I love Southern California

I love that even in a rare "harsh winter rainstorm" it is still okay to run outside in shorts or barefoot. Or stay inside and take pictures of those who do.

Ladies Tea

I took the girls with me to the second annual Valley Baptist ladies tea. Grace was so excited about it! My mom came up to go with us. I missed my sisters, but they were in school and sick, but I was glad my mom could come.

I wasn't too sure about hosting a table again this year, as I thought loading, unloading and setting up might be a bit much with two kids in tow. It was a lot, but the tea was so much fun, I was glad I did it. Besides, I am so tired anyhow these days, what is a little extra exhaustion?

It was cold and clear the night of the tea. We all bundled up, which is fun, since we so rarely do that.
Here are a few pictures from my table. I used Gunnar's Grandma Hanson's china, which I love. Such a score, as I am pretty sure there is no china on my side of the family to inherit. Other than the china, I was struggling on what to do for a theme. Actually by struggling, I mean that the morning of I went to the garage to look around and see what I had. I know, I know, way to plan ahead. I had a bunch of shells from when I had a nautical themed house in La Mesa (I loved that house). The nativity set is my mud doll collection from Spain, just like the one I had growing up. My grandma gave me the abalone shell. They are hard to come by now that fishing (or is it hunting?) them is illegal. I really wanted to think of a creative name for my under the sea nativity, but unfortunately, I couldn't come up with anything good.The other tables were all beautiful as well. My friend Karalines talble was right next to mine. She obviously had planned things out better than I had, as she gave all her guest a little soap gift.
Right next to us was this table, which I also liked. Very Christmassey and pretty.

Pat used china like paper plates, which was conpletly overshadowed by the fact that she also was giving away candy at her table. We may or may not have had to make 4 stops at her table. Grace was very jealous and wished she could sit there. Pat also made delicious lemon bars (fun fact for all anyone that goes to Valley Baptist...if you are at a pot luck, figure out what Pat brought and eat that-it is delicious. That strategy has never let me down). Lilah, a adorable three year old who sat at my table, actually had to get up to go thank Miss Pat during the tea as she couldn't contain her excitment over the lemon bars. Pat is one of the Sunday School teachers and the girls all love her. All of that, and Pat isn't even in the picture. That is Cora, Pat's friend, and a super sweet lady that comes to our church. She was sitting at Pat's table.
This table was a group effort. I think their Candles outdid the rest of us. And they had cute name place cards.
Lynn and Laura's table was not only beautiful, but they got amazing deals on everything and the dishes were dishwasher safe. That is what we call practical and beautiful. Love it!
The Johnson's girls table was elegant and seemed like a proper tea. Turns out Susan lived in Scotland and actually drinks "real" tea.
My favorite part of Mara's table was the runner with lights in it. There was a Christmas train in the middle, but you can't really see it.
Cheryl's table had the most beautiful china I have ever seen. It was green and gold, and I wish I would have taken a better picture. So I realize you can't really see it well, but trust me, it was awesome.
The girls and I had a great time. Contrary to the expression on Ellies face, I think she had fun (at least as much fun as a three month old ever has).
Grace on the other hand was quite clear on her feelings. She loved it and was so excited to use real tea cups.
At the end of the evening, everyone lit candles and sang silent night. Isabel held the candle for our table. She took her job seriously and did a great job. She is such a cutie pie.
At the end of the night, Grace with her two friends, Lilah and Isabel. All the girls had a great time and were so cute! We were so thankful to all the wonderful ladies (and gentlemen) who worked so hard to make it a success.
One last shot of Elizabeth and Grandma Ta. I was so glad she came up, as otherwise between hot tea, two kids and fine china, it might have been a little stressful. :)

Smiles

I love my happy girls. I think their smiles is one of my very favorite things about being a mom. Elizabeth smiles so often and easily it brightens every day. And of course we all know that Grace is a crack up. I mean I am pretty sure it is impossible to look at this picture and NOT smile.
Admit it, you smiled. I know I did.

Grace, the firstborn that she is, LOVES being the center of attention. I had a hint of this when I was pregnant. Sometimes I struggle to take a picture of Elizabeth without Grace.
Eventually, if I zoom in enough though, I can get it. Opps, not quite enough.
Finally, there is that Ellie Belle smile!

Flashback Friday-Christmas edition

I have so many good memories of spending Christmas at my grandma's. She would always wake us up early and there would be lots of good food and presents. This Christmas is a rough being the first one since her death, I cry whenever I think about it.

I found these pictures the other day in an album I got from my mom. It brings back so many happy memories of spending Christmas at Grandma's. She was such a good gift buyer, she always got me stuff I loved.

This picture of me and my grandpa gives me deja-vu to seeing Grace with my grandpa. Oh, and my grandma made me the dress I was wearing, it was one of my favorites.

Grandma bought me a cabbage patch doll. Of course I loved it, I have always been, and still am a fan of babies. :)
I think this last one was from a different year at my grandma's. I love this picture of Michael and I with my Aunt Kelly in front of the woodstove. It was always cold there, so sitting in front of the woodstove was always the best place to be. I actually have a pictures somewhere of Gunnar and I in this same spot, 20 or so years later.

Family day out with the dogs

We enjoy taking drives as a family on Gunnar's day off. A few weeks ago we headed out to Lake Hodges so the dogs could run around and we could get some fresh air. It seemed like a good idea, until we had to drive home on the windy road with incredibly stinky dogs in the back of the car. I am prone to carsickness, and it was not pretty. Let's just say, I am not voting we do this again any time soon.

