Vegas, Baby

First stop, Vegas. 

But I think that is pretty clear given this heathen's grin. 

Unfortunately, we weren't there for long. YET FORTUNATELY, we were there long enough to get in a few quick slots. 

I kind of thought that the backpack and animal would be a giveaway that he wasn't quite 21, but as it turns out, Vegas airports are just not as diligently strict as one might assume. 

Gooma gave Jude a stormtrooper before we left, so all the boys were pretty excited about it. 

Motherhood is beautiful, simple, and clean. Much like a spread in a parenting magazine. 

Or, whatever. 

I have a lot of pictures like this from the last trip, but I'm pretty sure this time around everyone was having fun.

Or, whatever. 

Mother's Day

I have more pics from the trip but before I upload them I leave you with this "sweet" picture. 

I admit that they also might appear a bit menacing. 

Mother's Day was very sweet this year, topped off by a beautiful weed bouquet. 

Jude was so proud and we put it in water. Dandelions make a perfect dining room table topper, I say. 

Side note: INKED.

Games

The boys were full of good ideas. But don't compliment them because you'll get nothing but the stink eye. 

You do not want the stink eye.

Can you feel the burn?

This marble game turned sword fight caused a lot of problems and the boys were so nervous about them breaking that they really didn't do anything but nervously and gently hold them. 

So that was a fun one. 

Certainly this is how Jude spent the whole vacation. Isn't this a picture of serenity?

Although generally speaking, a 3 year old playing a harmonica is not a picture of serenity. 

But just you can pretend. 

Could you not just eat this up?

Workin

ATTN: LADIES. Need a man to help with repairs and what not? I have just the guy for you. 

Pants not included. 

You have no idea what a dream come true this picture is. 

Bribery involved. 

This picture was taken after naps, can you tell? He was REAL mad after this picture was taken. 

Worth it. 

A pirate in jammies with a magnifying glass. Motherhood PRO. 

Oink. 

Meow.

One day we ran into Emmiah, Marin's friend, at the park. She was well equipped with face paint which Jude was very excited about. Incidentally, meow. 

I took Co and Jude to the park, and I can't remember why. It may have possibly been because a certain blonde bandit was stuck in the brig. 

But by the time we got home, Mo was ready for a good old fashioned fight. I think that the right person was wearing a helmet in this current situation. 

Oy vey. Where are the girls in this family AMIRITE?

NAW jk. Check out these broskies. 

Improving

Our last visit to California did not go as well as expected. There was a certain small blondie who found Jude's presence to be rage inducing. Luckily, it was not the case this time around! And could any trip really be bad if you have camo and an easy chair?

It's also nice that both the boys love to read. In fact, we got Marin to read to Jude one day which was so adorable. Mostly, they got those Niphakis nerds to do the job. 

But with a house of boys, don't think for a second that story time was danger free. Certainly it is not. 

Check out these cooperative and happy blondes. 

All day erryday. 

California Personality

Recently, Jude and I were able to take a long trip out to California to visit our favorite California beauties. Here are just a few. 

Luckily, Jude remembered his storm trooper, so battles ensued in the early A.M. 

SOUND EFFECTS. 

This picture is one that Marin was very excited about. A new (old) digger and the evil eye. WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT, LADIES?

Oh, is this the "more" you were looking for?

Jude and Ruby

Welcome back. Meet Ruby. She's the newest addition to the family, and though I may have preferred a dog, Jude begged us for months for a cat. So here we are. But she is great with Jude and they love each other very much. SO NOW THIS IS A CAT AND BABY BLOG. So I give up. 

Best friends forever. 

JK She's a cat. And Jude's best friend is a slow moving Loris named Briasson. 

Tentative touching is not really Jude's style, so I'm guessing that was my idea. 

Yeah this looks more like it. 

Yeah, Whatever.

Not to be outdone by his sister, Briasson often likes to make things even. One of his favorites is always ensuring that if there is a princess in the area...

That it's him. 

Bows and guys and bassinets, oh my!

This is Jude's "whatever, seen it a million times" face. 

TOO COOL FOR YOU. 

The park is fun, I swear. 

Camp

Sometimes when you first wake up in the morning you need to greet all your favorite people: your little guys and (obviously) yourself. 

Then a quick "tooey"

That's STORY for you nerds that couldn't decipher mature internet baby-talk. 

Jude has a new little girl baby named Ella. Or as he likes to call her "Ella Bella" or I guess to be accurate "Eyya Beyya"

Although he only wants to hold her when he has something he needs to do with her. Like bring her to an activity or involve her in his ideas. Otherwise she makes him pretty nervous. 

His favorite part of having a new cousin might just be her new little guys. They are playing one of his favorite games already. 

MAN'S MAN. 

This is Briasson on his way to his first day at the retirement fishing camp. He's the chubby helper that assists the elderly fishermen. 

Not to be outdone, Jude had a go with the cap. He is one of the elderly men. 

Mix and Math

As you may be able to tell, I've been going through the photos that I had on my phone so they are kind of a mix and match of the plain old life of a bug. For example, here is a bug on a train. 

And yes, if you were wondering, he did say "wassup" to a man behind us, so it was a success. 

After a train ride to Goompas, the men had a relaxing coffee date in downtown Highland Park. How very north shore of them. 

Snap chat was created for pretty much this exact purpose. AM I RIGHT LADIEZ?!

Here you have a Christmas doll, bedhead included. 

In preparation for his new cousin, Jude spent a lot of time relaxing in her bassinet. I think a lot of preparation is key for a smooth transition, so we did the typical parenting tactic of "swim cap, pajamas and baby's bed" technique.

It didn't work. 

I wouldn't recommend it. 

This pose was his idea, and I'm going to be honest, if you have ever met him, this shouldn't come as a surprise. 

Sometimes all a young man needs is a library and a tween couch.