Happy 6th Birthday to my girls

It's hard to believe that it has already been 6 years since our itty-bitty miracle babies were born. You are growing into beautiful, smart, independent little girls. Mommy and daddy are so proud of you!

The girls on their first day of 1st grade


HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY!!

FIVE

Sunday was the big day. My babies are five.

We had a family party at home to celebrate. The girls had their birthday cakes made by their daddy....which has now become a tradition.

Makena...wise beyond her years. She keeps me on my toes. Her latest thing is to tell us that when she gets older she is moving out so she can do whatever she wants!

Alyssa....sweetest heart ever, but just as stubborn! Most of the time she is easy to please but if something gets her going, watch out!

Riley, the comedian. She has the cutest giggle ever and loves to make us laugh.

Girls, you continue to amaze me with your humor and intelligence on a daily basis. We are so truly blessed to have our happy, healthy girls! The luckiest part for me is that even though they are five, they still snuggle with me most of the time.

Wordful Wednesday and My Sistas

I am truly blessed with some of the best friends a girl could ask for. March rolled around which means I am one year older, but we managed to sneak away for a mini-mommy getaway to celebrate my birthday. We had a great time just spending time together shopping, eating and enjoying the lively city of San Francisco.

Shop 'til we drop and then it's time for lunch!

20 years of friendship

Our friend Julie flew out from Colorado to join us. Eventhough years may pass in between face-to-face visits, we always manage to pick up right where we left off.

Did someone say martini?

A girl's trip would not be complete without a self-taken picture with someone's head cut off! Glad we caught all the cheesy smiles.


I love these women like my own family. Ly, Jex, Hill, Shelley and Jules you truly mean the world to me. Thanks for the memories!

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A birthday surprise

This past weekend, we had the chance to help surprise one of our favorite people in the world at her birthday party. Mariya holds a very dear spot in the heart of our family. She has helped to take care of the girls when I am working since they were 15 months old. We truly have been so fortunate to have Mariya in our lives. She shares her loving, energetic spirit with the girls whenever they are in her care.

When I received an email from Mariya's mom inviting us to her surprise birthday party we were thrilled to help celebrate her special day. I had to keep the party a secret until the last minute so that the girls did'nt let the surprise slip! The party wasn't until late afternoon on Sunday so I put the girls down for an early nap and then finished getting myself ready to go. My little party animal Alyssa just couldn't get herself to sleep. As I was getting ready, I listened to her singing through the walls for an hour. When we got her up, she confessed that she was too excited about Mariya's birthday party to sleep!

Mariya and the girls (16 mos old)

Mariya and the girls (3 years old)


Surprise Mariya! The look of surprise on her face was priceless....I was too slow to capture it on film, but the girls loved sharing her day with her.

Happy birthday Mariya (My-My)! We love you!

Photostory Friday and Party Girls

The girls had quite the birthday party bash last weekend. It was definitely more fun to plan this year and watch the girls REALLY enjoy all of the activities. They loved all the attention that they received from friends and family. It was more like their birthday week and not just one day.

Steve has started a tradition of making the girls their own individual cakes every year. He is actually really good at it!

Makena, Riley, and Alyssa enjoying their moment of glory!

Riley making a wish....

The girls loved having their very own jumpy house in the front yard for a few hours.


We couldn't let the sugar overload stop at the birthday cakes. Bring on the pinata!

The girls loved their princess bikes from mommy and daddy.

Alyssa can't wait to keep all her "monies" in her new pink piggy bank.

Our 4 year-old princesses

As much as I love watching them grow up, it all seems to be going by way too fast.

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1,460 days

I sit here in amazement this morning, wondering how the last four years have flown by so quickly. We have been blessed with healthy, happy girls who bring joy into our lives every single day. I am so thankful to be your mama. Thank you for making the last 1,460 days so special.

Happy 4th Birthday Makena, Alyssa and Riley!!!

Big girls

We survived the transition to big girl beds! The girls have done fabulously and our bedtime routines have not been affected at all. I am a lucky mama! We've only had one monkey fall out of the bed so far. I make sure to scoot everyone towards the wall when I peek in on each of them after they are asleep. All of the bedguards I have found online won't fit on the style of twin bed they have, but so far it seems like they won't need them.

