Whitney's Wild World

Super Bowl

2012-02-07T12:28:00.000-08:00

Super bowl this year wasn't that exciting for me, mostly, because my packers weren't in it. OK not mostly, completely I thought for sure after the great season they were having they were going to the super bowl for sure! Anyway there is always next year. We had a couple of our friends over and all the kids had a great time together. 8 adults and 7 kids makes for one chaotic party. Good thing nobody really cared about either team because the kids were all over the place it was hard to catch more than 2 plays at at time. We were just hoping for a good game. We had a super bowl pool and party game. Chris and I never win but we did have fun trying.

Brady and Milan are still to young to play with the big kids, but had fun trying to keep up.

Rylee and Maya always have a great time playing together and it's even more fun when MJ and Jorden join the party! They spent the whole day in the toy closet playing hide and seek with flash lights!!

Brady and his harem!

6 Girls (Maya, MJ, Rylee, Alina, Milan, Jorden) and 1 lucky little Boy!!

Trying to get a group shot was challenging but it turned out pretty good!

Thanks everyone for making it work.

Bye bye

2012-02-03T07:50:00.001-08:00

Ready to box up an old friend. It's time to be a big girl, all of her choosing of course :)

Mini P

2012-02-02T18:36:00.000-08:00

July 27th 2008 is the first time Rylee's Mini P made its first photographic appearance and it has been by Rylee's side ever since!! The Mini P is the small pink blanket she has slept with for ever and ever. When she attached to the Mini P it also came with any paci of her choice. We have never gone a nap or night without it EVER!!!!!!! It has gone with us everywhere we go and has never gotten lost or stolen. It did get miss placed at the gym one time but it was recovered before nap time, thank goodness. Rylee has also given the Mini P many names. It got the name Mini P because we had so many pink blankets that I kept saying grab the mini pink one and then it just got shortened to P. Rylee called them the He and the Ha and no one knows why. She would stick her hand under it and stick it up to her nose and smell it and if you asked her what it smelled like she would say watermelon?!?!?

It made its way to an Angel Game

It went on its first trip to Disneyland!!

Even Brady had his way with it . . . Rylee did not think this was funny :)

Rylee loves her Mini P so much we knew that Brady would follow suit and boy were we right. Brady loves his lubie just as much as Rylee loves her Mini P!!

I originally had 2 just in case one got lost but she never latched on to the other one. This is what it looks like today versus the original. It has been barfed on, spilled on, bleached and bleached and bleached some more until the satin on the edge is practically unrecognizable. It slowly went from pink to brown and now it's kind of grey. After much decussion, we decided that when she turned 3 that the paci had to go and she did pretty good with that but ever since then the Mini P hasn't held the same value. They were a package deal and it just wasn't the same. So recently she has become more interested in stuffed animals and wanting to sleep with a menagerie of animals in her bed. Turtles, fish, bunnies, dogs, pillow pet, and now the favorite, her Lala Lucy doll and that is what finally pushed the Mini P out of the bed :( Its actually kinda sad. She said last night that she wanted to sleep with the doll instead of her mini p and sure enough it was still on the stool next to her bed this morning . . tear . . . tear (mine not hers) She told me she wanted to box it up and give it to someone new!! So sweet, such a big girl.

Winter in So Cal

2012-01-30T08:18:00.000-08:00

The weather in January has been down right beautiful . . . warm, sunny, blue skies, 80 degree temperatures smack dab in the middle of WINTER!!! Feels more like summer but we'll take it!! We headed up to Newport this weekend to soak in some sun and celebrate Gramps' 80th birthday or as he calls it "Phase 5"

The kids love the beach and so do Chris and I but I think this is going to be one of the best summers ever. Last weekend was a glimpse of what next summer will look like. Rylee just wanted to play soccer all day on the beach and Brady was checking everything out and running from the water!!

There was a million people at the beach, seems like everyone wanted in on the beach like weather!

Quick update on the B-Man . . . he finally had his 18 month check up and he weighed in at 27lbs 60%, 32inches tall 30% and only one word to show for it!!! BALL!! We are working with Rylee's speech therapist and a couple others to enhance his verbal skills. He loves loves loves books and kicking the ball all over the house and still gets in to EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!! He has mastered the play structure at the playground and can go up and down the slide a million times. If Rylee gives him any attention he is in hog heaven, he loves it when she chases him up and down the hall. His little personality is so mellow and so relaxed but the temper tantrums are in full swing if he can't get his point across or can't have something he wants.

Rylee is the only one who has escaped the "PLAGUE" Chris and I were practically on our death beds last weekend and had to ask my parents to come get the kiddos when neither one of us could lift our heads from the pillow and the kids were eating left over ritz crackers and Gatorade from our room we knew we couldn't do it! My mom and dad rushed down swooped up the kids and we layed in bed and made many a many a many trip to the bathroom in 24 hours. At first I thought we had food posining because we got sick at the same time but come to find out nope it was the plague! We had wonderful friends and neighbors that came to our rescue bringing Gatorade, crackers and meds to help us back on the right track. Lastly Brady got it :( nothing worse than a sick child, but he made it through and Rylee got to have a fun day with Yaya!!

I'm not sure if winter will ever come this year but if the weather stays like this I'm OK with it!!

I Love these guys!!

2012-01-17T07:39:00.000-08:00

Finally a little love for Chris!!

So Chris and I rarely ever actually never do we say NO to the others plans for getting out of the house for any reason. This being said, I go to 3 Mom's Night Out a month, take off to Newport Beach for weeks at a time and Riverside for long weekends. In order for me to have all this fun, it means Chris has to come home early or live like a bachelor while the kids and I are away. He really is the best husband I know. We don't do things tit for tat (thank goodness) and we try to travel together for the most part. But, he never has Dads Night Out so when there is an opportunity for some quality boys time there is absolutely no hesitation on my part . . . Go!!

Chris has an extraordinary group of friends from Goleta, probably about 12 or so that have stayed friends over the years. This is the greatest, most eclectic group of friends that I have ever seen. They all went to junior high together (till Chris got kicked out, but that's a whole other story), high school together and then went to various colleges. They went to San Diego State, Cal State Northridge, Cal State Fullerton, Davis, and many colleges in between. They all live in different parts of country and when they get together its like they are back in high school, beer included!!!

I met most of them during our trips to Fiesta and their 10 reunion and could instantly see the bond between these grown men!! I really do love all of Chris's crazy friends. It's amazing to me that they really do keep in touch with each others lives. They call, text and email, pretty regularly. They are all so unique and crazy in their own way that they each bring something special to the group. Some married with kids, some married and some single. Three of these guys were in our wedding. Dave was our best man and is the only one we see often, probably because he lives in San Diego and because he works at one of my most favorite stores in the mall :) Ryan used to live with us right when we moved in and I was 6 months pregnant and newly married . . . Ryan and I have a love hate relationship . . . I love you Ryan :) We usually see Leo, Izzy and Nicky when we are up in Santa Barbara for a holiday, wedding or Fiesta, but we recently flew out to see Nicky in Tennessee. I am so happy they have all stayed friends so long they really are great guys!

They all went to Scottsdale to visit Ryan, he recently got a new job and was relocated out to Arizona. Chris texted me when they all got settled in and it said . . . "Nicky just got here, we're all talking about the good old days and Nicky made a slide show with all of us over the years, we're going to watch it later!" Oh good lord! Whenever I am with this bunch it is always the same stories, reliving their glory days! Before I knew it the next text came with this picture . . . "just jumped in a limo after dinner!"

Apparently the limo was to cool they had to move on to a pedi-cab . . . . Video for your enjoyment!!

Is it just me or does my husband and his friends sound like a bunch of giggling teenage girls?!??

Then I about died when this picture came in . . . .That can't be good right?!?

That's a lot of alcohol . . . bottle service at some place!

They were at a bar all day drinking and watching the games and talking about each others old girlfriends! Bottoms up!

As their time in Scottsdale was coming to an end there had to be one final challenge . . who is the strongest man among them?? So adult like!! And as usual Ryan is the biggest talker of them all and can always do it bigger and better. They all took turns playing this game where you hit the speed bag one time as hard as you can to see who got the highest score. Of course Ryan making a big deal and, well you see for yourself . . . .

Sorry Ryan but that was too funny not to post!! (love hate)

So basically when they were "kids" a couple of Chris' friends came up with this idea of the Ego Challenge.

This picture was taken Circa 1997 after the famed Ego Challenge. It consisted of a couple teams chosen at random to compete in "games" such as basketball game, soccer game, home run derby, obstacle course, tug-o-war, volleyball, football game and a drinking tricycle race (that I would have loved to see).

This took place over Memorial day weekend and of course there were prizes and consequences for the following places. First place won the prize of nothing, second place had to jump off the pier, third place had to break dance on State Street in down town Santa Barbara and the dreaded fourth place had to dress like bums and beg for money on State Street!! So creative!!

I'm glad that they have grown up a little since they left high school, just a little. They have all done crazy things and have remained friends. What great memories they've made. I can't wait 'till he can share all his crazy stories with Brady!!

It's great that Chris can getaway with his boys and have a great time reliving their glory days! I think it makes for a healthy relationship for Chris and I to be able to do our own thing and then be soooo ready to come home after an eventful vacation with our friends. I did talk to him while waiting in the airport waiting for his plane home and asked him if he was mentally, physically and emotionally ready to come back home . . . AKA you're not hung over right because the kids are ready to see you :)

Fun Times at Yaya and JJ's

2012-01-16T13:48:00.000-08:00

We always have such a fun time at my parents house. Bryn recently moved out, so for the first time in 13 years I was sleeping the in the room I grew up in. Although I did have a new roommate, Turtle!! The kids love playing outside on the swing, picking oranges, playing in the house and in the dirt!! This time the swing was "broken" and it was pretty cold so we made our own fun inside.

Rylee would chase Brady and then jump over my dad and make it almost every time. She had a blast jumping over him, not sure my dad was so thrilled! I thought it was funny :)

One of the greatest things about my parents house is the fire place!! When its cold enough to have a fire it is the best feeling. My dad makes a great fire and then my mom and I try to keep it going. It really does heat up the whole room and makes for great ambiance!

Brady finally upgraded to the big kids table with Rylee! He didn't last long but he had fun while it lasted.

He mostly likes the rocking chair, he loves the one in his room and he loves the one at my parents house! Cute little kid. Oh yea and when we were in Newport Bryn was getting her hair done and we took Brady in to see my friend Nicole and she wasted no time getting her hands on his over grown mop.

I love all of our mini getaway vacations, 4 counties in 3 days, love living in So Cal!!

Long Beach Aquarium

2012-01-16T13:16:00.000-08:00

The kids and I took off on a mini vacay while Chris was in Scottsdale with his friends. We went up to Riverside, Long Beach Aquarium and Newport!

My mom took us to the UCR basketball game and it was great we didn't even make it to half time! The kids were worn out from all the pregame festivities. Brady played kick the can with a red solo cup and Rylee was busy taking pictures, go figure!!

The long beach aquarium was wonderful. Both kids loved everything about it. Brady loved to get out and walk along looking and pointing at all the fish. Rylee pointed out every Nemo and Dory along the way!

This was mostly what it looked like all day. Both of them with their backs to me looking at all the great under water exhibits!

Brady couldn't get close enough to all the fish. Rylee was in charge of the map and telling us where we were going! They had a bunch of shows the whole day, mostly for the kids and there was nobody there that day so you had a front row seat to every show and every exhibit.

Rylee didn't want to touch any of the fish, sharks or star fish in the pond. Brady splashed all around and then sipped out of the puddles, only to find out it was a little more salty than he anticipated!!

Waiting for story time to begin! Rylee got to be one of the "actors" for story time and was a little ham!

Brady got to sit with Yaya and eat Gold Fish!

One of the shows had 3 divers that went into the giant reef tank and was telling us all about the fish and coral! They had huge manta rays swimming around and the divers were feeding them broccoli. It was pretty cool and they would swim right up to the glass . . . Crazy!!

We took a wonderful picnic lunch and ate outside on the picnic benches that were right on the water When we were done with the Long Beach Aquarium we headed back to Newport for some more fun with Mimi and Grandpa! The Long Beach Aquarium is a great place for kids in my opinion it is way better that the Birch Aquarium here in San Diego!

Playing Outside

2012-01-16T12:54:00.000-08:00

It is so crazy that only in Southern California can it be 80 degrees and beautiful in January! I do kind of wish that it would feel a little like winter but when new toys get delivered for Christmas it's nice to have summer like weather to try them out! The alley behind our house is the best place to play and ride all of our new and old toys. The kids know to jump into someones garage when a car approaches and its really nice that we know everyone in our alley and they are always on the lookout for small kiddos!

Brady loves getting pushed around on his new tricycle, I think he really wants to pedal but he's a little far off from that!

Rylee thinks she's big enough to skateboard. She pulls it up to the top of the alley and then sits on it and races to the bottom! She is still a crazy little dare devil!

Brady also got this cute, I mean manly, scoot around tricycle that he can actually do!!

So cute, they were high-fiving when ever they would pass each other! They are finally starting to play with each other, that is if Rylee will play with him. He loves it when Rylee chases him all over the house.

Brady finally mastered the slide we have in the back yard. He's a little sketchy at the top but loves it when he gets to the bottom!!

After having so much fun outside this is where they all ended up watching a movie!! So precious!

I don't think I could ever live somewhere in the snow and cold, but I would like to just have a little winter like weather once and a while. But if the weather is going to be so wonderful outside we will just have to take advantage of it!! Here's to summer in January!!

New Year's Resolutions

2012-01-01T19:16:00.000-08:00

HELLO 2012!

As the rule states you should have some form of new years resolution that says you should do as follows . . .

Statistically new years resolutions only last about 2 weeks. I'm going to try a little harder this year and see how long I can go. Last year I vowed that I was going to live by the motto "Less is More" I did try and it came up in our home many a time. I know this year my resolution should be to keep a cleaner more organized home but lets face it I'm just not ready for that,. Sorry mom I'll try I'm just not ready to make it an official resolution :) This year I am going to try to keep it simple and attainable . . My New Years Resolution is to stay positive and be happy in all situations!!

