Father's Day Weekend 2013

We drove up to Palm Desert to visit my brother Kale for Father's Day Weekend. I could sum up the whole weekend by saying, "we went in the pool", but I should probably try to think of some more interesting details as that would be lame. 

On the way there we took the winding-mountain scenic route. It was beautiful, but I wanted to barf the whole way, so we decided to take the freeway on the way home. At the scenic overlook we let the kids out to stretch their legs. There was a hot desert wind blowing and it felt wonderful. 

Kale's kiddos, Kannon and Mylee, are here for the summer from Maui and we surprised them with our weekend visit. The kids had a BLAST with their cousins. Mylee is my one-and-only niece and I get a little crazy whenever I'm around her. She lets me fix her hair and that makes my heart sing because she has the best hair ever. 

The kids basically stayed out in the backyard all weekend long. They ate breakfast, lunch & dinner out there and then swam and played from morning till night. 

No weekend at Kale's is complete without some kind of crazy contraptions to play on. He installed a slack line for kids to walk & balance on and a rope to swing on & do acrobats from. 

 

Love these kids...I mean, dads. 

I've said this before, but Zane is a mini Kale. I can't get over how much he reminds me of my bro. I kinda love it, but I feel sympathy for my mom. It's stressful having a daredevil child. 

Oh Kale, how I love your guts. You've always been a hero in my book. We have a special bond that I will always cherish. Thanks for the fabulous time and for feeding my family yummy food all weekend long!  

Such an awesome Father's Day weekend! I feel so incredibly blessed to have so many awesome Fathers in my life, like my Dad and Sean's Dad. There is something absolutely magical that happens to my heart though, when I see the man I love be a loving father to my children. Sean is patient, sweet, tender and fun. He teaches & inspires and calms & protects these little souls that we've been blessed with. Happy Father's Day, Sean. We love you! 

Stuff: Beauty Edition

 I guess you could say I'm a stuff person because I love stuff and posts about stuff. I thought it'd be fun to share my favorite things I use and love too. I'll start with some of my favorite beauty products. Here are 3 things I cannot live without. 

My Aveda Paddle Brush. You really only need one brush your whole entire life and this one is it. Here's why--It's lightweight, it gives your scalp a gentle massage, it gets tangles out better than any brush ever, it's the best brush for backcombing, it doesn't damage or break your hair and it'll last forever. Unless your kids lose the one you have had for 13 years and you have to buy another one. Yup. 

Make-Up Forever Mat-Velvet Foundation is the best foundation I've ever used. Most of my make-up is MAC (they win with eye-shadow) but I don't love their liquid foundation. This foundation goes on smooth, has the perfect finish (not too powdery-not too dewy) has great coverage, the best natural colors that match my skin tone and it doesn't make me break out or have irritation. Sephora.com says it "Hides imperfections, evens out skintone, and mattifies with a non-oily, perfectly powdered finish. The result is flawless and lasts for hours." It's true. You'll LOVE it. 

All the stuff you hear about coconut oil being magical is absolutely true. We buy these big containers of EfaGold from Amazon and use it for everything. I use it to shave my legs, wash off make-up and as a face and body moisturizer. Sean uses it as a pre-shave & aftershave and he puts it in his hair now--which I only suggest if you have super thick and course hair like he does. It gives everything a silky soft feel without feeling greasy. Plus, it smells like coconut. Hello awesome! Here's one of the many lists you'll find on the internet about uses for coconut oil. 

What are your favorite beauty products? 

According to iPhone {6.10.13}

~This Week~

We went to the zoo with gal pals and minion friends. 

Indy is a champion car-seat sleeper. I can't tell you how many times I've just sat in my car so he could nap longer. I hate waking him up though.

I was impressed with Indy's strength to hold up his chubby little body. He could hang for a few seconds and then he'd make a panicked look and I'd rescue him. He kept asking to go up over and over again though. 

I love that my boys are so helpful around the house. Train 'em  while they're young! Also, I have a fun app on my phone where I can add hats, glasses and other fun stuff. Indy needed a sombrero! Watch for more accessories in my other pictures. 

