June and July

Ok, so I know I am slow posting... but here are some pics from the last 2 months. We have had a pretty mellow and relaxing summer. After some construction on the back wall/window in the living room (thank goodness that is over), and a great 2nd birthday party, I am enjoying the last week or so of summer before school starts again.


During the construction we fed the boys in the kitchen. They didn't seem to mind. Here they are coloring.



Dad and Mr. Gene checking the surf...

Gene showing dad his rad moves. (Because you have to have really, really rad moves to surf Tiki Beach - from our favorite Backyardigans episode... if you were wondering)

Surfing 101. Bolsa Chica 2009.

Surf lessons for Cruz.

Geoff and Cruz enjoying a fun day at the beach.

Gene loves to hang out here sometimes... it is the bottom shelf of their changing table which is where their stuffed animals usually live when they are not in a big pile in their room or the living room.

Bath time is kind of tricky. I was able to snap a quick shot while Geoff held the boys in place. They are slippery and really like to stand up, so we make bath time quick.

Before we put latches on their closet drawers they would pull out all their pants and such. Here they are enjoying putting their sweats on their head.

Gene is working on the "lean in" and doing a pretty good job I must say.

Gene, cousin Shelby, and Cruz enjoying pizza, mojos, and cake.

At Shakey's the boys got to ride their first little ride. Gene was just okay with it, but Cruz was NOT into it. Geoff came and rescued Cruz and cousin Kenny enjoyed the rest of the ride with Gene.

Not sure what the boys are thinking or doing here... but we have really enjoyed playing out in the yard this summer. It is a nice way to spend the afternoons.

I think Gene is trying to show off the sand on his face?

Cruz is not so sure about the water squirting in his face.

There were a few pretty warm days earlier in the summer. We all enjoyed cooling off in the water. What says summer more than running through the sprinklers...?

More battles over toys... the gears have been put into retirement for now. Cruz was so attached to them, but seems to be doing well as they have lots of cool new stuff to play with.

Daddy's little helpers. Gotta start 'em young.

Our first trip to the library. It is not everyday you get to meet Curious George!

Don't the boys look like they are LOVING the library so far? LOL

We have enjoyed many borrowed books this summer though. A nice way to mix it up with books we haven't read before.

Ok, so the boys LOVE corn on the cob. It must be the novelty of shoving it into their mouths, because serve them some plain old corn and it is just not the same.

Gene and his "happy face"

So, it wasn't pretty cool and gloomy in June (notice the long-sleeves and pants). Here are the boys having fun with one Elmo slipper each. :) They are too big for them, but they don't seem to mind.

This doesn't really capture the moment, but we got to enjoy PB&J sandwiches at the beach in Turtle Woman aka our '78 VW Camper.

Yes, we RARELY dress the boys the same. But, I thought they were just too cute in these cozy jammies. Gene on the left, Cruz on the right.

Okay, so it has seriously been like six months since I have posted to our blog. I am not going to even attempt to "catch up" on things, but I will instead do my best to update with current photos here and there. Here are some of my favorites from the last 2 months. As a general update on the boys: they are doing really well. They are of course into anything that they can be. They are very curious and inquisitive. They get along for sure, but have their fair share of battles too (see below).





Here is Cruz playing in the dirt. yes, I said DIRT. Some of it even ended up in his mouth. So, I know I am still crazy, but I would have to say I have relaxed at least a little about dirt in general. I think Cruz had a GREAT time!


This is where we put the boys when we want to keep them contained. No just kidding, they like to climb into this ottoman where we keep some of their toys. They were content this day to play in there together for probably like 20 minutes!


Again, just hanging out in the ottoman. :) Umm, yes, there are toys everywhere. That is what the living looks like much of the time.

We have really been enjoying the backyard. We recently got them a water/sand table and they seem to really enjoy it.

Here are the boys playing nicely together. Cruz is politley telling Gene, " This one should go here. Then press the button. You've got it..."

Cruz has continued to show Gene how to put the gears on his favorite toy, but he is starting to look a little concerned.

Cruz has finally decided that Gene's turn is up. Gene has clearly overstepped his boundaries with the gears.

So this is from today. The boys both love to climb, and Gene just learned how to climb on the dining room chairs. We have one in the corner blocking a speaker. He was so happy with himself. If he only knew how to get down...

We played outside for a while today as it was a nice afternoon. Here is Cruz, looking cute as ever in my opinion.

Ok, so it is really hard to get both of them looking at the camera at the same time...but here they are on their slide.

Gene and Cruz both also learned how to climb onto the patio chairs..... They are quite proud.

Cruz again on the slide.

Cruz - just hangin out

Cruz getting a ride on the dump truck. He isn't too sure about it...

Gene enjoying the sand table. Getting messy for sure. :)

Good as new...

I wasn't able to get a picture of the actual event, but Gene did get his cast off today. He had another x-ray and they said it was all healed up! Hooray! He has a small bruise near his wrist, but he doesn't seem to be in any pain. He can bend his arm and put pressure on it! I am so glad because I was so worried that he would be in pain. He acted for just a short while like he still had his cast on (banging his arm on his crib and crawling on his forearm), but within less than an hour he seemed to have realized that the cast was gone... and that he was as "good as new." I have lots of pictures and the cast to show him later how at 15 months old he had already broken a bone!

A day in the park

It was a beautiful day yesterday. Geoff and I both had the day off, so we went to the park. My grandma, the boys, and Geoff and I enjoyed ourselves in the sun and on the playground. The boys went on the swings and the slide for the first time. Here are just a few shots from the many that I took.

To keep you updated... you will notice that Gene (he is in the blue) has a cast on his left arm. Yeah... he broke it. He just fell while walking around the house last week. He will get his cast off next Wednesday. It doesn't seem to bother him much. He has learned to get around with it just fine. And, he has not hit his brother with it.... yet!

Birthday Party

Ok, you all know that I am WAY behind as usual. I have started back to work (part-time) and I seem to find less and less time to sit down at the computer. Anyway here are a few pictures from their birthday party. I will keep adding more current pics, when I can keep my eyes open long enough to do so.

Here we are in the pool after the boys completely smothered themselves in blue frosting from the cake (that everyone was going to eat!) I neglected to take my cell phone out of my pocket (even after hearing Geoff ask his brother to hold his phone). So, I lost ALL my stored numbers! Luckily we had just ordered new phones, but I had not written my numbers down anywhere of course!

The boys had a great time though and that is all that mattered! Thanks to Aunties Nicole and Sommer for getting the boys changed once we were all soaking wet.

Opening gifts! Thanks to everyone. The boys are really enjoying all the things they got for their birthday!

Thanks to Grandma Trudy for the new hats. We have used them several times. :)

Here comes the cake!

Okay, they were really more like muffins with frosting. They were a little apprehensive at first, but then they really got into it. We enjoyed watching them dig in, but we had quite the mess to clean up afterwards. They had take their baths together since there was no way to put one of them somewhere while the other got clean without making a bigger mess!

Just to recap: These are pics from their actual birthday.


Cruz was like, "Um, what are you giving this to me for?"

Gene says, "Yes! Finally I get to have some sweets and get my hands dirty!"

Cruz is not so sure at first.

You will notice none has made it in Gene's mouth yet... he is just playing in it!

Aha! If I break it in half I will have TWO muffins. That must be what I am supposed to do!


Gene finally starts to give it a taste.

Cruz has officially had enough.

Gene says, "Whew I am pooped! That was a lot of work!"

Cruz looks proud of his accomplishment of getting seriously messy!!!