California

After living in Orange County for a couple years and taking all of our vacation time to go back to Minnesota and visit family, we decided we should live in Minnesota and take vacations back to the beach. So that's what we do - almost once a year. And every time we go back, without fail, I spend the first couple days wondering why we left. It also always feels like we still live there.

We had a loose agenda for the week, spending lots of time at a bunch of a different beaches, with a few highlights. One of those highlights was taking the kids to Legoland.

It was awesome. I highly recommend it. Especially in early December - there were no crowds and almost no lines. And not too hot.

       

Logan was our little thrill-seeker, who wasn't even afraid to go on the 'scary' rides. Ryder was also able to be the 'adult' chaperone for the rides that Logan was too small to go on by himself.


We also spent a day in San Diego (Wavehouse, Stone Brewing, La Jolla) and a day up in Santa Monica (pier, Venice Beach, Promenade, Mulholland Drive).

Playing catch with Ry (who's probably out of the frame diving for the ball!)

Our beach days were spent with the kids playing in the waves, playing catch with the football, Logan running around enjoy time without rules (he could run, he could be loud, he could chase seagulls, get dirty), and Brecken playing with sand toys and crawling around in the sand (but not eating it - yay!!). It.was.perfect.

WALKING on the beach with my littlest!!

Sand angels

We have had plenty of vacations where we had very crabby kids due to missed naps, trouble adjusting to the time zones, and just being out of routine (up super early, middle of the nights spent in the hotel lobby soothing babies). But now we're at a stage where all of this is getting easier. Brecken is our only regular napper (and he naps on the go very well), all the kids slept amazing - going to bed right when we asked, sleeping through the night, and until 7am Cali time. All of that is so new for us! Sure, we were the ones with crazy, messy kids at breakfast and we brought tons of stuff everywhere we went (hoodies, extra clothes, hats, snacks, water bottles, sand toys, diapers), but all in all, being a trip with three little kids, it was one of our easiest. We already can't wait to travel with them again.

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." - St. Augustine

Day in Duluth

With daycare being closed yesterday, we decided to take advantage of having to take a day off and make an adventure out of it! So we pulled Ryder from school and headed to Duluth for the day.

 

(Naptime for Brecky)

Unfortunately, Mother Nature decided it was a good time for a snowstorm as well! It was a hairy drive up with a handful of cars in the ditch and a jack-knifed semi pointed the wrong direction on the freeway. But, my awesome husband and quiet kids did great on the drive up and the snow made for a fun, festive day outdoors.

We went to the ski shop to remind the kids where Shawn worked throughout college...

 

 (Watching them tune skis)

We drove through the UMD campus showing the kids where their aunts and uncles lived during school...

We went to Fitgers Brewhouse for lunch, where everyone amazingly ate in peace. Including Brecken, who was constantly smiling at the ladies at the table next to us...

 

 

Afterwards, we went up to Hawk's Ridge for a beautiful hike in a winter wonderland, with the snow still falling...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then on to Canal Park where it was lightly raining instead of snowing, and the grass was green...

 

 

 

 

And our last stop was Canal Park Brewing for dinner. I hope the kids do this well at mealtime for our upcoming Cali trip because it's usually a little chaotic. But this time, I savored my food, watched the kids color, and even heard the music they were playing at the restaurant. Amazing. :)

Such a fun way to spend what would otherwise be an ordinary day :)

Breck's First Haircut

Brecken, your long hair came out of nowhere! At 9 months, you had a teeny bit of baby hair. But by one, you had a ton! 

We got your first cut at 14 months at Snip-its. You sat calmly, but you were scared of the stranger cutting your hair and just a little nervous about the whole process. You didn't cry much, but you didn't smile at all - which is rare for you.

But, you look so nice afterwards :)

 

 

(Also your first sucker! Ha!) We took advantage of a Friday afternoon while Ryder was at school and Logan was at preschool to be able to enjoy this 'first' :)

Brecken | 14 Months

Brecken - you are our third child, but I am determined to keep regular posts about you! You will not have less baby photos or memories than your brothers :)

 You are still such a happy baby...

 You love to watch everything your big brothers are doing...

 Now that you are growing out of the baby phase, we are getting to know your laid-back personality and enjoy you adding your little spark to our family...

 You laugh a ton...I can just see this same expression around a family campfire in the future. I sure don't want you to grow fast, but I can already tell that phase is going to be so amazing as well...

 You are cautious, and stand back watching the action...

Then after a period of time, you will join in on the fun (like wrestling)...you'll speed-crawl over to the pile of Billing boys wrestling on the floor with this same grin and squeaky giggle, ready to play...

 You are one chill dude...

 You are not afraid to roam the house or the yard on your own. Even if everyone is in the living room, you will crawl over to the playroom and play by yourself. You will walk with the push cart / walker, doing laps around the house. You'll only squawk if you get stuck, otherwise, you're pretty self-sufficient...

 I know you are growing so fast, so I snuggle and kiss you, and tickle you, and read to you, and carry you in the baby carrier, and chase you around the house on my hands and knees, and take you everywhere I go! I love weekends out running errands with my baby and my coffee. The big boys recently asked for another baby (because 'we only have three' they say! Ha!), but three is perfect. You are our perfect last baby and I am loving every second with you. You make us so happy, baby Brecky!