Kentucky - Four Year Anniversary

Last year, while Bobby and I were on our Anniversary trip to Monterey [that I never blogged about - FAIL], I was giving Bobby a hard time about not planning any of our trips. Right then and there he decided we would try to go to the Kentucky Derby the following year [this year] for our Anniversary. I agreed it was a great idea and he was instantly on the phone with his dad letting him know that we needed him to hunt us down some tickets!

Everything worked out with finding tickets, so we planned a week long trip to Kentucky with the girls. We'd celebrate our Anniversary, get to enjoy the Derby, and get to spend some time with Grandpa and Memaw.

We took off bright and early [Hello, 2:30 am alarm clock!]. J was so excited to go on the ah-be-own [avion - airplane] and B was her usual go with the flow self.

On a whole, both girls did wonderfully with our flights out there and our flights back. It was tough trying to get J to stay in her seat belt at certain times, but nothing a little bribery and distraction couldn't handle for the time spans that she needed to have it on.

Ready for Blast Off, Mama!

Looking at our itinerary, we thought for certain that we would be able to grab a bite to eat during our layover, but both times we basically had no layover and had to rush to our next gate. Nothing like being THOSE people that the plane is waiting on, toting two rugrats, a double stroller that needs to be disassembled and collapsed, a stuffed monkey, and three bags. I could feel the fear in people's eyes as we walked down the aisle. The fear of us being their neighbors for the next several hours on our flight. But, like I said, we fared pretty well. When we landed back in San Diego, after J had just had her one and only melt down during flight, we received four or five compliments on how well behaved they were. Well behaved or not, it's hard work! Bobby and I were so exhausted we swore we would never do it again.....till the next time ;o)

Listen up, Monk Monk...

Lay off the Cheerios...

They're all MINE!

Our arrival to KY included our baggage not making it because our flights were so tight, loaner carseats [ewwwww] because our carseats were part of the checked baggage that didn't make it, a lost garment bag that contained both of our Derby outfits, and a pair of broken flip flops. Never the less, we kept smiling. We were on vacation after all.

After we were completely situated in KY, we spent most days relaxing and hanging out around Grandpa's house with a day of shopping to put the finishing touches on our Derby outfits.

Saturday was the Derby and despite everyone saying that the weather forecast would change, the only change it made was calling for a greater chance of rain. Rain, rain, and more rain. Bobby even threatened not to dress up which threw me into a funk because I really wasn't prepared to not wear my dress and hat. I didn't have any other rain appropriate options. [Cause my dress and hat were totally rain appropriate, right?] In the end, we both got dressed up [and looked great if I may say so myself] and we brought plastic ponchos with us to keep us somewhat dry.

 

 

 My hat was our only casualty of the day. I had been stopped by another lady that asked me if my hat was from Target. I quickly shooshed her and told her that it was. {You don't need to blab that to the world, I paid BIG BUCKS for that thing!] She proceeded to tell me that the dye in the hat would start running from getting wet and I looked up and saw red streaks in her golden blonde hair. She was right. Bobby looked in the hood of my poncho and it was filled with red rain water. So....I ditched my expensive hat and never looked back.
RIP Target Floppy Sun Hat!

The day was an experience of a lifetime. We had a blast and while neither one of us won a dime, it will definitely be a day we never forget!
Congrats, Orb!

On Sunday, we had a BBQ [how's that for a Cinco de Mayo celebration??] and got to visit with Uncle Tommy again, along with Bobby's Aunt Anita, Uncle Harold, Cousin Jennifer, her Husband, Curtis, and their son, Noah.
Noah is known to be very shy around people he doesn't know well, so we weren't sure how he was going to react, but once he and J got some food in their bellys, they were off and running [literally], laughing, and playing. It was so fun to hear and see! I was glad we were able to see everyone and spend some time together because I hadn't seen any of them [aside from Uncle Tommy, of course] since the first time Bobby took me out to Kentucky before we were even engaged!

 

On Monday we got out of the house for a bit, ran some errands, grabbed lunch, and then stopped at Grandpa's work to say HI. By this point, we were all running low on sleep [sleep is never great when you're away from home], so the afternoon and evening were very mellow.
Tuesday morning was spent packing up and trying to get out the door to head to the airport. By the last hour of our flight from Atlanta to San Diego, J hit her wall and finally fell asleep in my lap. I think we all wished we could have passed out hard at this point!

It was a wonderful trip and a time we will never forget. Hopefully it wont be too long till we get to see Grandpa and Memaw again!
Bobby and I have accomplished so much in the last four years of marriage and we have come such a long way in that short amount of time. A new house [shortly before we were married], two kids, selling our house and then not getting the house we were moving for, and multiple renovations. Bobby is about to take his career down a new path and will be starting a new job on June 10th as well. We've had our rough patches, but in the end, those rough patches are what keep us growing closer and closer. There is no other person that I would rather have by my side as I travel through life. I love you, Bobby and am blessed to be able to call you my husband and experience what this world has to offer with you!
XOXOX

February

Back to catching up on happenings in the Flood household...the beginning of February was fairly typical. On the 9th, I was invited to run in the Dirty Girl Mud Run with a group of ladies from the bootcamp that I interned with last spring. I was a little hesitant to join because I have not run since I herniated  a disc in my back almost 4 years ago. But....I went signed up anyway and I am so glad that I did. I had the three most adorable cheerleaders there and although my running stamina was pretty much non existent, I had a ton of fun and loved getting out there, breaking a sweat, and getting dirty!