The day was clear and crisp. The reflection of the mountains on the water was beautiful. If there hadn't been wet dogs threatening to get nasty lake water on me or knock me and the baby over, it would have been quite relaxing.

Although the day was clear and sunny, I have a hard time taking pictures with the baby in the front pack, so I didn't take too many pictures. Besides that, Grace spent most of her time on Gunnar's shoulders and Elizabeth was in the front pack, so I really couldn't get very good pictures of them, and that only left the dogs, which are not my favorite subjects.

Here are the few pictures I did manage to take, this first one being my favorite.
It is very hard to take a picture of someone strapped to the front of your body, especially when they say "talk to the hand" when you try.
Lady Bug was acting like she hurt her foot so Gunnar had to check it out.

Precious baby

There is something about my sweet baby's face that makes me all mushy on the inside. I would assume most mom's out there know what I am talking about it. And I know I am biased, but I think my baby is pretty much the cutest thing ever.

Happy Birthday to me

In another year or two I think I will be too old to admit it anymore.

Catching up

For the last couple months we really have been MIA from the social scene. I am too tired and overwhelmed to get out of the house, and since a bunch of my friends have recently had babies too, they are in the same boat. Finally in the last month or so we have been able to get caught up a little on getting together with people, and meeting their new babies.

My cousin Natalie doesn't have any babies, but she drove down to meet Elizabeth. Her boys are super sweet and let Grace boss them around the entire day. They played games with her, ran around outside and she had a fabulous time.When we went to visit Grace's friend Will and his new baby bother, Grace got to play on the Wii. She didn't exactly have the hang of it, but it was fun to watch.
Aprill and I have managed to be pregnant twice at the same time. She had a baby in between my two as well. Elizabeth and Evangeline are 12 days apart. And with such coordinating friends, they are bound to be good friends.

Our friends Joe and Esther's newest addition, Ezri, is two months younger than Elizabeth. At this point it makes Elizabeth seem huge, but for the rest of their lives I am sure they will seem very close in age. They both passed out in their car seats while we were visiting.

There are a few other, non pictured baby friends. Some of which she has met already, and some we are still waiting to meet. At least she shouldn't be lonely as she grows!

Flashaback Friday-9 years ago this week...

The week before my 18th birthday Gunnar and my dear friend Aprill planned a surprise birthday party for me. I think this was the one and only surprise birthday party I have ever had. I love birthdays and surprises but mostly I was super excited becuase I was pretty sure if Gunnar planned me a birthday party he probably "liked" me. :) Little did I know Gunnar doesn't like birthdays or parties so it really was a labor of "like."

The party was fun and afterward we went bowling. I bowled a 56, so I am pretty sure Gunnar did not fall in love with me becuase of my good bowling skills.

This party was also the occasion of the first two pictures of Gunnar and I ever. So in honor of this, the week before my birthday, and in honor of flash back friday, here it is. Nine years ago this week:He picked out and bought my birthday cake himself. What a sweetheart.

At the bowling alley with Michael and Randy.

Reunited

On our visit to my grandpa's in October, Grace had left her very favorite baby doll, Beth, at his house. She missed Beth very much, but had to wait until Thanksgiving to get her back. Chances are, if you saw Grace during this time you already knew this, as she told EVERYONE that baby Beth was having a sleep over at Great Grandpa Hilton's. I think she was actually a little bummed that we didn't leave her there.

The day we got home from our trip, she walked out of her room like this. I guess she wanted to make sure she didn't leave Beth anywhere.

3 months old-Red Chair pictures

I didn't take a whole lot of pictures of Elizabeth on her three month birthday, as it was the day before we were leaving for Thanksgiving and I was in the midst of packing and cleaning. I did, however, manage to remember to take a picture of the her in the red chair. In case you want a refresher, you can check out the previous months pictures here.

Thanksgiving Day

For the first time in our married life, Gunnar and I did not spend Thanksgiving in San Diego. The reason for this being that after the death of my grandma, earlier this year, we all felt like going to spend Thansgiving at my grandpa's house was the best call. My whole family went up and it was a great day and a half of being together, eating and hanging out.

Elizabeth pretty much LOVED being held for two days straight. It has been rough coming home and not having constant open arms to hold her.
Auntie Ann got in on some of the fun.
Grace loves being at my grandpas house and runs around like a crazy girl. She doesn't nap, but we can usually talk her into having a little down time.
Gunnar and my dad and Grandpa enjoyed watching football almost ALL day. I didn't mind though becuase if the TV must be on, I find football to usually be less offensive than a lot of other stuff. Besides, I think they enjoyed it.
Elizabeth partook of the nap time, although not so much actual football watching.
Grace loved spending lots of time with Grandma Ta.
I made all three of the girls little thanksgiving shirts. Elena and Grace only wore theirs after the main meal time, as we wanted them to keep them clean so we could take their pictures. I don't have a lot of those pictures, as they were taken with Michael's camera, but at least here is a good shot of Elizabeth's shirt.
Grace loves my Grandpa so much, it is super cute to watch them interact. At one point she went up and whispered in his ear. I think she wanted to give the dogs treats or something.
Grandpa whispered back "I can't hear what you are saying."
So, she told him in a loud voice.
My aunt Kelly isn't really a baby person. But Ellie, sweet as she is won her over to the dark side. Way to go, Elizabeth.
On our outing to get pictures of the girls in their matching shirts, I only got a couple pictures with my camera.

Finally, we had dessert. Grace doesn't usually get much dessert, so she was super excited. Quite possibly too excited to use a fork. Maria, who regularly does eat dessert, was still excited.