Fun at Shauna's house!

On Tuesday night, Cody and I were lucky enough to be able to get together with two of my best friends, Jenni and Shauna, and Shauna's adorable daughter, Makayla. We had such a great time catching up! The best part was that since we were at Shauna's house, the kids could run around and play and we got to sit and chat with minimal interuptions. Okay, I had to put Cody in time out like three times! It was really great because we don't get a chance to get together all that often and it was so much fun watching Cody and Makayla play together. He is such a boy and she is all girl! She wants to hug on him and hold his hand and he wants nothing to do with that! However, he does love Makayla's doll stroller! He loves pushing that thing around! I guess he figures that since it has four wheels it must be some kind of car! I actually remembered to take some of Cody's toys and apparently he thinks that he's supposed to put his truck in the stroller!

What can I say?
Here's Jenni with both of the kids. I tend to think of two crazy toddlers as being the ultimate form of birth control, but Jenni loved it! She put up with Cody running and dive bombing her, trying to tickle her, jumping all over her and more! And this was at the end of the night! Jen, you're going to be such an awesome mom one day! Thanks for putting up with my out of control son! He is pretty hysterical though! "Hey bebe!" Shauna (and Omar), thanks for having us over! Dinner was delicious and, as usual, Cody and I had a blast! When are we doing this again? P.S. Happy Belated Birthday Pick! Lots of love! <>

Oh so "Wicked"!

This past weekend, I finally did what so many of you have already done... I finally saw "Wicked" in LA at the Pantages Theatre. It was awesome! I've never really been into "The Wizard of Oz", in fact, I've never seen the movie, but I loved the show! Stephanie was good enough to take me as her date, although she still can't believe Spleeve (her husband) didn't want to go! We had a great time!

We had a crazy adventure at the McDonald's on Hollywood Blvd. It's on the corner of Hollywood and Highland and it's nearly impossible to find parking on a Saturday. So, I just jumped out, crossed the street (as Steph drove off down the street to try and find somewhere to turn around), went in to Mickey D's and placed our order in the busiest McDonald's I've ever been in! It was out of control! They were very quick and in about 10 minutes (waiting in line AND getting food) I was out the door into Steph's car which was waiting (parked illegally) ever so close! We were still early to the show so that Steph had time to shop for "Wicked" merchandise... and did she ever! :) I had a wonderful time and can't wait for the next show!

Big Bear Lake

This week my parents were at their timeshare in Big Bear Lake. Cody and I went up Thursday morning. The drive was fine, although I was a little nervous driving the mountain roads by myself. Cal-Trans was working on the road so they had traffic stopped several times because they had only one lane in use. That took a little while. Cody decided that he needed to just scream for no apparent reason for about half of the hour long trip and that just added to my headache.

So we made it to the resort, found parking, and found my parents and off we went. Marty was in her waterski vest, just waiting for us to get there. She skied and somehow my dad convinced me that I was going to ski, although the water was well below what I consider to be an acceptable "water-skiing temperature." After watching my mom jump in and yell and holler because the water was so cold, I was not planning on going anywhere near the water. I don't know what happened, but before I knew it, I had my vest on, my ski on, my gloves on and I was getting in the water (I don't jump in, I stand on my ski and it, very slowly and gently, sinks me in). Yes, it was very, very, VERY cold! I think it was the coldest water that I've ever skied in! I know, Big Bear in July, I am so spoiled! Anyway, I skied a little, then decided to give it up and get back in the boat. Then my mom skied again and by this time it was time for Cody's nap so we went back to their condo. We had lunch, Cody took a nap, and out we went again. This time I didn't go near the water. Okay, once when Cody said he wanted to go in the water. I held him and dunked his legs in up to his knees. He didn't like that too much! He did have a ton of fun pointing out all the boats and repeating "Nana boat. Nana boat." He also loved playing with my dad! They are always trying to tickle each other's buttons! That's your belly-button! Cody also loved the location of the condo as we were right above the playground and had a great view of the lake. Cody stood out on the balcony and talked to everyone that walked by! He was also talking to the people out on other balconies! I think my kid talks more than me! Anyway, we stayed the night. My parents and I watched "Knocked Up" last night and had big bowls of mint & chip ice cream and this morning was checkout! Thanks Mom and Dad! We had a great time!

