Globe-trotting Grovers: Taj's 3rd Birthday!

our story

It all began on the evening of Nov 29th 2003, at former Chat Noir French Restaurant in Costa Mesa, CA. Brad approached me [Jana] and we instantly connected; it was love at first sight. The next 4 years that followed were a whirlwind of romance, growing pains, and adventures. We circled the globe, traveling to South America, Europe, and Asia. Then one night, Brad surprised me with a romantic beachside proposal. We made it official on August 23rd 2008 with an intimate wedding at a hip art gallery in Laguna Beach. A year later we finished redesigning our home in the beach village of Corona del Mar.

On May 18th, 2010, we were blessed with a sweet little miracle of our own, our baby boy Taj Leon. He stole our hearts and took our breath away! Then, 19 months later, his incredible little brother, Jax Franz, arrived on Christmas morning (December 25th) 2011. What an amazing gift we received! In an effort to slow down the clock and enjoy our beautiful family, in Spring of 2012, we sold our CA seaside home and moved across the country to our dream lake house in Brad's hometown of Bemus Point, a resort village on Chautauqua Lake in Western New York! Even though we are living a more slow paced life, we are living a life far from ordinary!

From the West Coast to the East Coast, our Grover family adventures continue! So won't you come along and join us on this journey of love, family, and travel we like to call our La Vida Grover!

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Taj's 3rd Birthday!

Taj turned 3 years old last month!!! Cannot believe it! It kinda hit me the week prior to his birthday, and I got so emotional. I mean, where did our baby go? He's so independent these days.... goes to the bathroom on his own, dresses himself, and likes to do everything by himself! He's got this "big boy" voice now too, and even a girlfriend...... (sigh) Mama's boy has turned into a daddy's little man and he is obsessed with daddy these days..... (another sigh) We've also entered into the "terrifying 3's" I like to refer to them, because unlike his 2's, his tantrums are more of a hormonal teenager's! Taj is 3 going on 13! Like I said, he likes to do things on his own, his way, at his own timing :) Generally though, Taj is sweet as pie, listens very well, helps and plays with his little brother nicely, and loves to be active. He's playing on a soccer team, and starting private swim lessons this summer. We are also signing him up for pre-preschool summer camp at Chautauqua Institution, and this Fall he's starting the preschool 3 year old program (just 2x/ week) at Hillcrest! He still loves trains and cars, Little Einsteins, throwing rocks in the water, swinging, and LOVES reading.... and his new loves are racing, ice cream, riding his balance bike, tricycle, and scooter, and wrestling! He also loves going fast on daddy's golf cart, paddle boarding with daddy, and riding his power wheels Jeep (that he got for his birthday!) Such a boy, right?

His birthday celebration started with a family breakfast at the Bemus Inn Restaurant:

then in the afternoon, his buddies came over for a fun little backyard celebration. We had a Cars - Lightning Mcqueen themed party and cake, with our bounce house (which popped and deflated 20 minutes into the party!), lots of outdoor playing and running around, and even a piñata!!