During my addiction to Pinterest, I have come across many great quotes, statements and motto's to live by. Some good, some bad and some just true!! Here is my latest compilations of just that . . .

I think this is a great set of family rules. I might post this somewhere in my house!!!

I saw that Oprah had this in her office and I think it's a great reminder that everyone is affected by the mood you are in! Going to try and keep it positive and happy :)

This quote should be ground into the heads of every child!

It's so true

I need to remember this more often. Sometimes I find myself wrapped up in everything pertaining to perfection that I loose sight of the fun that could be happening. I need to concentrate on being the best me I can be instead of always comparing myself to the Jone's or the Kardashian's for that matter! My life is so full of wonderfulness and it's far from perfect :) But I wouldn't have it any other way perfectly wonderful!

I'm pretty sure I take life for granted. I have had very little loss in my life and think that everyone will be here forever (or as long as I will). I am going to take this one to heart and really make a concerted effort to tell the most important people in my life that I do love them, because as cliche as it is life is short and it can be taken away in the blink of an eye! And that's all I have to say about that as I can barely see through my tearing up eyes!!

I'm sure my mother does not believe this one! But it's true!!!

This is probably very true!! I am one of kind . . . hahah!!

I told Chris I would stop rolling my eyes so this one is for him :)

I heart you Christopher!!

Yep! A new year is a time for trying to be a better you in whatever way you deem fit!

Chris and I layed in bed last night trying to come up with our most memorable moments of 2011 and there were lots but I think mine was our ill fated Mammoth trip. Chris said of all the great things and you picked that?? I said memorable doesn't mean fabulous just something you will never forget and that trip was one for the books! Chris said his was any day digging a hole for the kids at the beach in Newport. He loved how much the kids loved it and how much enjoyment they got from it!! He is much more sentimental than I am :) We decided that 2012 is going to be a normal year . . . then thought that we don't really know what that looks like.

Here's to a normal, happy, positive year . . .

We welcome you with open arms 2012!

Ode to the B Man

2011-12-31T13:57:00.000-08:00

Can I do a little post on the B Man real quick . . a little update of sorts.
Happy half birthday Brady, you are officially a year and a half, eighteen months, a very mellow toddler! I looked in his mouth the other day and what did I see . . . 4 molars, yep 4 big 'ol molars coming in and the final bottom front tooth as well. 5 teeth all at one time, crazy, I can't imagine what that feels like all I know is he lives for Anbasol and Tylenol. He loves being chased by Rylee, eating pizza, spaghetti, apple juice and peanut butter and jelly and his most favorite Gold Fish!!!! I love that he walks into the kitchen and hangs on the fridge doors waiting for someone to hear his cries. He is just the right height to reach the water on the front of my parents fridge and loves to push it and then gets mad when hes drenched in water!! His favorite word is Ball. He doesn't have many words at all but we are working on that. Rylee has a wonderful speech pathologist and has recommended one for Brady and we are starting that next Thursday. Brady loves reading books, he will grab the nearest book, bring it to me and start backing up and sitting on my lap waiting for me to read it to him. Such a mellow kid, he plays very well by himself, but loves when Rylee gives him ANY attention. He is starting to get real mad when he wants something I won't give him and starting to fight back when Rylee tries to take something from him. HE TOUCHES EVERYTHING!!! AHHHHHHhhhhhhhhh!!!
Boys!

I just love the blue eyed Brady man, every moment is so cute i would take a million pics if I could :)

Life imitating Art . . .

2011-12-30T12:38:00.000-08:00

. . . the movie Christmas Vacation that is! That is one of my favorite Christmas movies, White Christmas being my most favorite of all time, but for some reason I never got around to seeing Christmas Vacation this year. Probably unbenounced to me, my family and I we're about to relive that crazy Christmas movie!!

This year we had to go up to Chris' parents house in Santa Barbra a little early so the whole family could be together. Rylee was so happy to see and play with her cousin. Chris's mom wanted to have a family picture taken so after dinner we got into our picture taking clothes and headed down to the studio. Brady was not having any part of picture taking at 7 O'clock at night, he cried the whole time and I would be surprised if there is a decent one of him looking at the camera, but you never know, it only takes one right??? On Friday we opened presents, had a little family time and then Chris wanted to head back to Riverside before all the holiday/rush hour traffic. This is where the story gets exciting . . . . .

The car was packed wall to wall and floor to ceiling with presents and all our luggage. I knew the kids would sleep on the short trip from SB to Riverside so i didn't pack any snacks. We left around noon, got on the road, the kids promptly fell asleep and around the 405 101 merge in holiday traffic our Escalade lost all electrical power!!! No hazard lights no steering no nada! Chris had to cross 4 lanes across the merge to get to the last bit of shoulder in LA. We called AAA and Chris tells them we are "dead in the water" and Rylee starts looking over the side like our car is stuck in a lake "i don't see any water daddy" They were to tow the car to Riverside and told us they would get there in 30 min and then we called enterprise rental car because they'll pick you up right?!? Well yes, unless you're on the freeway. While taking to the rental car agent she first wanted us to pull our car off the freeway, not going to happen, then she wanted us all to get in the tow truck ( with 2 car seats) and then pick us up nope that wasn't going to happen either. Finally she said someone would come get us in 20 min. At that point I thought Holy Shit this is all going to work out!!

2 hours later…

The tow truck and rental car show up at exactly the same time.

In the meantime…we have let both kids out of their car seats and they are roaming the only part of the car not inundated with presents…the driver and passenger seats. Brady proceeded to push every button he can get his hands on. Chris freaks out and tells me not to let Brady touch everything in case the electrical comes back on. I reassure him Brady is harmless. No longer than the words came out of my mouth Brady hits the hatch open button and all the presents start falling out of the back of the car avalanche style onto the 101 freeway!!! Chris runs out trying to scoop up all the presents cursing my name in the process!! Oops! After we clean up that mess a suspicious pick up truck with equally suspicious characters inside pull up within 50 yards behind our car. Great we would be the ones to get robbed on the side of the freeway. Chris hands me Brady as the passenger gets out of the car (Chris thinks he's going to have to spring into action on the side of the freeway) the guys starts to push their car toward ours. Rylee starts yelling "they're going to ram us they're going to ram us". Turns out they were trying to jump start their truck not looking to rob innocent people stuck on the side of the freeway with a car load of Christmas presents and two kids. At that point Chris has to go to the bathroom, Brady and Rylee have eaten every cookie I had left in the car from the last cookie party I went to and I just want to be home. Such troopers, if the kids hadn't been so wonderful we might not have faired so well.

When the rental and tow truck came I took out the car seats and walked them down the side of the freeway while Chris was dealing with the tow truck driver. I come back and Chris had locked Brady in the car and he was surfing on the center console pushing all the buttons. We had the rental guy, tow truck driver, Chris and I all walking Christmas presents down the side of the freeway to put in the rental so they would make it to Christmas!!! We finally made it in the rental, right in time for rush hour LA traffic, 2 and a half hours later we pulled up to my parents house in Riverside.

TOTAL TIME: 7 HOURS!!!!

After all the chaos subsided we were ready for Christmas Eve and Christmas festivities! Pizza making! Chris was channeling his inner Italian!

Rylees pizza looked great. Cheese and sausage, just the way she likes it. She and Brady ate pizza all week my mom was so happy, being that Bryn and I don't like pizza!!

Christmas Eve waiting for Santa to bring them to bring their presents. Such good little kids they really are. Santa brought them everything they asked for. Thanks to Blueberry the Elf (our Elf on the Shelf)

Chris and Aunt B in their matching aprons!!

Brady loving his new tricycle, if only his piggies reached the pedals!!

After morning Christmas, we headed over to my Aunt Pam and Uncle Jay's house! Rylee and Brady loved it because they have a bunch on animals including a horse. Rylee was so excited when they asked if she wanted to ride the horse, but the horse was kind of spooked so we decided another time would be best. Little did we know another one of the rot wheilers was "spooked" too and ran up on Rylee and tried to take her down. Quick action by my uncle and he ripped the dog off of her with only a scratch to show for it! Scary but thankful it wasn't worse. Later, when Brady was done opening his presents, he thought if would be fun to take a short nap inside the little doggie cage!! For the record he climbed in the cage on his OWN!!

The traditional Tavaglione family shot! My aunt takes this picture every year and I am going to round them all up and see what I can do with them. Love it!!!

After all of our Christmas shenanigans, it really did seem like we were living out Christmas vacation, Chris got 2nd place on fabulous light display, stuck on the freeway, and attacked by a dog, next year I hope we are paralleling Hawaiian Vacation . . . hahah!!!

Christmas has come and gone another year, we got way to much and are very lucky for all that we have. Next year we will have a 2 year old and and 4 year old, crazy thought and it makes me a little sad but I'm loving every minute.

Merry Christmas from the ~~Griswold Family~~ Hlinka Family

Christmas Card Pics!

2011-12-13T17:49:00.000-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS PEOPLE!!!

I love the holiday's especially because that means Christmas Card time!!!

This year we did many a photo shoot. I kind of decided that I didn't want to be on the card this year . . . shocking I know :) But I really wanted to get a great shot of just the two blue eyed kids. The first shoot we did we dubbed the White shoot. It was super fun we did it at our house on our bed all dressed in white. The kids thought it would be great fun because I told them they could jump on the bed!!

Rylee was quite the ham!

Brady is not ready for posed pictures, he does not want to be told where to sit and how long to sit there and he sure as hell doesn't do CHEEEEEEEESSSSSEEEEEE yet!!!

After the White shoot we tried the at home baking Au natural look! I baked all day and then cleaned the kitchen, guess it's not so Au natural!!! But it was fun

The frosting at the bottom of the bowl was the best idea yet!

Finally our last shoot was the one for the Christmas card. Outside so Brady didn't have to be tied down to hard. There is this random little field down by our house and it worked out perfectly. Brady was fairly cooperative and we got the shots we needed :)

Marla at Sprout Photography (www.sproutphotographyonline.com) is wonderful and my kids just love her! Rylee always wants to know if Marla is coming over to take more pictures but this time she wants them on her bed. Love Love Love taking pictures . . . how about every other year I Chris and I are featured on the Christmas card?!? Ok DEAL!!

THE WILD AND WACKY HLINKA FAMILY

Nashville

2011-12-12T18:38:00.000-08:00

FOR THE LOVE OF FOOTBALL!

Chris and I share a love of football. Even though I cheer for the Picture Perfect Packers and Chris the Raider Nation, we still love football and each others teams non the less!! Ever since Chris and I met we have gone to Charger games and have started trying to see a new stadium each year. We have been to San Diego, Green Bay, Chicago, Chris to Denver and me to New Orleans and now to Tennessee! My wonderfully crazy parents offered to babysit so we decided that we would go see the Packer Raider game. Chris didn't want to go back to Green Bay and that's how we decided to go to Nashville and see the Tennessee Titans and Chris' good friend Nick!

Nicki was the most gracious host ever and quite the tour guide. He picked us up at the airport and before we had time to change we were out amongst the people. . . Honky Tonkin'!! He took us to all the famous bars in town and a great dinner. It was amazing to Chris and I that every bar we entered there was a live band and the singer was AMAZING!!! I think that everyone in Nashville can really sing!!

After being out all night Chris and Nicki tried to get in to Nicki's homemade pickles. As the story goes (I was asleep while all this was happening) Nicki had been waiting months to try his first ever homemade pickles. So of course Chris made him open them, or try to open them, apparently neither of them could open the jar. Each testing their manly strength to no avail! Finally Chris remembered how I open a can by beating the edge with a knife until it finally opens. In the morning Chris was telling Nicki how good his pickles were and Nicki could not recall the previous nights events and was appalled that Chris made him open his prized pickles and then couldn't even remember what they tasted like!!!!! Priceless . . . wish I would have videoed that one :)

We were headed out in the morning to Loveless Cafe best breakfast place in Nashville. So good in fact that the wait was 2 hours! Nicki decided to order it to go and eat on the patio (it was barley 40 degrees out there) But let me tell you it was the most delicious breakfast I have EVER eaten. Biscuits and gravy, waffles, hash brown casserole and . . . MOON SHINE!!!! I could eat there every day of my life:)

The next day Nicki took us to his families "farm" My vision of a farm is lots of animals and green pastures. Nicki's vision is hundreds of acres, guns, four wheelers, and deer hunting!! We had a blast. We took the four wheelers all over the property seeing amazing sights. We never saw a deer or anything to kill, but there was lots of cows! (notice the gun on the front of my four wheeler?!?)

Chris and Nick have known each other since high school have stayed friends ever since . . .Love you Nick :)

It was gun shooting time and we forgot out ear protection so the boys decided that sticking bullets in their ears would do the job!

The farm house was fantastic, equipped with rocking chairs on the porch.

Not only were we shooting guns but rifles! Big ones!!!

Chris looking like a sniper!

I have never held a gun or shot one for that matter. He had all sorts of rifles and hand guns for us to shoot. I think Chris was the most excited for me to shoot a gun. I shot the rifles but refused to shoot the hand gun, too many cop dramas I think!! Video for your enjoyment . . . please laugh at my expense!!

After a super fun day on the farm, Nick surprised us by going to a Predators Hockey game!! Chris and I have never been to a hockey game before and it was everything we expected it to be right down to the fights!! After the game more bars and then Chris was dying to try White Castle . . . So we did in a taxi!!!

Sunday football day! I have been tailgating before but these Nashvillians really know how to do it!! They build full on forts in the parking lot, we had multiple portable heaters, homemade chili, 2 bottles of moon shine, and a smorgasbord of food!!

Nashville was a wonderful trip, mostly in part to our wonderful, host, tour guide, friend Nick!!! We got to see way more than we ever thought we would. There was a lot of first in Nashville to . . . Shooting a gun, drinking moon shine, eating a pickle, and eating white castle!!