"National Donut Day" was this week. I wasn't really aware of it until I noticed photos of donuts flooding Instagram and Facebook. Like any good mom, I couldn't let my kiddos down. We made a run to Christy's Donuts and they had just set out a fresh batch. Mom for the win!

We had a goodbye ladies night for my friend Bobbi. Once again someone I love is moving far-far away :( Enough already! We went to Playa Grill and then D bar for dessert. We even had 3 newborn babes along for the evening. They did great! 

We had a pool day and BBQ with the Meilsoes. It was so much fun! The guys were doing cannon balls to try and see who could make the biggest splash. Guys are funny--can you imagine girls doing that?

I hear a sombrero helps you make a bigger splash. Yelling "ay-ay-ay-ay" helps too!

We had fruit, salad, chips & guac, hot dogs and ribs--then ended with s'mores. How it's done yo. 

Indy woke up Sunday Morning with some gnarly bed head. He was running around the house in his birthday suit looking like a lollipop. I used that photo app to give him some glasses. Wouldn't want him completely naked in the photo.

Zane needed shades too. My style child all dressed up and feeling patriotic. He told me he looks like America. 

Zane is a wild one, but he has this sweet side that turns me into mom butter. He loves babies and has had this baby doll since he was tiny. I remember when he couldn't even talk yet and he pointed and begged for it at the store. Sean let him get it and he's been toting it around and taking care of it ever since. Some times I'll find it wrapped up in a blanket or T-shirt with a snack setting next to it. 

I guess I've always got to throw a random picture into my weekly update. Our homeowner put a new toilet in our guest bath and it has two flush buttons up top. We have been perplexed as to why there are two. We've even had guests ask us about it. Well guys, Sean figured it out this weekend! The large button flushes more water for heavier duty flushing--if you know what I mean. Isn't that cool! A water conserving toilet.  So, now you know. Don't you feel enlightened?

Trader Joes had a plethora of beautiful peonies. They'll be joining us for dinner this week. 

Sean's favorite food is crepes. When I'm feeling like I love him a little more I'll make them for him. These ones were filled with Greek yogurt + cream of coconut and topped with a strawberry sauce and toasted coconut. I think he loves me more now because of this. Mmmm. Mmmm. Good. 

The End. 

Zippity-ZOO-Dah

Another day, another trip to the zoo. Seriously we really get our money's worth with our zoo passes. It's the best zoo in the world don't ya know!?! It's close, it's easy, the mama's and kiddos love it and it's basically a workout every time we go. San Diego Zoo for the WIN!

We met up with some Mama friends yesterday. I've kind of started a revolution. A stroller revolution. Ever since I bought my awesome Britax double stroller I've had friends realize that having an awesome stroller will basically change your life. I think Britax needs to send me some free stuff or something. Other Britax Mamas not pictured are Jenniline, Tess, Stephanie-O and Elizabeth. Am I missing anyone?

The new Koala exhibit just opened and it's WONDERFUL. Who doesn't love to look at cute and cuddly Koalas?!? They have this new huge tree with fake koalas for the kids to climb. They loved it. We tried to get a picture with all 18 of the kids up in it, but ya know, that didn't work out. 

Frog heaven.

The Mamas. I look like a chubby cheeked hobo in this picture but my friends are hot so I had to share. 

Indy fell asleep right before we got up to Elephant Odyssey. I was so bummed! He's been watching Dumbo every morning for a few weeks now so I think he would have loved to see "bumbo" in real life. Next time I guess. 

A good chunk of the 18 minions. I love Signe pouting up front. 

Daysen pretending to be squashed by the giant elephant. Poor Daysen, always tagging along with all the littles. He's a Saint. He helps wrangle toddlers and push strollers. I need to get him a slurpee or something. 

The End.

* I REALLY need to get a new camera lens. These iPhone pics are blurrrrrry. What lens do my photog friends recommend??? Help me out yo!!*