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We're home! We had a fantastic time. I'm just now beginning to organize the photos we took in the city. For now I'll leave you with these few.

Adriana and Jason. The most gorgeous bride and groom you've ever seen.

Adam is buying me a brownstone on this street someday. Just puttin' it out there.

Many more to come....

Heading East

I'm flying here today. Ready to turn 32 in New York City. I think that means it's going to be a great year, don't you? Many thanks to all of our babysitters and helping hands. Here's to a very safe trip, and fun times ahead.

New Gloss

As ridiculous as it is, I kind of want this stuff. Oh, how many days til November and New Moon? Anyone counting? ... Sigh.

More Talented Friends

A couple friends just started a boutique. Hip Handmaids. Check out their website and blog. They're even doing some giveaways. You can also buy Shel's rockin' baby clothes at her Etsy shop. Oh, if I had a newborn I would totally buy the Musical Notes Newborn Gown right now! I love it. Maybe I'll just have to snag it for the next baby. Happy shopping!

Stuff and Things

Kids are asleep and I'm alone. Quiet. Adam is doing a reading of a Two and a Half Men spec script tonight. He's had a big week. One of the screenplays he and his partner wrote is getting some real interest. Not sure what will happen, but it's the first time in a long time where something actually feels possible. He also has a new church calling so he will be busy. Something that is bugging me: My elliptical is broken. So sad. I hate being out of my workout routine. While it's being repaired I've forced myself to try some truly obnoxious Exercise TV. What has been really nice is hiking Fryman Canyon several times a week. Here are a couple views from up there:

Isn't it pretty? Clears my head a bit.

Anne and I went to this yogurt shop the other night, owned by Melissa Joan Hart of Sabrina the Teenage Witch. It was yummy - especially the peanut butter fro yo. Mmmmmm. This shop has more than just yogurt - gelato, cupcakes, a coffee bar, candy store. Definitely worth a trip. 

I am totally obsessed with this t-shirt from DownEast Basics... so much so I had to buy it in both colors. Don't make fun of me if you see me wearing it all the time. It's so soft and comfy. I would say they need to make it in more colors, but how many can I own before it gets ridiculous. And gray and brown go with everything.

Finally saw Julie & Julia and loved it. Adam did to. Reading The Time Travelers Wife, but it's slow starting. Looking forward to bringing it on the plane. Is it sad that flying without my kids feels like a vacation in and of itself?

Here's what Audrey and Tyler did tonight:

Bath night. I love this photo. They're having so much fun.

This video is mostly for my mom. Audrey is mommy's little helper.

Movie Night

The busier Adam gets, the more movie nights we seem to have. Is that bad? Tonight was Wall-E. I'm spending the next couple days getting ready for New York. Trying to stock my empty fridge for babysitters. Doing last minute laundry. Cleaning bathrooms and such, since family is staying here this weekend. Pack. Busy... but in the best way. 

Going Fancy

Do you like my new look? It makes me really happy. Courtesy of one of my newest LA friends, Lyndsay. If you wanna beautify your blog, go check out her site. She is wonderful, and has some gorgeous designs to choose from. Thank you for everything, Lyndsay! You're the best.

Every Friday

Every Friday since Tyler was 15 months old we've gone to music class. I love this class. It never gets old. When I was looking to get Tyler into a music class I did a lot of research, and thanks to a tip from my mom found Music Together. The program is awesome (and I am kinda picky when it comes to music stuff - for obvious reasons). What's particularly wonderful in our area are the teachers. Patricia. Alina. They have been incredible with my kids. So creative and loving. Not over the top, or cheesy. I could go on and on. Worth every single penny we've spent. It's what I look forward to every single Friday.

Audrey under the parachute.

Tyler very serious playing the bells

Audrey dancing with Patricia

Me and my dance partner

Brother and sister, chillin' on the floor together

Had to include this shot of Audrey attempting to kick this poor little boy in the face. She is hard core, and can keep up with the oldest kid in the room.

At the end of class Patricia always lets the kids come up and touch the guitar.

This Is Dinner Tonight

BBQ Chicken and Black Bean Burritos

(Easy. Healthy. Delicious. One pot. Recipe courtesy of Amber.)

