Ogunquit 2014

We had a wonderful week in Ogunquit back in July.  The weather was fabulous, we loved the house we stayed in, we had a great time as a family, and of course, the girls LOVED the beach.  I wish we were still there.  For some photos, click  HERE.

Evelina is 4!!

Evelina is one lucky 4 year old.  She had a wonderful birthday weekend filled with fun, family,  friends...and Frozen.  What more could you ask for?   On her actual birthday we kept up with the tradition of visiting the Southwick Zoo.  Saturday, we had a tasty and sweet girls lunch at the American Girl store.  Sunday was her Frozen birthday party.  Click HERE for some photos.  

Frozen Photo Booth

Evelina is "Frozen" obsessed.  The child loves all things "Frozen" and is constantly asking me when it's going to be Winter so she can build a snowman.  Is she really my child??  For her 4th birthday, we celebrated with a Frozen-themed birthday party.  When I saw these Anna and Elsa cut-outs, they just screamed photo booth. I debated for 5 minutes about having Anna come to the party, but she looked too fake in her costume.  I personally preferred the cut-outs and the kids loved posing with them too!!

Click HERE for more pictures from the photo booth. 

Holiday Fun 2013

Click here for some photos from this holiday season.  

Happy Holidays all!! 

Daphne's 1st Birthday

A beautiful day(s) for a beautiful baby girl surrounded by a loving family.  Couldn't ask for anything better to celebrate ONE!!

Click HERE to see some photos from Daphne's birthday and her 1st birthday party.

Walking Practice

Someone has been enjoying "walking" the past few days.  It's hard work!!

Photos | Evelina Turns 3

I'm definitely not the best at taking, downloading and editing photos lately.  I finally sifted through some photos from Evelina's 3rd birthday.  Yes, yes...I know it was over 2 months ago, but I'm certain there are a few people who read the blog that would like to see them so here they are. 

One observation, both Evelina and Daphne have more hair now.  Ha!! 

July 4th and Ogunquit

If you'd like to check out some photos from July 4th weekend and our vacation in Ogunquit, click here.  

The weather turned sour while we were in Maine so we didn't get much beach time in. Even so, Evelina had a wonderful time at the zoo and the beach, as well as spending lots of time with Grandpa.  Daphne is smiley where ever we go...with the exception of sleeping in a room that isn't her own!!  

Ogunquit 2012

If you'd like to take a look at a selection of pictures from our week in Ogunquit, ME a few weeks ago, click here. 

We had a wonderful time, the weather was perfection and it was so nice to spend a week with Auntie KK, Mimi and Grandpa.  Evelina was in heaven!!  

We hope to make it a Summer tradition every year.  

2nd Birthday Photos

Click here to see some photos from Evelina's 2nd Birthday and party.  

For Realz

There is something super easy about having an artificial Christmas tree.  No stray needles, no watering required, pre-strung lights.  Even so, nothing beats a real beauty.  The process of selecting the perfect tree with family, the aroma of pine filling the house, the endless trips around the tree stringing lights while humming Christmas carols.  

Last year Evelina was cutting her first tooth as we put up our tree, this year she eagerly reached for ornaments, pointing to her favorites ("Gigi" - all the way from Africa and "Doggie" - Violet's picture), pulling on or trying to eat others. She enjoys pointing at the tree and sometimes saying "tee"...she can't quite manage the "tr" sound yet.  Christmas is already more fun compared to last year!!  

I love our first real Christmas tree as a family!!  A little top heavy with ornaments but you gotta do what you gotta do when you have lots of breakables and a grabby one. 

What to do next, fill up underneath the tree with pretty packages :-)

Thanksgiving 2011

We had a very low-key Thanksgiving this year.  Mimi and Poppy were in Kentucky visiting family but Grandpa and Auntie KK were able to spend the holiday with us.  It was a day filled with watching the Thanksgiving Day parade, coloring, cooking, eating and relaxing...and of course cleaning up, the least fun activity of the day.  

One of our goals for Thanksgiving Day weekend?  Getting Evelina to say "Auntie KK" and "Grandpa".  She will say her version of "Auntie" and "KK" separately, and also "Pa". We still need to work on Miss Lina being more comfortable with Grandpa.  She is going through another phase of stranger anxiety and it definitely applies to family as well. She will get there.

Some pictures of the day.....

Checking out the turkey; the bird, before and after

Partaking in some Thanksgiving Day reading

Auntie KK and Evelina; Granpa and Evelina complete with her pouty face and side glance; Peek-a-boo on the new learning tower; Evelina sitting down for dinner; Delish devil eggs (my Grandma's recipe)

Fun time coloring

Lovely Ladies

Evelina has so many wonderful ladies in her life that love her to pieces.  She is so lucky (as am I).  

Favorite Auntie KK

Great Auntie Elaine

Cousin Heather - all the way from Utah!!

Heartwarming Moment :: Mimi

This past Saturday, Mimi, Poppy and Lilly came for a visit in the afternoon.  It was a windy, chilly, fall day here in New England.  Despite the wind and unexpected rain showers that arrived, Evelina still had the strong desire to go outside to blow bubbles.  She just LOVES bubbles.  I keep a wand on the table on the deck and she will frequently walk by the sliding glass door, see the wand and shout "BUBBLE", hoping we will go outside for some fun.  

