Me + 3 in S.D.

Last weekend I was adventurous and drove down to San Diego...just me and the girls. I gotta say that aside from my flat tire in Los Angeles on the way down, it all went very smoothly (and even the situation with the flat went pretty smoothly.) My little girls were such troopers...they were a joy to be with and I truly had so much fun on this mini vacation with them.
Our main purpose for going was to be at my niece Julia's baptism. Ever since finding out about it, Grace kept asking me if we could go be there for her cousin's special day. I knew that Aaron was scheduled for a REO conference that weekend, but the more I thought about it...I decided: "Why not?! I can do this!" When I told Aaron what I wanted to do I had his full support, and he even encouraged me to stay a little longer and make a little vacation out of it since I'd just be at home alone with them anyway. So, we did it and I am so glad we did! We drove down Friday afternoon, arriving very late that night. During our extended weekend we spent some time at the beach with cousins, attended the baptism, went to Julia's birthday party, went to church with and visited some more with family, and went to the San Diego Zoo (the four of us...me+girls). I also got to go out to dinner with my dear friend Charlotte and her husband Brady while the kids played at Angela's one of the nights. We headed home Tuesday morning on a newly patched tire (thanks to my wonderful father-in-law for taking it to get fixed once I arrived in San Diego on my temporary spare!) The girls kept Daphne entertained with "peek-a-boo" and the like, while we listened to Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's Farm (book on CD) as I drove. I feel so blessed that it all went so well.

Daphne loved the beach! She giggled when I put her toes in the ocean and tried to eat a fist-full of sand upon sitting her down!

Grace with Julia and some other cousins on the baptism day.

The girls thought it was exciting to stay in a hotel. Here they are enjoying some early morning snuggles with Daphne.

Eve putting on a puppet show with her cousin Dallin.

They thought the monkeys were a crack-up.

This free-roaming peacock made them both a little nervous, but I made them pose for this picture anyway!

Daphne was a pure delight on this trip. She took her naps on the go, adapted to the change of scenery, and observed politely all of the interesting happenings over our four day adventure.

Eve's Graduation

Eve recently graduated from preschool...with a ceremony and everything! When they called her name to receive her "diploma" either she wasn't paying attention or else was just feeling unsure of what to do and remained in her chair until a few moments passed, her name was called again, and a teacher directed her out of her chair. Triggered by her nervousness, she immediately put her thumb in her mouth and walked up to accept her certificate. There were some audible "awww"s as she hesitantly made her way over to her teacher. Her teacher said she was proud of Eve for "growing into her own" this year since she started out the school year with hardly ever speaking at school. On the first day of school she wouldn't even tell them her name and days passed before anyone could get a smile out of her. By the end of the school year she had a few friends that she looked forward seeing each school day, and loved her teacher Miss Sandy. Her favorite place in the classroom was the book corner, were I would often find her when I came to pick her up.

She still says she's not sure if she's ready for kindergarten, but I think she'll rise to the occasion. She's absolutely ready academically; she just has a hard time being away from home, out of her comfortable surroundings. I'm not sure if I'm ready to have her away from home, out of her comfortable surroundings! She'll be fine...we both will. I sure love our sweet little Eve.

Campout

For Memorial Day weekend we had planned to go camping in the mountains. Unfortunately we had to cancel our plans due to seven inches of snow at the campground (at the end of May...hello?!) The girls had been so looking forward to the trip that we decided to camp anyway...in the backyard! It was so much fun. We pitched our tent on the lawn, ate dinner outside, made s'mores via the BBQ, and slept zipped up in our cozy sleeping bags. I'll tell you what...the food prep, bathroom trips, packing, and travel were a breeze! All the conveniences of home, with the excitement of sleeping in a tent (once the door was zipped up, we could have been anywhere, since all we could see were the stars through the opening at the top.) I highly recommend it!

The girls enjoying the tent.

