Professional pics

As if I do not take enough pictures myself, I took the kids to take professional pictures for Easter/spring. I have been taking them pretty regularly every 6 months since birth, which happens to coincide with the big winter and spring holidays. Although I have been a loyal Kiddie Kandids customer up until now, we tried Sears Portrait Studio yesterday with pretty good results. The photographer was SO patient with Jadyn who threw numerous tantrums right from the beginning and when she saw that I was losing hope and patience she assured me that she still had several tricks up her sleeve. Jake did awesome, taking directions like an old pro. I think by next time it should be easier to get pictures of both of them.

Here is the set of Easter themed pictures:

And here is the set of spring themed pictures:

And here are the close up shots of them. Somehow we ended up with more of Jadyn than Jake; I think basically because Jake took perfect shots the first time and with Jadyn she had to take several to get decent ones so we had a couple to choose from. I like the way this one shows just how long her hair has gotten, which is why I chose to leave it down instead of piggies.



I love the way this last one of them turned out, which I was not expecting to because Jadyn was 100% not cooperating. In fact, on closer inspection you can see a tear in the corner of her eye; A remenant of the tantrum just moments before. Couldn't decide if I liked it better in color or B&W.

Birthday season has begun

Although one would think that birthdays are spread out evenly throughout the year, it would seem that with our families and circle of friends they are pretty clustered during the months of March and April in particular. Just this month we have already been to 3 birthday parties and have invitations to 3 more next month in addition to planning our own for Jake's 4th birthday. So let the birthday season begin!

Here is Jake at his BFF's 3rd birthday a few weeks back. Along with Adan is their other good friend Jasmine:

And here is Jadyn at her little friend Skylar's Little Mermaid themed 2nd birthday party where she got to make a crown that she now wants to wear constantly. You might wonder how Jadyn already has friends but she actually knows Skylar from way back - they have been doing YMCA together since 6 months old, swim lessons last summer and Kindermusik and YMCA this year so they are together a lot:
And from Little Mermaid princesses to Hot Wheels, we raced straight from Skylar's party to our nephew Ethan's 3rd birthday party where Jake enjoyed the theme as much as pretending to race and congratulate the birthday boy:

Jake was in heaven - hot wheels gifts in hot wheels wrapping paper, hot wheels decorations, hot wheel themed goody bags and hot wheel cake. I had to keep reminding him that it was Ethan's party and not his. If you ask him he will tell you, "Ethan is having a hot wheel party and I am having a NASCAR party". I gave him a choice a couple of weeks ago and showed him the partyware for both themes. He thought about it long and hard and in the end the number race cars won out so in the end I guess this is like having the best of both worlds. He gets to attend his cousin's hot wheel party and have the NASCAR party for himself.
Here is Madison after eating the cake (that blue frosting was brutal):

And the birthday boy himself:

Meet Miss Lilly Ann

Joe's sister Leigh and her husband Aaron just welcomed baby #2 on March 11th. Joe and I are now the proud Aunt and Uncle to a beautiful baby girl weighing in at a lucky 7 pounds 7 ounces, just like her cousin Jadyn was at birth. Jake was so considerate of his new cousin that when I told him he could not bring one of his big "shake and go" race cars with him on the trip he reasoned that it would be too loud for Lilly. We went to go see them on Thursday not realizing that with the delays at the hospital, we would beat them to the house so we were literally there to welcome them home. Here is a picture of Auntie Jenn holding her as she sleeps peacefully:

And here is Leigh introducing Lilly to her new big brother. Aidan seemed to be adjusting really well - wanting to be so helpful:
While he wasn't be helpful, Aidan had his cousins Jake and Jadyn there to keep him entertained. They dumped out everything from his enormous toy box and then got in and played and discovered the piano and started pounding on the keys.Lilly, however somehow managed to sleeep through all the noise.

