Going to the movies!

 

A few weeks ago we finally took Cambria for her first movie theater experience. We've been talking about doing it for forever so we were all excited to finally go! To say Cambria was excited is an understatement. The girl let out several high-pitched shrills before we left the house and in the car on the way there.  And when we got to the theater she was overwhelmed by everything: the posters, the treats, the lights, the seats, the "big, huge tv" and the people in the theater with us. But honestly, I think she was most excited about getting popcorn and coke :) This was the only time in Cambria's life that we've  purchased a coke and allowed her to drink more than just a sip or two, it was a HUGE treat. We saw Brave and thought it was fantastic.  I've had several people ask if it was too scary/inappropriate, but it was fine for Cambria and she actually liked the "scary" parts.

"Daddy, is that it?!"

The sight of the theater was enough to make Cambria scream again.  She was thrilled to be seeing the movie and I think she was also happy about spending one-on-one time with us. 

popcorn AND coke!

 On the drive home Cambria had a pee-attack so she HAD to stop at Wendys to use the bathroom. Kyle surprised me with a frosty and we all sat in the front together enjoying it.  Another treat! Taking Cambria to the movies made me realize two things: 1) spending time with my children individually is and always will be important and 2) experiencing  joyous and exciting life moments with my child really is just as fun as being the kid yourself.

Recent Happenings

Here's what we've been up to for the last few weeks. 

watching the rain outside

then deciding to head outside to play in it

yes, that's Ezra in the pink and flowery jacket

they had a blast

so did we

making play dough using this recipe

making these banana muffins. LOVE Cambria in this one :)

celebrating my 24th birthday

Kyle got me new workout clothes!

family picture after my birthday dinner at Fishtales

Kyle made me this amazing strawberry cake with THE BEST FROSTING EVER

painting rainbows with our hands

making paper link countdowns to August 1st, Cambria's 3rd birthday

washing the car. Ezra was the best little worker, Cambria not so much :)

picking tomatoes from the garden

randomly captured this picture, one of my new favorites

Ran the 2012 Peachtree Road Race, 2nd year in a row. I didn't train for the race at all, but managed a time of 01:00:14.  I am a little annoyed that I missed being under an hour by 14 seconds. :)

So that's a little of what we've been doing.

Hopefully I can find the motivation (and time) to start updating the blog more often!

How To Be Alone

I love this.

A Rainbow for YOU

To the mountains we went!

This past weekend we took a little trip to the North Carolina mountains for a two-night cabin stay. 

It was an awesome retreat from our normal routine and I think every member of our family enjoyed it.  

{Well, Ezra may not have enjoyed ALL of it because he had the sniffles}

We stayed outside of Bryson City waaay out in the boonies.

Serious boonies with no internet and no phone service.

We had food, a hot tub, nature and each other and that was really all we needed.

We took a few trips into town, but spent most of our time at the cabin. 

The two bad things though: Ezra slept bad both nights because of his sniffles and I was honestly kinda scared at how remote the surrounding area was...you know how your thoughts wander at nighttime....

But overall it was an adventure I'm really glad we had.
It was nice breaking away from our everyday life to experience something refreshing and exciting.  

Here are a few moments from the trip.

pb&j for lunch

"I'm tired" were Kyle's exact words in this moment.

can't stay at a cabin without eating s'mores

or playing with dominoes

hiking up to see the waterfall

stopped in Asheville on the way home for lunch and it SNOWED and we got to eat at the delicious The Green Sage

pants saggin'

 

Until next time, Alarka Creek 2!

Two special birthdays

Early Friday morning at 4:42 (after a very long labor) my longtime friend Brittany gave birth to her daughter!

Introducing.... 

Sophia Paige Rodriguez

 She was a big girl weighing in at 9 lbs 3 oz!!! 

I love me a big baby :)

so much hair

mother + daughter

she was so happy to see me ;)

She is so so so cute and has a TON of hair.

Can't wait to watch this precious little girl grow.

Congratulations Brittany and Ricky!!

............................................................................................................

On Saturday Kyle celebrated his 25th birthday!

We hung around the house in the morning getting ready for our trip and opening presents. 

I got him running shorts and a trip up to North Carolina next weekend for a cabin stay. 

Later that morning we headed off to Florida for the Daytona 500 (kids stayed behind with the grandmas).

We hung around Jacksonville for the day.

Cambria was an eager helper

You tweeps know whats up.

We stopped at Target to get some new shades.

Then Kyle got some minimalist running shoes he's been wanting FOREVER.  He got these ones.

birthday boy trying out his new shoes

Kyle was excited about visiting the beach.

We didn't stay long because it was chilly.

running from the coooooooold water

 We ate at an amazing Thai and sushi place that night. Excellent food!

 Then early Sunday morning we headed to Daytona only to have the race canceled.  

Kyle won tickets through work so they didn't actually cost us any $$$, but it was still a bummer.

We got special passes to enter a different area and we were able to walk on the track!

Everyone was signing the finish line.

One of the cars being inspected before the race....that never happened.

Lots of people.

 Kyle is planning on making the trip again today with his dad for the rescheduled race.
Yay for births and for birthdays! 

 I love you, Kyle!