Pasadena and the Desert

We've been having an amazing time here in California. I mean, of course we are. I'll start at the beginning, and we'll see how far I'm able to get. The flight out here was just about as good as it could have been... with one little glitch. We had just two seats for the whole Green crew, and the flight was pretty packed, so we had a man in the aisle next to us. I'll refer to him from now on as Super Nice Agent Man... actually, maybe I'll just refer to him as Nice Guy. He was an FBI agent, though, just returning from Iraq to a position in the LA office. He had two kids of his own, and he was great with Riley. But anyway, the glitch... Apparently, there are only four oxygen masks for every three seats, but we had-- count 'em-- five people in our row. So FAA regulations are that Mike and I had to split up. Either that, or we had to have an open seat next to us. As I said earlier, the flight was pretty full but there was an open middle seat right across the aisle. However, there was also a horribly mean man in the aisle seat, a total anti-Super Nice Agent Man. Ideally, Mean Man would have shifted over to the middle seat, and Nice Guy could take the other aisle seat (since, sadly, Nice Guy was claustrophobic and had to stay on the aisle). Mean Man, instead, threw a hissy fit befitting a mean guy. To make a long story short, Mike ended up sitting in the middle seat, and Nice Guy volunteered to move to the aisle next to him. So I was on the window with an open seat next to me and Mean Man in the aisle. Nice Guy was so great; he had his iPod there, and he let Riley watch Wall-E. Side note: Riley LOVES Wall-E. We have purchased it, and it's on the TV as I type.

Riley was amazing, though, and Noelle wasn't all that bad. She was a little fussy for a while, but I walked her up and down the aisle a few times (after Mean Man snuffed and snorted about me getting out of my seat), and we were good for the rest of the flight.

Enough of that, though... CA is GREAT. We had a fun day and a half in Pasadena before heading to the Desert for the BNP Paribas Open.

Oh, poor Baxter. Look at that excited look on Riley's face.

Success! Got him!

And can I just take a moment to point out this crazy adorable outfit from Nana!? Too cute!

We went for coffee at Tazza Bianca, where Riley got to partake in a cup of cream cheese. We definitely win Best Parents Award for this move.

Noelle snuggled up to Bianca. And Bianca, if you're reading this, you're welcome for posting THIS picture. :)


A cream cheese-covered Riley hangs with Nana.


And Mike spent some QT with Josh and Katherine.

Later, at the Farmers' Market, Riley met Sienna, a new friend. :)


How cute are these two strawberry-covered ladies?!


And Granddad and Riley got to make some good music together.

I'll have to fill in the rest later. I've spent quite a bit of time on this post. It's a rare treat. Stay tuned for more!

We Heart the Children's Museum

After a rather strange morning (Riley napped from 9:30 to 12ish, and Noelle stayed awake for four hours straight-- unheard of...), we loaded ourselves into the car and set off for the Children's Museum. Since we have an annual membership, I'm trying to make it there at least once a week. So far, so good! Riley loves the place! And Noelle is currently still content enough to hang out in her car seat while Big Sis plays. Here are a few shots from our day today!

Riley practically sprinted to the water exhibit the moment we entered. Oh, does she love water!

I call this one "Mom's a Wuss and Didn't Want to Contend with Me, So I Got Out of Wearing an Apron".

This is what Noelle did the whole time. I'm so glad she's such a content baby! This was moments before she drifted off to sleep.

Riley collected every ball she could possibly find to toss in the water. Sorry to all the kids trying to find balls in the neighboring wind exhibit. A little blonde ran off with them.

And that's why you always wear an apron... :)

At this moment, Riley was saying, "NEW! NEW! NEW!" Sorry, kiddo... I only brought one shirt. Go run in the wind tunnel. :)

After all the museum fun, why not create a little chaos in your own home, as well??

Oh, and this shot is from over the weekend, but I can't wait any longer to post it:

Three Months!

Noelle is three months! Holy cow! Here she is, with Roly! And more big news... this morning, she rolled over from her tummy to her back! What a big girl she is! It's so crazy, seeing her grow up. I just looked back at some of her newborn pictures, and she already looks so different. I praise the Lord for her health and for her sweet-natured personality. We are so blessed by both our girls!

Daddy posed with the girls before church. What a good-looking crew I have!

I can't help myself. I just adore this hat! I'm pretty sure Mike just shakes his head at this kind of stuff, but, my GOODNESS, isn't it cute?!

Flower Models

Riley and Noelle have been getting dolled up quite a bit lately... or at least their heads are getting dolled up. Here are a few of my favorites from our modeling sessions. :)

Swank came over and hung out with us. Noelle LOVES her, as you can clearly see. :)

Then Noelle decided just to show off her new OshKosh outfit (Mommy's favorite brand... available at Target!).

I love these little features and the big flower bow! After some funny squirming, Noelle's losing the headband, but she still looks so precious.

I think Riley's showing what "HIGH!" is, one of her new favorite words. Usually it applies to airplanes and balloons. I'm going with balloon, in this instance.

A little snuggle time for the sisters. I love Riley's expression here.

This is a "little stinker" look if I've ever seen one! :)

New Camera and Flower Fun

Mike is amazing. That's really all I have to say... but I'll go on. Yesterday, he surprised me by bringing me home a new camera! I don't know how to work all the awesome features yet, but it's already only about 68 billion times better than my old camera. Couple that with some new flowers I've been experimenting with, and it's a pretty sweet day. :) Yep, these are the big things in my life. So let's show off a little...

Here's a ribbon rose that I finally succeeded at. Phew... :)

This one's for the classy little lady in your life. Silver satin with a pink rhinestone center on pale pink ribbon. You'll get to see Hannah model it further down.

And a simple little brown polka-dot daisy. :)

Noelle sports the daisy and LOVES it.

... but she's also partial to the bright pink peony.

We got to Grandma's earlier this morning. Riley pretty much thinks Cousin Benjamin is the funniest person on planet earth. I will admit, it was pretty hilarious that he was sitting on the couch. Hehe.

Here's gorgeous (and perhaps slightly mischievous) Hannah, modeling a headband for me.

Oh, Grandpa! You're so fun!!

Riley couldn't agree more.

Meanwhile, Grandma loves on the little ones.

Nana and Granddad, Installment 1

We have quite a bit to catch up on. I haven't posted pics from Nana and Granddad's visit to cold and blustery Illinois! So here we go...

Nana showed Riley the magical floating ball at the Children's Museum

Meanwhile, Granddad played with her in the water. Note how Mommy didn't make her wear the apron they provided. Oh, bother.

Another highlight of the Children's Museum-- the inclined walk from the water table to the wind neighborhood. :)

Noelle really enjoyed the museum. :)

Noelle, sporting her new Nana-made headband