Lucas's Birthday

Lucas {Natalie's baby} turned one! We went to San Jose last weekend to celebrate with everyone.

Happy Birthday Lucas... I love your hat!

Me, Natalie, and our boys

Thanks for the invite Nat... it was so fun to see you!

Park Playdate

We went to the park this week with Weston's little buddy Evan. Weston just stares at Evan and wants to be him because he can walk. Soon enough....

But we stuck with the swing while Evan ran around and Weston was all smiles. He LOVES the swing and is starting to smile when I let him go down the slide.

Cute Evan...

And then we took a break... or maybe the mommies needed to? Anything is absolutely fascinating to Weston right now. All you have to do is show him something and make a cool face. He lights up, grabs it, and will play with it forever.

He also will grab anything out of anyones hand. It's actually quite hilarious... no fear in such a small little thing. Here he is going after Evan's freeze dried mango.

And then resorting to the sweatshirt grab... it helps every time.

Buh-Bye Matt and April

Our good friends, Matt and April, are moving to Utah. She's having her babe in less than a month and then they are heading out. So sad for all of us. We wanted to get everyone together before they left so we hosted a very chill good-bye party {more like a gathering} this past weekend.

We played a little game to see how well we know {or don't know} Matt and April. You had to know them REALLY well to know some of these answers...

Cameron read us the questions

and everyone tried to remember every conversation they have ever had with Matt and April. At least we know where they bank now :)

I made these delicious little chocolate cakes. This recipe must be tried. But here's a tip... the small ones {in a mini muffin tin} came out a bit dry.

But the big ones were moist and delicious and fit perfectly in these darling favor boxes {to be given to the ladies I visit teach}. Oh yeah, skip the hershey kiss in the middle of the cake... its more trouble then it's worth.

The Beginnings of Besties

Natalie was one of my first friends after I moved to California 8 years ago. My list of memories go on and on with her but my favorite took place in our singles ward. We were both a little weary of our new ward... seeing that everyone was about 20 years older than us. Very scary. We both knew absolutely no one {except each other} so we headed to an activity. And here's what we did: relay races. But this was just not any relay race... it involved chewing 5 saltines in your mouth, running down the lawn, blowing up a balloon with the saltines still in your mouth, and then sitting on the balloon and popping it. It was a level of humiliation you'll never understand until you try and pop a balloon with saltines and saliva dripping down your face.

Luckily we've moved onto better things {thank goodness}... our boys! Weston and Lucas are already besties and I'm so excited. {To Jake and Karen: beg your moms to move back here}.

And the most exciting toy of the play date: the mascara tube.

Lucas knows he found something good.

And the battle....

And the winner. Why are the best toys never toys?

Sunol Train Of Lights

It was like riding the Polar Express... in a sorta kinda way.

The Santa was a bit scary and there were no golden tickets... but the lights and chocolate chip cookies were fantastic. Weston loved the lights and we had a great time with the Zalewskis. {Note to self before next year: learn how to take better exposed, non-blurry photos while on moving train}.

This Santa was staring his holidays early... he looked drunk.

Pleasanton Parade and Tree Lighting

Last Friday Pleasanton had their annual tree lighting and parade... who knew?? We met up with the Zalewski's to enjoy the festivities while braving the cold {don't we live in California to avoid these type of temperatures?)

And about the parade... it's no Macy's Day parade. Basically it involves a lot of old cars, boy scouts, girl scouts, and Pleasanton folk. You really need to see it if you haven't.

See, all you need is an old car and a strand of lights to participate.

An old inner tube, mop, and Santa hat will get you in too.

My favorite was the scene from A Christmas Story. What you can't see is the leg lamp in the back of the truck. It seriously was spot on and hilarious!!

Weston loved the lights, music, and all the action.

And after 2 long hours on the cement ground Santa FINALLY showed his face. Merry Christmas!!

Charlie And Weston

We went to see Tim's costume on Halloween and somehow this picture of Weston and Charlie evolved. I die each time I look at it.

Pumpkin Carving

Last weekend we had our annual pumpkin carving night. Gotta love traditions. The tradition in our pumpkin carving night is the judge. I love recruiting the judge because it is really an official job... one must take it seriously. Although last year we switched it up and blasted pumpkins through machine guns {which you must try}. This year the tradition was back on.

The spread...

The delish mini pumpkin bites from here

and the candy corn cookies from here {although I used my mom's peanut butter cookie recipe}

We had a few of our neighbors over that we love. Here's cute Ava

and Evan the skeleton.

We got down and dirty in the kitchen

and finally it was time for the judge. Meet Bob, our other neighbor. He really did take this job serious. Here he is in action weighing the pros and cons.

And the winner? Our witch. And we didn't even rig the competition. It makes up for 2 years ago when we came in dead last as "Supreme Losers."

Brooke and Jason had a pretty sweet mummy. They always mean serious business with the props... I love it.

And Matt and April came in strong with whatever Matt carved :) and another mummy.

Our neighbors left with their kiddos before I got their pumpkin pics. I'm already brainstorming my idea for next year...

Weston's Blessing

Weston was blessed in our church last Sunday, September 6th. It was one of those experiences where you think, "Wow, this is now happening to me." You grow up watching everyone bless their little babies and now it was our turn. Cameron did such a great job and Weston didn't make a peep {maybe it was the food I had just shoved into his mouth moments before?}

Thanks to our family and friends who were there with us... it was such a special day. I have one regret: I hardly took any pictures and I could scream.

I can take 200 pictures of Weston in about 10 minutes of him in a new outfit and I took about 15 of his entire blessing day. I'm totally bummed out about it but here's what I got. Sorry to those who I didn't capture a picture of... I took it in my heart :)

Grandma Rosenhan

Uncle Carl... who Weston is named after

Grandpa Neidig

Grandma Neidig

And of course... our fam {Weston is blinded by the sun}

Cameron with his brother, Preston

Me and my boy

Weston, Tim, and I

Tim gave Weston this adorable ride-on toy for babies one year and up. Why is it that my child fits on it almost perfectly? He just needs a few more motor skills.

The food was delish if I do say so myself. My mom was awesome and helped me with all the prep and {minimal} decorations. I would have done more but Cameron's sweet voice kept saying, "This isn't a party."

We made the Cafe Rio pork and all the fixin's. Of course I have no pictures but you can get all pork recipe here, the rice recipe here, and the dressing recipe here.

As for the cupcakes... of course they were coconut. Get the recipe here. I die every time I make them and they are NOT good for my d-day.