Another flower girl experience

First and foremost, CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. and Mrs. John and Evelyn Sugrue! This past weekend we had yet another opportunity to get all decked out and celebrate as one of our cousins tied the knot. Makenna was also a part of the bridal party, acting as one of the flower girls alongside John's daughter Claire. Kenna loved the thought of getting "all dressed up" again, and anxiously waited for mommy to put on her lip gloss! Isaiah rocked his very first Barong Tagalog, and we were fortunate enough to have an occasion that he could wear it to! In a few weeks, I doubt he would've been able to fit into it, he's growing that fast!

The day started off early, though not as early as the previous weekend's wedding. And since Enz wasn't in the wedding, we didn't have to have Makenna up all day and night this time (thank God!). They both ended up missing their naps, but were able to make it through the entire ceremony and reception without much of an incident! At this wedding, there were a ton more kids, literally, and that made it much easier to handle our little monsters! They were able to run freely and enjoy themselves among their "peers." It was actually quite interesting to watch them act around kids their own ages and their own sizes. It allowed them to be themselves, and not have to worry about what the grown-ups were thinking about them. It also allowed us to relax a bit and enjoy ourselves without having to constantly look over our shoulder wondering where the kids were or what they've gotten into!

All in all, we had a great time, and we definitely welcome John into our ever-expanding family! Congrats again to the newlyweds!

Makenna and Isaiah on a mellow note, prior to the wedding ceremony

Ring Bearer and Flower Girl

First and foremost, CONGRATULATIONS to Mr & Mrs. Jason & Gina Kasznar! Auntie Gina and Uncle Jason were kind enough to have both Makenna and Isaiah as part of their special day this past weekend, and it was an honor to have both of them represent! We all wish the newlyweds much luck & love in their new life together!

The wedding presented a big challenge for us in that the ceremony was in the late afternoon, and this would be the first time the kids had to take directions for something other than cleaning up their messes! The day started well enough, but when it came time for the actual wedding, things changed. Makenna didn't have a real nap all day, so she was letting her attitude out any chance she got. Isaiah wasn't having any part of the boutonniere on his lapel, so I had to take it off in order for him to stop crying and wear his jacket. Neither one of them wanted to eat nor sit still at the wedding, so we let them run free like wildebeests in Africa. That proved to be the best thing for them, as they enjoyed the freedom and danced the night away =)

We figured it was time to finally get the kids home when they both crashed out on mommy and Auntie Sarah. By then, it was already WAY past their bedtimes, and since neither one of them had their afternoon naps, they were beyond ready! Of course, since Isaiah was knocked out for some time during the reception, he was wide awake on the drive home, as if he just woke up from a refreshing nap! Makenna, on the other hand, was out cold and stayed asleep until we got home. When it came time to get her in the house, that's when all the real fun started. Apparently, all the excitement, fatigue, sugar, and everything else caught up to our baby girl, and she vomited all over her dress and my shirt =( Can't pinpoint exactly what set her off, but the rest of the night, up until about 4:30am, she would wake up heaving and crying from the pain. After 4:30, she was able to catch a break and slept for a solid four hour stretch. By the time 8:30am Sunday morning came around, Makenna was awake, running around as if she just didn't spend the entire night puking her guts out. Oh, to be young again!

Needless to say, it was a beautiful ceremony and a great reception, and we all had a great time, despite the obstacles we had to tackle afterwards! The best thing about it is that we get to do it all again this weekend, as Makenna plays flower girl in another wedding! Should be another fun day, just hope that neither one of them get sick in the end! Happy Monday!

Isaiah rockin' his monkey suit

Makenna sporting her flower girl dress and a fresh coat of lip gloss

Camero Family "Staycation"

Ahhhhh, what a difference a week makes! Last week both Enz & I were off, so we took that opportunity to take the kids on some much needed day trips. It was great to be away from the daily grind, just taking each day as it came with the babies! I'm sure Makenna and Isaiah enjoyed having both of us to torment, but we loved every minute of it, and now, it's back to the grind for all of us...

We did three day trips last week, since Monday was set aside for getting errands done, and Enz had work on Friday. We were pretty much on the go from Tuesday to Thursday, taking the kids to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Gilroy Gardens, and finally the Roaring Camp Railroad. The first daily adventure started off well with both kids being overly excited about seeing fish. Once we got to the aquarium, the kids were into it for about a minute, before transforming into "bebe kids!" UGH! It was as if we didn't even know our own children!! I think it may have been too much for them, too soon. Sure they love fishies, and they can sit through a good chunk of Finding Nemo, but for some reason, the aquarium just didn't do it for them. They both wanted to roam freely on their own, which normally wouldn't have been a problem. But factor in the sheer volume of people in that place, coupled with the darkness, and we could have definitely lost one of the kids! After "dragging" the kids through the aquarium, we ended it with a late lunch at Bubba Gump's, and even that was a bit taxing since the kids were just not having it!

Isaiah and Makenna getting their hands wet at one of the touch pools...

Makenna showing some interest in fish

On Day 2 of the Camero Outings, we were fairly optimistic on how the day would pan out, hoping that it wouldn't be a repeat of the previous day. Once we got to the Gilroy Gardens, both kids were ready to tear it up! We left their stroller at home and opted to rent one of the ones from the park. Neither one of them wanted to be in it at first, and they both were a bit on the whiny side. We thought "here we go again," but stayed positive. Once we got moving though, the kids enjoyed the stroller and were anxious to get out on their own. After their first ride, we let them run around freely, mainly because the park was a lot more open than the aquarium, plus it was pretty empty that day, so it made us feel a lot safer. The kids looked to be having a ball, and would occasionally come and sit in the stroller when they needed a break. Each and every ride was fun for them, but nothing came close to the water park! We kept that until the end, which worked out for the best, because after using up the remainder of their energy playing in the water, they were both EXHAUSTED! It made for a quiet drive home!

Happily holding hands as they enter Gilroy Gardens
Isaiah pimpin' his fast ride!
Makenna and Mommy in the Strawberry Ride The fam enjoying a train ride around the Gardens

On day 3, we visited the Roaring Camp Railroad in Felton. Isaiah is big on cars and trains, so this one was geared more toward him. We were hoping for the best on our final outing, praying that the excitement from the Gilroy Gardens would kind of run off into this day. Surprisingly, the kids loved the train ride, and loved being outdoors in the woods! Makenna especially liked being out by the "big trees" and was in awe of their size. After the hour-long train ride, we hung around and had lunch in the park, letting the kids blow off some steam before the ride home.

All in all, we had a terrific time being out away from home with the kids. We will definitely visit all three places again, though we'll hold off on the aquarium until the kids are a little older! Seeing the kids and their care-free spirits at the Gilroy Gardens was sort of a preparation for our future vacation to Disneyland! I'm sure the kids will be beside themselves once we take them there! For now, they can enjoy the memories of our first "mini-vacation!"

Isaiah and Mommy enjoying the scenery at Roaring Camp Railroad Mommy and the kids pose with one of the "big trees" Daddy posing with the kids