Happy Birthday Time

At the beginning of October we celebrated Dan's big day. It was a perfect day. Cal and I decorated in morning, made homeade cards, and baked his favorite lemon cakes. Then Dan took a half day off and we went to lunch at a Thai restaurant recommended by our friends. The Curry was scrumptious. Afterwards our favorite babysitters came and took over Cal duty for us while Dan and I got to skip out and have some much needed and much cherished one on one time-- in the daylight no less!!! We had to take advantage of getting to go out during the day so we headed to the beach and had a great time swimming in the waves together. Then a great dinner at a Mexican "hole in the wall" with delicious Tortilla Soup, followed by hot chocolate at Starbucks and then back to the beach for more relaxing time, watching the stars and cuddling up under a nice warm blanket. We had the greatest time laughing, talking, and messing around with the camera--taking millions of funny (though often blurring) photos. It felt like we were kids again and we had a blast together. Finally to end the night we came home, relieved the great babysitters (Andy & Mel), ate cake, and watched Iron Man. What a day! We love you Danny! I am so grateful to have you for my husband and my best friend and Cal is so lucky to have you for his Daddy!

Cal was obsessed with the balloons we blew up to decorate. He laughed and laughed and kept throwing them down at Cruiser

We had so much fun playing with the camera, taking pictures that made it look light out even though it was pitch black outside.

Starbucks hot chocolate....yummy

Loved it

I know I know.....people either really like the books or really don't, but I for one really enjoyed them. 

And the movie which I went and saw last night was amazing.  Loved it.

Addresses.....Pretty Please??

So it's that time of the year and I'm gathering addresses to update our address book and to send out Christmas cards! (I'm seriously sending them this year, I promise! ;) )We would love to send you one but I'm not positive who's addresses I have and who's I don't. If you would like a card please be sure to email me your address so I know I have it. ashleyjhenryATyahooDOTcom. 

Aren't you just so excited for the holidays??!! I know we are!

Family Photos

When all of Dan's family was together at the end of September we went to the park and just had some fun taking pictures of everyone and the kids. Here are some of my favs. I had fun playing with a few.

Nephews & Nieces

At the end of September Dan's family had a reunion of sorts where all 6 kids & families were together at the same time....something that rarely happens, but is so great when it does. Matt & April drove down from the bay area and Andy was on his "mission pit stop" (home getting surgery on his leg before heading back out). :) So we had a full weekend of fun with everyone together. The kids loved playing together and the adults had a great time chasing them around and chatting. Here are a few pictures from the Saturday we spent at Dan's Dad Steve and his wife Christine's home. I had just started a photo class so I had some fun with the camera. Here are some out of camera shots just for fun. 

It doesn't get much better than this....two little blondie boy cousins, Michael and Alex, running around the yard in their skivvies. I love it. Boys are the best.

Practicing my flower shots. :) Steve & Christine have a gorgious yard with beautiful flowers and plants everywhere.

Little Miss Alyssa...and her big doggie Paco. Cal and her love their doggies. 

Sure wish we got to see more of this little lady. She is such a sweetie and so good-natured!

We miss you Lys!

September & October Fun

Another post of random pictures of our little peanut and some of the things he's been up to the last couple months....

Decided he likes driving the car and pushing all the buttons. He thinks he is such a big kid. :) I LOVE when he does something new for the first time and his face is literally glowing with excitement and discovery.

When he is pushing buttons he gets down to business and is all serious. Focus.

Since we are so close to Legoland we pop over every so often for the free last hour of the day. This fall has been so warm we have still been enjoying the water and the beach. Cal loves going and splashing around in the little kiddie water area. He had such a great time.

A fun date night consisting of a delicious dinner and heaps of ice cream with the Carpenters. Such a fun night out. (Had to sneak in a picture of what we've been up to as well :) )

Cal's definitely grown attached to his blankie (and binkis) lately. I often find him wandering around the house with his blankie dragging behind him (which is secretly always something I couldn't wait to see my kid do) or whenever he sees it he reaches and grunts for it and then when he gets it he squeezes it and puts his head down on it. I love the love for the blankie.

The last couple months we've been watching our nephew Alex on Thursdays which has been so fun for Cal and me too. He is such a sweet kid and Cal loves playing with his big cousin--following him around the house, causing raucous, and mimicking all the things he does. They really do love each other and one day I walked in the kitchen and found them hugging just like this and they seriously kept doing it for a full couple minutes. Just hugging each other and laughing. Sometimes the grip got a little tight from Alex, but Cal didn't even seemed to mind. They are so sweet together.

Calvin and our friend Matt playing the piano at Mimi's

We met up for lunch with Dan at the beach one afternoon and Dan just rode the work beach cruiser down the street to meet us. Cal was enthralled by his Daddy riding around on it when we saw him so Dan took him for a little spin around the parking lot.

Standing on the couch and other furniture items (or oftentimes jumping) are some of the things this boy loves to do.

Swinging at the park.

Pretty much half the day Cal just hangs out with no pants on, just his soggy diaper in tow. So this is what he looks like a lot of the time.....just chillin' in his undies.