Birthday Girl

 Baby girl is a one year old now!  This is her sweet birthday outfit and her birthday shoes (I have gotten the same kind for each kid (See Kai Runs), Belize's were called Gretchens, Rio's were Generals and now Mayan got the Kristine's).

 I asked Rio if he wanted anything drawn on his cast, like a shark and he requested that I draw Mayan.  Later, he let Belize write, "I love you" and draw hearts.  Now that's a guy who loves his sisters.

 Mayan is enjoying her new-found freedom in walking and just walks from room to room, following me  and scattering random objects in different rooms.

Weddings

 We went to two of the cutest, most elaborate wedding receptions, I've ever been to.  Both of them had photo booths.

Birthday pancakes (or water through straws), Olvera Street and a broken arm.

To celebrate Mayan's birthday, we made a stop at the Pankcake house of course!

 Someone got a hackjob haircut by her mother- oh wait, that was me.

 Out of all the food- she enjoyed this straw best of all.

 Then we headed to the Downtown Farmers Market- a little lame.

 But then we went to this awesome place called Olvera Street, it hosts the oldest house in Los Angeles and celebrates just about every Mexican holiday there is.  Brannon went all Carmen on us and bartered Mexican several trinkets for the kids, it was cute, he just couldn't say no. :)

Then the day got super fun!  We stopped at a friend's house on the way home and the kids were jumping on their trampoline.  The tramp had a newly torn hole in the surrounding net, we knew this yet it wasn't worrisome.  They were jumping for quite awhile when we heard a crack and Rio screaming!  I looked up and to my horror saw Rio's arm bent in a very unnatural position.  I screamed and RAN over to Rio, avoiding looking at his arm because I thought I was going to vomit but checking the back of his head that I thought he also might have slammed on the concrete.  Head intact- phew!  I looked back at Brannon- he's still sitting in his lawn chair- LAUGHING!!!!  ( He claims he was laughing at my reaction and didn't have a visual on Rio's arm.  See, I'm a pretty chill mom since I have crazy kids and to be honest, I don't know that I have ever freaked out over an injury).  Once I screamed at him and he got a visual on Rio's arm he raced over and since Rio was already screaming- set the bone right then and there (sometimes this Orthopedic thing TOTALLY comes in handy).  We left Belize with our friends and drove to the hospital where Brannon and the cast tech quickly took some x-rays and gave him a cast.  Time in and out of Harbor Hospital- 15 minutes (again, sometimes this Ortho thing TOTALLY comes in handy).  Finally Rio ceased crying and I swear as soon as we walked out of the hospital doors he was completely back to his normal, running around like crazy self.

In the aftermath, we questioned the other kids what had happened.  They were playing "Dead Man Walking", a game in which one person is "it" and they have to run around tagging people with their EYES CLOSED.  Rio was it and apparently took the eyes closed very seriously and blindly jumped out of the previously mentioned hole in the net and landed on the cement.
Anybody to Rio:  "What happened to your arm?"
Rio: "I was playing a tupid game."

Rio cried every time they got him wet with drips of water- haha, it sounded like he was more upset about getting wet than getting his cast set.

The fall broke both bones in his forearm.

A very special day.

To say that Mayan is loved by all would be an understatement.  I was noticing the other day how long her body was in her crib and it brought wetness to my cheeks.  I have utterly adored this past year with her.  Today is her birthday so I will tell you some things about her.  Mayan has 8 teeth and has just taken her first steps in the last few days.  Her little babbles and coos are precious (she has not yet entered the high scream phase).  She loves to be naughty and get into the toilet and the shower- other than this, she is a perfect angel and I am very serious.  She says, "Uh-oh, dog, and mama (though I'm still not sure if she's referring to me)."  Her favorite toy is my cell phone- she likes to say Hi and press all of the buttons.  Following closely is any toy that is soft enough to cuddle or pet.  She is obsessed with dogs of all sizes.  To say "I love you" she pats your back.  She understands the words, "soft" and "don't touch it" and "what's that?"  She loves bedtime and refuses to be rocked or sung to- she's just prefer a binky in the mouth and her crib thank you.She adores her brother and sister and is perfectly content to follow them around all day like a little puppy.  She puts up with Belize's rough handling and laughs at Rio's silliness.  If you say, "Loves" she'll lay her head down on your shoulder and snuggle (for a few seconds, that's her limit).  She's an on-the-go girl who likes to know everything that's going on, she's very curious, and she is such a little lover.  Everyday I find myself thinking that I am so lucky to have her in our family.  I love you Mayan!

 Mayan received a very special present today- her first cousin- name unknown, a red headed boy born to Aunt Richelle and Uncle Darren.

*Update: They named him Westin Thomas Walton.

 For my sister Richelle who is 5 days over due.  Hang in there!

Some vids

Rio's favorite pandora station is "Foster the People".








And I found this gem- I think Mayan is 4 months old?

This was a dress that my Grandma Gregg gave to Belize (who never wore it because I tried it on too late and she'd already grown out of it :(   ), she bought it on the Island of Mauritius when her and Grandpa Gregg visited after their mission in South Africa.

Mayan's hair now fits in a ponytail or pigtails!!!!!  Squeal!!!!  Today she got out all of her stuffed animals (she's obsessed with really soft things) and fed them a bottle (and did that clicking noise with her tongue to show they were eating).  She is so precious, I can't even handle it!!!!

 After last visits fighting over who got the plasma car- my parents found a remedy and fun was had by all.

Yup, a bunny in the yard, never saw it but I heard tales of its cuteness.  Then Belize found said bunny dead and wanted to hold a funeral (she kept asking everyone to "say a few words".  Grandpa and Belize made a head marker and buried him on the side of the house.

 R.I.P. Cutiepie Rodriguez Orton

 Belize and Rio couldn't quite get the gist of running and sliding down the waterslide so Grandpa just had to huck em'!

Gregg Family

 Brannon had to fly home so he could go back to work and we (I) packed up our things and made ourselves at Nana & Grandpa's.  Belize had been talking for months about taking piano lessons from Aunt Sarah at 3:00.

 The matching skirts from the last post were whipped up by Keri in seriously 15 minutes flat. - impressive!

 Someone got her feet wet.

 Introducing Gizmo Gregg.  Technically its Sarah's but seriously my parents are in love with it- haha.  And like to update all of us kids on how he's doing and how he's so smart and learned a new trip- its hilarious but I'm glad they are somewhat filling their need for a pet.

 Baths and tea parties were had.

 Sarah is adored by all and was constantly being pulled this way and that for all the kid's attention.