Hubs is da bomb diggity!

My husband is a mountain biker. We've talked about this on the ol' blog before. He rocks socks people.

Working 40+ hours a week sort of limits his time on the bike, but he squeezes it in as many days as he possibly can. We live in the best area for it really. He can literally get on his bike from our place and bike in the mountains for an hour or so.

Last weekend he signed up for a race and---- He got Second in his Category! It was awesome. This is with very little training. I feel like he could be pro if that was his job and he actually had time to ride. Seriously guys- I can't brag enough about him. In my opinion- He's  the Lance Armstrong of mountain bikes. (Aren't I just the greatest wife? ;)

At the starting line.

Liv and I were his support team. (His Pop and pop's wife Kate were there for the first half to cheer him on as well.) We didn't realize we would be there close to 7 hours (set up, registration, the race starting late, the actual race, and then waiting for results) but Olivia was such a trooper. She didn't complain once. She was just happy to sit in the dirt and play with rocks and sticks and clap every time a biker came by. She loves to clap. It was so much fun to support him. We saw him twice after the race started and he was smiling. He rode strong!

It was fun to meet some of the other riders. Bikers are salt of the earth type people. Love it!

So Proud of you BABE!!! LOVE YOU!!!

A Princess Party

Olivia was invited to her very first birthday party the other day. Her friend Camilla was turning 3 and she had a princess Birthday party. And let me just say that her wonderful parents went all out. I love this family and have loved getting to know them!

 Olivia was in awe the whole time. She danced to the awesome music being played- she tried to grab every single balloon she could get her hands on- she joined in musical chairs- she got a picture with Belle and the Beast and she could not stop smiling at them. She loved every minute of it! It was so fun to watch her excitement. 

Newest Family Adventures.

We have a new addition to our family- and NO i'm NOT pregnant. Our newest member is a bike- my bike- and I'm thrilled. I haven't owned my own bike since I was in High school and living in New Jersey. Um... That was like 8 years ago. I love bikes so this is a  happy day.

Steve is a huge biker and so when we made a purchase for a bike it was not cheap. Don't ask me how much, I don't want to talk about it. But I know that I will have this bike for many years to come and that she is sturdy and wont fall apart on me. Yes, I just called my bike a she. Just keepin it real folks. What really drove me to make this purchase was the fact that Olivia and Steve kept going on bike rides together. Summer time is coming and I really don't want to miss out on lots and lots of memories. Memories are gold in my book- so I took the plunge and I haven't looked back yet! (enough of the cliches already!)

She's a 29er and I love her.

Two thursdays ago we enjoyed a wonderful day off together. We ate yummy food at a hole in the wall (my favorite) and then went to look at bikes. We purchased mine the next day. Olivia can't wait to get on a bike for herself, unfortunately she is quite petite so may have to wait a while before a bike actually fits her. In the meantime we will pull her in the buggie.

Girl loves a good Grilled Cheese

Last Thursday we took full advantage of our day off and went on a 23 mile bike ride. I was exhausted by the end, but it was so much fun! I Love biking! Olivia did great and we stopped halfway so that she could get out and run around. She loved the ducks and the geese and had no fear. I hate geese and they can be quite vicious so I was a little worried when she went so close to them. Have you ever seen one of them run? They CHARGE! Scary- but she loved them.

I love that smile behind the binki

Isn't he so cool looking?

On Friday (our date night) Steve and I went on a bike ride just the two of us. It was fun- but a lot of work. My body feels great though. It needs the exercise so very badly. This time we went off roading! :) We went down some arroyo's and it was so much fun. I can't wait until I feel more confident on my bike so that we can do some actual mountain biking. I need more time until that though. Have to work my way up.

Just lovin' my bike right now. OH yeah.. and these two:)

Fun times with Dad

 

Time with Daddy is the best! Whether it be eating dinner with him at work or riding bikes! (their new favorite after work activity!) Don't you just love Olivia's posture and look on her face in the first picture? cutie! Just love these two. 

Happiest Place on Earth

Yummy!

There is nothing like it- Disneyland. Honestly- you walk through those gates and feel as if you are five. I love walking under those bricked archways and entering into a world of excitement and wonderment. Steve said it best.... Disney really knows how to pleasure all 5 of your senses.

