Garden Bliss.

The crew.

Uncle AJ.

Pee-a-boo.

I adore this little house.

Perfect spot for lunch.  Don't you think?

With Grandpa Pops.

Naptime.

Some feathered friends.

Last week we spent the day at The Huntington Library and Gardens in Pasadena.  And when I say gardens I mean, 120 acres of landscaped garden.  For a plant lover like me, it was pure bliss.  Quiet time with my Dad, brother and our little lady was the perfect way to spend a summer day.  It was so pretty, I went a little photo wild. 

The Children's Garden is the coolest place I've been for kids yet.  Equip with water fountains to splash in, flower tunnels and and any outdoor activity you could think of.  Chloe loved splashing in the water.  If we let her she would have jumped right in for a swim.  I fell in love with this garden play house and I'm certain we have to build one when we have our own yard one day.

We spent the whole afternoon there and didn't even make it into a gallery.  The weather was too perfect to be indoors.  Thanks Pops for the wonderful outing idea.  We are all ready to go back.

Countdown.

Graduation is a mere 7 days away.  I can almost taste the finish line.  The next two nights will officially be the last two that Kevin has class until 10pm.  Let's just say, everyone in the house is thrilled about that.  Kevin gets more time at home, I get more of his help and Chloe gets one much more rested mama.  The best part of all we get to enjoy his company 7 nights a week again.  The stress level is about peak around here.  We are all super tired, lots of studying and prep for finals is in process, laundry pile is near mountainous and currently everyone but me is asleep right now at 7:20pm.  (Chloe down for the night {i hope} in her crib and Kevin on the couch catching some z's after a very long study session.)

Did I mention I'm unbelievably proud of our graduate?  I am.

Baby crying...
I spoke too soon.

Goodnight.

A little walk.

We've been away from home for a few days visiting the parents.  Kevin is out of town so it was also nice to have some extra hands to love, snuggle and help with our little bloom.  It was great to spend time with them, rest, and have delicious homemade (and some favorite take-out) meals too.  We have a wonderful family and got spoiled by their love (as usual).  The 80 mile drive home always is bittersweet.  I already miss family time but coming home is so, so sweet.  Where it is just our little family. 

I had to immediately get down to the business of reuniting with the sand.  I don't know if we'll ever be able to part with our 800 square foot rental.  Being almost a stones throw to the ocean is just complete bliss no matter how cramped our closets get. 

Kevin arrives home from Arrowhead tomorrow.  We, (especially I) can't wait.   

*Some very simple (iPhone) photography.

Melts my heart.

Our neighbors sweetest smelling roses, ever!

Pin It.

I have a new obsession.  I call this site a blessing and a curse.  I've waited for something like this for what feels like eons.  I am the archivist type.  No joke, I have a folder full of home decor clippings for our one day abode and I'm constantly bookmarking favorite items or gift ideas.  It's just what I do.  Pinterest.com is a site made for people like me.  It's basically a virtual corkboard.  The even better part is no messy filing.  You can get inspiration from other peoples ideas too.  It's basically, awesome. 

Check it out, you may just become a pinning addict too.

What am I pinning, you might ask?  You can follow me here to see more like these beauties:

Ruffled Purse.

Decor ideas.

Keepsake Plans.

 Other people are lovin' the pinspiration too.

Really, 8 Months?

8 months have come and gone so quickly I can hardly believe it.  Chloe was sick over her 8 monthiversary on Saturday, so I didn't take the usual monthly picture of her.  Today fresh from her morning nap, I decided to catch up and snap a few shots.  I decided to go for simple, all baby, no frills this time.  She looks so angelic in all white.  Babies in white onesies are so precious, don't you think?

The rest of the afternoon we spent with the Russos at the park.  Swinging, sunshine and sittin' in the grass.  Then home for a nap and the endless search for a bathing suit for Hawaii.  Yep, our trip is booked, mid-July we take air for Oahu.  The sandy beaches and blue water are already calling my name.  Now if I can just find appropriate (and cute) swimwear.  Does anyone have any tips for post-pregnancy swimwear that doesn't look...well, post-pregnancy?

We still have 6 weeks until we leave, so plenty of time to hit the gym and get my fit on.  Then will be soaking up some rays with Mai Tai's in hand.  Check out our hotel, The Kahala Resort, pretty dreamy.  I can't hardly wait.

No joke.  The Wheatfield.

I'm already getting our bags packed.

Gap Straw Tote was a must.

Of course Chloe & I have matching beach totes.

And I still am anticipating my babe in this cute ruffly piece on the beach. 

Fresh.

We just received our first delivery from Farm Fresh To You.  Between homemade baby food, packing my hunny's lunch and a need for healthy snacks on hand, our grocery trips have increased lately.

Random fact: I love grocery shopping.  So many people don't but I love meandering the aisles pondering up our next family meal.  It seems as of late that every time I try to make a run for the store, Chloe is napping, or ready for a nap and with no more snap n' go car seat she can't easily snooze in the marketplace like before.  It is totally possible but a bit more of a process to shop on a frequent basis.

Let's just say, organic produce delivery to our front door at a totally affordable rate has rocked my domestic world.  With my fridge stocked and fruit bowl overflowing it is all about healthy, delicious and fat-free snacking around here.  We will be Hawaii ready in no time.  Gulp, I hope.

Look what we've been snacking on.  Yum!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

It was a celebration sort of weekend.  We had plans of a special brunch for Kevin's mom but with little misses fever still in the 101degree range we stayed home to rest and brought the party here.  Yellow curry, Tom Kha soup, Pad Kra Prow, YES please!  Thai Wave delivery to the rescue.  

I quickly pulled out some pretty plates and we had a festive feast.  One really great thing about grandma's is that they've been there before and we're perfectly content with staying in for the afternoon.  As long as long as they get to snuggle with the baby, right?  They know what it's all about, being together as a family.  Days like this one warm my heart.

Happy Birthday to one special Grandma and Mom.
You are the best Mom-in-law in the world!

You can't celebrate without making a wish.

Blackbird always makes my day.