Our first Christmas in California (...as a family of 4)

Loving every moment of the process!
Remembering favorite ornaments, remembering funny ornaments, remembering/learning how to put ornaments on the tree.

Santa, aka. the one who fills this house with art work, already left some presents under the tree.

So excited for this season with my family. Starting a new set of traditions with some old ones mingled in between. What are some of your holiday traditions?

Sydney Monday

Life through Sydney's eyes.

Fall?

We have been having beautiful weather and have been savouring it down at the beach. And I am pretty sure it is November, right? Crazy!

Ahhhh...Avila Beach

We had a great little get away on Sunday and Monday to Avila Beach just outside of San Luis Obispo on the ocean. Since Nate has to work most Saturdays we took advantage of the off season and mid week rate at a funky little hotel. The whole time Nate and I kept saying that it felt like we were in Mexico- in a good way. Everything was just a little funky. Our room had a view of the ocean and french doors that opened up to a small balcony (I made sure the kids didn't lean or step on the railings. Mexico-remember) But I LOVED going to sleep with the doors open hearing the waves crashing. Ahhhh.. It was perfect. The weather was also perfect. It was in the 80's. We played on the beach in our swimsuits and Syd had her first taste of boogie boarding- kid style.

We loved being together as a family. Although both kids were just getting sick when we left, it felt like we really got away.

Little bit of Stella

Scene #1: It was about 2 hours after Stella went to bed. She was moaning and starting to cry. Nate went in to see what was going on. She was hot. She needed help getting her PJ pants off. Nate helped her, tucked her back in and said good night. As he was walking out the door stella says in her 'cartoon voice', as nate calls it, " Buenos Noches, dadda". Seriously, Spanish after you have been sleeping for 2 hours.

Scene #2: Sydney and her were playing with Moon Dough for the first time, (ugh I now hate moon dough) when Stella turned to Sydney and said, "Honey, you are making a big mess."

Scene #3: The girls like to play animal. One pretends to be an animal and then chases the other around the house. Lots of growling and screaming. Sydney was the animal and was chasing Stella . Stella collapsed on the floor. Sydney growled and 'ate her head off'. Stella started crying, like you do when you lost you helium balloon and are watching it float up higher into the sky. She was REALLY crying. MOOOOM, Sydney ate my head off!!!!!! NOOOO SYDNEY!!!! Sydney and I looked at each other and couldn't help but burst out into laughter. But like a good sister, Sydney walked over to stella and gave her her head back. Stella was instantly happy again. Silly girl. So rich with emotion.

She is the source of so much laughter in our house. I love seeing Sydney laugh at the silly things Stella does.

5 Years ago nate and I welcomed this little peanut into our lives. What a blessing Sydney has been to us. She is so beautiful inside and out. She is creative, thoughtful, loving, caring, sensitive, fun, adventurous and growing like a weed. Happy birthday my sweet girl!