I forgot to mention in my last post that the girls new bedroom furniture is their birthday gifts from Lolo and Lola (my in-laws). We can't thank them enough. The girls LOVE their new beds. They also have new dressers and nightstands.

Miss Makena

Miss Alyssa...who informed us that all she needs is a t.v. in her room and she is all set. Sorry girlfriend~you can buy that t.v. with your first paycheck!

Miss Riley

Six days to go until their 4th birthday!!

Birthdays and the Secret Photographer

August is filled with birthdays among our family and friends. We kicked off the month celebrating Aiden's 5th birthday (my BF Ly's son). The girls munched on popcorn, had their first snow cones, played in the jumpy house and enjoyed a water slide!

The birthday boy Aiden

Aiden's big sister Ashly is a budding photographer who was busy snapping away pictures of the girls. It was so fun to see all the action that I missed while the girls were busy playing. Below are some of my favorite pictures that Ashly took.

Did someone say jumpy house?

--my three jumping monkeys


My girls with three of their jumping buddies (my college roomate's girls).


One, two, three....JUMP!

Alyssa with Ashly (Alyssa LOVES her Ashly)

Ashly with Riley and Makena

One of my favorite pictures....Alyssa with a sparkle in her eye!

Makena and Alyssa couldn't get enough of the waterslide, especially once the big kids cleared off of it. They were hesitant to try the slide at first, but as you can see in the video, they quickly got the hang of it.

Wordful Wednesday--For da homies

Yo, yo, yo peeps.....I don't care what I get for my b-day as long as it's pink.

FO' SHIZZLE.

--Alyssa "A-dog" in da house

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Feelin' the love

I am a spoiled girl. Today is my birthday and I was lucky enough to spend it with my best friends (my usual partners in crime)! An overnight stay in a hotel, massage, yummy food and drinks, shopping and girl time. And then coming home to hugs and kisses from my three happy little girls. Who could ask for more?

Thanks to all my peeps who sent me emails, texts and messages on facebook. You ALL made my day!

Photostory Friday and Happy Birthday

Dad,

Thanks for all your love and support you have given us through the years. Craig and I were blessed with two wonderful parents who taught us by example not to sweat the small stuff. You make 60 look good!

I wanted to re-post some of my favorite childhood memories in honor of your birthday.

I have fond memories as a little girl driving around in your little yellow porsche...We'd honk at strangers--wave and laugh!

Playing baseball, hotbox, and basketball--We were always outside doing something.

Taking naps on the couch in the afternoon (both of us still have this habit)!

Waking up in the morning to music blaring in the living room
(Michael Jackson, Earth Wind & Fire...you name it).

Your love of music definitely rubbed off on us. And we are always up for a game of "Guess who sings this" when random songs come on the radio (sorry Jodi).

I loved to watch you dance on the linoleum floor in the kitchen (Bus Stop, Electric Slide).

Going for bike rides on warm summer days.

Going to the movies on HOT summer days and YOU would always fall asleep in the air-conditioned theater until you would snore and wake yourself up (ha-ha)!

I inherited your love of anything chocolate!

You always have such a great sense of humor and we love to laugh.

I always feel safe with you dad and am so lucky to have you.

HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY DAD...WE LOVE YOU!

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Photostory Friday and Party Pics

My brother's 40th birthday bash was last Saturday night. Can you tell how happy I was to get out of the house for some fun?

BF Jess and I enjoying a mom's night out

My brother and his beautiful wife

Let me introduce you to the poison....in the form of Patron (tequila). Don't know why I look all happy posing next to it. I don't drink it. The bucket is cute though...Halloween aisle at Target!

Hmmm...I think this was after a cocktail or two.

A round of poison to toast the birthday boy.

My bro and some of his drunk friends homies.

And the night ended with some beer pong in the living room.

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Happy birthday bro!

Today is a momentous occasion. My big brother is 40.

Big bro enjoys a good party and is usally the last one to leave so he doesn't miss out on any fun. He is also the ultimate party host. Refilling drinks and making sure everyone is having a good time.

When he isn't refilling drinks, he is overseeing the barbeque. His BBQ skills are well-known in the hood.

And let's not forget his love for rap music.

His most impressive accomplishment is his two beautiful daughters.

I leave you with a video clip of the birthday boy in action. He doesn't act a day over 18.

Happy Birthday! Hope the next 40 years are just as memorable!