Next year I hope to see another football game in another wonderful city, we recruited Nick to go with us. Where to go, where to go, any suggestions?!?!?

Thanks so much to the parents and Aunt B for watching the kiddos we greatly appreciate it. We wouldn't get to do all the fun things we do with out you :)

Brooks and Brady

2011-12-06T15:06:00.000-08:00

Last year Sweeney and I thought it would be fun to dress up the boys in reindeer antlers and stuff them inside giant stockings and take their picture (great black mail pictures right??) Well this year we thought we would try something a little better for the boys. I saw a cute idea on pinterest I thought we could try, we are by no means professionals or are we trying to be but we thought we could do it!! We got out set up and plopped the boys down, neither one of them wanted any part of it. Brady wanted to throw all the ornament balls down the stairs, Brooks was a little more cooperative. I didn't crop these before I put them up . . . whoops! Not a professional

The only fairly good shot we got!

Brady was only happy when I handed him the lovie!!

And then he was done!!!

Probably one of my favorite pictures . . . quintessential Brady, Lovie, Thumb and Done!!

The Thankful List

2011-12-03T08:32:00.001-08:00

I noticed this year on Facebook that my "friends" were listing each day the things they were thankful for. I decided to adopt this idea and and add it to the blog for 30 day of thankfulness!! Here goes in no particular order . . . .

1. My wonderful husband – Who puts up with meeveryday and is my right hand man!

2. Friends – I’ve come to understand that friendscome and go in our lives. Friendshipsrequire patients and energy, just like any other type of relationship it takeswork and if you are not willing to put in the work, well, that’s when friendsslip away. If it’s effortless and your friends are contributing to your life inthe same way you are contributing to theirs, then they are the true friends inyour life. I love all the real friends in my life!!

3. My mother! I could not, would not, want to go throughthis life without her. She is my lefthand woman!

4. The gym/ my time.

5. My beautiful, healthy, crazy, tenacious,extremely loud, mini p and lovie loving blue eyed, blonde haired kiddos. They really do make you smile and drive youcrazy at the exactly the same time, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!

6. Road trips that turn into barf sessions

7. My health, a recent trip with Brady to Children's ER makes you think about the little things you don't normally think about!!

8. Lunch Bunch at preschool. Gives me and the Brady man some much neededone on one. He is so expressive whenRylee’s not around to boss him around and tell him which way to go!

9. Babysitters!

10. Marriage!! Long running relationships in my family . . . 67 years (Joe and Jackie) 60 years (Donand Marilyn) 32 years (Jeff and Allison). . . Lifetimes filled with love. Whatan inspiration fro Chris and I (4.5 years) !

11. DVR without it ~~my kids~~, I would go crazy.

12. Stay at home mom being my number 1 most favoritejob!

13. My father! He is a wonderful father that gave me a fantastic childhood. He hasbecome the most amazing grandfather/JJ to Rylee and Brady. I love that he callsevery morning to check up on us and to see what Rylee is having for breakfast,and when he misses a day Rylee knows and tells me that JJ is in big trouble fornot calling before she goes to preschool J

14. GPS and the iPhone. Without them I would be lost . . .literally!!!

15. BRYN MARIE TAVAGLIONE she loves my kids probablymore than I do. Best sister a girl could ask for.

16. Deep fried turkey!!!!

17. Vanity . . . Wink Wink :)

18. My cozy house that we have made a home. Love coming home to it when we have been away

19. Rylee is thankful for. . . . “Mama, Dada andher pillow pet!!”

20. Newport Beach getaways!

21. Grandparents! I am lucky to have all four wonderful grandparents in my life. I try really hard to keep them in the loopwith all that happens in my crazy life and I love that they have influenced alot of the decisions I have made along the way.

22. Days when Chris gets to come home early! It saves my life

23. That Brady is such a little love bug. He will sit on my lap and cuddle with me andhis lovey and watch an entire Tinker Bell movie without moving!!

24. Saturday mornings with the fam eating pancakesand then heading to the farmers market to ride the train!

25. Mom’s Night Out! At this point I now have MNO 4times a month . . . . YES!!

26. Preschool. Rylee is learning so many good things and a couple bad but the good isoutweighing the bad (at this point)

27. Chris loves Christmas more than me Rylee andBrady put together. I love that thelights on our house are so crazy that people stop by out front and takepictures and Chris gets so happy it’s like validation that he has done a goodjob!!!

28. So thankful that Chris has a job that allows usto do all the fun things we like to do!

29. Spontaneous trips to Riverside to spend timewith Yaya and JJ!!

30. FAMILY! Mywhole family . . . near, far, cousins, aunts and uncles!! I know I’ve alreadyput that one on the thankful list but it deserves a second mention. I am so extremely thankful for my wonderfullycrazy, supportive, loving, happy, stubborn, beautifully fantastic FAMILY!

Hope you had a very thankful thanksgiving I know we did!!

Guest Blogger

2011-11-26T15:38:00.001-08:00

X-mas time is here..... I for one am a true fan of X-mas.

Yes it is I, Chris Hlinka, making a guest blog attempt.

For the last 4 years I have had the privilege of putting together a town of Whitney's Snow Village, Dept. 56 collection. It has been nothing short of a masterpiece each year! For the last 2 years I signed a lease with Bryn to house her collection of Snow Village, Department 56 collection which has made the town we create each year that much bigger and more exciting. This creation we make each year could not have been done without the long term dedication from Jackie Tavaglione who has provided these gifts to Bryn and Whitney each year for x-mas as they grew up. Thank you Jackie :)

This year we went a different route, we decided not to put up the village this year. It was a sad day when Whitney and I agreed to this. It was an easy decision to make only because Mr. B-man is notorious for destroying everything he touches with his "sticky" fingers and we all agreed that there was a 100% guarantee Brady would brake something. Although we say "NO" to Brady, at this stage in his life he hasn't quite grasped the true meaning of "NO," leaving it a game for Brady and reassurance on our end that not putting up the village this year is the right thing to do....... Honestly we are contemplating not putting up a X-mas tree this year knowing Mr. sticky fingers will surely grab ahold of the tree eventually. BUT..... since Rylee is very much into Santa this year and all X-mas has to offer, we will be getting a x-mas tree (we may just not put up any breakable ornaments).

Since Rylee is very excited this year for Santa Claus, gifts etc. I feel that I have to do something for her. This year i decided to decorate every edge of the house, every tree, shrub, palm with endless lights!!! I also bought props that fit just right in our front yard. Everything from candy canes to a moving Santa Claus mail box. Although it was a lot of hard work (and a small investment), it all paid off when Rylee walked out the front of the house, looked at the lights and you see the priceless expression on her face, smiling from ear to ear. It's all worth it in the end.

I'm writing this in November so yes you are correct, I did and usually do start early. This is Chris Hlinka, guest blogger signing off. HOHOHOHOHOHO

A Newport Thanksgiving

2011-11-25T15:29:00.000-08:00

This Thanksgiving we decided to go to the beach and have a low key holiday after the crazy 60th dinner party that just about killed us :)

Rylee showing everyone how to use the laptop!!!

We relinquished our turkey making duties to the DeleDonne family, bought our pies from Polly's pies and made the dressing and gravy days ahead of time. Jeff and Heather always deep fry their turkey on the patio of the beach house so we thought it might be fun and different for us to try it out. We are pretty big on tradition we make the same things the same way year after year after year, and I love it! Sooooo when Jeff said he wanted to inject our turkey with Cajun butter seasonings we about died!!

The deep fryer is not that big so we had to do two smaller turkeys. We decided to one with butter and one with Cajun butter.

Oh the damn rolls!!
My aunt Pam and cousins Erin and Robyn make the most amazing ice box rolls and we try to recreate them when we are not with them. We do OK but nothing like theirs. Ours never rise and we never know why. Well this year we found out . . . we were always messing up a crucial part . . .THE YEAST!!!!!! This year they turned out beautifully, they rose and were perfect!!!

Jeff injecting our precious turkey's!

The crazy kids fighting like pigeons over gold fish!

There goes our turkey ~~walking~~ carried off into the sunset, ready to be deep fried!

Deep fried turkey, Newport Beach style a la Jeff DeleDonne!

The guys standing around watching the turkey being lowered into the deep fryer

There he goes!

It was a beautiful week in Newport. The kids loved running around chasing and feeding the birds, jumping off lifeguard stands and even frolicking in the freezing water!

Out comes our turkey. It looked kinda dry but once you cut into that thing it was so juicy and moist . . . I couldn't believe it! It only took about 35minutes way better than getting up early to put that thing in the oven for 8 hours! I think we have changed our ways, deep fried turkey was amazing! Thanks for showing us the light DeleDonne family!

Rylee and Jace gooble goobleing!

2 Jeffs 2 Turkeys

Playing aournd on the lifeguard stand!

The deep fried turkey, rolls, pumpkin pie and many other yummy goodies were consumed around a beautiful table in Newport Beach. It's my favorite meal of the whole year and it lived up to its reputation creole seasonings and all! After a wonderful thanksgiving surrounded by amazing family
we headed back to San Diego to unwind and crawl out of our turkey coma.

On the way home Brady couldn't resist just one more roll. We handed it to him as we put him in the carseat, he preceeded to fall asleep before we hit the boulevard, held it all the way home and when he woke up coming off the offramp he finished it all the way home! That is for the love of the roll :)

I don't really need a reason to get together with my family (I'll see you Thursday) but the Holiday's are a great reason to see everyone. So many parties to go to in the upcoming weeks I'm so excited AND . . . the next blog enty will be by a guest blogger . . . . . Whoo HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Live from the wild world,
Whitney

Happy 60th Wedding Anniversary

2011-11-25T15:22:00.000-08:00

Our family journey began on November 17, 1951 when you two promised to spend the rest of your lives together. Thankfully for us that promise never failed. From Riverside to Newport Beach to Los Gatos, the Gould clan has moved up and down California and has grown into the family we are all so thankful to be a part of. During the last 60 years, you two have kept countless friends, watched your family grow and proved to each of us every day just how lucky we are to come from a family of such love. Not enough words can convey what you mean to us, we hope this book is a small glimpse into why we are all so proud to know and be loved by Don and Marilyn Gould . . . .

Don and Marilyn have been married 60 big ones! They did not want a big party, they only wanted a dinner with their whole family . . . Bruce, Allison, Stacey, Jeff, Larry, Whitney, Bryn, Matthew, Courtney, Chris, Scott, Missy, (Ryan), Rylee and Brady! Everyone made it and it was a DIAMOND JUBILEE!! My mother did a wonderful job of decorating her house so it was extra special dinner for the newlyweds :)

We decided as a cumulative gift we would make them a book of over 60 years of photos combined with letters from their dearest friends and family wishing them well and sending their sincerest admiration of 60 years of wedded bliss. It is amazing all of the lives they have touched over 60 years, friends old, young, new and old. It seems like everyone they meet stays around forever and always wants to be invited to the party. After all the letters were sent in for the book it seemed to me that they all said the same thing . . . Mimi, you are the best listener and Gramps you are always up for a party and have a plan ready to be carried out, among others these are the two that stood out. Gramps read all the letters and told Marilyn "Well, guess we've got them all fooled!!"

Courtney and Stacey flew down to Riverside to help us go through all the pictures and letters. We picked the most perfect pictures scanned them all in and viola the book was made. It took Bryn, my mother, Auntie Stacey, Courtney and I one 24 hour period of laughs, drinks, and memories to make. It was such a fun weekend, I think we need to do it more often :)

Everyone had a wonderful time. I dont' think we had all been together since our wedding almost 5 years ago and the next time we will all be together will be at Matt and Missy's wedding . . . good luck guys you have big shoes to fill!

I just love this picture! Back in the day when pictures weren't digital and you had to hope and pray that the pictures you took were good, this picture is great . . . Don and Marilyn caught making out in the back seat of the car . . . CLASSIC!!!!

Gould family circa 1970 something!

Marilyn(n) Jo Miller

Rylee is loving trying to figure out her family tree. She likes telling people that this is her brother Brady and the other day she told me she wanted a sister (not going to happen) and a couple months ago she was so excited that her cousin Robyn was going to babysit! She always refers to Robyn as "my cousin Robyn" We have met many other cousins and its her new favorite thing. She loves her favorite cousin Courtney, they are even in a band called "Wake up Allison" To get the story behind the name ask Yaya!!

Courtney and her favorite cousin in law. Chris was so excited to show Court his famous band picture!

Prime rib with love (hence the heart out of bacon) covered in bacon! It was wonderful!

The grand kids presenting Mimi and Gramps with "the book"

Everyone, but especially Mimi and Gramps were overwhelmed with emotion that night. There were more tears than I have ever seen. At any given point in the evening someone was crying. Stories were told and many a memory was relived that night!

Everyone gathering around checking out the book!

Uncle Bruce wanted to give his own special gift, he did a wonderful job :)

Men sitting around watching everyone cry!

Sisters . . . Sisters there were never two devoted sisters!!

Cheers to 60 wonderful years . . . .

Oldest friends since elementary school . . . that is dedication.

Dinner was fabulous. Everyone pitched in and helped and that was one of the funnest parts of the night. Everyone standing in the kitchen trying to give their two cents. We have been making homemade rolls for a couple years now and I though of this great idea to make them fortune rolls. I wrote questions or "fortunes" on slips of paper and rolled them into the rolls. I wasn't sure if it was going to work or not so we only did about 1/3 of the rolls. During dinner it turned out to be so much fun. Everyone wanted to find a fortune. This is what Missy's plate looked like after trying to find her fortune, our beautiful rolls were being ripped apart like there was no love poured into them!! Fortune rolls were a HIT!!

Little know facts about the Gould nuptials . . . there was NO wedding photo, wedding cake or wedding dress!!! CRAZY! So it was only fitting that we had a wedding cake and a cake cutting ceremony!!

After 60 years they are still married, still in love and still planning the next party, hope I'm invited!!

Outtakes!!

