Max and Courtney

A HUGE thank you to our good friends Max and Courtney for welcoming us into their home! We know it was hard at 3 in the morning when Declan would wake up, I'm sure they've enjoyed the past few nights of quiet!

Fun with Uncle John and Uncle Rick

Declan couldn't get enough of Uncle John and Uncle Rick...who would of thought they'd be so awesome with kids?! Seriously, Dec had so much fun with them:) They would take turns picking him up, running to a wall and bouncing his feet off of it...he loved it! Of course they had Nerf dart guns, I mean what 30 year olds don't?, and had a blast shooting everyone with him...except for me of course:) The best thing was flying on the puppy though. Again, why wouldn't they have a big fluffy puppy in their house? Well, it made for some huge fun! Declan would sit on it and Uncle John would pick them up and fly them around. Listening to Dec yell "I flying" and "hold tight" was so funny. Poor Uncle John has to have some sore arms!

Manhattan Beach

We spent Sunday afternoon at the beach in Manhattan. Max and Courtney live right up the street (see picture), so we just walked right down to the sand:) Dad and Dec had fun digging in the sand and I braved the the cold water with him! Boo 2 even got some vitamin D!

Venice Beach

We spent Saturday in Venice (Uncle John and Uncle Rick live on the canals) with Phil, Ashley, Patty, Daniel, Bob, Laura, Janna, Uncle John and Uncle Rick. We walked across the street to the beach and while the guys played paddle tennis, we took Declan to the Pacific! As soon as we put him down in the sand he began to throw it! Dad and Dec ventured down to the water, which was quite chilly or "brrr cold" as Dec would say:) He was a little hesitant at first, but did not want to leave even when he was shivering! He was definitely a beach bum with sand in his hair and ears:)

SMS Ladies/Auntie Love

Friday evening I was able to get together with all of the lovely ladies I used to work with (in back is Theresa and Susie, Lauren, Ruthy and Megan are in front). Thank you Susie for hosting, it was incredible to get to see everyone and Declan had a great time playing with Noah, Faith (Susie's little ones, Noah is a month older than Dec and Faith will be 6) and Nathan (3, Megan's grandson). The chips and salsa, hummus and pita and gossip, I mean conversation, was much needed! I just wish I could have had some of Ruthy's margaritas:) I love the picture of Declan and his aunties...how great is auntie love?!

St. Mark

Friday morning we arrived right on time for snack at my old school, St. Mark, in Venice. I loved walking through the doors and being greeted by Mary Anne and Maria, it was so nice to see them and right after those hugs came so many more from my old students! I taught first grade and my first year kids are now 6th graders! It's amazing how much they look the same, just taller and more mature...I'll be honest about half of them are taller than me! It was so awesome to see all of the kids and teachers and being called "Miss Butler" again was fun too:) The "class picture" is of my first year kids! Declan loved being a "kindergartner" in Auntie Lauren's room...he was showing her colors and letters!

Phil and Ashley

Thursday night our friends Phil and Ashley (Phil and BC went to high school together) had us over for dinner...thanks for the wonderful pasta and dessert! Declan had so much fun running around their place! He was a big help to Ashley too:) I'm not sure what the statues real name is, but Phil asked him who it was and he said "Pop Pop" (my dad)!