Lucky Luckie

We had a St. Patrick's Day themed playdate at our usual haunt today - Luckie Park. Always a good opportunity to get some pics of the kids with some green grass in the background, as we all know it is mostly dirt and sand everywhere else around here. Jadyn was being a little more cooperative than Jake today, just so you know that I was not playing favorites. LOL!

This has become the automatic pose when I tell Jake to take a picture with his sister:

Here is Jake watching new older kids arrive at the playground from afar:

Making wishes before blowing on wishy flowers:

This is Jadyn's death glance. So glad to have it captured on film:

Running around the tree playing peek-a-boo:

These last two I took playing with the color accent setting on my camera. Although I was trying for something different at the time, I like the soft effect they created:

Right here in our backyard

For as much as everyone (including myself) complains about being so isolated out here in the desert of 29 Palms, you have to admit that during a certain time of year it does have it's perks. And that time of year is now. While much of the country is still covered in snow, we are enjoying temps in the 70's and right here in our very own backyard, we have the jewel of the desert at our disposal - Joshua Tree National Park. So with Jadyn finally old enough to do some trekking of her own and the weather picture perfect, we decided to take a drive up there Sunday. Although we would have loved to explore new territory and view the blooming of the wildflowers, we instead chose to return to familar ground - the Hidden Valley Nature Trail consisting of a 1 mile loop easy enough for both kids to accomplish with minimal help contained within a valley of rock formations and stunning views. We had taken Jake up there when he was 18 months and again at 24 months, both times I was of course pregnant. Both Jake and I were able to complete the trail on our own. Here is the little guy so happy to be able to run around wild and free:

And here is Jadyn doing the same this last weekend:
And a few more of our leisurely stroll through the trail:

Jake proclaiming himself a big boy for being on the big rock:

Our next mission is to make the hike to the 49 Palms Oasis for which are street is named after. It is a 2 hour moderately strenuously trail that ends with pools of water and huge palms. It is supposed to be goregous. Seeing as how we will have to carry the kids a good portion of the way, I sure hope it is worth it.

No more fizz

Sadness has struck the madam of the house at casa de Fenenoz. It just really is all so very unfair (can you sense the dramatics?). I was recently evaluated by a new neurologist for my every annoying migraines. The good news is that the doctor is amazing. He had a lot of insight into my condition and a lot of hope that we could reduce the number of headaches and dizzy spells I am curently getting. One of these hopes is in the form of a anti-seizure medication called Topamax, which was recently approved as a preventitive for migraines. I have to start off on a very low dose and slowly work my way up to therapuetic levels. Although I had researched the drug awhile back, I purposely did not go back and read every possible side effect as a did not want to experience any placebo effects (which if you ask Joe would be my tendenency).

Anyway, so I tell Joe yesterday that something is wrong with our fridge. All of my Perrier Sparkling Water and and Diet Cokes are flat. There is no carbonation. What could have happened? I then go to open a Diet Coke and hear the tell-tale sound of a can of pop that is definitely carbonated. Oh yes, that great wonderful sound and flavor. So I take a swig. Flat. I ask Joe to take a swig. He looks at me like I am crazy and reports that it's perfectly fine. Suddenly, it dawns on me - the Topamax! So I hurriedly Google the drug and browse through the side effects and sure enough it reads, "changes in taste have been noted, particularly with carbonated beverages". WHAT??????????????????????? I don't have a lot of vices. I don't smoke, I don't drink alcohol. I have even given up sugar and processed white flour but now my one vice, my love of diet coke has been taken away from me. Unfair I tell you. On the other hand, once I get past the loss of fizz, Topamax is also noted for causing loss of appetite resulting in weight loss. That is one side effect I would not mind.

Class pictures

A couple of weeks ago Jake had class pictures done at his preschool. Despite being warned not to expect much from a group of 3-year-olds, I ordered a small package to help remember his first school experience. So I was pleasantly surprised when I was handed back his package yesterday. Although it is not the greatest picture in the world, he is both a) looking at the camera and b) smiling AND from the looks of the group picture he is actually one of the only kids who is cooperating. Go figure. Wish he would take pictures that well for me at home.

