Friday, July 31, 2009

SB Zoo

Becoming a member of the Santa Barbara Zoo is kind of a necessity if you live in town. Groups of friends meet there, it is the perfect place to go if the kids are boogery and can't be around their playmates, and perfect in the afternoons if you need to waste an hour or so at the witching time. For our family that time is from 4pm to 5pm.

There are weeks here and there where we miss our normal trips to the zoo. This week has not been one of them. To count, we have been there three times. Once with daddy on Sunday to unwind from a long weekend, once by ourselves finishing up a mellow afternoon, and then yesterday with a hoard of friends. Going to the zoo with my mommy pals, all with two kids, has increased the need for us to excell at crowd control. When the kids are on good behavior (like yesterday) it is hectic but fun.

Just as a side note, I love when friends take photos and email them right away!






Thursday, July 30, 2009

Had To

Somebody stop me, please! I am addicted. Is Keller next? Is this really what Vera is going to look like in the future? Well, hopefully not, I have hope that her generation won't repeat the dreaded 80's or the 90's for that matter. I look back at the pictures. I now know that the waterfall bang style wasn't really that cool.

1992:

1984:

1964:

1960:

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Yearbook Yourself 2009

I can find many, many ways to waste hours playing on the computer, but this one might take the cake. I think I might be addicted. Unfortunately, the last picture of J hits a little too close to home judging from his yearbook photos.

My problem, none of the pics worked so well...I have a very pointy chin. I need to find a photo where I look a little more round and maybe I will look for one where J is beardless.




Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Three Amigas

Lunch and shopping with the ladies, with no babies in tow, quite an afternoon. On a hot afternoon, there is nothing better than good friends, a cold drink, and some chips and salsa.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Keller's First Year















Kelly Clarkson, Baby!

How much do I love these ladies? A ton, considering that before I asked them to drive to Paso and the Mid-State Fair I was the only one who had heard of Kelly Clarkson. It started with good times getting ready and some hanging out with no kiddos tugging at our legs. Plus, love the fact that C-Dog was kicking the cowboy hat.

Okay, even I laughed a little when walking in. Really, folding chairs...hmmm...if that wasn't enough, there was actual livestock under the bleachers.


Love these ladies!




Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Second Child

As I look through pictures and videos that we have taken, the fact that Keller is going to suffer from being the second child becomes so obviously clear. I found this little gem that was taken during our SF week.

Vera's thoughts: Oh, did you want to play with that...nope, I am taking it from you the second it hits your hands. You know what else, your parents aren't going to care that you were stripped of your toy, they just want you to make them laugh.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

New Favorites

Here are just a few fun shots of the kids from J's work BBQ last weekend. Yep, I seem to always be playing catch-up with photos after the weekend.

The Mazzetta Casa has been in an uproar this week, Keller had a double case of ear infection and then spread some of that love to me. No ear infection for me, just a lovely cold in the summertime. I hope that everyone else is doing better.




Sunday, July 19, 2009

Little Bee's Birthday

Charlie planned an Alice in Wonderland themed party on July 11th for her daughter including teacup cupcakes (filing that idea away for future use). The photos I have chosen don't really show the par-tay itself, they are just shots that I loved. Charlie and I, so good to have great friends!


Really, that is your "cheese" face? I have a whole series where if one girl is smiling the other one is making a funny face. Out of 20 shots there is not one where both are looking at me at the same time...while smiling. I have a new found respect for professional photographers who take family shots. Can you imagine trying to catch a moment where 4-6 people are all smiling at the same time, when some of those people are toddlers?


The boys in my life, love them and love Keller's belly hanging over his pants. His love, watermelon.




Wobbling at the Zoo

Gotta love overalls on a newly walking babe!


Saturday, July 18, 2009

Two Random Things

Story about Vera:

Sometimes, when the kids need to shower, we just throw them in with us into the big shower...otherwise known as the shower in the parent's room. The little shower is the square one that is in our guest bathroom or the Vera/Keller bathroom. This is especially handy with Vera because she just chills, sitting on a washcloth, and maybe scrubs up a doll if she has brought one in with her.

But, the trouble with having a parent and child in the shower is that the water can't hit both people at the same time. Recently, when trying to wash the conditioner out of my hair Vera started asking for the water to spray her. Her next comment, "You don't want your child to be cold, do you?" She has learned the game.

Story about Keller:

My son, who still has problems pressing the buttons on his toys, somehow knows how to honk the horn on our car...and of course laughs the entire time.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Behind the Magic

J and Vera spent a morning at James Saturday's house making the music for Keller's walking video. Yep, made from scratch. Does that make you want to listen to/watch the video again? Does it sound like Vera? The funniest part...I guess she made JS and his wife leave the room before she would speak into the microphone. So shy at some points and so full of pepperoni at others.


So serious!

Monday, July 13, 2009

Check Out How My Brother Walks

Keller is walking!! His first real steps were right before his 1st birthday and he is racing around now...well, kind of racing/stumbling like a drunken frat boy.

Random Collection

Keller Monster!!!!!!!!


How cute is she, such a good little mama.

Play-doh, so yummy in Keller's tummy.


This is what my day is like:

This is what my day is like (Part 2):

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Keller's B-Day Present

He loves it! Thank you Nonni, Nonno, Nana, and Papa. J has spent hours with Vera and Keller roaming the complex this weekend.

Unfortunately, he can't seem to figure out that there is a door. Instead, he hurls himself over the side. One time he even went so far as to close the door and then throw himself over it.

This picture would be even better if the remote actually worked...darn parents that haven't bought batteries.