The diamond jubilee went off without a hitch and there were many more memories made because of it! Courtney is a wonderful writer and this is what she wrote for the end of the book and it seems fitting that it should conclude this blog entry . . . (Just as a reminder I want Courtney to write my eulogy when I die!!)

Our childhoods were sprinkled with sand, soaked in sunshine, and splashed with salt water. Memories of matching Christmas outfits, festive fourth of July fits, teeny tiny bikinis, and baggy board shorts appear in photos with gap tooth grins and silky suntans on theree little girls and one golden boy. The clan of Gould grandchildren, we grew up four peas in a pod, two blondes and two brunetts, two Northern and two Southern California babies, all with the same gift: the love of our Mimi and Grandpa. Together, we learned the alphabet backwards, how to ride bikes, how to boogie board, how to bake cookies and of course how to love,
Congratulations on 60 years, we love you!!

Hlinka Family Circus!

2011-10-31T21:21:00.000-07:00

COME ONE COME ALL TO THE HLINKA FAMILY CIRCUS!!

Halloween is a great holiday. Rylee and Chris love it because they get to dress up and act crazy. I tried to get Rylee to decide on a costume early so I could get it and not have to worry about I . Soooo once I got her secured we I thought it would be a great idea for us to have a themed costume this year! What better than the circus. We had all gone to the circus when they were in town and Rylee loved the clown, that was the idea struck. Perfect clown costume easy and I wanted to be the ring master double perfect, now what will the boys be. Brady made a perfect strong man and I wanted to Chris to be the bearded lady but got vetoed :( I guess it takes two ring masters to control this circus. So we had a it the perfect circus. . .2 ring masters 1 clown and 1 strong man!!!!!!

We carved our pumpkins and Brady wanted to eat all the seeds and kept putting everything that was scooped out of the pumpkin back in. Chris would take it out and Brady would put it back. Rylee didn't want to get her hands dirty which I thought was pretty odd for her, but she used the scooper and did a pretty good job . . .

Rylee is the perfect Halloween girl. She sat perfectly still while I did her hair and make-up, she wanted more sparkles and had to have the red nose!

Our perfect neighborhood had a great Halloween party. All of her neighbor friends dressed up and played games and danced the night away. Brady was still sick and couldn't make it to the party :(

Halloween night and Brady was ready to rock! The Hlinka family circus in full effect!

Brady didn't like his costume too much, he was kind of like that kid from a Christmas Story . . . I can't put my arms down!

Yaya and JJ came down to help pass out candy and walk around trick or treating. Jj is the best candy passer outer ever!

Yaya and the Strong man.

He never made it to a door but he rode in the stroller all around the block until he finally passed out.

AHHhhhhhhhhhh . . . . . ..

The neighborhood dads did a great job corralling the kids so nobody got lost. It was so cute all the kids would get in a line behind one of the dads and then all run up to the door get their candy and run to get back in line to walk to the next house. So precious!

The strong man couldn't take it anymore!

I'm a happy clown!

When we got home she helped Jj pass out what was left of the candy. After all the candy had been passed out Rylee dumped out all her loot and decided what she wanted and what she wanted to share!

The Ring Masters!!!

Halloween took a long time to get here but once it did, it sure was fun! I liked having a theme, there might only be a short window of opportunity to do it so I'll take advantage of it while I can. Next year Brady will have more say in what he wants to be and will be one of the kids standing in line waiting to trick or treat with the neighbor kids. I love that we live in such a wonderful neighborhood, we had a great time walking around with all our friends taking in all the Halloween festivities!

I'm already thinking of our theme for next year . . . .

Live from he spooky world,

Whitney

Nigh night songs…

2011-10-30T20:52:00.001-07:00

Just laying in bed trying to sleep listening to Rylee sing every song she knows over and over and over! The wheels on the bus … itsy it's a pider …. krinkle krinkle … grace (from school) … rock a bye baby … and the real nigh night song …
Nigh night Rylee
Nigh night Rylee
Close your eyes
Close your eyes
Call me when you wake up
Call me when you wake up
Close your eyes
Close your eeeeyyyyeeeesssss!!

I could lay here every night and listen to her! So precious i couldn't pass up the impromptu laying in my bed typing on my iPhone blog!
Night!!

1st trip to the Emergency Room . . .

2011-10-29T12:09:00.000-07:00

. . . . and I hope it's our last!

Brady came down with a "normally high" fever of 102 around 9am. He was kind of funky and his belly would hurt when I pushed on it or changed his diaper. I called the dr. and they told me they didn't have any apts but if the fever got higher to go to the ER. I think I have a phobia of the ER. I have never been there, I always think the wait is going to be to long and my child won't be sick enough for the ER. Non the less around 1:30 I took his temp and it was 104.8. I called Chris, put my ER fears aside and jumped in the car headed to the ER! When they admitted us 45 minutes from when I took his temp the nurse told us it was 106.9 I would have never believed it had I not seen it with my own eyes!!! Thankfully he had no seizures!

They quickly rushed us into a room hooked him up to an IV and pumped the little guy full of fluids. After that it was blood draws, X-Rays and a catheter. Poor guy Chris and I felt so bad for him. We had to call my parents to come down and get Rylee so she wouldn't have to hang out in the ER full of screaming children and watching Brady getting poked and prodded.

After they put in the IV I realized that they put in his hand of the thumb he sucks! Worst mother, I should have thought of that when they were deciding what hand to use. He was such a trooper with his little IV cast.

After a slew of test, blood, urine and X-rays the doctors ruled out pneumonia, appendicitis and even tested for mononucleosis! The doctors decided it was a virus! After all that . . . a Virus?? Well I guess that is better than what it could have been. Luckily he woke up this morning feeling better and his fever was way down only 100.1!

I don't ever want to go to the ER ever again. Children's hospital wasn't as bad as I had imagined. We only waited half an hour and had wonderful nurses and doctors (but I still don't want to have to go back!)

The Brady man is such a trooper hope he is back to his old self come Halloween so we can go trick or treating and have some fun!!

Live from the wild world,

Whitney

POST 100!!!

2011-10-20T16:33:00.000-07:00

What a momentous occasion post 100 . . . I can't believe it . . . I thought my little family blog wouldn't make it past blog post #5.

So it's kind of fitting that this post be about nothing more than how much I love my kiddos!

The Brady man went to his 15 month check up this morning. 3 shots (and a tsp.of Tylenol) later he is happier than than the picture above. After his stats came back it was conclusive that he is meant to be a D-1 linebacker! 26lbs = 70% and 33.5in tall = 95% and a 19in dome = 75% The kid is a beast!

Brady likes to watch his toons from his perch high upon his shopping cart. He throws away all his dirty diapers, shuts the trash can and runs over to give anyone in the near vicinity a high five! The third tooth on the bottom is finally coming in and there is clear fluid running out from every orifice in his little body.

Yaya got him a basketball hoop and he loves to put anything in it! Balls are flying from every direction to make it in the hoop, so far nothing has been broken . . . so far . . .
He loves climbing on EVERYTHING he can climb up and slide down the slides at the park and went on all the rides at the pumpkin patch. Not quite the dare devil his sister is but thats ok with me :)

Chris took us to the Encinitas botanical gardens and we had a great time taking pictures and walking all over checking out all the plants.

Rylee is getting so big. She found an "R" and had to have her picture taken with it. She is going to preschool and loving every minute of it. She has made a slew of new friends and comes home with new words and ideas everyday! She recently recited the prayer they say at school with accompanying sign language.

Brady getting his new tooth wanted nothing more than to stick his fingers in his mouth all day so Rylee decided to follow suite.

If there is anything round resembling a ball in sight he picks it up, throws it and then kicks it Beckham style until it rolls down the nearest hill. In this case it was a piece of fruit off the tree behind him . . . hey whatever works :)

We are trying to get some words out of the big man but so far not much more than Dada and JJ are coming out!!

Rylee's latest claim to fame is that she can recite the ABC's both forward and backward (a little known trade held by the Gould children, grand children and now great grand children!) Thanks Gramps!!

Happy 100th post to me and my little blog! Hope you all enjoy my crazy family and all our pictures, love doing it!

Live from the wild world,

Whitney and Fam!!

Girls vs. Boys

2011-10-20T15:36:00.000-07:00

Ok so I thought that the gender questions would come up a little sooner than today but they came today non the less. Rylee is very curious about all the things around her and today while I was changing Brady's diaper she became quite curious. The conversation when something like this . . . .

Rylee: Mama why is Brady wearing that (pointing and referring to Brady's ~~little~~ boy parts)

Me: Those are Brady's boy parts. You know, you have girl parts and Brady has boy parts.

Rylee: Like Daddy?

Me: Yep just like Daddy!

Rylee: Well, what does it do??

Me: That is where he goes pee pee.

Rylee: Oh . . Well I go pee pee up here and poo poo back here (pointing at her respective parts) Does Brady go poo poo back here (pointing to his butt) and pee pee out of that? Let me see . . .(she pushes me out of the way to get a better look about a nose length away) Ok Mama are you ready to go to school??

Me: Yep!

And that was all she wanted to ask about that situation!! Hope it goes that easy when the birds and the bees topic comes up . . . Yikes :)

Live from the curious world of Rylee,
Whitney

Bates Nut Farm 2011

2011-10-12T11:38:00.000-07:00

Ok so as a sidebar . . . I love doing this blog, I love re-looking at the pictures and noticing that I type just as I talk (I am not a journalist)! So I found that you could print your blog into a hard bound book and I jumped all over it! I just got it in the mail yesterday and brought tears to my eyes and goose bumps from head to toe. The moral of the story is if you want to blog about your family . . . DO IT NOW!!!

I would have never thought that it would come to this but I love that all of our memories and crazy times are now in a bound book that I can tangibly touch and keep forever and ever and EVER!!!!! I would be sad if I never saw this picture again!!

Nooooow on to more blogging . . . .Rylee is in full swing with Halloween! I love that she loves everything about it. We were at Target looking for some fun Halloween stuff and Chris veered toward the Christmas isle (surprise surprise!) and Rylee told him "It's Halloween time NOT Christmas time, you will have to wait Daddy!!!"

We went to Bates Nut Farm yet again this year and this time my family came with us. It never fails every time we go it is hot and doesn't feel anything like fall. My mom packed a picnic lunch with all great goodies and we had a great time. The Brady man got his face painted and was wondering what the Hell are they putting all over my face?!?! But it turned out cute!

We took a hay ride around the pumpkin patch, ran through the corn maze, got our faces painted, went down the slides, had a picnic lunch and of course picked a pumpkin!!

Rylee was a little bit fragile at BNF come to find out she was getting sick :( Poor munchski!

BNF family

Tyring to be the first to cross the finish line at the corn maze!

Sisters. . .Sisters

Rylee wanted every little tiny pumpkin she could grab!

Little fam photo on top of giant pumpkins!

Of course my mom had to pick the biggest pumpkin at the patch all 99lbs of it!!!

Now we will have to see if Brady is brave enough to stick his little hands inside the pumpkin when carving time comes around! I vote yes he is all boy and is all dirty all the time!!

Live from the wild world,

Whitney

Legoland . . .

2011-10-01T20:44:00.000-07:00

Chris went to Dallas last week for work, so my mom came down to have some fun with us in San Diego. We decided that a trip to Legoland might be fun and it was a blast. There was next to nobody there. We walked on every ride and could have gone a million times in a row. Rylee is crazy for roller coasters! She throws her hands up and screams with delight the whole time. Brady was so happy he was able to get on any of the rides! He rode the cars and the train with Rylee and was so happy, he is getting to be such a big boy. Thanks Mom for going to Legoland with us we had a great time :)

Live from the wild world,
Whitney

Mini Photo shoot!!

2011-10-01T20:31:00.000-07:00

So I got this wild hair to take some fun pics of the crazies! Since Rylee was in the wedding she is all about taking pictures, just so happens Brady is not.

Brady is only a good picture taker when Chris is around. He gives Chris his best smiles :)

Fun times = Fun pics

2011-09-28T08:21:00.000-07:00

Rylee and I were so honored to be a part of my bestest friend Mandi's big wedding day!! Mandi and I have been friends from high school I couldn't imagine not being in her wedding. We had such a fun time at the rehearsal dinner party Rylee loved running around with Mandi's little cousins that served as the ring bearers . . . it was so cute :)

Rylee was beyond excited to be in Mandi's wedding. She loved her dress, she loved her shoes, she loved getting her hair and nails done! She is a true girly girl and I love every piece of her!!

Oh just goofing off with tow boquets because I let Rylee hold one and you can guess what happened in the hand of a three year old . . .broken!! Whoops!!

Oh and did I mention she LOVED having her picture taken!!

She is just so precious!

Miss Mandi you looked absolutely beautiful on your wedding day!

Georgous!

Aunt B came to help me with Rylee and she was amazing . . . couldn't have done it with out Aunt B!!

HAM!!!

They had a photo booth at the wedding and Rylee found the crown and wand and wouldn't let go!

Crazy!!

The whole family was so excited to see Mandi on her wedding day but lets be honest I think they were more excited to see Rylee come walking down the isle (not me or Mandi)! Mandi also wanted to do a bridal party dance and I was all for it. I (along with some helpers) choreographed a fantastic dance number for the whole bridal party to do. We practiced and it went off without a hitch and everyone loved it!! We danced the night away and had to pull Rylee off the dance floor to get her to go home.

What a special night to be a part of . . . I wouldn't have missed it for the world!

Love you Mandi Shearer hope you are having a fantastic time in Jamaica

Live from the wild world

Whitney

2011-09-14T15:53:00.000-07:00

Labor day weekend 2011 didn't give us the best beach weather we had ever seen, but it made for some great memories, great pictures and GREAT surprises!!! My cousin Courtney had called me about a month ago telling me that she and her brother along with their significant others wanted to come down Labor day weekend and surprise everyone. Perfect the more the merrier right?!? That's what I thought and so did everyone else. Mimi, Grandpa and Bryn were really surprised when they showed up Saturday afternoon. They made the weekend that much more special.