Vegas Baby, Vegas!

WARNING: The following blog entry is obnoxiously long.

Jake's obsession with NASCAR lead to an impromptu trip to Vegas Friday to watch the practice/qualifying for the Sprint Series. We had toyed with the idea of taking him to the California Speedway in Fontana last weekend but thankfully did not as both the practice and the subsequent race were rained out. We were hesitant to spend money on tickets to the race because while we know how much Jake LOVES watching the cars race on TV, being there in person can be significantly louder and more intimidating. We decided that the practice/qualifying, while also being much cheaper, might be a little less hectic and give us a chance to see how he liked it in person. We made the right call. Upon arrival at the speedway and after waiting in line to get our tickets and in line again to have our bags checked and enter, we immediately went to the grandstand. At first, Jake delighted in the site of the race track and his favorite cars lined up on pit lane.

However, as soon the first car vroomed past us on the track, the deafening sound had Jake making a beeline for the exit



Out in the breezeway, we attempted to calm Jake down and gently tried to explain to him that while it was very loud, these were the cars he loved to watch on TV. Suddenly from up above, a kindly worker from the track swooped down and handed us two sets of earplugs. Honestly, we had not attempted earplugs simply because we did not think that he would wear them. Well I wish I could go back and thank that gentleman, because they truly were a lifesaver. We coaxed Jake back into the grandstands and were greeted with nothing short of an ear-to-ear grin. After watching the practice, we trolled the various vendors and booths, where Jake was able to pose with the likes of the #43 Bobby Labonte and #9 Kasey Kahne (they had Gordon and Jr's cars but the lines were outrageous):


He also took part in a slot car race in which his #2 car beat out a couple of adults and 2 kids that were probably twice his age. He won a little pendant and asked to wear it proudly. He tried to contain his excitement upon winning but later, it was all he could talk about - telling the hostess and waitress at dinner that he went really fast and won the race.



After getting Jadyn down for a nap in the stroller, we went back to the grandstands to watch the actual qualifying. Somehow Jadyn managed to sleep through the first part, although how we are not quite sure. We hit the souvenir stands on the way out and were on the road - and subsequently in bumper to bumper traffic for the next 2 hours just to get from the speedway to the strip for dinner. That was probably the worst part.

I have never been to an event like this and quite frankly, it took me all by surprise. I actually grew up watching Nascar at one time. I do not know where the interest came from but I really enjoyed watching it. I have newspaper clips I had cut out and put in scrapbooks from when I was a child showing where Bill Elliot was in the standings. I also don't know what prompted me to stop watching it - probably puberty, the need and desire to fit in and be all girly which consumed me during Jr. High. Anyway, my point is that I found myself getting really pumped watching the cars go around the track yesterday. I could really get into this sport. Of course, we stuck out like sore thumbs. We were the only ones not dressed like our favorite driver had thrown up on us. The fervor of which NASCAR fans support their sport is unreal. To them it is nothing short of a religion. I mean it was crazy at the speedway and THIS was just qualifying. I cannot imagine what it is like on race day. But if Jake's love of this sport continues, I am sure it will not be long before we find out and before you know it, we too will have hats, shirts, belt buckles, backpacks and cool cans with Tony Stewart or Dale Jr all over them. Who knows - maybe we will rent an RV, park at the speedway and make a whole weekend out of it. Could be fun and at least that way, we would avoid the traffic.