Cooked chicken breast or tenders (I like it shredded, but it's good diced, too)

Red Onion - chopped

1 Can Black Beans

Frozen Corn

Favorite BBQ Sauce (Our pick is Trader Joe's Bold & Smokey Kansas City Style)

Flour Tortillas

Brown red onion in large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken, black beans, corn, and about 1/2 c. or so of BBQ sauce. (Amounts vary depending on taste - I chop half a red onion, add a couple handfuls of frozen corn, and extra BBQ sauce). Simmer until all ingredients are mixed together and warmed through. This is the filling for your warm flour tortillas. Wrap it all up, and voila. Adam likes them with shredded sharp cheddar or a little sour cream. Serve with a green salad or vegetable. Enjoy! (And enjoy how easy the clean-up is, too).

Big Kid Ride

Here's my shout out to Tyler's new Safeguard Go car seat. Perfect for the bigger kids. And it turns into a booster (which, if Tyler doesn't start gaining weight someday, he'll be riding in until he's fifteen). It's very sleek and lightweight. I'm loving it. Just passing along the recommendation to the mommies. And thanks for the shopping tip, Lauren. What would I do without my favorite personal shopper?

This Morning

Bad mood faces have been replaced by happy ones. Today has been a great day, even in spite of a little Audrey fussiness.

Our crazy tinker toy robot that Tyler insisted he pose by.

That round little double chin. It will be gone before I know it. So perfect.

Wrestling with dad this morning. PS - If anyone is wondering Adam's script is in the right hands. He also has a meeting tomorrow to write a script for someone else... an opportunity that just came up this week. Very exciting stuff.

Sunday Morning Breakfast

Strawberry Cream Cheese Quesadillas 

Flour tortillas

8 oz. cream cheese

1 1/2 Tbsp. sugar - or to taste

2 tsps. vanilla

Strawberry Jam

Mix cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla in a bowl. Spread on tortillas. Fold tortillas and seal edges. Place quesadillas in a hot skillet over medium heat and cook a couple minutes on each side, until it starts to get a little brown. Spoon warm jam on top. Serve warm.

How yummy does that sound? My stepsister Christi sent me this recipe. It's really easy, and I attempted to make it a little healthier by using low fat cream cheese, less sugar (about 1 Tbsp), and Trader Joe's reduced sugar preserves. The cool thing about these quesadillas is really you could make them however you want. I think it would be yummy with chopped up strawberries mixed in the cream cheese. Or you could do any fruit you like. Maybe a little cinnamon sugar on top instead of jam. Different dipping sauces. Add chopped almonds. Nutella. Mmmmmmm. Perfect Sunday breakfast splurge.

Bad Moods and More Cupcakes

Was there something in the air today? Our family was a little miserable. Cranky. Fussy. Whining. Just yuck in general. After the craziest fifteen minutes trying to get out the front door (read: me losing my temper), I thought we all needed a little post-music class chocolate. I've been wanting to stop in this bakery for a long time. It's one of Emily's favorites. She brought me some of their cupcakes once and they were delicious. Tyler picked out a sprinkle cookie, and an extra one for Audrey. I told the girl I needed chocolate and she recommended the Dalmatian Cupcake - white cake with mini chocolate chips, chocolate buttercream on top. Oh. My. Yum. Here's a picture to drool over:

Unfortunately it only temporarily solved our fuss issues. Tonight I picked up this book thanks to an early birthday present from my Encino Girls. Kids are in bed. Adam is home early. A little 17 Again. Things are already looking up. On to better days and waking up to (hopefully) whine-free children... Okay, and a grump-free me, too.

Encino Girls

Amber, Renee, Jackie, Emily, and Brooke. These ladies are wonderful. They were absolutely answers to my prayers when I moved across country and left my New York City friends behind. These girls took me under their wings. They were already moms when I was pregnant with Tyler. They taught me how to be a mom. "What kinds of diapers are best? Who is The Baby Whisperer? Tyler has a fever, should I call the doctor? I'm going to pull my hair out, please get me out of the house!". I don't think you ever forget the women who surround you when you first become a mom. The women who support you, bring you dinner, understand when you're stressed because that's where they were yesterday. We have all since moved from Encino, but still get together for girls night to celebrate babies, birthdays - really any excuse to eat chocolate or cheesecake, and do a lot of talking. I'm grateful to know these girls, that our kids play together, and that we all still manage to sneak out of the house and escape mommyhood on occasion. And right now I'm wishing I had a little Keylime Cheesecake leftover from last night's festivities... mmmmmm.

