Kirsten and Mark

He really loves his pasts and tomato sauce

And look at that cute long hair he had…it’s so funny how different he looks with it short.

I know I should maybe just pick one or two pics when he’s doing the same thing, but his expressions are so varied and so hilarious that I can’t help it…

His I’m trying to smile, aren’t I cute face

His real, genuine smile…He LOVES these paint things. Me, not so much. They’re really like water paint and soooo messy! He was colored for days. But, he did have fun.

We got some big crayons and a pad since he’s really into coloring lately. He’s quite proud of himself I think.

demonstrating his skills.

See mom, I have yellow and purple. They’re great!

He’s still switching constantly between left and right hands, but I’m thinking ultimately he’ll be a righty. Bummer!

A few weeks ago I got an email from my friend Paige basically asking if I wanted to drive to Utah with her, then up to Idaho to see our friend Ashley and her hubby perform in a play. I’ll admit, I wasn’t super gung-ho at first, but figured, why not? What’s the worst that can happen? Famous last words? Not so much.

We left last Tuesday night, and after a couple of stops to make the babies (Brit, 16 mo and Mav 18 mo) comfortable, we made it into Vegas to stay with friends Val and Tracy Smith.

This is most of what we got the rest of the trip…nice happy boys, or nice sleeping boys. We did stop in Cedar City for lunch, a nice playground romp and a visit with my friend Angie and her daughter Lexie–we didn’t get pics this time Ange!

Thursday my mom and I went to a conference for women with businesses, and it was pretty helpful. Pretty soon, our products are going to be available at their site http://Createdbymom.com.

Friday we drove up to Burley, Idaho to surprise Ashley with our visit. We made sure we got there after they’d already left for the play. Here’s a pic of the cast of Paint Your Wagon. She and Jason are the leads, which is nice to be able to do in a small town. We were so excited the whole time. They both did so well, and it made me miss doing theatre so much! Maybe once I leave LA. Anyway, after the curtain call, the cast passes the audience and goes outside to greet people. We stood up and shouted to get Ash’s attention and her expression was PRICELESS! It made the whole trip worth it. Her thoughts are here on her blog. We hugged outside and it was so fun to see her, and how excited she was.

We visited for a long time that night of course, and in the morning we did some more. The kids played outside, which is always a happy thing too.

Brit, Hudson and Hailey. Brit looks bigger than Hudson in this picture, but he’s not really. Maybe he just has the longer torso.

the boys all playing “together”

We tried to recreate a picture we got of the boys as little babies all lying on the couch together…I can’t find it. Anyway, they were not having it. First Mav cried, then Brit cried (hence the binky) then Hudson cried…so we moms joined in. It was so great to visit! We’re really looking forward to the Hulls coming down this way soon.

On our way back Brit and I stopped at my grandma’s house for a while and he loved playing with all her toys. Many of them are from when I was little. It’s cool to see how kids love the same things no matter when it is. I also discovered Brit’s love of blocks…I guess I’ll be getting some soon.

My mom always loves to get her picture with Brit, and apparently he likes it too.

So you don’t have to ask…yes they’re twins. Brit can tell them apart, can you? Just kidding.

We were sad to leave, but happy to come home the next day. The drive back wasn’t quite so uneventful as the drive up, but we were attempting to make them stay in the car all day long, what did we expect. Though, if they’d actually napped more than an hour they might have been in better spirits. In the end, we just put Nemo on for the third time, and there was happiness again.

So, are we crazy? Maybe. Are there more road trips in the future? Quite possibly.

So, this weekend I’ve been thinking enviously of small towns across America (and Independence Days of my childhood) celebrating the 4th with parades, parties and pomp while I’m here in Los Angeles where that is in limited supply. As a tradition-fanatic, this has been hard for me. But, as it turns out, it doesn’t take a block party or a parade to make the holiday, you just have to make it your own and appreciate what the holiday means.

So, what did we do to with our holiday? Mark found album art for his vast music collection, Britton read books and played with his toys and generally kept us running around all day. Good thing we have a small place! I caught up on housework and made my obligatory “holiday sugar cookies” since I have a Star cutter now. (See, it’s that tradition thing coming out again, though the 4th is a newly acquired holiday. I’m usually too busy or not around or didn’t have a cutter for it.) Brit thought it was an excellent time to practice his drums though. He can even do it laying down.

We had burgers for dinner from our Dream Dinners, I made beans and corn on the cob. Then we headed out to Culver City for fireworks. We’d debated going downtown near USC, but Brit was already acting tired, so that was definitely a no-go.

They were at Culver City High School and we set up our blankets outside the bleachers and all the “stuff” going on inside because 1. I knew Brit wouldn’t want to sit still and I’d worry about him falling through the bleachers (and Mav) 2. We had a perfectly good view where we were, and 3. Mark said it was crowded in there.

A band was playing and Brit couldn’t hold still

With Wondering Awe….

What to do with a 3-day weekend when you’re not going out of town? For us this time it was off to Huntington Library near Pasadena.  It is a vast garden with different themes, coupled with art galleries and exhibits. It’s been on our “To do in LA” list for a while, and I love to check things off.

The gardens are expansive, but interesting and beautiful.

Brit thought we were  being slow, and could hardly wait to get on the road.

The white cacti are called “Old Man of the Andes”

Brit looking at the Koi in the lily pond. They were big!

Yes, I did mean expansive. He loved every minute.

The Chinese Garden…my desire for a better photo of me to be inserted here was denied to give you the readers a better view of the garden itself. Oh, the sacrifices I make for you!

Just as we were going through the Chinese garden, Brit decided it was time to take a nap.

We were so disappointed, because just after that was the CHILDREN’S garden…but, he woke up…YAY!

No, this photo isn’t blurry. They are being misted. Brit came out with white hair–from all the water drops.

Water is so much fun!

We quickly saw some American Art and then a Gutenberg Bible they had on display as well. Very cool place. We thought we’d have too much time, but unfortunately they kicked us out before we were through!

I guess it’s just the nature of LA, but people move a lot! Since we’ve been married, at least 10 of our friends have left the state. It’s always sad to see them go, and we miss them dearly.

This past weekend it was another couple’s time to go…and we’re really going to miss them. Moving clear across the country doesn’t really lend itself to quick–or frequent visits. Maybe that’s why it’s a big deal…We hang out all the time, and I know they’re not coming back here, and we’re not going to be able to go there, so it’s a big change.

Now who am I going to make treats with?

Now who’s going to tell everyone Brit is her child and I’m the nanny?

Now who’s going to be in photos and make people think it’s Mark?

Now who’s going to do my hair?

Now who are we going to play Guitar Hero with until midnight? (or later)

We’ll miss you!

My mom was in town, so we went down to the only acceptable beach in SoCal…Newport. Suffice it to say, Brit was a fan.

At one point, he started crawling backward down the beach toward the water…in a round about kind of way. It was the same thing he does when he’s about to go down stairs backwards. Every once in a while he’d stop and look behind him to see where he was, then start backing up again.

We’ll have to make an effort to go down more often. It’s just so crowded on Saturdays when Mark can go with us. We should take advantage of it while we’re here though.