Walking through the gates- a little overwhelming....But Olivia was so taking over the scooter next to her.

Listening to music

This man through the beads and they landed exactly around Olivia's neck--- she was not very happy about the abruptness of it all- but enjoyed the music and the beads!

It's true. You can smell the most delicious smells- churros, popcorn, meat, you name it. You can taste
the most delicious foods aforementioned. Obviously the sense of touch is there because you can feel and touch and explore everything there. You can hear so many wonderful sounds- a choo choo train "You're attention please...", musicians on main street USA, "It's a small world" and all the other great songs, Horses, birds chirping, children laughing (and let's be honest- crying), and so many other wonderful sounds. And you can see---- Oh how much you can see!! I LOVE IT!!

We loved the goats... there were so many of them and they were so friendly...who knew?

This experience was slightly different. I know Olivia won't remember a thing about this trip, but regardless- she had fun too! Sure she had her moments- she is one after all, but it was so fun to watch those big eyes widen even more. She loved It's a small world and many other rides. Pirates was very relaxing for her and I know she enjoyed it. Heck, since she doesn't really get scared yet- she loved the Haunted Mansion as well. Mostly I think she just liked watching all the people and spending time with grandparents and Uncle cam! Something about Uncle cam the last day and half of this trip was just special. She loved him- he was her favorite. Of course- Grandpa is always a favorite as well. I have to say- the three men that were there with us----they are really special to me. Really special.

I love this picture of the two of them!

Her and Grandpa after they went into Playhouse Disney....When I asked my dad why all the other little kids didn't have "treasures" around their necks he responded with "Because they don't have Grandpa's with them!"

 And of course- we LOVE Grandma as well... she's the best!

As always, I didn't take a lot of pictures because I was too busy having fun. It was interesting- when olivia would go to sleep at night and my dad went to watch her for us.....I felt 5. Before I felt like a mom, at night- I felt like a child.

But there was something so refreshing at being a mom as well. In the middle of the first day I went to get Olivia to take a nap. We had the perfect spot and I didn't even feel left out because the others were going on rides. It was peaceful, perfect, and completely fine by me to be there for my little bean. It was a whole new experience for me even though I've been there countless times.

Sleeping Beauty- in her element! 

Now I can't look forward to the years ahead that I know will be filled with a million memories and happy moments for little bean and future little beans!

Happiness Is...

We recently returned from Disneyland and it was a joyous occasion for which deserves its on separate post but today I wanted to post about something different.

I was looking through my photos and they are all just random- and each one of them made me happy. As I thought about it, really thought about it, that's what life is- it's random moments that fill us with happiness. As a mother- of course there are big monumental moments like the first time your baby walks but its the everyday randomness that teaches you who you are as a mommy and who your baby is becoming. Those are the moments that fill my life with so much joy and excitement.

Happiness is...
  Watching Olivia discover and ENJOY Steve's favorite herbal tea- his yerba mate. She loves it!

Happiness is...
   Spending as much time outside as possible. This little girl is an outdoor kitty. Her current favorite thing to do is put 4-5 little rocks in each little paw of hers and walk around. It's amazing how happy those little rocks make her!

Happiness is...
    Watching her pants fall off because they are obviously too big for her and then seeing how happy she is without them on. If this girl could run around naked all day- she would. We may have to address modesty in the future ;)

Happiness is...
    Little girls in dresses and tights. I put her in a dress 3-4 times a week because she looks so girly and adorable in them. And it makes her little and not big which is what she is rapidly becoming.

Happiness is...
    Bundling up because we had a random cold day and regardless of the temperature she wanted to be outside! She is the cutest little bundle I ever did see.

Happiness is...
     pure craziness. She wanted to put Steve's socks on but couldn't quite figure out how to so I helped her. She also loves putting on his sunglasses. She has a fun time!

Happiness is...
     Playing on our balcony. This keeps her entertained for quite some time. Once again, she's an outdoor kitty.

Happiness is...
     Doing the dishes and looking over the counter to see her captivated by her favorite movie... Nemo, of course!

And Happiness is...
     This wonderful man I get to call mine!