We have grapes!

Amelia helped daddy with yard work yesterday. They cleaned up the yard and trimmed back the grape vines. Daddy made greek grape stuffed leaves for dinner. YUMMY! Amelia helped mommy in the garage yesterday. We dumped paint to dry out the cans and then attacked the vacuum cleaner! It's officially cleaned! I love my vacuum. We also did "clothing" yesterday: laundry, iron and cleaned out my dresser drawers, as well as went to the paint store. Today will be another busy day.

Bananas!!!! Y-U-M-M-Y

Amelia ate her first bite of bananas today. She wasn't sure at first, but then couldn't wait for the next bite. Great Grandpa used to make us frozen chocolate bananas when we were kids. Someday we'll have to make them for Amelia.

A Day at the Mall, Keep'n it cool

We went to Ruby's Sunday at South Coast. Daddy's went to his Softball game, which they kick toots, Grandpa went to work and the girls went shopping!!!!!! It's been pretty toasty, so we decided to stay inside and stay cool. Amelia had her first taste at shopping at Ann Taylor Loft, looked at make up at Bobbie Brown and took a break at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. We dropped off Grandma and Auntie Sarah in HB and headed home. It was a fun day hanging out with the family.

Our little girl is growing so fast....

Here's a couple pictures of her on Thursday playing with her toes and in her play pod. She can stand up like a big little girl:)

Amelia's crazy daddy!!!!

The fireworks were purchased and the location was picked, but who was going to set the fireworks off?.....Straty jumped in and went back to his childhood when he used to blow up his army men with explosives. He loves talking about how his dad was the fireworks pro and how every 4th of July Papou would have the best show on the block! He's so proud. He also brags about the story as a wee little man he ordered a box of explosives and had them mailed to his house. He was the neighborhood "dealer." Let's hope our little girl doesn't follow in her daddy's footsteps.

Happy 4th of July to you all!

God Bless America!!!!!! Today was a wonderful day full of many firsts for Amelia. She went to her first 4th of July parade, had her first solid food (avocado), had her first dip in the pool with daddy and her first homemade firework show in which daddy did the lighting of the fireworks (who would have guessed:)) It was a beautiful day in Sunny HB. Amelia enjoyed the parade, especially the floats with balloons! For some strange reason my child loves balloons! Mommy does not, but will do if it pleases the princess. She had her first taste of solid food today. At first she wasn't too sure about it, but after a few bites, she was like'n it. We'll keep her on avocado for a couple days then I think she'll try squash or maybe sweet potato. I'm still reading my book:) Amelia wasn't too into the pool. She loves the water, but I think maybe she was too tired or too cold to enjoy it. She did like fireworks! Not my child balloons? and now fireworks??? She's her daddy's girl. I'm sitting in her room pumping and she's making these sighing small cries. Is she now dreaming of the fireworks? Some many wonderful memories made today. I hope you all had a colorful day!

We're home!

Whew, what a trip. We had a wonderful time hanging out and site seeing. Amelia was such a good little camper. She slept a lot yesterday, as she always does after a big weekend. She's still fighting her sinus infection. She's really starting to show her different emotions, such as frustration, mad, happy, sad... Her different cries, faces and body languages are wonderful. Today she got off her schedule with eating. I think she's over oatmeal. It's time for the good stuff! I'm studying the food book. I'm hoping to hit the grocery store for her first veggie to be pureed. Hopefully I don't burn it! j/k We're heading to....where else...HB tomorrow for dinner at the Johnson's. The on the 4th we're taking Amelia to her first parade in HB. It'll be a fun day. Happy 4th!!! God Bless America and her beauty. I'm so thankful to live in the land of the free.

Still camping!

Yesterday the girls had fun shopping around Solvang and the Boys went golfing. Today Straty, Amelia and I went into town and walked around, then took a drive through Lompac. We stopped in to visit the 11th Mission in CA. It was beautiful. We followed this main street all the way to the end where there was an Amtrak stop right on the ocean. Pretty interesting but pretty:) We had dinner at a Chicago style pizza place, chatted with several lovely people and then made our way back to the camp site, where we sat around the campfire, had smores and chatted. It was a lovely day! Tomorrow we head back home. Amelia was so talented. She can balance her binkie on her face while she sleeps.

Happy Birthday Daddy!!!

We are here at Flying Flags RV Resort in Buelton, camping with Garth, Angela, Jack and Aubrey. We're having a wonderful time, celebrating Straty's Birthday. The big ole 38! Happy Birthday Babe! You mean the world to me! These past years have been wonderful and sometimes painful growing spurts but well worth it! Moving to Palm Desert, trying out camping, surviving a remodel, adopting some hounds, growing in our personal relationship as individuals and as a couple and most importantly the gift of life...Amelia. I still feel strong on my belief of us making a great team! I'm ready for our next adventure in life! Because life with you is a fabulous ride. You are a true loving and compassionate husband and daddy. You take care of our family with all your efforts. Thank you for being the man you are! You sexy, smart, sassy old man:) Love you!

Sick baby girl...

Amelia is still under the weather. She drugged up in her nursery sleeping it off. Poor baby. She got us up at 4am in a worry because she was choking on her snot. I moved her back into her crib and me and the dogs had a slumber party on the floor. I had to be close, just in case:) She choked again. She's so cute though. After breakfast this morning, she was full of words. She tried playing, but was too tired. I hope she's feeling better soon.

So, today I turn 36! My goodness the time flies. I have many wonderful memories from my childhood, to adulthood, motherhood and all the other fun roles I've played in my days. Life is a beautiful thing, one to be celebrated! I'm thankful for my loving husband and wonderful baby girl. I can't imagine life without them! I'm so excited for the years to come! Thanks everyone for the phone calls, emails and cards. I'm blessed. XOXO