life.

happiness is a walk on the beach. california, part 3.

well, we are home from cali.  and it is both sad and relieving.  i feel like i have been going going going the past few weeks so it is nice to actually have time to vacuum my house this week.  

but we loved spending time with john's family this weekend.  we had a relaxing sunday.  jordan and christina met us for fish tacos and balboa bannanas, and g&l's friends/family came over for dinner. hazel's cousins made us matching rubber-band bracelets (she wore it only for a few minutes in their presence... i was too afraid of it falling apart and becoming a choking hazard...) which was so sweet.  monday we went out to lunch for fish tacos {again, obsessed}, and lounged at the pool. tuesday we went on a walk through crystal cove state park/beach and then laguna beach once more.  we had such a wonderful time.  if i ever get back to jayme's beach again, i'm putting up a tent and never leaving.

thanks for the fantastic time, g&l.  we love you both!

john harman.

sometimes, he helps my sister jenna with math homework even though he knows he is going to be up all night doing his own.

sometimes, he instinctively nods his head in approval as he eats the dinner i made.

sometimes, he says, "there's always time to make cookies"  even though there really isn't.

sometimes, he wears church socks with his vans and looks really, really cool.

sometimes, he doesn't complain about anything for weeks.

sometimes, he can get me to be in a good mood, even when i am determined to be in a bad one.

sometimes, i notice him staring fondly at hazel.

sometimes, he laughs out loud, and i love it.

he just happens to be my best friend.  and i really owe him a small apology for being so scatterbrained and selfish lately.  just as he always does, he bears my tantrums bad moods with the greatest degree of love and patience, and for that i am so so grateful.  thanks john, for everything you do.  just so you know, i really like you.

california, part 2.

our second day in california we spent lounging on the beach at aunt jayme's house.  she seriously lives in the most perfect place imaginable.  to hear the waves as you wake up each morning?  simply awesome.  

hazel wasn't so sure about the sand.  she would play with it and when it got stuck on her hands she would lift them up next to her face, squint up her nose and inspect it.  it was so freaking cute!

^^ hazel and her cousin avie, 6 months apart.

^^ hazel practically posed for this one.  what. a. ham.

california, part 1.

we flew into long beach on thursday night.  hazel did amazing on the flight.  she hammed it up with all the strangers and i'm starting to think that she really loves being the center of attention.  {i wonder which one of her parents she gets that from ;)} upon walking out of the plane, i remembered why i want to live in california so badly.  the weather is simply perfect.  we were starving and i could smell in-n-out at every corner.  so of course we each got a double-double.  and we may have stopped at sprinkles on the way to the hotel....

the next day, we went to california adventure with the brunts.  i haven't been in several years, and i was so impressed with their new additions.  cars land was so perfect.  and woody's round-up had to be my favorite ride in the entire park.

^^is there anything better than a baby sleeping in a stroller?

this is us on the ferris wheel, our final ride of the night.  the ferris wheel is actually pretty terrifying to me.  and this one is worse, because it swings!  ^^ this is hazel's face as we are swinging.  she makes this face on the swings at home, and basically anytime wind hits her face.  we love her so.

stay tuned for part 2.

loving:

spontaneous trips with family
pumpkin everything
singing and guitar with john
crisp fall air
a full dvr
french vanilla hot cocoa
morning snuggles with a full, content, sleepy baby

things i want to be.

a selfless wife
a tender mother
a caring nurse
a humble child
a willing helper
a positive thinker
a hopeful learner
a kind neighbor