BBQing our marshmallows

Just One of the Girls

Daphne is such a go-with-the-flow kind of girl. Somehow she manages to stay cheerful almost all the time with practically no day-time sleep (I don't know what this child has against naps...luckily she sleeps marvelously at night.) She patiently endures while her sisters treat her like a living doll; giggles along with them when they put hats or scarves on her head or sunglasses on her face; and squeals delightfully as they dance around her like a maypole. There is usually a sister in her face kissing and conversing, dressing her for the day, constantly trying to hold her, or piling stuffed animals and blankets on top of her! This might explain why she is already a brilliant crawler (either she is trying to get away from, or trying to keep up with the other girls!) She truley lights up when her sisters are around and wants to participate in their games and giggle-fests...I love it!

Planning for her Future...

Here is the conversation Grace and I just had at dinner:

G: I'd like to marry Juan when I grow up.

M: Oh yeah, why Juan?

G: Well, he's funny...and I think the kids will like that.

M: The kids?

G: Yes, the children we will have.

Paradise

Yesterday we took the most fantastic day trip ever! It really was perfect. We drove out to the coast to Bean Hollow State Beach (between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay.) After a picnic lunch, we set off on a family-friendly hike overlooking the ocean. The girls were such great sports as we tested their endurance going up and down trails, rock climbing, and exploring secluded beaches and tide pools. It was quite an adventure. After a couple hours of hiking, we spent some time at the pebble-covered beach at the end of the trail. It was amazing...instead of sand, the beach was bejeweled with tiny ocean-polish stones in a variety of colors and finishes. I had never seen anything like it...it was truly beautiful. I felt invigorated as I picked up handfuls of the pebbles and let them sift between my fingers...it was therapeutic, especially with the sound of the ocean ebbing and flowing in the background. Add on sitting next to my dream man holding a happy baby, and the sound of my children laughing...and it was paradise! On the way home we stopped at a delicious pupusaria in Oakland (pupusas are what Aaron ate everyday as a missionary in El Salvador...definitely a favorite of our family!) We had a quiet drive home as the girls fell asleep almost instantly after getting buckled in their seats. As we drove I looked in the backseat at the exhausted but happy faces, and at the profile of my handsome husband in the driver's seat. With the sound of the ocean still singing in my ears, I concluded: I could not have asked for a better day.

Easter Sunday

After a wonderful day of peaceful relaxing and watching General Conference as a family, we headed to Aaron's parents' home Sunday evening for a fabulous dinner and exciting egg hunt in the rain. The girls had fun collecting eggs and didn't seem to mind getting wet, so long as it meant candy! We also enjoyed playing games after dinner: Grandma lead the girls in Crazy 8's and Go Fish, while the rest of us played one of our favorites, "Ticket to Ride." It was a great day, and an especially nice way to kick off our week-long spring break!

The kind of moments I live for...

We had a wonderful time together as a family this past Sunday. There is nothing I love more than being with the ones I love most....and on Sundays we get to do this ALL day. The girls and I relish the time we get to spend with Aaron...he truely makes everything better: Everyone is happier and more well-behaved when he's around. When he's home I think we are reminded what our purpose is in this life, and what brings true joy. I feel at peace and complete when we are all together.

It's also just so much fun! Sunday evening was gorgeous weather-wise, and we spent it lying on the trampoline in the backyard gazing at the sky. We snuggled, relaxed, Grace read us stories, Daphne practiced her rolling skills, and Eve giggled as Aaron held Daphne up in the air and dropped baby-drool missiles from the sky! It was hilarious...I think it started out as an accident, but then it turned into a game where Aaron would try to land Daphne's drool on the girls as they tried to dodge it between their giggles! If in the future I ever need to go to a "happy place," then my memory of this day will really come in handy!

Look how big she's getting!!!

Family Date

We had a lot of fun taking the girls bowling last weekend. I love how excited they become when they get to spend time with their family...I hope its always that way! I just love moments like these.

Three Months Old

Daphne enjoys conversing with coos, smiling big, blowing spit bubbles, clicking her tongue, and playful gasping. She brings us such joy. She warms our hearts with her sincere smiles, and we just can't get enough of those cheeks!