We took the Brady man for a bike ride that he didn't see much of. He fell asleep on the back of Aunt B's bike!

All the boys!!

On a not so good beach day we headed down to the fun zone so Rylee could ride the carousel with the girls.

I think Mimi and Grandpa were really happy to have all their grandchildren together, who could blame them we are really fun!!

The bocce ball champions!

With lots of people to help we actually got to lay on the beach together without interruption!! Bonus :) Thanks so much everyone for all your hands on help. Next time I see Matthew Schembri he will change a diaper!!! Watch out :)

The Brady man's best friend JJ!! I asked Rylee to help we teach Brady to say "Mama" and she told me that he only likes to say "Dada and JJ"

Mimi and Grandpa and all the grand kids!

Why is Allison always taking pictures with the boys?!?

My Best cousin!

Kinda cute?!?

I love this picture of Brady . . . he couldn't take it anymore!

Love me some Miss Rylee

God forbid Brady ever have a mug shot but if he did I assume it would look something like this!!!

Who Me??

Look at those blue eyes!

Nobody was feeding Brady so he decided to take maters into his own hands and eat watermelon out of the trash. Little did he know it was sitting in an almost empty glass of sangria!! That makes for good watermelon. Note to self don't forget to feed the baby!!!!!

More random pics from the infamous steel drum party! I think it was a smashing success, everyone came via bicycle, foot or scooter and the biggest fan of the music besides Grandpa was Brady. He was mesmerised by the steel drum beat!

I am so glad Matt, Courtney, Miss and Ryan got to come down for the weekend and surprise everyone it was great! Next Labor day I would like a little more sun and a little less cloud and wind!

I guess that means summer is officially over and the school year is upon us. Until next summer :)

Whitney

1st day of preschool!

2011-09-08T14:44:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness where does the time go?

I feel like I have been saying that alot recently. But all of a sudden I have a big girl and it makes me miss the little baby she once was and really cherish every baby moment I get with Brady. In a blink of an eye they are off to school and if it's only preschool it's school non the less!

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!!

She was so excited to start school. Yaya came down and took her shopping for her first day of school outfit. She and I crafted her bucket that she takes to school; she wanted it to have polka dots and a bow on it. . . I knew I love that munchski!!

1st day of school pics! Is she really ready for 1st day of school pics. I think I am in a small state of denial!!

My big girl!

My best friend little buddy and side kick is going to school . . .tear!

Walking into preschool with bucket in hand!

Family shot!

So happy!

I knew that she would not be a hanger-oner or a cryer and she wasn't. She marched right in gave her teachers a hug, handed out her apple cookies and was ready for me to leave. I was 100% sure I wasn't going to cry . . . boy was I wrong!! There wasn't visible tears rolling down my face but under my very large sunglasses there was!

Ms. Crawford!!

Rylee picked a spot for her bucket!

As Chris is trying to take this last picture I'm trying to say goodbye and she is worried what the fish in her class' name is! She probably could have driven herself there too!

All too soon it will be kindergarten and I will be a big mess!! Brady stay little forever please!!!!

I still can't believe she is going to school somebody make it slow down I can't take it . . . .

Live from the 1st day of school

Whitney

Best Neighborhood EVER!!!

2011-09-02T21:01:00.000-07:00

I must say that we have the most AMAZING neighbors in our neighborhood!! Ever since we moved in it has just felt like home!! We get together about 3 times a year for these wonderful block parties, Summer, Spring, and the Holiday's. They have been so popular that people are asking when the next one is. We are going to have a Halloween party this year and I am really looking forward too that!

Our neighborhood was just fetured in our local magazine . . .

Happy Bachelorette Mandi!

2011-09-01T16:50:00.000-07:00

Vegas Baby!!

Yes that is the location of zillions upon zillions of bachelorette parties and I was sooo happy to be a part of this special bachelorette's party :) Mandi B and I have been friends since 9th grade (since 1995 to be exact) Yikes that seems like a lifetime ago! But it's only fitting that we be in each others weddings. She was a big part of mine and I am happy to be a big part of hers!

We had a wonderful time going out on the town and laying out by the pool. I could have stayed at the pool all day long it was perfect!

Brittany planned the whole thing and it went off just perfectly. We went with a fabulous bunch of girls that will make Mandi's special day just perfect!

LAST FLING BEFORE THE RING!!!

Getting ready to go out is half the fun!

Blue feather boas pretty much set us apart from everyone in Vegas. You could see us coming a mile away with those things on. By the end of the night we all looked like smurfs!!

Can't wait for her big day. Rylee and I are in the wedding and get to share her special day with her!! Congrats Mandi you are almost married! Whoo Hoooooooo!!

Live from Sin City,

Whitney

Oh Brady Man!!

2011-08-19T08:33:00.001-07:00

I would just like to go on record and say that Brady is sooooooo BOY!!!

He will for sure be the boy that gets his head stuck in the railings…put tonka trucks in the toilet…put crayon all over my walls and shove things up his nose!! When all of these things start happening I will sure blog all about my little picaso, or the pictures of the little army man that got pulled from a nostril or god forbid the plumber trying to unclog whatever the little man through down the chute!!

But good lord he is just so cute!!!

Rylee's Show!

2011-08-15T15:17:00.000-07:00

1st gymnastics show!!!

We are so proud of our little gymnast she was so cute, so excited and so ready to put on "her" show!! She picked out her leotard and black little short shorts!

Chris and JJ went early to stand in line so we could get front row seats for the SHOW!
Rylee's biggest supporters . . . Yaya and Nini weren't going to miss it!! (JJ, Aunt B or Scott either)

Her newest trick was going upside down on the bars all by herself!

I think we have a performer on our hands. She was sooooooo beyond excited to get her medal and stand on the podium. As you can tell it was her proudest moment!

We were so happy for her, and she had a blast even stopping half way through to give us a wave! She could have stayed out on the floor for hours and was sad when it was all over. I can't believe she is old enough to be in a gymnastic show.

Live from the wild world,

Whitney

OC Fair 2011

2011-08-15T15:06:00.000-07:00

Who's ready to go to the fair???? I'm guessing these two crazy kiddos!!

As usual our first stop at the fair is the ponies!! It was a little anticlimactic this year, Rylee was a little underwhelmed and Brady could have cared less that he was riding a pony!

Brady neither cried nor cracked a smile for the little pony, just another place my crazy family stuck me and then took my picture. Maybe next year he will be more excited. Chris looks like he is having a good time :)

Roller coasters on the other hand are right up Rylee's alley. She is the perfect example of an adrenaline junky. . .Lord help us. She just loves sitting in the front of a roller coaster, throwing her hands up and screaming with glee from the top of her lungs. The higher, the faster, the more it scares the hell out of the mama the better for Rylee!!

One of these days I will get a cute picture of the Brady man!

Brady just watched at the gate hoping he might get a turn on one of the millions of rides Rylee was going on. One day Brady man . . . One day!

The swings were Rylee's favorite ride. She put her hands up and leaned way back to get the full effect of the ride.

The famous water gun contest between Yaya, Scott and last years victor. . .Chris! Who would come out victorious this year . . . .

Looks intense and the contestants take serious aim . . .

Brady loving the new toy that was given to him by the winner . . .

Having fun at the fair is a given, we eats an insane amount of fried food, watch Rylee go on all the rides, and pretty much walk around and people watch! I love the fair!

OC Fair 2011

Rylee picked Scott to go on the Ferris wheel with her, wasn't he the lucky one?!? Scott kept rocking the car trying to look down at us only to have my mom have a heart attack. Yaya was telling them no no no and equally Rylee and Scott were shaking their fingers at her No No No!!

The Mega Slide is another one of Rylee's go to ride. I think everyone got a turn going down the slide racing to the bottom. Everyone let Rylee win, everyone but Chris!! Competition is tough at the fair.

Aunt B loves going with us to the fair and doing all the fun rides with Rylee too!

Tradition is a great thing. It keeps me looking forward to next year. I guess if you don't like change then tradition works, and I don't like change so going to the fair every year and doing the water gun contest, riding the ponies, trying to fit in the photo booth and eating the big turkey leg is just perfect and I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else . . . I heart you little family!

And the winner is . . . . . . SCOTT!!! Better luck next time Mom and Chris!

Brady finally started to warm up to the idea of being at the fair . . .

Rylee was happy to leave the ride and get a giant ice cream cone with rainbow sprinkles!

Brady enjoyed his ice cream too!

Whats a fair with out sticking your head in some ridiculous cardboard cut out ?!?!?

Another fair is in the books. Rylee had the best time EVER we literally had to drag her kicking and screaming out of the fair. She could have ridden the rides until the place closed down. I can't wait until Chris gets to go on all the big rides with her, I think I just might have to close my eyes!

Brady finally passed out, he had had all the fun a little guy could have. I love going to the fair I love going to the fair I love going to the fair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Live from the fair,
Whitney

Flirty Thirty!!

2011-07-25T14:41:00.000-07:00

Holy shit I can't believe I'm 30!!

That is just CRAZY to me. . . well I guess at 30 I have everything I could have imagined. In 30 years, I had the most amazing childhood. I couldn't have picked better parents, and in hind sight I don't think I took advantage of all the knowledge they bestowed on me or lessons they tried to teach me. I still can't iron to save me life (not your fault mom or Mimi) and I don't own a tape measure (sorry dad!!) I graduated from high school set out to San Diego for college. Joined a sorority and the SDSU cheer team where I met life long friends. Graduated from college got a job and settled down in wonderful San Diego. I don't know if I could have predicted that one but I'll take it I love living here!! I am lucky to live in a beautiful home, have two amazing kiddos and a husband that puts up with me everyday and lets me be a stay at home mom!! What could be better?? Right now, not much. I am so lucky and so thankful for the last 30 years. I have been, I have seen and I have done it all. All thanks to my wonderful family and marvelous friends. I am proud to say to this day I have never been arrested or done anything illegal, unless you count talking on your cell phone in the car . . .Oops 2 time offender right here!! Well I guess it could be worse!!!

Chris and I had a grand get away weekend up in Laguna at the St. Regis and it was perfect. Great weather, great food and (I love my kids but) no crazy kiddos!! It was a little piece of heaven!

Beautiful view from the St. Regis!

We were so lucky to have Kosta meet up with us at Splashes for a drink. He always spices up the party and looks good doing it! I was feeling pretty special with two hot men on my arm :)

I also got to have a surprise dinner with great friends, happy hour, and lunch with my best girlfriends. Headed to the Blake Shelton concert with Bryn and Scott and then for my last 30th hurrah, dinner with my wonderful family sans kids!! I think that's all you can ask for as a 30 year old beautifully accomplished women, if I do say so myself!!!

The birthday gala sans kids started out with these wonderful photos with my fabulous family. We had a FANTASTIC dinner, wine, sangria, Tiger's blood, bloody Mary's, beer, Kahlua and cream, Grand Mariner, met up with Jeff and Heather and then the pictures got a little better . . . . .

This is a simple example of what happens when you encounter an ordinary mail box, 26th cross walk, a neighbors front porch or maybe even an exit sign. Whatever the prop may be they all made for great pictures and an even more interesting evening!!!

My mom got me the best cake in the world, my favorite marble cake with white chocolate frosting from Bristol Farms . . . to die for!!!! This was just the most amazing birthday month EVER I don't really think it can be topped . . . .but we can try right?!? Just kidding :) I guess you know when you have been celebrated when happy birthday goes like this

Happy Birthday to you . . . AGAIN

Happy Birthday to you . . . . AGAIN

Happy Birhtday to Whitney . . . AGAIN

Happy Birthday to you!!

I look forward to the next 30 years and what they have in store for me. I will learn to listen to my husband, take advice from my parents and work on being a little less stubborn. Cherish the friendships I have, show my kids what the world is made of and continue to have more fun than I can blog about!!! If the next 30 are anything like the first 30 I can't wait . . .bring on the memories!!

Live from the world of the newest 30 year old club member,

Whitney

Circus Fun!

2011-07-19T14:25:00.000-07:00

Sooooo, I have zero pictures from the circus because they confiscated my camera on the way in . . .Boooooooo! Chris and I thought it would be fun to drag my parents and Aunt B to the circus on a lovely Sunday afternoon. They were all for it and it was so much fun we had great seats and ate everything in sight. I don't think anyone really cared about the circus to much they just go to watch Rylee. She is so animated and loved all the acts and just ooh and ahhed at everything. It is so fun to watch new experiences through the eyes of a child and through Rylee's eyes it's even better. Brady did pretty good when there was lots going on, fireworks, lights and lots of excitement. What's the next event we will rope everyone in to . . . THE FAIR!!!!! There will sure to be lots of pics and stories from that adventure . . . Until next time. . . .

Whitney

Birthday fun!

2011-07-19T14:08:00.000-07:00

Happy 88th Papa!! Ahhh to be with the ones you love on your birthday!!

We were so happy to spend the whole day on the beach with you guys! We brought the blow up pool to the beach and the kids just loved getting all sandy and then jumping in the pool. Rylee was throwing every sea shell she found in there. She drug Papa on the beach to build a million sand castles with her . . . I think Papa enjoyed every minute of it!!

Brady loved Nonnie and Papa's dog Sam even though he did get knocked over a couple times it didn't seem to phase him! FYI . . . NO we are NOT getting a dog :)

I'm not sure if you all have met my new husband. . . Bradley Cooper!! Hahahahahahahahah . . . .

What do you get the guy who has everything . . . .

Being surrounded by all of you grandchildren and great grandchildren on your birthday. That is the best present a guy could ask for! Brady the lone man amongst a sea of women!

Nonnie and Papa with their adorable great grandchildren . . . So precious! Rylee and Brady are pretty lucky to have 2 sets of grandparents and 2 sets of great grandparent . . . crazy thought :)
We had a wonderful time celebrating Papa's 88th birthday on the beach in Newport. Hope we can do it all again next year!

Live from the birthday world,

Whitney

NEWPORT BEACH

2011-07-10T09:40:00.000-07:00

This is how every vacation should start out . . . . Waking up in Newport watching a toon with your lovie!!

