friends!!

Carving pumpkins, neither of our kids wanted anything to do with the goo...go figure!

Bacon & Egg toast cups, cutest breakfast ever...thanks to Pinterest & Martha Stewart!

One big event that has happened in the last 2 weeks is that we have potty trained Clara! It's funny because she was SO ready to be potty trained it was embarrassing, but I don't think I was ready for her to be potty trained. I don't like being at the mercy of her bladder, I liked being able to change her diaper when it was convenient for me, I know that seems lame, but with a baby to tend to, it was just easier. So we are both learning a new way of life, and thankfully she picked it up really quickly. I feel like you don't hear a lot about potty training, and I had no idea what to expect. We did a 3 day method, that called for constant attention to your child, teaching them to tell you when they need to go, and it was a cold turkey method (more on that later). It would have been pretty comical to watch Jordan and I get down on Clara's level, and act uber uber excited when we told her she was going to be wearing big girl panties and not diapers because she's a big girl. Or to have our voices drip with excitement when she made it to the potty. If we could only see us now!! We are still working on making it a new habit, because she will forget to tell us if she gets too preoccupied. Let me just say that I am not a fan of potty training though. Like I said, the method required a complete removal of diapers or anything resembling them. And night time hasn't always gone smoothly. She is a thirsty girl (she gets it from me) and I feel bad not allowing her to have water for hours before going to bed. Sometimes I check on her a couple times a night and ask her if she needs to go, which kinda works. But then as a result of this she hasn't been getting as good of sleep or taking as long of naps, which really affects her behavior. I'm debating using some pull ups at night if it doesn't improve. It's been frustrating at times, like when I am driving down Wild Cat and she says she has to go potty, the only option was the gas station. So holding Coleton in his carrier, and her hand, I make my way into the gas station bathroom and attempt to hold her over the toilet. Craziness, and I hate public restrooms! Well, I just had to vent and I know I am being a bit dramatic. What do you all think about potty training? Any words of advice or encouragement, because sometimes I feel like it has turned my world upside down.

Pumpkin Patch & 6 Months!

 We went to the Mountain Valley Ranch in Ramona, it is really cute and has lots to do for the kids.  They supply wagons for the little ones to ride in, and to cart your pumpkins around.  There is a huge corn maze, a corn shooter, and lots of animals.  It was the perfect chilly fall day (our weather can't make up it's mind around here) and we had fun running around and exploring.  This has definitely become one of our many fall family traditions!

 

  

  

 

Coleton also turned 6 months old on the 20th.  He is really starting to get around, mostly by rolling, but he can get up on all fours and will probably be crawling soon.  He is 19lbs 13.5 oz (90%) and 28" (95%) long.  He had a random health concern this past month, he had a UTI, which is strange for a baby to have.  It went away quickly with antibiotics, but they wanted to do further testing to make sure the urine wasn't flowing back up into his kidneys.  We had the test today, and everything came back normal, thankfully!  Other than that, he is extremely healthy and happy and growing so quickly!  We have started rice cereal and other foods will not be long off.  We just love this sweet little man to pieces!

Fall Festival!!

 Jeannine and I hosted our first annual fall festival yesterday!! It was a huge success and a fun time was had by all.  We had homemade chili, cornbread, and root beer.  The games included a leaf pile candy hunt, pumpkin popping, apple bobbing, donut eating contest, pin the face on the pumpkin, cake walk and pumpkin and face painting. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We even had a quick photo booth for our guests as they arrived!   

 

 

 

It was so much fun, we definitely have to try to do it every year. If you weren't able to make it, we missed you and hopefully we'll see you next year, it'll be even better! 

A great weekend...

Jordan had four days off in a row, including all of the weekend. It was a perfect mixture of fun and productivity. We did some major, and extremely overdue, cleaning and organization around the house. It was so fun and felt so good to get things done like windows, blinds, baseboards, doors, re-arranging, etc. We also managed two beach trips, our recent cold weather came and went, and has been replaced with higher than average temperatures. It’s kinda a bummer to have such warm weather in fall, but at least we can head to the beach! The weekend was especially fun, it all started with a fall concert in the park. They had a band, games for the kids, a jumper, and food. This is the last concert for the year, and they are always a good time.

Sunday after church we headed down to the beach with our friends Chris and Michelle Withey, and their little girl Lauren. The weather was gloomy at first, but the sun came out eventually and we had a great time. Of course the girls didn't mind the weather, and they got right to business playing the sand. Coleton was mellow as usual and just loved being outside. We ended the day with dinner in Encinitas at an Asian Diner and it was delicious. I love great family time, and that is definitely what this weekend was!

As of late...

...not much has been going on. Nothing especially blog worthy that is. We have hunkered down since our last trip has come and gone, and have been doing things locally. I have made two trips up to Julian recently. We went apple picking with family, then I went back up with my friend Jeannine for her birthday. Jordan actually ended up in Julian the very next day fighting a fire, he was gone a total of 4 days between his shifts and the fire, and that seems like a long time with 2 kids. I have started watching my niece Ella again, after a break while my sister was in between jobs. I watch her around 3 days a week, and although the days are busy, I enjoy having her around. I have them all on tight schedules, and when everything goes as planned, the day is smooth and goes by fast. Coleton is 5 months old and continues to grow, he already weighs 20 pounds. He sits up on his own, and loves to grasp anything in sight and bring it to his mouth. I love how babies are curious to a fault! I have started walking a lot more just around my neighborhood. I haven't done much in the way of exercising since Coleton was born, and it feels good to get out again. It is a perfect activity in the evenings when the kids are getting bored and fussy, I just load them up and they love being outside, and Clara loves pointing out everything she can see. I also love how it gives me more energy to do things after they have gone to bed, instead of just crashing on the couch like I usually do. Lately cold Fall type weather has hit us with a vengeance and I am loving every second of it. We have been having yummy hot beverages, which Clara says more like "hot britches," doing puzzles and just enjoying the change in the weather!

There's a short update on our lives, and some random pictures, sorry the blog has been neglected lately, I'll move it up the priority list!