Keep Up with Number Two

You know how everyone tells you your first child won't necessarily prepare you for your second. Well they are right. In some ways Tyler and Audrey are similar, but there are oh so many ways in which they are night and day. Here's one, Audrey can't keep her diaper on to save her life. She is not to be trusted unless she has a tight pair of something on. Even in dresses she'll take the diaper right off. Today we were playing this game while I was on the computer where Audrey goes in Tyler's room and brings me a toy car saying (in Audrey language), "Here you go". Then she goes back and gets another and another. I'm thinking this is a pretty cool game because I get to check my friends blogs without her whining at me. Mind you, she's only wearing a diaper. Then she comes out with car in hand, no diaper on, and a dirty bum! No. I run into Tyler's bedroom and thankfully there is no crazy poop explosion to clean up. I find the dirty diaper, clean her up, and get her dressed in a nice, tight onesie. Maybe she was telling me it was about time I changed her diaper? Or maybe she just prefers being "free"... Either way, is it too early to start potty training? Good thing my little exhibitionist is so cute.

List

Must See:

A movie about food and blogging? I have to see this.

Must Read:

Must Do:

Confession: This pile of laundry has been sitting on my living room floor almost all weekend  long. Folding laundry is one of my least favorite chores (along with emptying the dishwasher - that's full of clean dishes right now, too). Better get started. And PS - Adam's script has a huge meeting tomorrow. Send happy thoughts his way. I'll report any good news.

Summer Lovin'

Doesn't it seem like the summer is going by so fast? A little too fast for me. This week has been a bit hectic balancing mommmyhood and apartment manager duties. Can I say, I am so grateful for our job. It has saved our butts time and time again. Adam has been around this week, so I've had a little time to myself. Yesterday I got my hair cut with Kelly. The highlight was when she pointed out a spot of gray hair that has been hiding on the back of my head. I blame my kids. Overall we are enjoying our last "official" month of summer. Here are some things that have made me happy this summer:

My summer favorite, the Shimmer Brick Compact. This stuff is wonderful and has lasted me several summers. The perfect amount of shimmer.

Powderflage. I've blogged about this before and am now a die hard fan. I will always have this in my makeup drawer. Always. It's subtle, but I see and feel a difference under my eyes. I am converted.

We have a major sweet tooth in this house. This summer we've stayed cool snacking on: Mighty Mini Slow Melt Popsicles. These are the cutest, tiniest popsicles we first had at my Dad's house in Virginia. Perfect size for little hands. Dreyer's Yogurt Blends in Tart Honey. I am a sucker for tart ice cream (especially with fresh fruit and tons of mochis on top). And these from Weight Watchers. So good! One of the tastiest treats I've had all summer.

Stone-Ground Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips and Trader Joe's Salsa Verde. Edamame hummus. Grapefruit Perrier.... mmmmmm. 

The fact that Top Chef and Project Runway are coming back this month. And Adam and I have been watching Friends reruns every night at 11pm. That show makes me happy.

Jessica Simpson high heels. Who knew? I ordered this pair to go with a dress I'm wearing to Adriana's rehearsal dinner. They are surprisingly comfortable. I think my feet might survive New York City in them.

Lately I've had some, um, let's say "bad skin issues" on my shoulders. Not pretty. (Something I also blame on having kids and out-of-whack hormones). I thought I might have to buy some expensive tea tree oil soap, but  this body wash really works. I opted for the grapefruit.

And lastly, any combination of soaps and lotions from Restoration Hardware. My personal favorites are Sweet Orange and Cucumber Mint. They are so yummy, and they're on sale now!

Well, that's a long read. And if you haven't had enough, here is one last photo for your weekend.

Does this sweet girl make you want to come over and watch Little Einsteins with us? (Another summer favorite). Lemme know. What are some your summer favorites?

Boys Camp Out

Belated photos from Tyler and Adam's camping trip to the Sierras last week.

They set up camp right by the water.

The campers: Grandpa Tait, Adam, and Tyler.

Gone Fishing.

Fishing with Grandpa.

Tired boy. And yes, clearly Bunny had to come on the camp out, too.

When he knows there's gonna be dirt, Tyler has to bring his trucks.

Feeding fish at the fish hatchery.

The boys had a great time. I'm glad at least one us is willing to take our kids camping to rough them up a bit. Give me a camp ground with a shower, and I'll be there next time. Maybe beach camping next summer? That I could get into. Tonight Adam broiled some of the trout they caught on their trip, seasoned with lemon, garlic, pepper, and olive oil. Delicious. 

Cupcakes Galore

Have you been to Crumbs Bake Shop yet? We went tonight and I might just have to go back until I've sampled every single flavor. Tonight we had Chocolate with Vanilla Buttercream, and White Chocolate Peppermint. Yummmmm.