Being in Newport for the 4th of July is a given, I hope that I will never be anywhere else on this wonderful holiday! This week was gorgeous, everyday was the most beautiful beach day and Rylee and Brady are fantastic beach babies. Brady is now walking and walked/crawled all over the beach. Dig the kid a hole and he is as happy as a sand crab. He would climb in and out of the hole all day. Rylee is becoming more brave in the ocean jumping all the big waves and trying out the boogie board. The kiddos and I got to extend our NB vacation and came up a couple days early to take advantage of the beautiful weather. My mom, Bryn and the DeleDonne's were there too, to join in the fun.

We celebrated Brady's birthday multiple times, 4 cakes, 2 parties, 1 surprise party and a birthday photo shoot! He now has a bigger sweet tooth than Rylee. Being at the beach for Brady means . . . riding in the infamous blue car up and down the boardwalk, throwing the dirt from any potted plant he could reach, playing in a hole on the beach, and sleeping in the stroller after some one's morning walk. He got a hair cut too while we were there. . .spikes are a better look for the Brady man :)

Rylee loves the beach because Jace is there! I think we heard "I want to go play with Jace" a million times and that is no exaggeration. She loves to play with Jace . . . or Jace's toys . . . we are not sure yet. But they do have fun together playing in the house watching movies or running around on the beach chasing the birds and in and out of the water. Bryn and I let Rylee jump off the lifeguard stand for the 1st time and she loved it. We played games on the beach, jumped off the lifeguard stand and watched the sun go to bed in the ocean. Rylee went to the donut store every morning to get a cinnamon roll, ate cookies, a dozen fruit snacks and lunch on the beach. . . we are now coming down from the sugar high and returning to reality!!

It is so much fun to have everyone on the beach it is just like when Bryn and I were little and we would stay on the beach all day with our friends, eat our lunch out there, and then come back out and play games in the evening. Brady and Rylee didn't care that they were sandy from head to toe, or that every toy Brady licked was covered in sand. I am surprised he never pooped a sandcastle from all the sand he ate. Rylee loved jumping the waves with anyone that would take her and Brady was just happy nobody was telling him NO!!

4th of July means all the family gets together for festivities, parties on the patio, bike rides, and sleeping in watching movies (hahah) We are so lucky to have such a wonderful family. They let us invade their home, throw sand everywhere, and generally make a raucous of their life for days at a time. Thanks so much Mimi and Gramps for letting us take over!

When Chris, the resident bartender, is at the beach the alcohol starts flowing, the shot glasses come out and before you know it there are tons of people on the patio. It was fun to have Heather and her family at the beach this year they are so crazy just like we are!!

I think its safe to say we had a BLAST this year for 4th of July week.

The wrap up goes like this . . .

7 beautiful beach days, 1 trip to the fun zone, 2 trips to urgent care, 4 batches of White Wine Sangria, freak accident at Blue Beet, 1 bee sting, 4 under 4, Nordy's sale, pedicures, 12 holes dug, 0 sun burns, 4 loaves of bread, 1 surprise bday party, a million fruit snacks, 5 frozen bananas,2 picnic lunches on the beach and a million memories!!

Happy 4th of July from the Hlinka's

Whitney

Brady's One Year!!

2011-07-09T19:47:00.000-07:00

I loved Brady's 1 year old photo shoot!! He was a tough little guy to crack but I love the pictures we got.

I had seen some great photo ideas and tried really hard to recreate with the Brady man . . .

Brady took a minute to get the idea of eating his cake but once he got started he couldn't stop!

Is he not so precious?!?

Those eyes are getting bluer and bluer and bigger and bigger!

Mmmmmm . . . . . Cake . . . . . . Mmmmmmmm

The cake took a beating and ended up in the trash after the shoot. Rylee was sad I didn't bring it back home but once I showed her the cake she was OK with it.

I loved this idea and it took Marla and I forever to get Brady to hold all three letters and get a great shot of each one. This was the second go 'round but it ended up PERFECT!! The "O" could not have been better, what a fun photo shoot :)

You only turn one once, you don't remember it and yet we go through so much to get it all documented in pictures so one day he can look back at all the fun he was having!!

Live from the Wild World,

Whitney

The Big Man Turns OOOONNNNNEEEE!!!!!

2011-06-28T14:10:00.000-07:00

Happy 1st Birthday Brady!!!

You are the cutest little boy EVER! We had an amazing year and am loving every day. You are your own little man and did it all in your own little way and time. You don't let anyone (me) push you to do things any faster than you want. You are so inquisitive and have to investigate every situation.

We had your birthday party at the splash park with all your playgroup friends from yours and Rylee's playgroups, long time friends and neighbors. It was a beautiful day until . . .

Martha almost stepped on a RATTLE SNAKE!! We had to get the fire dept. to come and remove our unwanted guest!! And of course we had to get a picture of you on your birthday with the fireman!!

The cutest kids EEEEVVVVEEEERRRR!!!

My mom came down to help me with all the party fun, plus she can't miss a moment that involves a milestone with either kiddo . . . I don't blame her :)

Rylee just hangin' out having lunch . . .

Loving the swing at his bday party!

Happy Birthday to you Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you Brady

Happy Birthday to YOU!!

Is this cake?? What else have you been holding out on me?!?

This stuff is goooooood!!!

Good enough to put in my hair . . .

I think I'm a sweets kinda guy :)

Shirt says it all . . .

Your birthday party was real fun and everyone had a great time. So cliche but time flies when your having fun and we have had a lot of fun and I can't believe my baby is already one . . . and WALKING!!!!

Happy 1st Birthday to the Brady man!

Live from the Birthday world,

Whitney

Father's Day 2011

2011-06-20T12:04:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day!!

What a better way to start the day than waking up to your two best friends!!

Rylee had a great time playing in the pool with Dada, Uncle Scott and Aunt B all day long. I think everyone had a great time

The Brady man eats just like his Dada . . he was really into his spaghetti and loved getting it all over the place including his hair

Even Brady got a chance to be the pool with out Rylee jumping all over him. The weather was great and we all loved being in the pool all day!!

Riverside was a great location for our Father's Day extravaganza. The weather was perfect and we got to hang out with Mimi and Grandpa and splash around in the pool!

On Brady's first father's day he said his first word . . . JJ!! It was so cute. He loves my dad and my dad loves having a grandson. What a great way to end Father's day than with your favorite grandson in your arms!!

Happy Father's day Dad you are one in a million!!

We have many great father's in our family and we got to celebrate all of them this year what wonderful memories!

Live from the Wild World,

Whitney

Brady's 1st Hair cut

2011-06-20T11:16:00.000-07:00

Brady and Rylee were overdue for hair cuts so I took them in for Brady's very first hair cut! Bye bye curls . . . Brady did such a good job he sat in the chair munching on some snacks and didn't really care what was going on behind him . . .

Rylee needed a hair cut too and she LOVED getting her hair shampooed in the big bowl!

Brady just watched himself in the mirror while Chloe did a great job and gave him a wonderful new do!

Hey whats going on back there and why can't I see?!?

I love my little Brady man! He is getting so big I can't belive he is almost going to be 1!!

So many fun milestones to come . .

Hair cut . . . Check!!

Mandi's Birthday Party

2011-06-10T14:29:00.000-07:00

Happy 30th Mandi B!

It seems like all my friends are turning 30 and doing fantastic things! We have been downtown San Diego, San Fransisco and Mandi did not disappoint with a trip to the Temecula balloon and wine festival. It was a great time. The weather was great and the company was even better!! We got our wine glass and wine tickets and soon became very good friends with the lady pouring the Wilson Creek Almond Champagne!!! She loved us and before we knew it we were getting free champagne!! Whoo Hoo . . . . A super fun outing, I think it could become a tradition :)

Happy Birthday Mandi B! Here is to being 30!!!

I'm not to far behind you . . . let see what's in store for mine . . .

Live from the wild world,

Whitney

One sick little man

2011-06-10T07:04:00.001-07:00

The Brady man has had a rough go this past week…104.4 fever that lead to his second double ear infection, upper respiratory infection and he had to have a chest X-ray! Saddest thing I've ever seen…

This morning he still has a fever and he barfed all over me…he is a little hot box. I hope my little guy feels better soon because all he wants to do is watch Tinker Bell over and over again and Rylee would really like to go to the park. Thank God my parents came to our rescue yesterday I don't think I could have done it.

I want my happy baby back!!

Get better soon…
Live from the wild world,
Whitney

Brady's 1st trip to the Beach

2011-05-30T17:50:00.000-07:00

Hello Newport Beach!!!

This was Brady's 1st Memorial Day at the beach and he couldn't have been happier!! He crawled all over the beach, ate the sand and loved being in the hole that Daddy dug.

Sandy from head to toe but he didn't care. He would take handfuls of sand and just eat it!! Lick all the sandy sand toys with the biggest smile on his face.
I am so happy he will be a beach baby just like Rylee. It is a wonderful place to be, friends, sun, sand water and open space to run, jump, splash and have fun.

I tried to get a picture of the two of them and this is what I got!! Sibling love :) Chris told Rylee to hold Brady and Voila . . .

We have great friends that we get to hang out with at the beach. The kids get along most of the time but when I tried to huddle them for a picture it didn't work out so well. Our best beach friends would NOT sit all together for a picture . . . this is the best I got :)

What a sweet little moment . . .

Brady is such a happy little guy anywhere he is goes. Now if he would only WALK!!! We have seen steps up to 4 consecutively. . . practice, practice, practice . . .

Let's hope that Brady takes after his Dad because that is one HOT husband!!!

I love that my kids are getting to enjoy the same experiences and making memories the same way I did. Newport Beach is such a special place and I love to be there any chance I get. Rylee even said she didn't want to go home but wanted to stay at Nini's house!!

Live from the Wild World,

Whitney

(Wow not one picture of me!! This must change :)

Mother's Day, Rylee's 3 and Brady's 9mo

2011-05-06T14:44:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to ME!!!!

I would say that I have the BEST job in the whole world. Maybe some days are better than others but for the most part I love what I get to do everyday. These pictures are a small window into the craziness that is my perfect little family!!

Last weekend the whole family got to do a combo photo shoot for Rylee's 3 year old pics and Brady's 9 month old pics. We went to the Olivehain historical Meeting hall. It was rustic and just what I wanted. They had a rope swing that Rylee could not get enough of!!

Rylee loves getting dressed up and can sit for hours letting me put "princess curls" in her hair. She is becoming such a big girl, picking out what she wants to wear and how she wants her hair done! It's so darn cute! At 3 years old she is finally POTTY TRAINED!!!! THANK GOD! I thought for sure she would be going to kindergarten in diapers (She proved me wrong!)

Little Mr. 2 teeth, not for long, is getting cuter and cuter everyday. His 2 top teeth are on their way in and he is doing pretty good with teething. He is always the happiest guy in the room. He was such a trooper for this shoot, the first shot he fell out of this chair face first in the dirt, but he rallied and took some really cute pictures. He really has no desire to walk yet. Waving and clapping is his latest trick. We must find him a hair style I'm not sure this is his best look!! But it's pretty cute for now.

I think Rylee is ready for Brady to get up, walk and be her playmate. She is always trying to get Brady to play something with her, I am waiting for the day she puts a princess dress and tiara on him!!! She gets into his personal space, he cries and then she says "I'm sorry Brady man want this toy" It's precious.

Every day is Mother's day around here, the sweet moments I witness everyday are what make me love being the Mama!! Rylee called me Mom the other day and I didn't respond until she said "Mama I'm calling you, you don't like Mom do you??" I want to be the Mama as long as possible :) She even told her preschool teacher today that is was Mama's day this Sunday!! Happy Mother's day to my MOM who I have learned everything from (except ironing, It's not like she didn't try. I don't blame you mom I just don't like doing it!) And will keep turning to her for advice on everything at a moments notice . . . Love you mom you are a wonderful mom and and exceptional Yaya!!

Happy Mama's Day

Whitney

Rylee!!!

2011-05-01T20:27:00.000-07:00

Just Rylee being Rylee!!

2011-05-01T20:06:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter 2011

Happy 10 Months

2011-04-30T16:00:00.000-07:00

The Big Man is 10 months old!!

Mr. B is not walking yet but he is the fastest crawler I've ever seen!!

Example: (nobody call CPS on me ok?!?) I was putting Rylee and our bags in the car and Brady was inside by the time I came in the house to get Brady and put him in the car he was gone. He had crawled out of the house through the garage and was under the car coming out the back end of the car!!!! My biggest nightmare . . .I know I'm not going to win Mother of the Year, maybe next year. Anyway he is really cute and loving exploring the world ;)

His first top tooth is coming in and I can tell that the 2nd top tooth is not far behind. He talks all the time . . .dadaddad. NO Mamamamamam!! We are working on waving and clapping and he is almost there :)

Loves eating with his hands. . . pasta, rice, carrots, apples, cheerios, and anything else he can find on the floor. He puts EVERYTHING in his mouth.

This Easter was his first "real" first time on the beach. He loved being on the beach and crawling through the sand. I think he only got a mouthful twice!

The boys!!

I have always said he is the happiest boy ever and I still do. Wakes up happy, goes to bed happy and loves riding in the blue car at the beach and in the shopping cart at the grocery store!

Happy 10 months Brady!

Live from the Wild World,

Whitney

Carlsbad Flower Fields!!

2011-04-20T14:19:00.000-07:00

What an awesome day!! Rylee's playgroup planned a day at the Carlsbad Flower Fields and it was so beautiful!! We took a tractor ride through the fields and had a picnic lunch amongst the flowers. It was perfectly picturesque . . .

Rylee was so cute trying to hold Brady's hand, but Brady wanted no part of Rylee holding on to him!

The fields were a beautiful photo op . . .

Little miss hands on hips smiles on lips :)

I think she smelled ever flower she could get her hands on!

Rylee's playgroup has been an amazing experience. We have met so many fun people and seen San Diego inside and out. I am so happy to be part of such a great playgroup!!

