Gummy Bear

A few of you have asked me how Collin got the nickname 'Gummy Bear'. Well, his Auntie Auds gave it to him.

She thinks he looks like a gummy bear when he sits in his bumbo seat. Here he is @ 7 weeks old, when the name came to life. We love it and so far, it is sticking.

The reality is, everyone in my moms family has a nickname. You don't really have a choice. Someone will give you a crazy or silly nickname at some point in your life, and you will learn to love it. It eventually defines you as a person and overtakes your real name. There are people in my life that know me very well but don't know my brother Goo's real name, which is Corey. All of these nicknames just seem to stick! Here are a few of the nicknames that are used in our family on a regular basis:
Pokey
Honker
KO
LuLu
Bones
JP
Bro
Shug
Goo
Deeds
Mo
Auds
Auder Pop
Fliffers
Hammer Head
Pooh Bear
Tuffers
Toot Toots
Bofa

Peas and Prunes

My boy loves to eat! Collin's is 5 months old and is taking on "real food" like a champ. He didn't have any problems finishing his first bowl. Here are a few pictures of him chowing down. As soon as I figure out how to download from my video camera, I will post a clip.

Pure deliciousness!
I'm not kidding. I love this stuff.

Do you want a kiss?

More!

What? Do I have something on my face?

No, seriously. Is there something on my face?

Best Friend

Everyone has that one friend that you love for so many reasons:
*we can talk about anything
*laugh until you cry
*pick up where you left off if you haven't talked in a while
*knows what you are thinking in a crowded room and no words need to be said
*always has a funny story
*we've been friends for 16 years!!!
*inside jokes for days
*craves Zeni Ya as much as me
*loves everything 80's
*addicted to fast food
*scrapbooker (although that was long long ago)
*loves monkeys
*a great dancer
*going to be a great mom, as you see here with Collin:

*the BEST maid of honor a bride could ask for
*always ready for a crazy wild fun night out
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRIEND! LOVE YA!!! Thanks for always being there. Your the best.

Beatin' the HEAT!

Thankfully, Yaya and Papa have a pool so these 110' days aren't as bad as they could be. I took Collin swimming for the first time a few weeks ago. I got an adorable tug boat raft for him to cruise around in. He is a water baby for sure. He wasn't scared at all. Fearless actually, just like his mama.... oh no!

Hey Mom, can I eat this?
I remember watching my Grandpa Woods float on his back for hours. Collin's not there yet, but give him a few years.
Splish Splash
So relaxing! I might be a prune by the time we get out of here.
Enjoying the day!

4th of July

The 4th of July is my favorite holiday (which is why this post will be long and full of pictures!) I grew up going to Cayucos every year with my mom's whole family to celebrate the 4th of July, compliments of Grammy and Grandpa. We would spend a week running on the beach, having mud fights, eating lumpy pancakes and watery spaghetti made by Grammy, bonfires, fireworks and of course the famous Cayucos parade! The memories are truly endless for me. Now the real fun begins... We get to carry on the tradition with Collin. What is better than that?

Cameron's family also shares the tradition of the Cayucos fun. Uncle Duane and Aunt Jean have a beautiful home and they are so gracious to open their doors for a weekend of craziness. Now that there are babies involved, we have too many bodies to all stay there so Don and Joan rented a condo right on the water. We had such a great weekend. We were able to spend time with both of our families and enjoy the beach.

I have an All American Boy on my hands!
Collin had the most patriotic shoes we saw all day.
Joan and Ashley enjoying their mojitos.
The gang soaking up some sun.
Watching the parade. Collin loved every minute, but this one!
Such a beautiful day with perfect weather.
Grill Masters, Uncle Duane and Cameron.
Curtis and Rob patiently waiting for Ashley and I to get off the tikkes. http://www.tikkes.com/ best invention ever, but only if it is electric.

Hey, you look like my Grandma JoJo... but something is different about you.

Wait a minute... YOUR my Grandma JoJo. Are you playing tricks on me?

Rob and Ashley
7 person bicycle. Great idea!

After a great weekend with Cameron's family we headed home to celebrate Cameron's birthday. Cameron had to go back to work but I got to head back to the coast with Collin and Maddi the following weekend with my family.

Hi Dad! We miss you. Thanks for working hard so me and mom can have fun at the beach. Maddi will hate me for this later but it is just too cute! My happy little gummy bear! Uncle Davey was teaching the kids how to tell time. He's even a great uncle hungover! Maddi was sharing her money with Baby Tollin. Maddi had a great time on the swing. We enjoyed walks on the beach. It was a great weekend! I bought Maddi some bubbles for the beach. She loved them!
Auntie Ashley always makes Collin laugh!

Hey, Mom! Get me out of here. I'm ready to build a sand castle.