Chi Chi comes to visit!!

My aunt came to visit to play with the boys and keep me company for a whole 8 days.  That sounds like a long time, but it passed so quickly! I am already sad that she is gone.  Everyday was an adventure!

This first picture is just of my beautiful little doll.

 Chi Chi is here!!! Aspen is so happy in her arms.  This was the best thing my aunt could do - hold Aspen for me so I could actually play with my boys.

 Such a cute photo.  They were beyond excited that she was here.

 We had an adventure at the park too.  Aspen hung out in her carrier, while Landon and Hunter rode around on their scooters.

 And Hunter was beyond thrilled to have someone go play with him in his room. They even cleaned up after using each toy!  Mommy was thankful not to have messes on her hands.

 Aspen and I watched them play while Landon was napping.

 Landon wasn't sure he wanted to be up from his nap - or maybe he wasn't sure about it not being mommy who went to get him.  Either way, he has his pillow and blankie.

 And off to the beach.  What is more fun?! I think we went twice while Chi Chi was here and Brian came with us one time.  Then we went for cupcakes to celebrate her 50th birthday.  50? She looks my age.

 In a hole.

 Standing around talking.  The boys had so much fun rolling around in the sand.

 Little runner

 Hunter wanted to be tackled. They were laughing and enjoying themselves.

 Cute face

 And then Hunter was too tired to walk back to the car.  He did run around a LOT.

 CAKE! Happy birthday Chi Chi.

 The boys attacked the cake I was sharing with Brian.  It's better this way.  Carbs, and all.

 My sweet baby girl.

 Ready for an outing! Isn't she just precious? She rolled over twice while Chi Chi was here (10 weeks) and once today!

 At the park Landon accidentally got an owwie! We went to urgent care and had his face glued back together.  Poor baby.  A week later it looks phenomenally better.

 On Wednesday we went down to San Diego for the day to visit my cousin.  Unfortunately, she worked until 4 pm.  So we made an early day of it - leaving the house at 8:40 and getting home after 9 pm!  We met the Burkes at Sea World.  Hunter and Keagan hadn't seen each other since August so they were excited to play.

 And Landon and Wyatt had fun playing together too.

 We fed the sea lions (because the dolphins were closed).

 See that slippery fish in Landon's hand? Yuck.

 The boys

 Look! You can actually see all 4 faces.

 Keagan and Hunter were deciding where we would go after lunch.

 Bridget was excited to meet Ms. Aspen.  I had to put her in a dress for Bridget.

 Landon is just the sweetest little boy ever.  He is so kind and funny.  Look at how happy he is to have the map!

 He was a little bit done, after no nap and going through the park all day long.  And he didn't want to leave the turtle exhibit.

 Watching the dolphin show.

 And Shamu

 We went to the Navy Base to get my cousin Jen and then we went for dinner and ice cream.  It was so good to see her and I am so proud of her.  She is trying to improve her life and keep her life in her control and I think she's doing a great job.  It was also just nice to see her, as it had been a year.

 She loved little Aspen.  Who doesn't?

 Beautiful photo of both of them

 The 6 of us.  Hunter stole one of the sundaes, so 4 of us shared one sundae, basically.  This kid loves his sweets.  His great-gramma will be so proud :-)

 We got the "Gold rush" which has tons of peanut butter in it.  Oh my goodness!!! SO yummy.

 On Friday morning we took Landon to his soccer class.  It takes him a little bit to warm up to the class.  I was clearly very pleased about his lack of interest.

 Hunter has been napping more lately.  I forget that he is only 3.5.  As mad as he makes me sometimes, he is just a baby himself.   I treat him like a big boy, because he IS my big boy.  If someone needs to be self sufficient, it's him.  When he's sleeping I see his sweet little face.  I'm able to forget all of the moments in the day when he hurt his brother, broke something, or didn't listen to me, and I am reminded of how sweet he is.  How he shares with his brother and is kind to strangers.  I'm able to remember the hugs and kisses and "I love your" that I got earlier in the day, and I remember how much I love him.  Good thing he naps! (Sometimes)

 Chi Chi did the coolest thing EVER.  She took the boys to the store and said they could have anything they wanted.  ANYTHING.  Hunter scored an awesome Cars Lego set and Landon got Thomas the train and some tracks.  The boys are still obsessed with these awesome toys.  Thanks again Chi Chi!

 One thing that is so cute about my boys is that they would rather play together than with something new.  At first Hunter went in his room with me to build Legos and Landon stayed with CHi Chi to build train tracks.  Before long though, the boys were both playing Legos and then both playing trains.  I love their bond.

 I also love that Landon refused to take off his soccer uniform, which he was wearing over his corduroys and long sleeve t-shirt.  Too cute.

 "Choo choo" as Landon exclaims!

 Playing Legos together.

 We had cupcakes twice, and ice cream twice and we made cookies twice while she was here.  This is the second night of ice cream - at the Creamery.  This is a really cute ice cream store in downtown Manhattan Beach.  So much fun.

 See? She is having SO much fun.

 And so are they!  Landon actually drank the ice cream out of his cup.  I'd say he had fun too.

 That night, these 3 kids had a sleepover.  How cute are they? 2 of them are asleep.

 On Saturday we got ready for Landon's birthday party.  Some friends from San Diego drove up to see us and go to the party.  We just love the Gideon family.  How cute is Fiona and her hair?!

 The girls.

 Chi Chi and Aspen.  Such a dynamic duo.

 Hunter and Kai in their Stud hats.

 Angie and baby Aspen

This last week was so wonderful.  It was like a dream come true to have my aunt around all the time.  I love family and i love having my family around.  I am completely spoiled after having Jeff in town and then Chi Chi.  I'm not sure what to do with myself this week.  I'll post about Landon's birthday party later.  Neither child is sleeping right now (Aspen is) so I'm avoiding them by writing my blog.  Responsible parenting, right?