Live from the wild world,

Whitney

Spring Break 2011

2011-04-14T13:38:00.001-07:00

Spring break 2011 once again took place on 26th street!! WE were happy to spend the week with family and friends. Nini, Bumpa, and Yaya were all there along with Heather, Jace and Gia. The weahter wasn't exactly fabulous but you never know what you are going to get on spring break, be we had loooottttsss of fun. Rylee got a camera for her birthday and took pictures of everything, mostly grandpa :) WE are so lucky that we get to spend time with our crazy family, they are so fantastic! Thanks for all the babysitting, and dealing with my crazies, couldn't and wouldn't want to do it without you! Rylee got another "big girl" bike and she loves it. She thinks she pedals soooo fast and half the time she doesn't pedal at all!We were also lucky to get to spend a couple moments with Courtney and her bf Ryan. Courtney is so much fun and loves to spend the rare moments she gets with the kids. They took Rylee on the beach, played around and couldn't resist a photo op with the Brady man!!
We celebrated Rylee's real birthday at the beach with cake and the perfect party hat that read "today I eat cake!" She woke up on her birthday in quite the mood, she did not want to take one phone call. People even called multiple times hoping her mood had changed but NOPE!! It was her day and she didn't want to talk on the phone to anyone so she didn't. Oh Lord I have heard that 3 is worse than 2 and day one of #3 proved to be just that. . . . OH JOY!!

Rylee and her Spring Fling Jace!! Evey morning Rylee woke up pleading to go to Jace's house. Mainly to eat all of his food, Popsicles, ding dongs, and McDonald's breakfast runs!!

Brady got his first trip on the bike and I'm pretty sure he didn't care too much for it. The helmet was a little big and kept slipping over his eyes . . . better luck next time Brady man!

Oh big man you are so handsome . . .

That shirt is just tooo cute on you :)

Sibling love . . .Brady almost got choked out on this one!!

Brady's first time on the carousel and he LOVED it . . .

And as usual so did Rylee

Spring Break and it's time to see the Easter Bunny!! We packed everyone in the car and Nini couldn't resist this one she had to see the kids on the Easter Bunny so she came along for the "fun" We went to South Coast Plaza thinking we were going to see the most fabulous Easter Bunny there ever was . . . not so much! He was an animated talking bunny. We (NINI) was hoping for the giant white bunny of old. Soooo we piled back in the car and went across the street to Crystal Court where there was a "real" Easter Bunny, like the big kind with the man in the bunny suit!! . . . .

Easter Bunny round 2 . . . .!!! Good news is . . . .Rylee loved him either way and Brady didn't seem to mind where he was placed. Rylee even ran back to give him a goodbye hug! Success!! This gives me hope for Santa!!Rylee is not the only one with a spring fling . . . Jace has the cutest sister ever Miss Gia! They even have matching rides :)

Mr. Brady had a crazy time on Spring Break!!

Look at those baby blues, I just cant resist a Brady man photo op

We had so much fun on Spring break this year, and are very lucky that we still get to have a spring break!! (Thanks Chris) We played on the beach, got banana's at Anne's, rode the bikes and the blue car, went to McDonald's for breakfast in the rain, played with our friends at the fun zone and read books with Grandpa . . .this one is officially in the books. Spring Break 2011 was fantastic . . Until next time 26th street :)

Live from the Wild World,

Whitney

Rylee's 3rd Birthday

2011-04-14T12:53:00.000-07:00

I can't believe my little girl is already 3 years old!!! Really where does the time go?!?! I'm not sure who was more excited to have their birthday party at school, Rylee me or Yaya. I made cupcakes and cookies to take to her classroom and she was so excited to celebrate her birthday at preschool. Yaya make the trip down, she didn't want to miss her 1st school birthday party either!!We decied to have Rylee's birthday party at the same place she does gymnastics. Partly because she loves it and partly because I didn't want to do the party at our house :) She LOVED her sparkly leotard with the tutu. If I had been looking for this I would have NEVER found it, but I randomly came across it and it was perfect for a gymnastic birthday party. The kids had so much fun bouncing and jumping all around on the trampolines and into the foam pit . . .
!!!SUPERSTAR!!!

Her cake was super cute with the gymnast on top and it matched her leotard perfectly, tutu and all!!

Rylee was so happy to tell anyone who asked that she was in fact 3!! And her cheering section was out in full force!

I think our little family is just perfect . . .don't you?!?Rylee and her best friend Bella have so much fun together. Sometimes they have too much fun together!!

The princess in the middle.

I have no idea where she gets her "dare devilness!!" The faster the higher more dangerous the better . . . Ahhhhhhhh!!!!

Rylee had all her little friends at the party. At the end when we put all the kids together to take a picture . . . so cute until you notice the 2 nice little children sitting next to the LOUD BLONDE GIRL! They had to cover their ears to protect themselves from Rylee and Bella screaming CHHHHEEEEEEEESSSSSEEEEEEE!!

Yep she's 3 I still can't believe it . . . ..

Happy 3rd birthday Miss Rylee we love you!!

Live from the Wild World,

Whitney

Happy Tanning

2011-03-15T13:19:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my new business . . . . .

Sun Kissed Tanning by: Whitney

Yep that's right I started a small, little, teeny tiny business!! I love being a stay at home mom more than anything I can think of but I need to do something for me, make myself a little cash for a splurge I might want!! So what better than working from home, seems like a great idea if you can swing it.

You all know that I am a sun worshiper and have been frequenting the beach and tanning beds my whole life. Well, with all the bad press tanning beds have had recently and per my Mimi's warning I discontinued all use of light bulb tans (but not the beach, what would 26th street be without me, let's not get crazy!!) and turned to a safe alternative . . . Airbrush tanning!! I LOVE IT!! I converted the upstairs guest suite in to my personal spray tanning studio. My mom and I decked it all out and it looks soooo cute and down right official. . . .who knew?!?!?

At this point I have had many a guinea pig and am taking an advanced class this week because all my friends want six pack abs!! After all summer is right around the corner and let's be real tan fat is waaayyyy better than white fat and after you get tanned you feel like you've just lost 10lbs.

Here is the catch if all my friends and family are tan where does that leave me?!?!?!? Back on the beach at 26th Street!!

Happy Tanning

Whitney

Milestones!!

2011-03-11T13:47:00.000-08:00

Potty training is in full effect!! Last night she went pee pee in the potty and she was SOOOOO excited. Her prize for going was cake and she picked it out all by herself at the grocery store at 7:30 at night!! So proud, we are on our way . . . wish us luck!!

Live from the wild world,

Whitney

Mammoth 2011

2011-03-08T07:55:00.000-08:00

Bound for Mammoth March 2011. Brady was packed and ready to go!!

The road to Mammoth was a long one. Rylee got sick and barfed all over the house a couple days before we left so there was lots to do to get ready. On our way up Brady got sick and barfed all over himself in the car so we had to pull over and clean everything. At this point Chris and I were praying we didn't get sick too!!

Pit stop #1

Both kids did great on the 6 hour car ride. Rylee was quite content watching her movie and Brady pretty much slept the whole way, after barfing of course.

Rylee LOVED skiing.

The first day she was hesitant about putting on all the snow clothes, helmet, goggles and ski boots but after she got out on the slopes she was all smiles. That day it was really windy and snowy but she didn't seem to mind. She was by far the loudest one on the mountain, yelling "mama look at me, look at me" and "I did it!" and her favorite "I do it all by myself!" Her instructors were all really nice and on the last day her instructor said "she can do the pizza but just says she wants to go fast!!"

So the dreaded Hlinka Plague had hit Mammoth hard. By the time we made it I was sick and Chris wasn't feeling to well either. I skipped out on dinner the first night and choose not to ski the next day either. The next day was beautiful and we all skied and had a great time. Dad stayed home with Rylee and the Brady man so we could all go skiing. Mom, Bryn and I skied and the boys snowboarded. A couple runs and mom was done and not far behind her Bryn was too!! We were off to the house to finish up the day and the Hlinka Plague had hit Scott . . . he was down for the count :( Chris was feeling better but Brady was still barfing and by this time Rylee could tell you what color everyone's barf was . . ."I barf pink, the Brady man barf white and Scott barf green!!" I don't think the Brady man was to fond of the cold, but he did like being carried in the ergo. I think he was pretty warm in there. Chris and I scouted out the perfect little sledding spot. We rounded up the sleds and headed out. By this point the Hlinka Plague had hit YaYa so she and Brady opted out of sledding. Rylee is a little dare devil. She wanted to go up to the highest point so she could go faster. On our last run Rylee and I were coming down a little fast and I hit the brakes and she went flying off the front only to get back up and say "I go again"!! Mammoth is a place full of memories for us. We have been going since I was Rylee's age and to be up there with my family is so amazing. No matter what happens we always seem to have a great time, my mom brings too much food, Chris usually gets hurt and Scott builds the snowman. Well this year might have been a little different due to the Hlinka Plague but that is what makes each trip so memorable. On the last night my mom had brought enough food to cater the mountain but she wasn't feeling good and Scott was still down so we all ended up eating pancakes,(per Rylee's request) but Chris still made the tri-tip, mashed potatoes, and bread. It was pretty funny. Chris and JJ were like short order cooks serving everything, Theraflu, pancakes, pedialyte, and tri-tip!! It seemed like everyone had gotten the plague except Bryn and JJ.

After we all made it home we found out that JJ had in fact barfed when he got home! Looks like Bryn is the only one that came away unscathed!!! Better luck next year :)

Live from the wild and barfy world,

Whitney

Flower Girl Rylee

2011-02-18T08:14:00.000-08:00

Rylee is going to be in her first wedding!!! Yea . . .I am so excited. My best friend from high school is getting married this September and she asked Rylee and me to be in her wedding. Rylee is all excited to wear a twirl dress and a crown, yes she thinks she gets to wear a crown!! Watch out Mandi!!!

So cute, we can't wait to spend this special day with one of my dearest friends!!
Live from the wild world,

Whitney

Happy 30th Jaclyn

2011-02-18T08:13:00.000-08:00

At this point all of my friends are starting to turn 30 and planing really fun events to celebrate. San Fransisco was the perfect setting for Jaclyn's 30th birthday party. She invited 15 ladies up to San Fran for the weekend and her sister Katie planned the perfect girls weekend. It was definitely the girls weekend I had been waiting for. When we got in the hotel we thought it was the perfect setting for a "photo booth" session!! We barley have any fun when we are together . . hahah!!

We took the ferry from San Fran over to Tiburon for lunch and it was a cold and windy ride. . .good thing I had my jacket!!

We tried to take a cable car but the line was just to long and we decided that shopping was going to be much more fun. So we found a "cable car" and took a bunch of pictures. It was easier to take pictures on a cable car that is stationary over one in motion!!!

Headed out for coffee armed with sunglasses, mom's infinity scarfs and our pajamas!! We were hot and the coffee was a necessity!!

We went to Beach Blanket Babylon and it was soooo Jaclyn. She laughed during the entire play. She was bound and determined to wear this "little hat" and it ended being really cute with her black party dress. Lookin' good Jacks!! Good way to ring in your thirties, friends, food and fun:)

I think I am already ready for my next girls weekend birthday or no birthday. We all had so much fun just hanging out around the city. I am so lucky to have such wonderful friends that do really fun things:) Happy birthday Jaclyn your thirties are going to be amazing, I'm happy I got to be part of your celebration!!

Live from the Wild World,

Whitney

7.5 months and crawling

2011-02-18T08:12:00.000-08:00

We are officially on the move!!

By we I mean Brady. . .he can now get anything that his little hands desire or whatever Rylee has!! Rylee doesn't really like that Brady is mobile because now he can come after all of her toys!

Chris and I decided that it was time to move Brady and all his toys to the cage. This should make life easier for all of us including Rylee! Brady on the inside and Rylee on the outside and me in the kitchen. It's like a 3 ring circus here and I am the ringmaster, all I need is a whip and a top hat . . . (this could be a good costume idea for next Halloween!!)

Greetings from inside the cage.

We got him all set up with "his" toys. He can now crawl around and Rylee doesn't have to worry about him eating, playing or even looking at her toys.

Now how long will it be before he is standing up crying to get out. Pulling up will be next on his list. He can almost go from crawling to sitting and loves to stand up holding on to the outside of his cage!!

Live from the wild world,

Whitney

AKA: The ringmaster!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

2011-02-14T08:28:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day was so fun this year. Chris and I took the kids pictures and then put together this cute little Valentine card that we handed out to our friends with a little bag of cookies. Rylee got to take her Valentine's to her preschool class and to playgroup and everyone was so excited to both give them and receive them. I think it was better than Halloween!!

Chris got me flowers this morning, I made Rylee heart shaped waffles for breakfast and a heart shaped PB&J for lunch and now I'm onto making dinner. This is the perfect kind of Valentine's day I'm looking for. Next year Chris is in charge :)
Live from the wild world,

Whitney

Cheeseheads Unite!!!

2011-02-10T09:46:00.000-08:00

GREEN BAY PACKERS ARE THE SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS!!!!! This just made my YEAR!!!

We have a lot to live up to next year

NOW . . . .

on to Baseball!!

Gooooooo Angles!!!!

Live from the wild world,

Whitney

Go Pack Go!!!

2011-02-01T08:29:00.000-08:00

Who is ready for the Super Bowl?!?!? I am I am!! I am sooooo excited that the Packers are in the Super Bowl. A wild card team that makes it to the big game is amazing. I am actually more than excited and I can't wait for the game!!

For some reason I have been a Packers fan for as long as I can remember. No I'm not from Wisconsin, no we don't have family from Green Bay, I just really like the Green Bay Packers!!! I love Brett Favre, growing to love Aaron Rodgers, Donald Driver, loved Mike Holmgren and even got to rehab Mike Whale (that was really fun).

**Side note** when we he finished rehab with Mike we were also seeing Drew Brees. Mike went on to play for the Carolina Panthers. So my boss and I flew out to New Orleans to see the Saints play the Panthers, watched the game from Drew's box suite and got to go to dinner with them and it was fantastic!!! Anyway . . .