Cody feeding the ducks! They loved the Baked Lays!

Driving with Nana

Playing around with Pa

I thought this was hilarious! A port-a-potty on water! Cody called it a house!

A sunset view from the condo

Cody scoping out the playground and beyond.

More lake view!

Cody & Momma!

Does Cody ever wear clothes?

Looking back over my recent posts I have noticed that Cody is wearing one of two outfits: 1) swim trunks 2) a life jacket. I can't imagine what you think! It looks like he doesn't ever wear clothes! I swear he does! Here's proof! This pic of Cody was taken a few days before his birthday while we were staying with my parents at their time share in Newport Coast. Cody is standing in front of the koi pond with the ocean in the background. I know, you can't really tell that the ocean is out there, but trust me, it was. The morning was still a little overcast. I'll post some more pics from that week a little later. I just wanted to prove that Cody does wear clothes!

Summer Obsession

Many of you know my mom, Marty. Only some of you may realize her summer obsession with boating. Now that Caryn and I are out of school for the summer, we have to make sure to plan one day a week to go to Lake Perris. The phone call comes on Sunday night, "What day do you want to go to the lake?" She will then coordinate between me and Caryn (or someone else if one of us is unavailable) what day works for us all. I'm sure if Caryn and I would agree to it, my mom would be happy to go to the lake every day of the week. The other thing that is important to note is how fabulous my mother looks while skiing. No, I'm not talking about her stylish bikini or her top of the line lifejacket (although she once skiied without her lifejacket!) I'm talking about the noseplugs and dual (but different) knee braces! Watch out girls! Marty is looking hot! Sorry I don't have a picture of this, but Caryn has those pics. I'll try to get one so you can see what I'm talking about! Now, don't get me wrong, we definitely love having this "problem." We are very lucky that our jobs allow us the time to spend with our family and that mom is still waterskiing at 63 years old. I love my mom dearly and it is some of the best quality time that we get to spend together. Caryn and I just love to tease our mom! :) We love you Martha!!

Cody has been going since last summer when he was one. He's a lot better with the lifejacket this year, but doesn't love swimming in the lake as much. Heck, swimming period is not his favorite this summer. Once his feet are off the ground, he cries, "Nonononononononono!" It's not too loud though! That is not to say that he doesn't LOVE the pool! There is definitely a difference! Anyway, he loves the boat and if we tell him that we're going to the lake, I hear "Nana's boat" until we're there! And while we're there. And when we get home. Okay, he loves "Nana's boat" as much as Nana does!

Here's Cody's best Nana impersonation!

Uncle Caryn teaching Cody how to be a professional flag holder!

Self-portrait of Cody and me!

Happy Birthday SLZ!

Happy Birthday SLZ!

(Stephen Lucas Zermeno)

Cody calls him "Sleeze" for short. See, that's the sound his initials make! His dad and his grandpa are both "Stephen" too, so it gets a little confusing! According to Rob, during college there were too many "Steve"s in the fraternity so nicknames were made up. Steve became "Spleeve" (I don't really know if that's the correct spelling or not, but that's how I spell it!). Therefore, it's only fitting that Spleeve's son is "Sleeze." He is Cody's best friend and when we go to their house (which is often-did I mention that they are super awesome and let us swim in their pool???), Cody says "Sleeze house. Pool." My kid knows!

Anyway SLZ's birthday is tomorrow, July 14. He and Cody are two weeks and one day apart. In case you are wondering, Cody was late and SLZ was early. They were due to be five weeks apart. We celebrated with him yesterday at his house for a pool party! It was a lot of fun! The weather was super weird. Totally Ohio like! Humid, sticky, some thunder and lightning! We got rain in parts of So Cal, but not during the party! Thanks for inviting us to the party! We are so happy to be friends!!

Best Buds

Makayla and the sidewalk chalk. I love her outfit!!

Makayla and Cody (he's putting the moves on her!)

