Hillsong United...here we come!

We are super excited about seeing Hillsong United on Monday at the Nokia Theatre in L.A. Monday night. They are a praise and worship band from Australia and they are amazing. I know it will be an experience we will never forget. Thank you Jesus!!!

* Also, we are so excited about my BFF being pregnant. It has something we have prayed about for a long time. We know that our Lord has perfect timing for everything and we are just so thankful. So yeeeeeeah! I am gonna be auntie...sort of :)

Happy 30th Birthday to my hubby!!!

It's not until tommorrow, but we're having a birthday date night, so I thought I'd share this now:)
So Happy 30th Birthday to my love!
30 reasons why I love my Muscle Russell:
1) He puts Christ first in his life and and makes sure that he teaches his family to do the same.
2) He daily and devotedly reads the scriptures and prays.
3) He is super, duper handsome
4) He is handy around the house, I am thankful for this!
5) He makes everyone laugh.
6) He is a good cook and the BBQ king. :)
7) He plays with the kids often and they have such fun together.
8) He's a manly man, loves to watch and play sports.
9) He laughs from his gut:)
10) He's an athlete, for real.
11) He helps clean around the house... a lot!
12) He is neat and tidy.
13) He enjoys yard work and is good at it.
14) He has nice (manly) hands.
15) He can dance, whether he is being silly or serious, the guy has rhythm.
16) He is a good driver and never gets lost.
17) He likes to sing.
18) He likes to cuddle.
19) Good kisser!
20) Best eyelashes ever! Would make any girl jealous :)
21) Makes the best macaroni and cheese! Ask any child who has been over.
22) Loves kids...and they love him.
23) Loving and respectful to all elders. Old women love him:)
24) He is loyal to his friends
25) Gives really good hugs
26) Wants a daughter
27) Appreciates good food
28) Wants to bless his family and friends always
29) Doesn't care about presents
30) He loves me so much and I know it! :)

Chik-Fil-A video

Found this video and thought it was funny, especially since he shares the same sentiments about our beloved Chik-Fil-A. Best chicken sandwich ever! (and sweet tea)
Don't forget to pause my playlist at the bottom of the page before you play it :)

Those were the days...

Kayaking, No kids (though there was one in my tummy), Just me and my Hubby

CHUNK!

Whoa! He really was chunky monkey!

Happy Anniversary!

Happy 3 Year Anniverary to my littlest sis' and her man!
Love you guys!

Flashback

Russ and newborn Bro Bro's view of the family from the nursery window. 8/10/07

An Oldie but a Goodie

I was bored and thought it would be fun to look at some old pic files on this computer, which we are borrowing from my sis who's in Africa.
This is when we went to Cerisa's graduation from Stanford. My sweet lil' No No is wondering "What in the world is on my auntie's head?" :)

The Goose Bump and The Shiner

This last week Daredevil Bro Bro has acquired his share of bumps and bruises.
This child climbs everything...and I mean everything.
He was a on top of the couch and decided to fly off of the top onto our hardwood floor.
The result= a large goosebump
A couple of days later, he face planted on a toy.
The result= his first shiner
Thank God he is a tough kid! I on the other hand, feel his pain everytime!

This one is cute cause you can see Big Bro No is laying hands on him and praying.
Melt my heart!

Looking proud of himself

Ouch!

Bro's Shiner

Proud of his first shiner

Snow...Again...and Again...

This weekend, we had a crazy cell that passed through, and it dumped tons of snow in the area. Russ was working in the Antelope Valley and ended getting stuck because they closed the freeways. We planned to stay the weekend at his parents one night for his dad's birthday and then off to my parents who so kindly agreed to watch the boys for us so we could go on a Valentines Day date. In my desperate attempt to not get stuck in my house with the boys, I frantically got everyone's things packed for the weekend and loaded up the car so that we could attempt to get out of town. After saying a prayer in the car with the boys, off we went (slowly) to rescue our daddy. I got near the freeway and sure enough there was a huge line of cars just waiting, I saw that the offramp was closed and was fully expecting to turn around and go back home. I called Russ and he told me to drive down the road to the next exit. I got there and saw another line which was not as crazy as the first onramp, but overhead saw the snowplows doing their job, so I decided to get in line. After about 10 min. and getting snow and gravel dumped onto my windshield from overhead, they slowly let our line onto the freeway. Victory! I was not gonna be spending Valentine's Day without my Valentine.
While the snow is pretty and fun to play in, we are definitely ready for spring and summer to get here.