Chris and I have been to so many Green Bay games. We went to a game against the Chargers in San Diego, then we went to Green Bay to watch them play the Rams and then what I thought was going to be Brett Favre's last game in Chicago vs. the Bears. *as we all know he didn't retire*
Green Bay was such a fun little town. We were there for a Monday night game and the entire town shut down on a Monday for the game.

I've got the cheese head, the scarf, the jersey, had the jacket, and have a Brett Farve fathead in the garage, that Rylee swears is Dada!! Almost every game we have been to has been freezing and that is what makes it so much fun.

Chris, being the Raider fan that he is, is such a good sport to follow me all over the country to watch my beloved Packers!!

We were at the beach for NFC Championship game and I could barley watch. But the packers pulled it out and now we are on our way to the Super Bowl.

I am so excited!! Hopefully it will be a good game and the Packers will come out of it victorious. . . .Go Pack Go!!

Just a tidbit . . . this is the first Super Bowl where there will be NO cheerleaders. Neither the Packers or the Steelers have cheerleaders. That is practically sacrilegious, football and NO cheerleaders, really?!?

Live from the Wild Packer World,

Whitney

Happy 7 Months!!

2011-01-30T13:34:00.000-08:00

Such a big man Mr. Brady and your hair is getting taller and taller!!! 7 months and not a tooth to show for it. We have major drool and tons of crankiness but NO teeth. The tooth fairy needs to hurry up and deliver us some teeth or the Mama might go crazy!!!! He is starting to pull up on that little toy behind him and loves to stand holding on to anything. We are eating everything fruits and veggies and even some puffs! So much fun but time is going way to fast . . . .

Happy 7 months Brady Just another comparison photo from the Hlinka kiddos . . . .

Live from the Wild World,

Whitney

PS . . .Rylee is still not potty trained, I will give $100 to the person who can do it!!!

Reading!!

2011-01-28T21:39:00.000-08:00

I thought this picture was classic and needed to share!

I so remember being in Rylee's spot at her age. We (Bryn and I) used to love to lay in bed with grandpa while he read his favorite books to us. We remember reading Little Quack, Too Loose the Chocolate Moose and many many more. I think my grandpa was waiting for the day Rylee wanted to lay up in bed and read with him, and it finally came. Last time we were in Newport my mom brought some old books she had at the house just in case Rylee was ready to read, and to Grandpa's surprise she was!!! I think they were up there for 45 minutes, that is a loooooong time for a 2 year old. When we went back for his 79th Birthday party he had planed for Rylee's arrival hoping that there would be a repeat of book reading. He went to the library and picked up about 7 or 8 books that he and Rylee would like. Apparently he didn't like the ones my mom had brought!! And sure enough on his 79th Birthday the whole fam was there to celebrate with cards, presents, dinner, drinks and dessert but I think the best part of his birthday was when Rylee looked at him ready to head upstairs and read!! What a special tradition to be passed down.

Bryn has also continued to read with Rylee and was taken by one of the books we used to read so she hunted it down only to be disappointed that she couldn't find it. Finally one of her coworkers found an old copy and scooped it up for her. . .Too Loose the Chocolate Moose was found. Now she and Rylee will lay in bed and read together. Rylee and I were at the store and she found jammies with Chocolate Moose on them and she just had to have them and they are boys!!

Such fun memories I have with my grandpa!!

Love ya Gramps. . . .this one's for you!

Live from the Wild World,

Whitney

Dance Class

2011-01-26T13:00:00.000-08:00

Oh my God where has the time gone?!?!?!?!?

I have been waiting for this day for my whole life and it was finally here.

DANCE CLASS!!!

She was so excited to start dance class. We went with Yaya to get the leotard, tights, ballet and tap shoes. She got dressed at 8am and the class wasn't until 10am she didn't want to miss a minute.

(probably because we had gone last week and we were there on the wrong day . . .Worst day ever. . . .She was crushed she couldn't go to dance class)

When we got there she walked right in and didn't look back in and she did great! She listened to the teacher and had fun with the other little girls.

So precious!!

I can't wait for the 1st recital, I think I am more excited than she is and she was realllllly excited :)

Live from the Wild World,

Whitney

Girls Weekend!

2011-01-19T10:37:00.000-08:00

Rylee and I went on our first Girls Weekend to see Emily in Arizona. We had so much fun. We got up early to catch the first flight out of San Diego. Checked in the bags and the car seat, and Rylee loved rolling around her little carry on. We were headed to AZ to visit Emily, Caitlyn and see Erin in Wicked. We made it through security even though she did not want to take off her shoes or put her carry on through the scanner. We got a Starbucks and we were on our way. On the plane Arizona bound. She loved every part of the airplane ride. She wanted to sit by the window so she could see the airplane "go high in the sky"

Emily picked us up and we were sooooooo excited to see her. Grabbed a little breakfast and headed to Emily's house. The highlight was the hammock in the back yard.

We finally met up with Caitlyn for dinner before going to see Wicked!!

Erin got us great seats. Rylee sat on my lap and loved everything about the 1st act. She finally fell asleep during the 2nd act but when it was all over she stood up, clapped and waved to Erin on stage.

The best part of the whole experience was after the show was over. Erin came to get us and Rylee told her "I loved the movie!!" I think Erin really liked that. She took us back stage on stage and into the dressing rooms. Rylee was in awe to say the least. She got to see Galinda's magic wand, the magic potions, dance on the stage and the best part . . . all the costumes!!! She wanted all the twirll dress and shoes and hats and everything that was in that dressing room. It was so cute.

I love seeing Emily and all the Wilson's. I wish they lived closer!!

I can't wait for our next girls weekend!!!

Live from the Wild World,

Whitney

My new OBSESSION

2011-01-13T14:59:00.000-08:00

OMG it's a WHOOPIE PIE!!!!

Last weekend Chris and took the kids to the mall and we stopped in Crate and Barrel. I came across this Whoopie Pie pan and was immediately obsessed. For one it's hearts and my mother has made me fall in love with anything involving hearts. We have a heart waffle maker, heart cupcake pan, heart cake pan, and a zillion heart cookie cutters. So I thought it only fitting to add this to my heart collection. After we got home I jumped on the Internet and started looking for all sorts of recipes. and . . . . Voila! . . . .

The most amazing Whoopie Pie book!!! I swooped up the kids went to Barnes and Noble, Boarders and ended up ordering in on Amazon and overnighting it so I could have it today to start my project!! Obsessed much?!?

There are a million different ways to mix and match the outsides with the insides. Chocolate, gingerbread, lemon, oatmeal, with chocolate ganache, marshmallow, coconut cream, cream cheese filling and the list goes on and on. So many good ideas, I am just so excited to try out all different flavors. I have my list ready and now I'm just waiting for those kiddos to wake up so I can get to the store and start my new project!!

Time lapse 4hrs . . . . My assistant and I baked for hours. I did the prepping, baking and cleaning and she did the eating!!!

These were so much fun to make. Rylee, my assistant, and I decided to make the classic Whoopie Pie which consists of a chocolate cake and marshmallow filling and then a chocolate cake with salty peanut butter filling rolled in coconut flakes!! After the first batch came out less than stellar we regrouped and were on the right track. The batter for both the cake and the filling is just as good as the finished product . . . sooooo yummy :) Rylee also wanted every color sprinkle on hers too.

Just a fun little project for Rylee and I to get our hands on.

Live from the Wild World,

Whitney

Rylee Vs. Brady

2011-01-10T20:49:00.000-08:00

Look a likes??

Rylee and Brady at their 6 month photo shoots.

Do you think they look the same??

Live from the wild world,

Whitney

6 Months

2011-01-10T20:31:00.000-08:00

Brady Christopher

6 Months Old!!

Thanks Marla and Sprout Photography for the fantastic pictures!!

The Brady man is getting so big and so darn cute!!! I can't believe that we are already half way through his first year. Everything is happening so fast and trying to document every little milestone and movement is so hard.

Brady is eating all sorts of foods as you tell from his little belly. We started veggies and he is not so fond of peas but carrots and butternut squash are a hit and he has yet to turn down a fruit. He is rolling all over the place, sits like a champ and is getting on all fours very easily. There is enough drool and barf to fill a swimming pool, but not a tooth to be found. If one doesn't come soon I am going to put plastic down on the floor to catch all the drool. Thankfully he is sleeping like a baby and on a great schedule!!

Oh Mr. Brady you are going to be crawling any minute and then I will be chasing you and your sister. . .I can't wait :)

Live from the Wild World,

Whitney

Finally Christmas 2010

2010-12-30T10:30:00.000-08:00

Christmas is finally hereeeeeeee!!

Before we left for Riverside Chris and I bundled up the kids and took them around the neighborhood to see all the lights. Rylee loved it and Brady didn't seem to mind it!!

We were in Riverside this Christmas and I loved every minute of it. My mom had Rylee and Brady's stockings made and they were fabulous. My mom's very favorite part of Christmas is doing the stockings Bryn and I still get one and so do Chris and Scott, and they are always on the ground because they are to heavy to hang above the fireplace

Christmas morning was not as chaotic as I thought it would be. Rylee was very reserve in opening her presents, I think she even left 2 unopened, she just couldn't take it!! Brady was asleep and missed Christmas all together! So there is always one person that gives THAT gift well this year it was from Scott to Rylee. . . .This giant ball 4 feet tall and you can climb inside. Bryn and Scott were the only one's that knew how hard it would be to blow this thing up. It took half an hour and all of us to do it. Once it was done we couldn't get Rylee out of it!! There were also bikes and scooters and clothes and toys and everything else a little girl could ever dream of :) Rylee even loved her presents before they were unwrapped. She would hug the presents and the tree and say I love you presents, I love you Christmas Tree!! It was so cute :)

Rylee was very excited that she got an electric toothbrush in her stocking from Santa!

Champagne and Mimosas for Christmas morning!!Chris and Brady on Christmas morning!

Rylee and JJ making the fire, because it was soooooo cold!!

After we did Christmas at Yaya and JJ's house with Mimi and Grandpa we went over to my Aunt and Uncle's house to do Christmas with Nonnie and Papa!

Finally a boy in the family! Oh Brady man you are the first. . . . .

I'm pretty sure that Christmas tried to kill me this year!!

With all the parties, shopping, dinners, photo shoots, meetings with Santa, events and just all the craziness that comes along with the holiday season, I only cancelled one event . . . My family Christmas party :( Sorry people I just couldn't take one more event! Next year you are my only priority. After the kids and I made it to Riverside I could finally take a breath and was so happy to have a couple extra sets of hands. I really could not do it without my mom and dad, Bryn and Scott. And the kicker is. . .My parents kept the kids so Chris and I could go to a wedding on NYE!!!

When we picked the kids up on New Years Day my mom said, "Don't have any more kids, because I don't think I could do it!!" Oh mom you are the best, thank you so much for all you, Dad, Bryn and Scott do. Chris and I are very lucky!

This year was fantastic from start to finish and I wouldn't change anything. Mr. Brady joined our family, Rylee is just as crazy as ever and Chris and I are so HAPPY that our family is complete. We have everything we need and we can focus on making new memories in 2011.

My motto for 2011. . . .

LESS IS MORE!!!

Now that it is all over I am moving on to my/Rylee's new year's resolution!!

POTTY TRAINING!!

Wish me luck!!

Live from the Wild World,

Whitney

More Merrier Christmas Stuff . . . .

2010-12-13T16:23:00.000-08:00

Yep you guessed it . . . .

ANOTHER Christmas where Rylee is crying on Santa!! Brady didn't seem to be phased, just another "woke up in the car, now where am I" moment!!

Merry Christmas from the Mission Inn. A fabulous tradition we have started. My Mimi and Grandpa get a room at the Mission Inn and then we come have a drink in the bar, take a carriage ride around to see the lights and then have a fantastic dinner. Thanks for a wonderful evening!!

Sweeney and I did an impromptu photo shoot with the boys . . .

Guaranteed in 10 years this will be fantastic black mail!!!!

Rylee did not want to be in any apparatus with any of the boys.

More Merry Christmas from the Hlinka's

Live from the Wild World,

Whitney

Christmas 2010

2010-12-05T12:57:00.000-08:00

Christmas is finally in full effect in the Hlinka home!!

The tree and the lights are up, the village is bustling and the Christmas cards have been sent out!!! The presents are wrapped, the parties are ongoing and we are headed to the Mission Inn this weekend. Christmas songs are being played in the car and Rylee is the pickiest Christmas song picker ever!!! The house will be lit up this weekend like the 4th of July for the annual Christmas light contest. We won last year but have some new stiff competition this year, wish us luck!! I will keep you posted on the results :)

Marla and Sprout Photography did a fantastic job taking our Christmas card pictures this year. Dealing with our crazy family is a job in its self. I think we got some really good pictures and everyone had a such a fun time taking them. After all of the serious Christmas card pictures were taken Marla thought it would be fun to play in the trees with the good light. And what a fantastic job she did. Chris wanted to know why he is always used as a prop in the pictures or placed in the background?!?!?

I think my friend said it best, looks like Twilight meets the Nordstrom catalogue!!I'm pretty sure I have the sexiest husband on the planet!!!The Tavaglione women!!Rylee dancing in the middle of Balboa Park to "D's Song"

We finally got a good picture of the whole family!!

The Complete Hlinka Family!!!

Oh the boys!!!

Dad is so happy to finally have some men in the family!!

At the end we all got a little silly. . . . what a fun picture

I love taking pictures, I could probably stand in front of a camera for hours if someone would stand behind it. . . but I know not everyone loves taking pictures and the boys especially did a great job. Marla made it so fun and easy, we would all do it again tomorrow!!

Rylee is so excited for Santa to come to her house and fill her stocking with presents, yet I'm not sure how excited she is about going and sitting on Santa's lap!! We are going next Monday so I'll let you know how that turns out. . . .

Live from the wild world,

Whitney