JOY.

This year, Jeff insisted that we have Pipe as the backdrop for our Christmas photo. 'Insisted' just might be an understatement. And not just any Pipe, but a 'going off' Pipe. Ok, fine. Makes no difference to me. Well, I guess easier said than done. Sorry babe, but next year, you are so banned from all Christmas card involvement! After sifting through photos, hours of creating dozens of different sample cards, and finally Jeff just plain blaming McKay and I for ruining the Christmas card opportunity...(yes, it was a breaking point and well, to be perfectly honest, McKay does sort of look like a velociraptor here), we've FINALLY finished! A bit comically ridiculous if you ask me, over a measly Christmas card. So, good riddance to that and to all a good night! ...and um, with cheer and merry and bright?!?..I don't want to sound like a total bah humbug, after all. Ha ha. But seriously, so happy to be DONE with that silly thing and more importantly, we wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! :)   

Legoland

Last Friday, we scored some free passes to Legoland! (thanks to my friend, Erin!).  McKay loved everything about this place! Our first visit to Legoland turned out for some great fun! :)

Psssst...

So, there's actually another story to this picture here... I found these cute PJ's for McKay. They were the perfect fit for the job. So, after trick-or-treating, I changed McKay into his new jammies and pushed him out in front of Grams for everyone to see. It wasn't just the new jammies we wanted to show off. It was what the new jammies read... 

{Click here..}

{it's a little cut off in the pic but, can you make it out?} 

Here's another hint:

Yep, baby #2 is on it's way! We couldn't possibly be more thrilled! ..except for the whole having to be pregnant part.. but, of course totally & completely worth it! :)

{The jammies read 'Big Brother' in case you didn't figure it out!}

Halloween

Ward Trunk-or-Treat.

Dinner at Grams & Ha-ha's

Uncle Joey always carves the best pumpkins!

This little bugger would not keep the head to his costume on. Here's our best shot. 

Trick-or-Treating, Success!

 This year McKay was Brobee from the kid's show Yo Gabba Gabba. It was the cutest costume! (-thanks to Laura for letting us borrow her amazing piece of work!) Unfortunately, McKay kicked and screamed as we tried to get him in the darn thing. In the end, we managed to at least get him to keep the suit on, minus the head. Oh well, he is two years old after all, he's got a mind of his own. McKay absolutely loved the trick-or-treating part...of course! Overall, it was a great night!

Disneyland

Happiest place on Earth!

I love that Ella is holding his head up for the picture.

Of course, we had to give it a shot.

What the...face?

Meeting Goofy.

Meeting Mickey, so cute.

Parade.

Last week we went with some friends to Disneyland. It was McKay's first and he loved every minute of it! I admit, I was a little apprehensive about McKay and rides, considering he practically had a nervous breakdown on the ferris wheel a few months ago. (Yep, pretty much the most mellow ride of all time)  Yet, he was such a champ, he loved them all! Not even a peep on Pirates or Haunted Mansion. Magical. And lots of fun!

Bates Nut Farm

On Saturday, we went out to Bates Nut Farm with the Eks. This place is pretty much the Disneyland of all Pumpkin Patches. It is enormous, I've never seen so many pumpkins in my life! McKay loved climbing and playing in all of the pumpkins, riding in wheel-barrows and feeding the goats. In fact, he's still walking around saying 'pumpkin!'.

SD Children's Museum

A few weeks ago, Grams, Brooke, McKay and I went to visit the new San Diego Children's Museum. The kids loved every minute of it!

This sculpture is hanging from the ceiling near the entrance. It is made entirely of balloons! Wow, I wonder how long that took?!

Drawing on the giant chalkboard wall.

They had the cutest little pumping carts that the kids could ride. Don't they just look neat?

Playing the drums.

Inside the 'rain house'. I love the keyhole entry.

Bubbles! What kid doesn't love bubbles?

Jumping in the huge rainbow bouncy. What a great photo with all of those colors.

We had so much fun! I loved how everything was so colorful and artistic. Thanks Grams for such a fun day!

Growth Chart

{Just in case you were wondering, no, McKay is not nearly 5 feet tall. The board actually hangs on the wall a couple of feet above the ground.}

Right before McKay turned 2, I decided to make a growth chart for him. I figured I might as well have one I can take with me, rather than the traditional write-on-the-wall method. With a piece of wood, a little paint, fabric and some modge podge, I think it turned out pretty well.

Summer Fun

This summer flew by so fast. I feel like it was over before it even started. Since I've been MIA from the blogging world for a while, I think it's time I started catching up. So, here are just a few of the summer updates...

Of course, we went to the races at Del Mar... 

McKay with Grams

Jodie is always so great (thank you!) to hook us up with all sorts of fun things, including the Weezer concert...

Weezer has always been one of my favorite bands, so I was super excited.

It was so fun to have a date night out...

..with some great friends, too! Here's the gang of us..

Elke, Mindy, Me, Lindsay

With so many people, they often have the concerts in the middle of the racetrack. Afterwards, everyone started jumping the fence and rushing the track. Here's Jeff and I, head-to-head! ;)

Some of our really good friends, Brittany and Derek moved up North this summer. We miss them so much already! Here we are having a going away bonfire at Ponto..

Me & McKay, Brittany, Lindsay

Roasting Biscuits...

All of the kiddos.

So cute, huddling together.

Unfortunately, we had quite a few gloomy days this summer; but, when the sun came out we took full advantage by going to the beach or swimming at the pool.

Cardiff

My little brother, Britt, came down for almost the whole month of June to visit. We always love having him, McKay just loves his 'Uncle Bit'.

We also had our Petersen Family Reunion the first part in August.

..we went to Balboa Park..

...and come to find out, my grandpa & grandpa Petersen had their wedding reception here at Balboa.

Visited the Fleet Science Center, where we also got to see the Kelly Slater Imax movie, 'The Ultimate Wave: Tahiti'. It was really good, despite the fact that my Dad managed to sleep the entire way through it. haha.

We also went to the Mormon Batallian center..

..where the kids got to pan for gold.

And play other pioneer games.

We went to the beach, of course.

...and some of us decided to try out the sand. :) Still adorable, even with sand all over that cute face.

My brother and s-i-l moved to Laguna Nigel in August. We are so excited to have them close by.

We've had lots of different play-dates lately. McKay loves having friends over, and keeping busy constantly.

Too cute for words.

..so, goodbye to Summer, we miss you already. Please stay longer next year!