The middle of the month brought Valentine's day, in which I was greeted by J with a beautiful, handmade card when I got home and dada had one to match waiting for him. J was so excited to give them to us and say "Happy Balentime's Day, mama!" and I was melting over my first piece of artwork from my daughter.

From mama and dada, Jordan got some new slippers and Doc McStuffins jam jams!

I was also one lucky wifey and was given Country Mega tickets for this summer. Five awesome country concerts are calling our names. Having these tickets and spending summer afternoons tailgating before country concerts is a favorite pastime of mine and Bobby's. We spent a good portion of our initial friendship at them and then pretty much all of our dating relationship as well. I am so excited to get a few nights out on our own and I think we may actually bring at least J, if not J and B, to a concert or two. We'll see! Such a great gift. Thank you, Bobby! 

I can't forget about our adorable little cherub. She helped celebrate the day of love as well and was a perfect little model for mama's photo shoot. This is one of my favorite pics of her yet!

And then there's DooDoo. He finally, FINALLY got a haircut. The poor guy was spending more and more time outside because he smelled - from being outside - and was full of those pesky little foxtails and burs - from being outside. The guy can't win. But alas, he is so fresh and so clean clean!

Bobby and I continued our Valentine's Day celebration that Saturday and took off for dinner and a movie at the local Cinepolis. We saw Identity Thief and we both thought it was very entertaining. While the price tag is a bit much for this date to be a repetitive thing, the food was great, the seats were so comfy, and the company was, of course, PERFECT! We both had a couple cocktails, ordered a few different appetizer plates to share for dinner, and then splurged on this amazing candy corn to take into the movie with us. MMMMmmmmMMmm!

With the cherry stems from my sangria, we both had to prove ourselves to the other, cause, you know....any person that can tie a cherry stem with their tongue is a great kisser, DUH!

February also brought about some new threads for our bed. It was about time. Actually...it was way past time. Our old comforter was getting pretty gnarly and Bobby said the matching curtains reminded him of a grandma's house. Awesome. So, out with the old and in with the new. Except....the curtains are still up! HA! In due time, folks! Anyway, Here's B modeling the new, still creased and lacking a couple more throw pillows, bedding.

New paint for the bathroom is also on the docket and Bobby took advantage of me in a weak moment and also convinced me to start the remodel on our bathroom. While we're not going all gung ho and knocking down any walls or ripping out our tiny shower, we did finally rip out the carpet (WHO, in their right mind, puts carpet in a BATHROOM??) Ewww! 

 

To round out the month, we spent a weekend up at Grandma's for a Meet the Baby/Baby Shower for my sister and baby Teagan. Because she was having a girl this time around, we knew she deserved some sort of "shower", but we weren't able to do so until after Teagan was born. It all worked out great though because my sister and her family were also wanting to go to Disneyland (a post on that will come soon!) after JP turned 3, so we were all able to join in on the fun for one extended family weekend of fun! The shower was great, Disneyland was fabulous, and getting to see all six cousins together was so incredible!

Next up is MARCH!!

January

Blogging has obviously been a ridiculous failure lately, but this is my attempt at catching up without missing out on too much of our daily happenings. 

The Holidays came and went, much too quick and we jumped feet first into 2013. I reluctantly went back to work and a new daily routine was found. We still have the same nanny, Maria, that we used for Jordan and the girls absolutely love her. She gets to our house at 6:30am, I'm out the door either before she gets there, or soon after, and Bobby is not far behind me. I put in my eight hours at work and I arrive home a little before four to see my beauties. I cook dinner, try to do some chores, we eat dinner, clean up dinner, hang out for a bit, put the girls to bed, pump, make bottles for the next day, clean pump parts, and then we go to bed. Rinse and repeat =o) Luckily (or unluckily??), going back to work felt like I had never left. 

A couple weeks after returning, I woke up one Saturday morning to a text from my mom to call her when I got up. With a knot in my stomach, I hit the call button, thinking that something was wrong with my Grandma. She had been in the hospital having her gull bladder removed and while nothing too serious was looming, I had an eery feeling. When my mom answered, she asked if I had talked to my brother or sister. When I told her that I hadn't, she then explained to me that my Uncle Sean had passed away. I was so confused. My Uncle Sean? No way. He's so young and active and healthy. Well, even after having had a stress test done on his heart a couple weeks prior, he had a heart attack and passed away on his couch during the middle of the night/early morning. Luckily, they don't live too far from us, so we packed the kids up and headed over to their house. When we walked in, I was so blown away by all of the love and support that they had there. My cousins, Justin (16) and Georgie (14), were surrounded by their friends and people had stocked the kitchen with breakfast goodies followed by a huge lunch spread later in the day. It was such a sad, sad day, but so comforting for me to see how many people they had there to help them through this rough time.

