Faces of Liam

   

Daddy Daughter Dance

This was posted before, but it bears repeating in its own post.  The girls loved their Daddy Daughter Dance so much.  How lucky they were to have not one, but two handsome dates.  The same could be said for the guys as well.  What a special night.

 

Everyday Miracles

Dinner under a canopy of trees, a separate kids table and live music because it's Valentine's Day // Disney does it again.

Just one of a million magical moments.

Radiator Springs Racers was Gabe and Ari's favorite ride. Ari hooted and hollered the whole time, kicking her feet with excitement. I so wish I had taken a video. Bella didn't like the drops, because they made her "butt feel weird". Liam was just an inch shy of making the 40" cutoff. I guess we'll have to come back to celebrate when he grows that inch..

Pretty awesome to get to ride with these guys // I can't believe I gave birth to them four days shy of 8 years ago!

Every day in Disneyland is the best day ever // even when Liam has a blowout on the Jungle Cruise // you read that right.

I'm so lucky // Gabe told me out of the blue "Mom... I love you." // it may not seem like a big deal but it was one of the best parts of my day.

She may look vulnerable, but don't let that fool you. She's the bravest of them all.

Three good lookin’ cowboys.

Someone's having a good time.

My Valentines.

Family pictures are getting trickier // I love my motley crew.

Goofball will actually wear her 3-D glasses now.  Every milestone counts.

Apparently Disneyland didn't offer enough thrills for Bella, because she felt the need to get stuck in and nearly fall 30 ft. out of our mulberry tree today. Jake: "How are you feeling Bella?" Bella: "Like I'm going to FALL!"

He knows he's cute and he works it… in the rearview mirror.

I had all but given up on the idea that we would have any cauliflower, but surprise surprise // it has only just begun.

We will start and end this day with celebrating two of the most amazing people I know. These two made me a mommy for the first time 8 years ago, and I can't even comprehend how that much time has passed. I am so grateful for their joyful, humorous, and loving presence in our lives. I can't imagine our family without either one. I love them so much my heart hurts!

Everyday Miracles

My little ones love holiday decorations. If they had their way, our house would always look like the seasonal isle of the grocery store. Last night, I spent a few hours with a hot glue gun and went for it.

Making juice.

80 degrees. I guess it's summer again.

It's wonderful to see Ari growing up and establishing her own friendships.

All girls all day.

Yeah, I have no idea what beats this // Ari and Bella's cousin, Madison's birthday party was their favorite day this year.

This conversation: Me: "Bella, doesn't she sound just like Elsa from the movie?"   Elsa: "Umm… that's because I am the same Elsa from the movie."

Daddy Daughter Dance with Daddy and Papa // the girls were so excited to be the center of their attention all evening // I hear they danced like no tomorrow.

Official Daddy-Papa-Daughter Dance pic // three generations // melting...

Ari and her IRun4 buddy got the chance to meet in person today, and it was so awesome // perfect match, these two.

Just about to begin gardening and other weekend to do's, but that corner and a cuppa are calling my name // and I got tulips from Ari's IRun4 buddy Tracy, so that's one more reason to stay right here.

Picnicking with our next door neighbors // I love our country life.

Nothing makes me happier than watching my sweetest childhood memories being fulfilled in my childrens' present day // Gabe is making a dash for home base.

I love when my yard is full of life // the cousins have arrived // every spring day is the best day ever

I don't know where she came from, and I have no idea how to feel about this.  I have a crazy, fearless girl.

It's all about letting loose at the rest stop and then when we get back in the car, I'll pull out my peace and calming essential oils.

Everyday Miracles

Thank goodness for funny movies on the mornings after he keeps us up all night.

Bok choy rice noodle soup with turkey and tofu meatballs because my sister is coming over tonight, and I'm bound and determined to cure everyone's winter colds.

It's hard to believe that we are already at the start of a new season, and we're planting five rows of our summer garden! // Three varieties of tomatoes, bell peppers, three types of watermelon, honeydew, and cantaloupe were started this weekend. // Meanwhile, we are still reaping all that the winter garden has to offer, and feeling so blessed.

Birthday parties full of good friends are happy reminders that I love this little community we have and this place we call home.

I scratched the itch and came up with this guy // he isn't finished, but at least I can work on my taxes now.

Busy day of grocery shopping, a downtown neurology appointment for Ari, prepping for a twin birthday party, cheer practice, and speaking at out R.S. activity tonight in simplifying the way we eat... and running on 4 hrs. of sleep // I need s glass half full. Of fresh squeezed tangelo juice.

Lemon bars in my beehive cake stand // I would be lying if I said I didn't spend a very long time searching for a beehive cake stand.

Is it just me or does she look way older than six here? // impatient to play in the rain and get soaked to the bone // rainy day ritual.

Of course I got her to smile two seconds later and here comes my six year old running back.

Bathtime sweetness.

Friday night movie favorite "My Girl".

I didn't even think it was possible to have this much fog in Phoenix // this is definitely a cuddle day..

I sketched this out for Bella, and here's what she did with it // I have a painting budd.

I came home from a photo shoot last weekend, and Jake was baking lemon merengue pie! What?! It was so good too!

Sunday family walks are the perfect way to close the weekend.

We don't always eat Cold Stone ice cream, but when we do, it looks like this.

Everyday Miracles

Rewinding a bit to remember some earlier everyday miracles

Pomegranate gift to Marci.

Cheeseburger gift to Leah

Hot chocolate date with with my two favorite women // mommy-daughter time.

I love my little buddy so much in spite of the fact that he can be so naughty sometimes... he threw his Converse shoe at my head with amazing aim when I was driving this morning, because he was mad that I changed the radio station.

Ready for the adventure of potty training.

Born to fly.

About to embark on another day with my mini me.

Baking pies for company with my apron twin // fig pecan from my favorite restaurant Beckett’s Table // I have been waiting for this all week.

Fish love “Let it Go” too.

Beautiful day for the zoo with cousins.

We can't seem to get enough of pampering goats.

Thank the Lord.

One plateful of kale and quinoa salad is never enough.

One of those rare days when I've had eight hours of sleep, go to two back-to-back classes at the gym, and eat a salad for lunch // feels pretty good I have to say.

Sometimes I hate putting him down for a nap, because it just means less time with him.

My budding photographer snaps photos of every sunset, zoo animal, and "cool scene" that there is.

Makeover Madness

Normally, my sisters-in-laws and I like to do our makeup at the kitchen table when we’re together so we don’t have to miss out on quality time while we get ready.  Or at least that’s what I tell myself.  So our daughters see this and, of course, want in on the primping and preening.  We made them over and voilà – a pretty, yet slightly awkward look into the future.

 

Ari was trying so hard to perfect her kissy face.

 

Four gorgeous, overdone little girls.  I know I’ve got my work cut out for me with the one in the red. 

Ari took her cues on how to pose from her cousin, Madison.  She is such a girlie girl at heart.  But then again, they all are.

Snowy New Years

We spent a wonderful New Years at Grammy and Papa’s house in Holbrook with most of the cousins.  We weren’t expecting snow, but we were lucky that we came prepared, because it snowed hard and all at once.  We didn’t have to go far at all to play in it either.  They boys had snowball fights and made some type of bomb out of snow.  They shot paintballs at snow targets too.  Bella helped me make her a snowwoman.  Even the little ones had fun.

  

Ari did not like to wear her gloves, and then she realized that she didn’t like how the snow felt without her gloves on either.