Holiday Happenings

We really enjoyed this holiday season...so much, in fact, that its been a month since I last posted! I really enjoyed the girls' two week break from school...what a vacation it was to be able to not rush around every morning. We got to take it easy and do some fun things we don't usually have time for. Aaron and I also got a nice weekend getaway to celebrate our ten year wedding anniversary...we went to San Fransisco and Muir Woods and had a great time! Our little family got to spend a lot of time with Aaron's family over the break as well. All of his siblings and families were in town for the holidays and we played a lot of games, saw some movies, and had serious cousin fun! Here are a few highlights:

Grace, Eve and I decorated a couple of gingerbread houses before Christmas.

The girls had the time of their life dancing along with the Nutcracker Ballet that Aaron recorded for them off PBS. Grace danced the girl parts and Eve danced the boy parts. They tried their best to mimic the dancers' every move. And yes, they danced the entire time (I even had to rewind a few parts for them to do again!)

Aaron and I in Muir Woods (you can't tell from the picture how beautiful it was there!)

Daphne and her cousin Olivia (on left) who is only two months older! They were very fascinated with each other!

Grace, Aaron, and Eve performing the "Chipmunk Christmas Song" in the Lewis' annual Christmas Eve lip-sync contest!

Grace and Eve Christmas morning with their Santa toys. Grace asked him for a robot and Eve told him "surprise me!" Both girls were very pleased!

Julia (cousin), Grace, and Eve just before midnight on New Years Eve

Two-Months-Old Today

Its hard to believe its been two months. Little Daphne is a joy! She is becoming a little more predictable with her feeding schedule and her sleeping habits at night have improved so much. Her precious newborn smiles make it all worth it!

Eve just made my day...

Here's what she said, word for word:

"You're the beautifulest and nicest mommy in the whole university!"

Treasures

I so often find things around the house that remind me how much I adore my kids. Here are a few of the treasures I have found around the house recently that evidence just how sweet, thoughtful, clever, and imaginative they are:

Eve's baby doll rocking happily in Daphne's swing.

A pile of kid-wrapped presents.

The girls woke up earlier than us this morning (as they do most Saturdays) and as I walked into their room when I got up I saw this pile of wrapped presents. I started to get upset when I saw they had gotten out wrapping paper, tape and scissors without asking, but then I noticed the little hand written cards saying "To Mommy and Daddy." My heart melted as I realized they had wrapped up some of their own possessions as Christmas gifts for us!

The beginning of a six-year-old's autobiography
I found this laying on Daphne's bedroom floor this afternoon. Its a book Grace started to write titled, "Wen I was a Little Girl by Grace Harriet Lewis."

The pine cone and rocks I pulled out of Grace's jeans pocket as I did a load of laundry this evening.

Happy Faces
I just love these smiles!

I cooked my very first Thanksgiving feast...

It actually wasn't as much work as I thought it would be...but I did keep it pretty simple. The best part: I won't have to cook dinner for days!

update: Grace now knows that the turkey we eat comes from the cute gobbley bird. She took it well.

The Truth About Turkeys

The other day Grace informed me that there are two kinds of turkey: the animal, and the kind that you eat at Thanksgiving. Apparently she has no idea we are actually eating an animal when we partake in the delicious meat. I definately didn't have the the heart to break the news to her, so I replied, "Did you know there is also a country named Turkey?" She was fascinated. Someday I'll tell her, but not today.

Halloween

I always get a kick out of what kids choose to be for Halloween. I remember putting so much thought into what I wanted to dress up like as a kid. One night to transform into another character...what a thrill!
Grace wanted to dress up as Pippi Longstocking. She's been a big Pippi fan since we read the book together this summer. She thinks Pippi Longstocking and Junie B. Jones (another book character) are the "silliest girls!" They really make her laugh. Eve's choice was a little surprising...she wanted to be a chicken. I was almost certain she would choose to dress up as a princess, but she stayed consistent with her desire to wear the chicken suit from our dress-up box (Grace wore it on Halloween when she was two, so it was a bit snug on four-year-old Eve!) Daphne had no choice, nor was she even really aware that she dressed up as anything! She wore a red chili pepper costume for these pictures and then I spared her the rest of the night!