Todd's Promotion and Party!

On August 22nd Todd had his official promotional ceremony. He was promoted to sergeant early (six months ago) and had to wait for the next group of promotees in order to be part of the ceremony. The kids and I had the honor of pinning on his badge. My parents and Todd's parents (who drove here from Idaho) were at the ceremony too. Todd took the test about 2 years ago - right when Nathan and Audrey were born AND we moved into our current house. Needless to say there were many distractions going on at the time. Most people dedicate about a year to study and prepare for this very rigorous test. It's extremely competitive. We are SO proud of you, Todd! Congratulations Sergeant Trayer!



Todd with my very proud parents.

I brought LOTS of snacks to keep the kids in their seats.



Todd with his very proud parents, Sharon and Ed :)

Todd and the Chief of Police.

Posing for a picture after pinning on his badge.

Todd with friend Heather - congrats!

Party at my parents' house the next day- swimming and BBQ! Thank you Mom and Dad for a really great party!!! The backyard and house looked beautiful!

My mom with friends Celia and Rex.

Ashley, Dana, Marlyn, sister Kalyn, me

Audrey hanging out by the pool with neighbors Karlie and Mia


Sister-in-law Cathleen and nephew Ryan swim with Nathan & Audrey

Dad and Grandma

Nathan in the hot tub with cousins Katelyn and Ryan

Dana and Kalyn

Yes, the cake reads: Congratulations Toda! Come on, Costco!

The kid table. Audrey & Nathan eating with pal Jaeden.

Neighbors Don, Shirley & Chip and Grandpa Trayer

Baby Scarlett

A Day With Dad

It's no secret that Todd is an amazing father and husband. He is totally committed to his family and has always given 100 percent when it comes to the kids. From day one, Todd has been very comfortable taking care of both kids by himself. When they were younger, he would throw them in the stroller and take them for a nice, long walk while I rested and there have been many afternoons at the park or outside in the front yard playing while I get some housework done. I have enjoyed many kid-free mornings and/or afternoons to run errands, get caught up around the house, grab a coffee and get a pedicure, or enjoy some much needed quiet time. He loves spending time with the kids and he's always looking for new and fun places to take them. A few weeks ago he took both kids to the beach by himself and this past week he took them to Fairyland in Oakland (while I did some shopping!). As you can see from the pictures, the kids had a great time with Dad! And yes, Audrey wanted to wear two headbands that day - one in her hair and one around her neck. She picked them out.

Becoming Friends

The kids are officially 2.5 years old (tomorrow)! They continue to change every single day and I am always amazed at how much they are learning (and repeating!). It's been fun to watch their friendship develop. Like most friendships, they have their ups and downs. They are exploring their independence and each other's limits. Favorite words these days are, "Mine!" and "No!" But more often than not, you can see them playing together, figuring out how to take turns, share, and comfort each other. They also have conversations with each other. It's very sweet. Nathan always wants to know where Audrey is: "Where'd Audee go?" even if she's in the same room. Audrey definitely takes the lead and likes to tell Nathan what they will be doing that day, which he happily replies, "OK, Audee!" She tells him, "Good job, Natey" when he does something all by himself or "It's OK" if he's upset. She's even been trying to sneak lollipops out of the lunchbag that I keep hidden but always gets one for Natey too. They chase each other around the house, laughing, and their favorite thing to do is hide in the gazeebo curtains outside. They are the sweetest kids and I just love watching them play together (when I'm not being a referee!).

I'm also happy to report that my two little binkie addicts are now only using their pacifiers at naptime and bedtime. Todd and I were really worried about how they were going to be with this new binkie rule, but they have been great! Of course every once in a while I will catch Audrey slipping her little hands inside the crib slats, trying desperately to reach a binkie. Just today as I was changing her diaper, she said to me, "Mommy, look in my mouth." That little stinker had a binkie in her mouth and I didn't even notice! I guess we are all getting used to this new rule :) Everytime I take Nathan out of his crib, he tosses his binkie down and says, "Noooo binkie." And he was the one I was most worried about!

Todd recently filled up the spa and at a cool 90 degrees the kids have been swimming almost every day after their nap. They love to splash and fill up cups, jump from the seats, plug their noses and go under water! They especially love it when Todd gets in with them.




Here are my two little cuties sitting under the kitchen table together.

Happy Birthday Kalyn!

On August 8th, my little sister turned 22! We celebrated by having a delicious and very entertaining meal at Kyoto Palace at the Pruneyard in Campbell. Her friend, Clothilde, is visiting from France and has an August birthday also. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for a wonderful dinner and a fun evening out!!

Audrey, me, Nathan, Todd, Mom, Dad, Clothilde, Kalyn, Ryan, Todd


Singing "Happy Birthday" to the birthday girls.


Audrey enjoying her miso soup. She only wanted to use chopsticks - it was so sweet.

Nathan didn't stop eating the entire time. He LOVED this place!


As part of the entertainment, our chef had each person at the table try and catch a piece of scrambled egg in their mouth. I think it took about 15 times before my dad caught it! Ha ha!!!

Hmmm, mom caught something, but it wasn't scrambled egg :)

Todd, of course, caught it in one try.

Happy 92nd Birthday Grandma!

Grandma Davis celebrated her 92nd birthday on August 3rd! The whole family and friends got together at my parents' house for dinner and cake! Happy Birthday Grandma!!








Dad and Grandma







Mark, Kelly, Andrew and Joaquin



Cheryl, Andy, Clothilde and Kalyn


Grandma and Todd

Audrey & Nathan with their Aunt Kalyn



Mom, Dawn and me