Nap Time

Love These Guys

This is a cute picture of our parents at Thanksgiving. They are such a blessing to us and are the greatest grandparents ever!
Lolo, Ma, Nanny, Pappa
(as No and Bro call them)

Cake Batter Cookies

My BFF Anna shared this easy, but deadly recipe with us. They are delish and have become a family fave!

1 box of white (we use funfetti) cake batter
1 stick of softened butter
2 eggs
mix it all together
drop spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets
bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 min
enjoy!

The Battle is Over

Yeeeeah! We started weaning Bro off of his Diddy a little bit ago. He did well, he only needed it when he was tired and sleepy. So, for our own sanity we let him have it to go to bed. Then, he got a little cold and he was fussier than normal, and all he wanted was that darn pacifier. So...we gave it to him for a few days. When he was back to 100% I decided now was the time to put my foot down...with a little trickery of course. A friend of mine gave me some interesting advice, she said to cut just the end of the pacifier off, then they won't want it because it doesn't work. So, I gave it a shot and it worked like a charm. I cut the end of it off and when he fussed for his Diddy I gave it to him. He put it in his mouth, twisted around and around for a few minutes because something about it was not quite right. He finally took it out of his mouth to check out the problem and "oh oh," it was broken. In frustration he threw it on the coffee table. He did pick it up and carry it around in his hand for a bit, but he is officially done with his Diddy. Just for laughs we try to give it to him and he shakes his head no at us.

Tight!

I thought Bro looked too cute in his tight jammies. These were purchased in Alaska by Russ' parents and were given to No. Well they have recently been passed down to Bro and I still love them. The back of them says, "A Little Bear Bum."

Fun Weekend

Russ and I worked our church's youth night this weekend, so my family so nicely volunteered to watch the boys for us all day. It made our day easier to not chase after little ones all day. Plus, the boys got a nice treat themselves when they got to play all day at Griffith Park. They got to ride the train, ride horses, and play at the park. Apparently, our fearless child Brody rode the biggest horse and loved every minute. Our more cautious Noah who requested the smallest horse, needed Chris (Cerisa's boyfriend) to walk around with him once before he rode by himself. They both had a blast though. We all went the next day to The Cheesecake Factory for a yummy brunch. I love my family!!!

No on his lil' horse

Brave Bro on the biggest horse

Bro on the slide

Cisa, Chris, and No

My lovely fam with my boys

No playing at the park

Me and my guys (excuse my nerdy glasses) :)

Chris and the boys (they love him)

The Battle of the Binky Has Begun!

Yes, we are finally weening Brody of his pacifier (or diddy as he calls it). With Noah, who was also very attached (to his Gucky), it was easier because we had a set deadline. We wanted him completely off before Bro was born. He was completely off of it at 16 months, a couple of months before his brother was born. Brody is almost 17 months and it is time. He is doing well during the day, when he starts to look for it, we just distract him with a toy or some other activity. I gave in yesterday when he woke up 30 min. into a nap and would not fall back asleep. He cried and cried, I stuck his diddy in after much frustration and it was seriously like a magic mute button. He took it with sheer pleasure and slept instantly for the next two hours! It is crazy how much that thing works. So, during the day, we are okay, he only really has it in his mouth when he is super tired, then he spits it out in his sleep. We are on our way and I can't wait to finally toss them all in the trash. It is kind of sad though, cause it means my babies are growing up.

Auntie Cerisa Capturing Moments

Happy Birthday Noah!!!

Noah is 3!!!
You are our bright, handsome, blessed little Nowie! We love you!