better with time

Here's my proof that some things just get better with time...

(1999)



(2009)



And this is also true in my marriage. Cliche, I know...but honestly, it just keeps getting better. I am very proud to belong with Aaron.

And I'm humbled to think that because we did this ten years ago today in the San Diego temple...




we now have this in all it's crazy glory...






Aren't families such a wonderful thing?! Thank you Aaron for choosing me and for creating this life together. I love you.


Happy our ;) TENTH Anniversary babe! TEN!

Yahooooo for us!




and here's to many more!

xoxo

Beach day

When I now look at these pictures of Spencer, I can still hear the giggles in my head from that day. Love it.


Nothing beats these smiles.

Oh how we love playdates at the beach with our friends!












He wouldn't want me to tell you this, but when I snuck up on him to take this picture he was singing, "Surfin USA" (shhh, don't mention to him that y'all know)



Can't wait for next time!

Oh and for those that were concerned to not see Chase pictured above: He is still alive and well...but this day however, he was hanging out with Grandma at preschool becaues he'd had too much sun (ie: he hates the beach and is a royal pain in the you-know-what when we go... so when Grandma offered to take him a few hours early to preschool, his mother jumped at the offer)

OC Mud run

This last Saturday I participated in the Orange County 5K Mud run with some of my girlfriends. I'm SO not a runner...so let's be honest, this was more of a speed walk at times(though I gave it my best "non-trained" effort) but I had a blast doing it and appreciate the support of my girls!



Our race didn't start until 12:30 and it was BLAZING hot. Seriously, it was so hot. In the upper 90s for sure, with no shade and we were running the first part of the race in the parking lot on asphalt (so not fun) but once we got to the mud and obstacles, it was a lot more fun!






We jumped over hurdles, ran through mud pits that made our shoes feel 10 pounds heavier, army crawled through the mud & sandy tunnels, and my personal favorite: wading through water up to your waist in a man made lake. We got to do that 3 times and while I thought that would be awkward and hard, it was the most refreshing part of the course!

Here's a glimpse into the fun that was had:












Thanks so much to Aaron, my kids and my folks who stood out in the heat to see me run by for a few seconds. It was so much fun to see them there cheering me on and to see the look of, "WHAT is Mom doing?!" on the faces of my children. It was classic. Chase wouldn't even come near me after the race. Hilarious.

Here's to next year!

LOVE it!

I was just upstairs doing laundry when I realized that it was way too quiet downstairs. I walked into the garage/playroom expecting the worst but instead found my children doing this:



Spencer told me, "School is in session Mom!"

I LOVE little moments like this!

Sunday craft

I know it's only been weeks since we'd decided on "Science experiment Sundays" at our house, but it's been a lot of fun and we've noticed a more harmonious (ie: not fighting) home here on Sundays after church. Yay for that.


This past week I thought we'd make soap bubbles and was walking the isles of Michaels with Spencer for glycerin (who knew that'd be so hard to find?) when by chance I came upon their $1 paint/craft section. Holy cow is it cool! Spencer and I quickly decided that building and painting a model of some sort would be way more fun than soap bubbles. So model airplane/ship building we did!

I had to get creative when we discovered we only had 3 paintbrushes for 5 people...but hey, it worked---even if Aaron did make fun of me.

Leda, Chase and I worked on one together and Spencer and Dad on another. I think it's self explanatory whose project is whose!

Go shopping!

Last week I was told about this online clothing site I'd never seen or heard of before.

I'm in love.

For the record, I think their original pricing is outrageous, but man alive do they have FANTASTIC sales!

Check them out:

http://www.tulle4us.com/

and if you're in So CA, you'll receive your order within 2 days since they are out of LA. Yay for that!

And want more good news?

Right now there is an online coupon code (luckybreaks3) that gets you an additional 35% off most items from now through August 3rd. I scored a jacket for the fall for just $11, a dress for $10 and a cropped jacket for just $15!

If you go shopping, make sure you report back to me what you got, I wanna know!

Happy Shopping!

"Science Experiment" Sundays

I hereby declare that from this time forward in the McLendon household; after church, Sundays will be called "Science Experiment" Sundays.

Here's why:

Since Spencer is growing up and learning more about freedoms (ie: playing in the front yard semi-unattended with other semi-unattended neighborhood children) he has officially decided that Sundays spent inside with his family are boooring.

Well, we can't have that, can we now...

So this past Sunday afternoon, I had the (genius) idea on how we could put an end to the mopiness and make the inside of our home, FUN!

Soooo, I whipped out out my trusty laptop, googled "science experiments for kids" and quickly found one that I had all the ingredients for. Aaron and I rallied the troops together (with their mopiest fearless leader) to create....

are you ready?


HOMEMADE LAVA LAMPS!!! Ta Da!

It was all very exciting. See for yourselves:



Spencer's favorite color is red

Leda settled in on yellow since we didn't want to mess with making pink


And blue for bubs (his turned too dark to see much, so here's one cute shot)


Here we are in action!



It was quite a success. I've told the kids that from now on we will conduct a family science experiment every Sunday afternoon. And I'm keeping the experiment a surprise until the big day. This Sunday we're going to make a rainbow...but shhh, cause remember they don't know it yet!

(and just in case you want to be as cool as us and make your own lava lamp with your children , go HERE

;)

4th of July weekend

It was very nice to have Aaron home with us for three days in a row. Here's glimpse into our really great weekend:

On Friday we grabbed some burgers and went to the beach. It was so fun going to the beach with Daddy. That hardly ever happens!


Sandcastles...



The family shot


Our Saturday was the best. In the morning we listed (and sold!) a few things on craigslist and organized the house a bit. Then in the afternoon we took the kids to see Monsters vs. Aliens at the local $2 movie and they had a BALL. I love that my children are finally at an age where they can somewhat sit (Chase has issues) in a movie theater and enjoy themselves. Fun!



Then it was onto Grandma and Grandpa's house for a BBQ. Mom always does such a good job making things so festive. My contributions (pasta salad and spinach artichoke dip) didn't hold a candle to her yummy food! Will I ever be as good a hostess as her?


Uh, I think our kids enjoyed the grub...







A quick picture on the way out to see fireworks:


Oh Look! Grandma/pa's neighbors doing illegal fireworks, cool!




We found the BEST spot for watching the Laguna Niguel fireworks (thanks Em) and I'm not telling you locals where it is for fear next year will be too crowded ;)


buuut, I can be bribed if you really want to know...



It really was a perfect weekend together as a family. We're so grateful for each other and that we live in this country to be able to enjoy the freedoms that we do. When we were saying our prayers one night, I had Spencer ask, "What are freedoms?" and it was a good opportunity and perfect time to talk to him about the freedoms we enjoy and why we get to enjoy them.

Happy Fourth of July!

Father's Day weekend

Our weekend started out with a family BBQ with the Kagy family, our longtime friends. We grew up with their kids.



It was fun to see Ryan and his family and get caught up. Here's Leda with Ryan's daughter Katie. Isn't it cute that girls can be friends right off the bat at this age? Loved it.




Now onto Sunday. Despite the fact that I spoke in church, taught a Relief Society lesson AND Aaron was home sick in bed...it was a great day!

It was so nice to have my sister and her family in town, and especially on father's day.

Here's how our day went:
We served breakfast in bed to a sick Daddy. He appreciated it, appreciated the cards, and then really appreciated us all leaving so he could go back to feeling crappy and having some peace and quiet in bed. Poor guy.


I took the kids to church and did my thing. Whew, was I ever glad when my responsibilities were over!

After church, and after Aaron had a few advil and a nap in him, he managed to make it over to my folks house for a Father's Day feast!



Here is Aaron sporting his Father's Day gift. I tried to be that cool wife and get my husband a cool, fun toy...and while I know Aaron appreciated my efforts, the gift didn't go over as well as I thought. The scooter works great going downhill, but is a little hard for an adult to manuever uphill.


Oh well, the kids love it and Spencer is now the hit of the neighborhood as we honestly have random kids knocking at our door asking to borrow this little beauty :)



Me and my sister with our Dad. He's the best. I love you Dad!



I also need to give a shout out to my terrific father-in-law Dave (aka: Daddy Mac). He's so witty and I really appreciate the loving relationship he has with us from afar. He is craking me up lately on facebook and I get the biggest kick out of him and the things he says. I love you Daddy Mac!

I love being with this guy here. He's just so calming and fun to be with. I love you Aaron.



Thank you for being such a good Father to our kids. We are so blessed to have you.





I hope your Father's Day was terrific too!