Soooo...we've been a little busy

I just did a post for Camden's second birthday party, which if you keep up with our family at all is quite late. Blogger used to let you start a draft and it would post with the date you STARTED the draft not the day you actually post it. Sooo the birthday post looks a bit funny since Camden is now 3-1/2 years old, not a newly turned 2 year old. I am bound and determined to catch up with this blog and not miss any major events in our family's life so that when Camden (and now Annika) look back at this blog as adults, they won't see an entire year and a half missing.

It's My Party!

Our little guy is turning 2. How fast the time has flown! Everyone tells you how it gets better and better each year, but until you actually experience it for yourself, you just don't get how great it really is. For Camden's second birthday we decided to do a Halloween themed costumed party since his birthday falls so close to the holiday anyway. I figured this would be the last year I would have carte blanche with his costume so I decided to have him dress up as a gnome. He may want to kill me when he is older, but it sure was cute! Some pics from his party day...

Fueling up for a day of festivities!

Already eye-balling the cupcakes

The Alvarez Family...Rosa, Dan, Roman & Noah...oh and Ryan snuck in there too 

Cousins! Jack and Dylan came with cousins Holly and Sherry

Camden and Daddy in matching gnome costumes...how I got Ryan to agree to this I will never understand! lol

More cousins! Thanh and Alli

Ty and Christina

Grandma

Aunty Michelle, who was a gigantic help in setting up the party decor and food...
Thank you!

Proud Mommy and Daddy with our little guy

Our amazing two year old!

Daddy's Birthday at the Pumpkin Patch

Since we celebrated Ryan's birthday a bit early at the resort, on his actual birthday we still wanted to do something fun...so we went to the pumpkin patch at the Irvine Park Railroad.

Camden checking out the pumkpins from afar

Wandering through the hay maze

This was a nice photo op so we plopped him down on some bails of hay!

Camden was done with the photo session and wanted down!

He had fun sticking his face into all the holes

We loved these adorable horsies made out of hay and a stick pony!

Daddy getting in on the action too

Family shot!

Camden started being a goofball and just randomly squatting on the ground making silly faces

His very first bounce house...he had so much fun!

This picture cracks me up...and anyone else that knows my kid!

It's just such a "Camden" face to make!

A visit to the ponies on our way out...Camden seems to really love and enjoy animals!

This makes his animal-loving parents very happy.

Amazing Weekend Getaway

As a surprise for Ryan's birthday, I got us two nights at Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes. I had never been here before, but have been intrigued by it ever sicne they opened a few years ago. Needless to say, it was amazing! I want to move in there! We had such a fun, happy, relaxing time...we definitely plan to head back there asap!

The view from our balcony...within our first hour there Ryan spotted a mama and baby whale breaching out in the water. How's that for a welcome?

We had an early dinner at the Catalina Kitchen, I love the hanging lanterns, made it feel all magical to eat outside.

Camden patiently waiting for his mac 'n' cheese, which turned out to be amazingly good. Definitely not Kraft!

A stroll along one of the many walking paths

Hanging out on the terrace area...Camden seemed to be enjoying himself!

My happy boy!

Enjoying some rare cuddly time while Camden plays

He was so tickeld with himself that he lined up all of our slippers!

Uh oh, he has spotted a light! It's all over now...light light light...

A well-placed window as you wait for the elevator to come...what a view!

Beach boy is all ready for the pool!

Swimming with Mommy...I love taking my little guy in the water, he loves it just as much as I did when I was small.

A little family hike...

And there's Camden, bringing up the rear...

Daddy loves his little guy!

We were surprised at how much he seemed to enjoy the hotel room. He liked reading on this little loveseat with Ryan.

Back at the pool...these splash pools were perfect for little ones, the big kids seemed to be enjoying them too.

Some serious fun...

One last poolside lunch before heading home and back to reality.

Takagi Family Reunion In Las Vegas

In August we headed to Las Vegas for a family reunion for the Takagi side of my family. This is my grandma's side of the family and includes many aunties, uncles and cousins. We had so much fun seeing everyone, though our time was mroe limited due to a toddler who needed an afternoon nap daily. We did our best to participate as much as possible and navigate the smoky hotels and casinos with Camden...so much more to consider when you go to Vegas with a little one!

We found a great outdoor shopping center that was super kid friendly, it also happened to be just down the street from the house we rented for our stay.

Camden is obsessed with lights, here he found a big panel to play with.

The Bellagio is home to many of our favorite things...one of them being the most wonderful pastry and coffee place! This was Camden's first time enjoying it with us.

A visit to the Bellagio would not be complete without a stroll through their lovely garden area. It is my absolute favorite thing to do in Las Vegas!

Camden seems to enjoy it too...

The theme this time was a colorful carnival, the carousel, ferris wheel and hot air balloons were wonderful to look at

I absolutely loved this, a painting re-interpreted in flowers!

So Camden started to go ballistic at this point. I guess all that behaving finally wore him down and he got a little crazy. I'm sure Ryan didn't find it too amusing, but it sure was funny to watch! Papa Bear and Baby Bear...

We had a family bowling tournament at Sam's Town. It was a lot of fun, the aunties and Great Grandma watched Camden while Ryan and I bowled.

Camden got to meet his cousin, Ryan for the first time. He was so sweet with Camden!

Sweet little cousin Tori and her favorite Aunty Robin

My grabdparents came over to our rental to spend some quality time wih Camden and just relax for a bit...he had fun playing with his great grandpa who is still justa kid at heart!

And just like I was when I was little, he is stuck right at my grandma's side! He definitely has a very special bond with her.

We all got a huge laugh out of Camden wearing my grandpa's giant shoes around the house. He did this when we visited them in May too, so cute!

Family reunion dinner in Las Vegas, Ryan playing peek-a-boo with Camden!

My mom took us, Uncle Larry, Aunt Lisa, Grandma and Grandpa out to Hamada for a nice dinner the night before we had to leave.

It's so cute to watch my uncle Larry with Camden, he enjoys him so much

Uncle Larry chasing Camden around the table with a wrapper from a straw...so silly! He was having a blast!

One last stop at the bellagio for our last coffee and pastry treat before heading home...

Time to go! It's been fabulous, Las Vegas!