California/Baylee and Mea's Bday Party on Brittany's Bday

We went to California last month for a family reunion for Ben's mom's side of the family. We left Friday (July 10th), and stopped at his sister's in Carlsbad for the night. We didn't get to stay too long on Saturday, but her and three of her kids were coming up the next day. We had to hurry up to the bay area for my birthday dinner with his family. We met them at Simply Fondue, and barely made it in time. In fact, we had canceled because we had gotten stuck in traffic in LA. But Ben and his race car driving skills got us there just in time to go. We had a great dinner with his parents and our sister-in-law Anna and her kids. I think Ben's brother Ryan showed up just about when we were finishing up dessert. I LOVE fondue, as you will see with more updates. We also were lucky enough to have Ben's mom, Kathy, watch both kids for us so that we could go see a movie, a very rare event for us. I guess Ben goes to the movies a lot when the kids and I are asleep, but I never go.

We stayed at Ben's parents for the next week. The room we stayed in has a couple little stairs, and for some reason Baylee decided to put on some of my clothes and act out a scene from Sleeping Beauty:

She actually does this a lot at home. She will lay on the stairs and close her eyes until Prince Phillip (aka Ben) comes and kisses her to wake her up. In the second picture she decided to add some of my shoes to her little ensemble. We have quite the little actress and drama queen on our hands.

I just couldn't resist taking this picture when both kids were asleep one night:

Monday, July 13th was my birthday. Ben got me this (along with some very yummy chocolate covered strawberries and bananas):

Kathy watched both kids so Ben and I could go get some breakfast, and also run some party errands. Baylee's cousin Mea was born about a week after Baylee, so we always thought it would be fun to throw them a party together sometime. Since we would be together a right before their birthdays, we knew this would be a great chance to make that happen! Things worked out so that we needed to do it Monday. So, Baylee got a birthday party on my birthday! We kept it pretty simple, and I was happy to have my sister-in-laws there to help us (especially Laura who filled all the water balloons!). Baylee even tried to help Ben fill up the kiddie pool:

Even if the pump wasn't attached, at least her intentions were good.

The Slip 'n Slide seemed to be a hit, even if Baylee and some of the younger kids didn't quite understand the concept:

The kids were all trying to get in the kiddie pool before it even had water:

We eventually broke out the water balloons so Ben could get the pool filled. They didn't last too long, but the kids really enjoyed them. Baylee kept squeezing them so would pop on her:

The older kids all reappeared when it was pinata time. Baylee actually had the same pinata last year. She was a little better at hitting it this year though:

Baylee and Mea, the birthday girls, enjoying their candy:

Then it was time for presents! All the littler kids were ready to watch:

Cake time! Kathy had a lady she knows make each of the girls their own Disney Princess cake:

The cakes were so cute!

Ben's grandma came for the reunion, which started Monday night. She was there for the girl's party. I loved seeing her with Payton:

Happy Birthday Party, Baylee and Mea!