365 days of sunshine

I love living in southern california. It's nice to have everyday right around 70 degrees. It's nice to only be 10 minutes away from the coast and to never really have to deal with "weather."

...but sometimes I long for the changing of seasons. I'm finding myself really wanting to see some danged leaves change. Maybe I'll have to take a road trip.

Sisters

As I was going through pictures of baby Petra over the last year, I came across several moments of little miss Carmen being a great big sis. From day one, there was just this sweet connection that we were able to capture and have caught many more of them over the year. It's just such an awesome thing to really see the seeds of sister relationship blossom. I know that's cheesy, but it's so wonderful.

Here are a few gems:

There are many more, but these are a few of my favs.

My Baby Turns 1!!!!

For realz, they were not joking around when they said time flies. I can not believe it has been a whole YEAR since my baby Petra was born. Time like flew by full speed ahead. Time, please stop that! But we have had a blast with Petra. She is such a good baby. She is a little giggle bug who is also very emotional. I wonder who she gets that from. If you guessed Shay, you are right! (Just kidding...it's probably from me. Ha!)

Then:

Now:

We had a blast celebrating with our friends and family. Shay's parents hosted and threw a fabulous party filled with great food

and magic!

It was so much fun. We loved every second. And I think that Petra had a good time too. But time, please stop so we can enjoy Baby Petra more.

Here are just a few things we love about Petra at this age:

Her giggle. It's from the gut and I just love hearing it, so I often tickle her so I can hear that belly laugh.

She loves babies. From the time she was 7 months, she stole Carmen's baby doll and gave her hugs and kisses, holding her in her arms, over her shoulder and patting the doll on her back. She's such a sweetie.

She interested in everything. She inspects each and everything she sees and will most likely put it in her mouth.

She loves music and rocks her head back and forth like a true head banger whenever she hears a beat. The rock is in her blood.

She loves to be around people. Whenever we go into public she waves her hand in the air and starts talking to random people. It's like she's saying "What's up everyone?" I think that may be why she was born second. She will always have a constant companion.

Happy Birthday Petra! Stop Growing!!!!!

Wow

I'm inspired and blown away by these candy or treat tables.

I seriously had no idea this was a growing trend. Amazing.

Check out more awesome setups here:

http://www.amyatlas.com/index.php/main/portfolio/

mila's daydreams

i just found this awesome blog and i'm loving all the photos. makes me jealous and wishing i had thought of it. what a great idea.

http://milasdaydreams.blogspot.com/

things that i love about my girls

i just thought i'd take a moment to pause some time and document the cute things my girls are doing right now.

Carmen:

Every night when i put her to bed she says to me, "Mommy sleep with me a couple whiles." (how she came up with that phrase, i don't know...but i love it) Then, as we lay there, she says, "mom, can i wish on a star?" And then she lifts the blinds, looks up at the sky and says, "I wish I may I wish I might, I wish for..." and every night it's something different like "I wish for things. All things." and tonight she said, "i wish for my mommy. I love you, mommy."

Carmen continues to be a good storyteller. Always concocting monsters and she describes them in great detail. From what color they are to exactly how many teeth they have and how sharp they are.

When she wakes up in the morning, she always opens her blinds in her room.

She's a GREAT big sister and always plays with Petra.

Which brings me to Petra.

Petra...

Is definitely enamored with the idea of walking. She constantly wants to lead me around the house. But, is kind of scared of the idea of only holding one or none of my hands. However, she's gearing herself up for that...and it's both exciting and sad that she'll be walking soon! Where did the time go?

Petra loves to add to the conversation. She babbles with such conviction and often puts her two cents into whatever conversation Shay and I are having. Sometimes she'll even raise her arms in the air as she talks. I LOVE it!

Petra can drum! Well, sort of. We have a drum set that Carmen got for Christmas last year. And Petra will take the drum stick and use it to hit the snare drum. It's impressive for an 11 month old.

There you have it. Just a few little things that I love about my girls right now.

Perfect Day

Living in California is really hard. Especially on day like this:

or this:

or this:

or this:

and it's fun to spend days like this with these people:

just don't let them do this:

freakiest thing ever!