Grosgrain: Custom Camera Strap GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Grosgrain: Custom Camera Strap GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

There are always fun giveaways on this site...this is one I'd really like to win! :)

Friday Flashback

After loosing my last grandparent a few weeks ago, my dad brought over some pictures of my grandma. I just spend hours looking at her photos. One of my favorites what her high school annual. Not only did I enjoy reading her little blurb, I enjoyed reading everyone elses. I found so much enjoyment digging into that era and reading what people liked to do (in 1941), dreams for the future, and just the words they used. A lot of signatures read "Your a real swell gal", and most of the dreams and goals included "owning a car". When I read my grandma's I realized that she was still doing what she loved to do in her 70's that she loved to do in her teens...dancing, swimming, sewing, whistling (she was ALWAYS whistling!). I miss my grandma, and I really wish I would have learned to sew with her! She was an avid seamstress. She always made our presents. She was also a good cook and loved to bake. Every Christmas she would bake hundreds of cookies. I loved going to her house and walking into a dinning room FULL of containers filled with different types of cookies. Last I remember she made over 5 hundred cookies!!

Grandma was a parachute packer (they were called "Fly Girls") in WW2!

Happy Birthday Anika!

I can't believe my baby is 1 year old today! One year ago today I was walking around wondering if today was the day. Contractions were coming and going, but not consistant. So I decided to do some shopping. As soon as I began walking around with a cart, contractions intensified, so I hung onto the cart and decided to head home, where again I began pacing back and forth wondering again if this was it! I did that all day long until Will got off work. As contractions grew closer I thought we'd better head for the hospital. On our way we hit traffic and of course contractions were less than a minute apart. I prayed all the way to the hospital that I wouldnt deliver this baby on the highway, and Will is lucky he didn't die in that car ride. We finally made it...but it was a LONG walk up to the maternity floor...with lots of groaning, crawling, and TONS of stares! There I was at 7 1/2 cenimeters being told I didnt have time for an epidural. But I made SURE they would do their best to TRY...and after a millions pokes of trying to find a vein I had some relief to my PAIN. Things moved very quick!! The doc came in to check me, my water BURST, and I was READY! A few long pushes and out came my beautiful healthy big baby girl.

Ahh, she was so gorgeous! There's nothing like looking at your sweet baby in the eyes for the very first time. I really didnt expect to get into my (quick) birth story, but I did, and hear I am all choked up. Anika is our last baby. She is so sweet and such a joy...definately living up to her name Anika Joy :). Well I'm off to celebrate her 1st birthday with great friends! Happy Birthday baby girl!

Balboa Island

We have been taking Aiana to meet up with her cousin Clarke for trick-or treating on Balboa Island since she was Caylin's age and haven't gone since the little ones came along. Aiana and her cousin decided to go again this year since it's their last year before becoming official teenagers (not that this will be the last year they trick-or treat I'm sure). The Island is very festive during Halloween and always fun to see everyone's decor. Caylin caught on real quick to the whole candy thing while Anika enjoyed all the lights.

Too bad I don't have a dog....

because I now have a doggy door (thanks to Anika diving through the screen door)!

Pumpkin patch

Yesterday we went to Victoria's Garden's pumpkin patch. Aiana wasn't into going with us this year and wanted instead to hang out with her friend. :( This is the first year that she isn't too excited about Halloween. So sad! (Although she does still want to go trick-or-treating) I guess pony rides, hay rides, and a petting zoo isn't all that appealing anymore once your 12. I need to soak it all in with the little ones seeing how fast time goes by.

Caylin and Anika loved the hay and train rides, petting zoo, running through the corn stalk maze, and climbing on pumpkins. And of course Caylin loved the pony ride too. I'm so glad we went in the evening once it cooled down. It has been so hot!

Fall fun with fabulous friends

Say that 10x really fast :)...Our friends Melissa and Steve hosted a super fun Fall party on Saturday, and with the help of all the fabulous mammas we had great food, a pinata, crafts, and games. We are so blessed to have this group of family friends and kids that get along so well.