Saturday, December 27, 2014

Christmas Celebrations 2014

We had a fantastic week celebrating with family and friends between the bay area and LA. We spent the beginning of the week with Peter's side of the family and some Bay area friends. Peter had to work the latter half of the week (including Christmas Day), but he was able to attend my family's fabulous Christmas Eve celebration. Then, the kids and I stayed in LA to spend more time with Aunt Jill and see some SoCal friends. We had a wonderful week! Not only were we completely spoiled with food, gifts and accommodations, but with the company of our family. One of the best things about being back in California is being a reasonably short (at most, 4 hours) drive away from our family. It's been great.

We hope you all had a Merry Christmas and receive many blessings in the new year!

Stocking time


Waiting for food to fall on the floor

 Some great gifts


Fam



Christmas Eve at my Grandma's house





Christmas morning


Guess where we're going?  

Cousins






Saturday, December 13, 2014

One Decade

Our second-born, our only daughter, turned 10 years old today (12/13/14 -- Cool birthday!). It's so hard for me to wrap my head around the idea that her birth was that long ago. Because it certainly doesn't feel as if 10 years has gone by. Her birth was the ideal birth story I always wanted--no pain meds, no induction, midwife delivery. I wasn't able to deliver at home, but, other than that, it was picture perfect. At a whopping 8 pounds, 4 ounces (about three pounds more than Jeremiah and almost 5 pounds more than Ezra), she was healthy and sweet right from the get-go. She was always my "easy" child. Never had a problem napping, never had colic, wasn't too cranky. Is she perfect? Far from. Does she disobey? At times. But, overall, she's been the calm center of our chaotic life. We absolutely cannot imagine life without her.

We celebrated this year with her first group sleepover party. Just 4 friends were able to come (it is that time of year, after all), but they had so much fun! They had a dance-a-thon, they painted their nails, they played a few games and they were all asleep by 11pm! They awoke early (by 6am), but we made them wait until 8:30 for waffles, bacon and homemade applesauce for breakfast. The girls left by noon and my parents arrived to take Alayna out to lunch and frozen yogurt. We had spaghetti and meatballs for dinner and Alayna loved her "new" (to her) bike and helmet. It was a fun celebration!

So, we're wishing our bright, talented, sweet, sensitive, creative daughter a very
Happy 10th Birthday!

(Warning: LOTS of photos ahead!)

Cake!

10 candles

Girl power!

After dinner entertainment


Gift time






The group

I think this came is called Chubby Bunny? 
They were shoving marshmallows in their cheeks.

She came in second....

She won with 5 marshmallows!

He's pretty proud of his balloon dog

Games



Breakfast!

Nails



New helmet...


To go with her new bike!

 Dixit with Grandma and Grandpa

We love that we live close enough so they can be here for birthdays!

Friday, December 5, 2014

And, Now It's December....

I'm a few days late posting, but it's been a crazy week. Less than 2 weeks until this semester is over and I have a chance to breathe. And, really, in 26 days it'll be 2015?!?! Yeah, to say that 2014 went by quickly is a vast understatement.... Here's November in a nutshell (of photos).

Studdy Buddy

Magic Mountain


Skateboarding

Picked up the Rebel for the first time in a month or so....

Rain

 Beach time


The dog is not a fan of baths

Principal's Award, Perfect Attendance and a couple other class awards for this girl right here.


Our one and only date night this month -- Mockingjay!

Fall Break fun

Thanksgiving with some church folks




The kiddos

Someone wanted my attention

Fun times with fam!


Tamale time




Standing in front of my elementary school

The drive home from LA was almost traffic-free and gorgeous!
(Photo by Jeremiah with my iPhone!)