Jordan hanging out with the Big Girls!

The funeral was held the following Friday and my sister and her family stayed at our house for the weekend. Because of this unexpected misfortune, we were able to meet baby Teagan a month earlier than expected.

It was a pleasant surprise, we just wish the circumstances would have been different. 

The services for Sean were beautiful and the turn out was unbelievable. He had touched so many lives and there were endless stories shared. Seeing our family come together and support one another brought such an overwhelming feeling. Family is truly amazing and we need to cherish every moment that we have together. The newest generation did just that and kept smiles on everyone's faces as they ran around in ignorant bliss, laughing and giggling together.

Losing Sean was heartbreaking. Even though I lost my Dad too, it kills me to know that these kids wont have their Dad around anymore. My Aunt wont have her husband. It just isn't fair.

Uncle Sean, 

Now that you have left us and joined my Dad and Grandpa in heaven, know that words can't even express how much you will be missed here. We all know that you are just fine now and are enjoying your time playing ball and playing golf at your leisure. Watch over us and guide us as we all live on to make you proud and prosper as you would have encouraged us to do. 

Until we meet again, just know that we love you!!!

The Sunday after the funeral, Bobby had to fly out to Florida for the annual PGA show. Luckily, grandma stuck around for a couple days and it helped make his 7 day trip more bearable. We kept buys while he was away....

playing with sidewalk chalk...

jumping, jumping, and more jumping...

FaceTime-ing with Dada...

getting into trouble occasionally...yes, that is what you think it is...

and having a Friday night pizza and a movie!

Come the following Sunday, we were MORE than ready for Dada to get home.

He arrived late Sunday night, so I played hookie on that Monday and, as promised, we had strawberry pancakes for breakfast before heading to Chuck E Cheeses for the first time!

"I so excited!"

Family photo booth shot

Thanksgiving at Gamma's

Last Tuesday evening, Bobby and I packed the girls up and made the 3.5 hour trek up to my mom's in Moorpark. About five minutes after pulling out of the driveway, Jordan says, "All done!" Ummm, almost sweetheart!?!? 

We stopped about halfway to grab some dinner at Chick Fil A. It was just our luck/misfortune that the cow was making his rounds inside the restaurant while we were there. The luck came from B getting her first picture taken with a "character"...

Jordan was not as amused. She was practically in hysterics every time he would come by our table and for some reason, that stupid cow kept coming back and trying to get her attention! Till this day, she still says, "Cow scurr me!" with her hand on her chest. So dramatic! lol

After din din, we put J's jam jams on in hopes that she would pass out for the rest of the drive. It was an hour past her bedtime already after all, but I think she slept for maybe the last half hour and then was bright eyed and bushy tailed when we got to gamma's house. We finally had to force her to go to bed around 11!

Wednesday was spent hanging out at my mom and helping where we could. She did tons of cooking and preparing for Thanksgiving while I sat on the couch nursing, holding a sleepy babe, or chasing Jordan. And even after all she had done that day, she still offered to watch the girls while Bobby and I went out and had a dinner to ourselves. Surprisingly, we were only gone for about an hour! 

On Thursday, family started showing up around 11:30 and it was so fun to be able to introduce B to everyone and enjoy their company. 

GG and Brynnlee

My cousin Kaitlin and Jordan

My Uncle and cousins

My cousins and Brynnlee

We also got to meet my brother's new little girl, Alexa! She was so itty bitty and perfect in every way. I definitely got my share of squishy newborn cuddles. Brynnlee was never that teeny, so it was fun to soak her up. 

J and B had more attention than they knew what to do with and there was more food in that house than you can imagine. After everyone had eaten dinner, my brother made a comment about how it still looked like we hadn't even eaten because there was SO much left over! It was so delicious though. I happily brought home leftovers, and Bobby and I enjoyed another Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday night, as well as some yum-licious turkey curry on Monday night. 

J and my brother's first daughter, Bella, were so spoiled. My mom took everything out of the closet under her stairs and turned it into a little toy room with a chalkboard, dress up clothes, etc. They had a blast in their "playhouse". 

We were just missing my sister and her family. I can't wait to meet baby Teagan in February and get a picture with all of the grandkids. For now, we attempted to get Jordan, Brynnlee, Bella, and Alexa, but this was about the best of a dozen or so shots that we attempted. 

They look so amused, don't they?

We headed back home on Friday evening and spent the rest of the holiday weekend recuperating and decorating for Christmas!! I love having so many days together with Dada home from work and I cannot, CANNOT wait until he is off of work for Christmas and New Years.