Waaaayyy Behind, but I'm Back!!

So since it's been a zillion years (as usual, what did you expect??), I have a lot of stuff to post. Don't worry though, I'll make it as short as possible. I know, S.V. (short version, as my hubby says). Anyway, here we go...

Most recently, we (along with the rest of the USA) celebrated the 4th of July. We had a BBQ with our friends, Loren and Debbie and their kids Lindsay and Alyssa, at their house in Ontario. Loren's parents were also there as well as Terry and his daughter, Cassidy. We spent the afternoon swimming and eating.

Lindsay, Cody, and Cassidy

After we had spent hours in the pool, we packed up and headed to Irwindale Speedway for an evening of racing and fireworks. Rob, Loren, and Terry had already gone to the track to save us seats. It was the CHP 200 and the CHP put on a pretty cool demonstration with their cars on the racetrack. Cody loved the racing and when the fireworks started he grabbed on to Rob for dear life, but he had a great time. He also loved the bounce house during a break from the racing. I was trying to figure out how I was going to fit into the very small opening to get him out since I didn't think he would come out on his own. It took a while, but I snagged him and didn't have to go in! Yea! I think that his favorite part was the flags that were handed out when we came in. He was waving them and then letting them go flying! I know he got at least one person. I tried to save another one from taking flight and I got it in the eye!

Lindsay, Debbie, Cody, and Loren

Me and my little guy

Watching the fireworks with Dada

How many flags can I hold at once??

God bless America!

Moving on! Actually, it's moving back! Last Sunday was Codeman's second birthday! WOW! I was super excited for his birthday this year! He was practicing saying "I am two!" so that he would be prepared when someone asked him how old he was. He's still working on that one!

We had a small family birthday party at Steve and Stephanie's house. They were so awesome to let us have Cody's party there so we could have a pool party! This is a new concept for me and Rob since both of our birthdays are in February! I know I always wanted to have a pool party when I was young...but I digress!

Anyway, we had both families there including Nana & Pa (Colleen's parents), Uncle Caryn and Mikey-Ike (Colleen's sister and boyfriend-ask me about that one later), Grammy (Rob's mom), Papa (Rob's dad), Aunt Rachelle and Rylee (Rob's sister and niece), Lisa and Little Ryan (Rob's nephew and his mom), and a few of Cody's friends, Stephen Lucas, aka SLZ and his parents, Steve and Stephanie (did I mention how cool it was that they let us use the pool??), and Makayla and her parents, Shauna and Omar (Colleen's sorority sister and husband). We played in the pool, had some food, sang "Happy Birthday" to the Birthday Boy and then played in the pool some more. In fact, I have pictures of all of the other kids eating cupcakes, but Cody blew out the candles on his cake, tried the frosting, and headed back to the pool! Today is my 2nd birthday!!

Uncle Caryn & Cody

Dada in the basketball hoop

Cody pretending (I promise) to drink Dada's "juice"

Stephen Lucas (a.k.a. SLZ)

Miss Rylee ("the boss lady")

Cousin Ryan

Shauna, Omar and Makayla

Pa and Nana

Papa, Grammy, and Aunt Rachelle

Dada & Cody

Cody,

I can't believe that two years have flown by so quickly! You were soooo worth the 36 hours of labor. When I went to bed on Friday night I was remembering when my labor started and I can't believe how long that I was in labor! Daddy and I love you so much! We have having so much fun with you! You are such a joy to be around! You keep us laughing all of the time! You are such a sweet boy and you talk so much! I love when you throw something at me, but then turn around and sweetly say, "sowwy mama, sowwy" because you know you're going to go to time out! We are so excited that you love sports so much and we can't wait to see you in action. I always wanted to have a son and I can't wait to go to your games, races, matches, whatever they may be. I know that you'll do well! Daddy and I will always be there rooting you on!

Son, I hope you know how much you are loved. I always wanted to be a mom and I am so blessed to have found your father and then had you. You are truly the miracle that I prayed for and so much more! I love you more than I can ever explain with words! I hope you had a wonderful birthday! I know that I had a great day wth you!

Love always and forever,
Mama