In other news...

 These girls are still a crazy bunch of love.

 AND... BLYTHE IS POTTY TRAINED!!!!!! Sweet baby girl, I don't know why we thought she and Joy should potty train at the same time since they don't do anything the same. But apparently this time (nine months later), we went for it at the right moment because it was a painLESS, treats-FILLED weekend of positivity and reasons to celebrate. Abby Jane and Joy loved encouraging her and being excited with her and getting rewarded for being great celebrators. Here's a brief siesta with Veggie Tales. Check out the moral support.

 She discovered that Abby Jane's crown helped inspire her to be a "potty training queen" that first day.

 As some of you may have seen on facebook, when Abby Jane and Joy potty trained at age two and a bit, they got craisins and pretzel M&Ms (lower in fat) as rewards. It was plenty effective for them. When Blythe was finally ready at age three and a bit, we threw the book at her. We were not about to lose an opportunity to make this happen on account of not upping the ante enough. Accordingly, she had her choice of Valentine's pink M&Ms or those pastel conversation hearts ("fax me", "true love") for regular successes on the potty, and ice cream for big success (if you know what I mean) on the potty!

That was Saturday, and by Monday we were venturing out of the house on errands wearing princess panties! It's a big day in the Gross household. And she's proud as peaches.

The Doctor's shindig

When I asked Jake about letting me do a little party to celebrate the extra letters behind his name, he said he wanted it small and simple. So we went for a couple of his favorite desserts and drinks with some precious friends who have been there for us over these past years. My mom was there as well, but we missed Ken and Sandy, who were in New Zealand visiting the Gillies family.

I made Jake bring home his new name plate that APU gave him. Isn't it handsome? It's amazing how much three little letters can symbolize.

An after kid-bedtime, adults-only, relaxed night of hanging out was just the right way to celebrate for my husband who does not like to make a big deal about things. I like to make a big deal about things, but I agreed that it was just perfect. After a fall of a restricted social life, it was nice to re-enter good times like this. The minimal number of pictures I took were evidence that kids weren't there because we were actually having conversations with our friends instead of managing the circus of our kids while trying to photographically capture every moment of cuteness.

Well, actually there were a couple of kids there. Here's the mind-blowingly precious baby doll Annalee...

And hiding in that cute tiny tummy is Baby Girl Titus!

Love this guy! Thankful for him every day, and thankful for his hard work for our family and hard work in pursuing what God has called him to that gave us a fabulous reason to celebrate that night!

LA Part Two

Sorry for the delay in posting part 2! Life happened. :)

So the day after Jake presented, we said goodbye to the Strawns and headed to spend the day in Malibu with our parents. First stop was at Lily's for burritos, a pre-beach tradition for Jake and I, and a bit of a pilgramage for Ken, who believes strongly that Lily's should franchise and only sell breakfast burritos. They were delish. Then it was on to Zuma for some playtime! When Jake and I lived in LA, we did a really good job of taking advantage of the beach and water year round. Our love of the ocean has been passed down to the girls, as they were positively exuberant. I do not exaggerate in saying, however, that there is something different in the way Abby Jane responds to the California beach. She is unstoppable, running and jumping constantly, brimming over with delight, no complaints, nothing but joy. The twins always love any beach and water of any sort. So we were all in heaven.

For the following series to be well-appreciated, it should be stated that though it was a lovely day, that water is wetsuit water to most even in the summer, so it's pretty shockingly chilly in January. Fine for your toes, but that's about it. And there was a decent breeze that day.

Love these funny ladies!

Love this sweet family!

 Next stop was the Country Mart, my old mothership. Janie and I were over there all the time, and this particular cupcake shop was my Achilles heel during the twins' pregnancy!

Playing at our old favorite playground with my favorite latte in hand- I was so spoiled by the country mart that it felt so bizarre to be at playground without a coffee shop around the corner when we moved back here!

Then we were on to be with our dear friends, Jake and Lesley Roberts. Abby Jane and Sam are big buds, and they got to spend the night together with Sam's little brother, Judah, while we stayed there! These two make us understand why folks might like arranged marriages in some parts of the world. :) We love those boys and their sweet mama and daddy! After all these little people settled down, Jake and I loved our time with Jake and Les at night- these friends are just so incredibly precious to us, and we are so blessed by their friendship.

Early mornings in the sunroom...

Many, many parades...

And one night a few other of our dearest friends came over for some adults-only time. These folks were a huge part of our sweet season of life in LA, and it was a treasure to get time with them!

Both of the ladies on the ends are expecting new additions!

We got more beach time in...

Here is Pearson Wade doing the Heisman. They're Aggies, so this little man has heard a bit about that guy recently! PS Happy 2nd birthday, this week, Pearson!

Judah and Pearson...

Sam and Abby Jane...

Sweet Lesley and Judah! She sure loves her boys!

Lesley, Gillean, and I with our kiddos! We have spent many, many a beach day with these friends. Just the number of people that come with us has changed.

We hit up Sweet Rose Creamery with Kathryn and Wes later in the day. I believe their ice cream is my favorite ever. They have THE most unique, fresh, amazing flavors. I would be addicted if I were local. Such a treat as a visitor!

We also fit in a stop at the Santa Monica Pier. We only went there once while we lived there, but it was a
whole other amazing world when you bring your kids!

Jake, Sam, and Judah with the city behind them.

Abby Jane went on her first rollercoaster with Jake, Sam, and Uncle Jake! It was a big hit.

Later that night, this is after Lesley said, "Who wants s'mores?!"

Eating s'mores on the magic blanket...

Our last day we got in a few other visits- back to the country mart to meet up with dear Pepperdine friends, the Fitzpatricks, and meet Miss Cassia, their newest lovely lady!

Here is their first lovely lady, Bailey, with Abby Jane. They are almost exactly one year apart!

Our last stop of the day was at the home of Merrill and Carole Ruge. Carole was a grandmother-role to me while we were out there, and she continues to be a fairy godmother to the girls, sending them little packages of delightful things she sews like quilts, aprons, and bags.Carole had a tea party with wonderful little treats set up for the girls when we arrived, and we had a wonderful time visiting with this precious couple who has so blessed our family over the years.

As we finished out this amazing week of life events and precious time with people we love in places we so enjoy, we were simply thankful for all God has allowed us to experience and for His faithfulness along the journey.