Surprise!

Calder turned 35!... and we realized that the beach could wait, it was time to throw this guy a surprise party weekend.

These guys showed up ::

Wishes were made {at this point he still didn't realize that we were serious about the weekend of fun that was about to go down}

Little A transitioned into perfect baby bird form, hoping a piece of cake would fall into his open mouth.

With Alex in full neck-control mode, he easily morphs from bird to plane...

And then Sarah released the confetti bomb {no one was more surprised than her, seriously}.

After the confetti settled it was time for presents, but first a reaction to presents::

Kris could not believe her eyes when Calder opened his one-piece PJs {feet and hood included!}, because Calder was getting a big jealous that Alex had all of the cozy PJs in the house.

An hour {give or take} after eating cake, it was time for a pool party {or a nap if you want to be a baby about it}.

And apparently Sarah is just as surprised to hit water when jumping in the pool as she was in the great confetti incident of '13.

The next morning Calder wowed us with his mad griddle skills.

Then there was more swimming {and napping}. Followed by debauchery and grilled pizza on the deck.

What a perfect wind down to the first summer of Alex. And a very happy birthday to Calder, here's to a 135 more!

The last days were spent ~

Taking it all in :: the mountains, the water, the wildlife, the smell, the smiles

The Stuffed Pup

Wowsers.

This stuffed pup is 20 years old.

I made it in my middle school home-ec class {that means, that maybe now I'm "old" according to my middle school standards}, and then it sat patiently in my parents' attic. I can't believe I had the sewing courage to attack this furry fabric and turn it into the handsome pup it is. While I may have had the courage, I fell short on the stuffing; look at how this little guy can't hold his head high {unlike Alex, who is a head-holding master}!

When Alex came along, I realized that it would be so much fun {for me, at least} to put the stuffed pup in his room. He doesn't have a room yet, but it's coming this fall, and I've come up with a few exciting ideas! In the meantime, the pup has found it's purpose as Little A's tummy-time pillow. It's at a great height for those little legs, it's soft enough that his belly can rest comfortably, and the fur is perfect for little hands to grab on to while trying to pull forward.

Now that pup's in the limelight, it might be time to fix his ear that was never quite sewn on right {because those little hands are sure to find it and give it a good pull now and then}, give him a collar, and maybe put a bit more fluff in his floppy neck!

Little A's Introduction to Sunny California

We're in California, reintroducing Alex to his west coast family. He's busy wowing them with his slobbering skills. They're busy teaching him how to wear shades, row the dock, and hike the highest hills. Meanwhile his pops is busy teaching the little guy how to lay back, relax, and rock the vintage swim trunks.

And have no fear, whenever the sun is shining Little A's big bald head and round belly are being well protected from those harsh rays.

Day 1 ~ The Lake

Day 2 ~ The Hike