As for going to Vegas, it is a pretty easy drive for us. It took us about the same time to get to state line as it does for us to drive to Joe's parents house. Once leaving state line, we soon realized that the Vegas landscape had changed dramatically since our last visit in 03 when my former boss sent Joe and me on a post-Iraq getaway. We have such fond memories of that trip, except of course the constant nausea as I was in the early stages of my pregnancy with Jake. But I digress. The number of homes surrounding the area was unreal. It's like they had multiplied in every which direction from a common epicenter. And there were brand new casino towers with flashing lights, names of which we had never even heard of and dozens more under construction. And why is it that nothing is ever as good as you remember it? We went through a lot of trouble to go to dinner at the Outback situated on the 2nd floor of the Casino Royale sandwiched between the Venetian and the Palazzo simply because on our last trip, we had an incredible dinner there with a view of the volcanoes erupting at the Mirage across the street. We thought the kids would get a kick out of it. Well, as it turns out this Outback has an outdated menu, so they do not serve my favorite entree and like everything else in Vegas, the volcanoes were currently under construction. We still managed to have a nice dinner though, and the kids despite being beyond tired, behaved pretty well. We completed the evening with a short stroll over to Treasure Island so that Jake could marvel at the huge pirate ship. Unfortunately we had just missed the show, but he did not seem to mind. We really should come back soon as there is a lot to see and do for families. For example, I think both Jake and Jadyn would have been in heaven if we would had the time to take them to the M&M Factory and I am pretty sure they would have been impressed by the water dancing in front of the Bellagio. Here is a pic of the kids in front of a fountain on our way to dinner:



And Jake and I front of the pirate ship at Treasure Island:

But here are the pictures that made the whole trip worth it - Tony Stewart's car sparking after finishing his qualifying run AND the look on Jake's face after he got to see it. Priceless!

Stylin

You would think being so isolated out here in the desert and with the extremes in the weather, that there would be a lot activities and places to go indoors with your kids. Not the case. Thank goodness for our playgroup. We meet every Wednesday and while it started in the summer and fall with play dates meeting at the park, as the weather cooled down and the winds kicked up, we had to get a little more creative. So recently we have been having themed play dates at various moms houses. You may recall that I had hosted a pre-Valentine Day party and last week someone hosted an awesone pajama party. Well this week the theme was "Dress to Impress Red Carpet Style". The idea was to have the kids wear their favorite funky, stylish, trendy type outfit, walk the red carpet (or blanket, you get the idea) and have everyone vote on the best dressed. It was really fun seeing all the kids decked out. Here are Jake and Jadyn before leaving to go to the playdate. I felt the sunglasses were a must:

It was much easier to dress Jadyn than Jake, especially since the weather ended up in the 70's that day. I originally had a cool flannel and matching baseball hat picked out for him but he would have been burning up. Instead we opted for his funky pineapple pants, as we call them. With Jadyn, it was a no-brainer. She has tons of cute dressy clothes, but this outfit is a favorite of mine. And although it really does not matter and all the kids looked super cute, Jadyn just happened to win first prize. That's my girl!!!

A little bit of history

Our town is pretty small. The first time we were stationed here, we got a Denney's. Joe and I swore the town was going to throw a parade it was such a big deal. Most people who are military do not like it out here. They do not understand why we would purposely stay in such a small isolated desert community and I admit, I once felt that way too. I did not understand why so many Marines chose to retire out here. However, besides the obvious allure of low living costs and little traffic, the desert can be beautiful and every once in awhile you stumble upon a little known fact that reminds you that that this place has a rich history all of it's own.


The weather has been beautiful. With the kids feeling better it could not have been a better day to take them to the park and let them run around and it just so happens that they just built a brand new playground within walking distance of our house. So I threw some supplies in a backpack, put Jake on his bike and Jadyn and I walked while Jake rode his bike over to the new park. Of course this is a part of this trek that happens upon a dirt trail, during which time I have to carry Jake's bike but it was worth it. The playground is gorgeous. The kids had a blast. And I had a chance to read the dedication of the park located on a rock. It turns out that Knott Sky Park (the park has always been there, just the playground is new) used to be Knott Sky Ranch, owned by the very same Knott Family that founded Knott's Berry Farm. Their son loved the desert so much, they had a motel and landing strip so they could fly into the desert and entertain guests. I thought that was an interesting tidbit of information. Here are some pics from the park:

Taking a break after arriving at the park: