What's not Right?

Sunday morning Brandon got Bailey dressed for church. She came strolling out like this and I laughed and said, "why is Bailey's dress on backwards." Brandon responded, "what do you mean? I though bows always go in the back?"

The Bender Babies

Ricky and Keri had twin girls at the end of May and we finally got a chance to drive to Oxnard to meet Jovie and Loretta. It was so good to visit with them and we always enjoy catching up.

Brandon and Caleb built a lego car and looked through truck magazines while Bailey played with all new toys and enjoyed crawling through the twin's tunnel play mat.

Brandon and I got to each feed one of the babies.

In the evening we walked along their bay view to Smokey's BBQ for a yummy meal. We shared an apple pie for dessert and hung out until it was past the kid's bed times. It was a great day and we are so happy to see so many Benders.

The Luskos and Harvest Crusade

Levi and Jenny were in Orange County with their girls for the Harvest Crusade; Levi MCs the Harvest. Friday we spent some quality time together at our house and Ruta's.

Bailey loved Olivia and Leyna. Olivia was very helpful to Bailey, helping her drink water, and was able to lead the girls in ring around the rosie.

That night we met up with Jenny and the girls at the Harvest. We got to sit right behind home plate and enjoy the good view and watch all the people walk onto the baseball field to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior. This weekend was the Harvest's 20 year anniversary. It is amazing to see Angel Stadium completely filled with people all wanting to learn about Christ and praise him.

Bailey had a blast at the crusade. She got to walk around the deck area, play with friends, and dance to loud music. She clapped above her head with everyone and reached for t-shirts being shot out to the crowd; good times.

Uncle Kenny

Last weekend Brandon's younger brother, Kenny, came to stay with us. This was the third summer Kenny came to stay with us and we enjoy this little tradition. Bailey loves Kenny and kept him busy all weekend with her play schedule.

Friday night Brandon and Kenny went to an Angel game.

The rest of the weekend there was lots of playing the Wii while Bailey slept and then we went to the Spectrum to play with the puppies and ride the carousel (stuff more for Bailey). We also went and saw Year One at the dollar theater, had Yogurt Land, and went to Irvine Park to play frisbee and ride bikes.

On Monday Kenny, Bailey, and I went to Laguna Beach and watch Bailey play in the waves and collect sea shells. That night Brandon and Kenny made homemade pizzas and we got to enjoy those with Grandpa Mike. I like this picture because they look so much a like.

It was great to have Kenny around and for him to be able to bond so well with Bailey. He is always great to spend time with and we are so proud of him.

Galaxy vs. Barcelona

Last weekend Brandon and I went to our first professional soccer game accompanied by the Johnson's part II. The game was at the Rose Bowl and so we went early to spend some time in Old Town Pasadena.

The day was super fun and it was started off by learning that the Johnson's are having a baby BOY! We are so excited for them and a can't wait to meet their son come January.

In Old Town we hit up a pool hall and played three games of pool. None of us had played pool in a while and Natalie and I aren't exactly "learned" players. But we love games so we enjoyed it.

After some walking around we ate dinner at 'Bar Celona." Since the Galaxy was playing Barcelona, we kept with the theme of the soccer game and ate some quality Tappas.

The soccer game was great! Got to watch some excellent soccer players such as Beckham, Donovan, Henry, and Messi. We saw Beckham score a goal by a penalty kick but Barcelona won 2 to 1. The stadium was almost full! There were 94,000 people there and it was kind of insane. Soccer fans are fun because they love the game and are not shy to cheer and support their favorite team. We even saw a Chivas fan get three bottles of beer thrown at him by some Messi fans for starting trouble. We all really enjoyed the game and energy and I personally love how soccer games are 90 minutes and they never stop the clock. I like sporting games fine, but I also like to know when they will end.

After the game, those 94,000 people got in line to wait for the exact same shuttle as us! So, we waited in a two hour line but we made the best of it by playing Scramble on Eric's iphone. A very tricky and addicting game.

Another great day filled with fun memories. Brandon and I feel very lucky that we get to do so many fun activities.

Oh Bailey

Bailey is so cute and pretty. She understands really well and is able to follow instructions and answer most questions directed towards her. She sadly doesn't feel like my little baby anymore but she remains snuggly and I love her hugs and kisses.

Bailey is trying to say more words and she imitates everything I do. Most of what she says probably only I understand. . Recently she says Momma, grandma, rice, stop, and yo-yo. Bailey loves to be read to and she acts out many of her favorite characters. She also loves her baby doll and often mimics how I take care of her with her baby. I found her smelling her babies bottom the other day. She also tries to feed her, play ring-around-the -rosie, and play patty-cake with her.

Bailey is obsessed with the original Strawberry Shortcake. Brandon and I found a DVD at Toys R' Us with the first two episodes on them. Since then, Bailey only wants to watch one of the two shows and Brandon and I have memorized all the songs and dialogue of both episodes. I wish they put more of the original shows in DVD.

It's 100 degrees out and so why is Bailey in a sweatshirt? She has a funny attachment to this pink polka dot sweatshirt. I don't know why but every morning she wants to wear this and she also must have the hood on.

We have been enjoying the summer weather with playing in the hose. I water a lot in the mornings and Bailey always ends up soaking wet from running through the hose spray.

Bailey loves helping me around the house and she is a quick learner! She follows me around the house with her own broom, she throws trash away, puts her toys away, and wears oven mitts when I do. She is such a good girl and I love spending every day with her.

Birthday

I turned 24 on the 20th and I had a whole weekend of celebration.

Brandon and I had the perfect day on Saturday. We woke up early and took Bailey to my parent's house then headed to the beach. I got to run while Brandon followed me on the bike and then Brandon had a little surprise for me. For my birthday present he rented a sea-doo for us to take out in the ocean. It was super fun and we were laughing the entire time! It was my first time driving a sea-doo and I loved it!

After we enjoyed lunch at Taco Loco and lounged on the beach. It felt so good to lay in the sun with a book and my best friend; true luxury.

Sunday we went swimming at my parent's with all my family and enjoyed BBQ dinner.

I love this picture of Bailey with her cousin Caden. They are so cute together and Bailey adores Caden. It has been so much fun watching Bailey grow up looking up to Caden. They are starting to play together and they look like they are being so silly together here.

Monday morning, the day of my actual birthday, I woke up to Tulips and a poem written on a "treasure map" from Brandon. He always makes me feel special and loved on my birthday. Thanks luvies!