So off we went with Mimi and Lilly.  We blew some bubbles and then walked around the front of the house to check out the pumpkins and mums on the doorstep.  Evelina spent a lot of time touching the pumpkins and trying to pick them up, smelling the mums, going up and down the stairs, playing with the little owl stones we use to decorate, walking along the stone walkway, smiling at Lilly and signing doggy.  We tried to get a cute photo of Mimi and Lina on the stairs but little miss thang isn't really interested in sitting still for photo opportunities these days (hence why the amount of pictures on this blog has diminished). 

Fast forward to Monday evening.  After dinner, we went to blow some bubbles and play with a ball outside .  As soon as we got to the front stairs, Lina sat down on the bottom step and said "Mimi".  The last time we had been in the same spot we were with Mimi, she remembered and was wondering where her Mimi was.  It was incredibly adorable.  She's been saying "Mimi" for a month or so now and I'm happy it was one of her first words.  

Evelina, Mimi and Lilly coloring after playing outside

Fun Times on the Farm

We've had the opportunity to visit a few farms over the past month or so and Evelina has loved every minute of it. She LOVES observing the animals, reaching out to touch them (when we think it's safe), or even attempting to feed them.  I think the best part is visiting the farms with her favorite family members. 

Davis Farmland with Grandpa, all the way back in August.  Unfortunately, my point and shoot suffered a fatal accident (no worries, no animals were involved) during our trip to Davis Farmland so we missed out on some other great photo opportunities.  That means, we will just have to go back again soon. 

Belkin Family Lookout Farm with Mimi and Auntie K.  A beautiful farm with grapevine covered paths, orchards full of fruit ripe for picking, a fun children's play area, hay pyramid, burlap maize and animals. Evelina loved riding on the train underneath the grapevines and feeling the wind against her face.  We will definitely visit this farm again.  

Beautiful grapevine covered path

Hmmmm...what does a sheep say again?

Red Apple Farm to celebrate a special birthday boy.  Such a beautiful farm, quintessential New England, and the perfect place for a birthday party. Evelina got to visit with friends, go on a hay ride, "feed" animals, enjoy apple donuts and cider slushies...YUM!!  We brought some apples and peaches home from the orchard and they are truly delectable, Evelina thinks so too.  

Mama, I LOVE balloons!!!

Soon enough we will be putting on sweaters to protect us from the crisp fall air, picking out pumpkins for carving, and dressing up Evelina for Halloween.  So much fun!! 

New Chair

An early Christmas present arrived for Evelina last week from her favorite Auntie, embroidered with her name of course. We were planning to wait to give it to her but considering she LOVES to try to climb onto the couch and our recliner, we thought she would love to have a chair of her own now...she won't know the difference if she doesn't actually get it for Christmas.  

In the morning, we allow her to watch a little Sesame Street while she eats some fruit.  I think it is one of her favorite moments of the day.  

Walking Footage

It takes 3 to actually capture Evelina walking.  She is doing very well but crawling is much more effective.  Lots of progress, effort and determination every day.  Yay Evelina!! 

Ain't Life Grand?

Evelina and her grandparents, she is the apple of their eyes.

Evelina and Grandpa during his most recent visit a couple of weeks ago

Evelina with Mimi and Poppy

Simple Pleasures

Dear Evelina,
You are still too little to realize that Mommy is always coming after you with the camera.  I lovingly call myself the Mamarazzi.  You are just too cute for words and I don't want to miss one second of you growing up, revealing your personality, or doing something new and fun.

These are two of my favorite photos from August.  Neither of them were taken in the best lighting and they are both blurry or fuzzy but they are still my favorites.

In this picture (taken by Papa), we were napping in the living room on a warm Sunday afternoon.  You were very cranky due to the arrival of your 1st year molars, and I was attempting to rest my back, which I had hurt on our vacation in Pittsburg, NH.  You very rarely will sit still these days when we hold you and napping with us hasn't occurred since you were itty bity so this was such a treat for me.  I'm looking forward to more of these moments to come (minus teething and back pain).  

In this picture you are pushing Mimi and Poppy's doggy, Lilly, around in your wagon.  Your expression is priceless.  I'm not sure what you love more, doggies or walking around with your wagon.  Put them together and you have pure excitement, complete with your tongue sticking out and eyes crossed. 

You continue to teach me that the simple pleasures in life are what makes life worth living.  I love you sweet pea.  

You are the sunshine of my life,

Mommy

Baby, You Can Drive My Car

Beep, beep!!  We bought Evelina her first car last week, the Radio Flyer Steer and Stroll Coop.  I had been looking for a car that she could ultimately move herself with her feet, but could also be pushed until she was ready. When I came across this car, I thought it was perfection...and so far it is, and she LOVES it!!  She "steers", beeps the horn, turns on the blinkers and radio.  She just lights up when she sees it and has even attempted to get in herself without much success.  The only issue comes when it is time to take her out, we must be gentle to avoid a tantrum.  

Grandpa visited last week and did the honors of putting it together.  Even though it was bedtime, we let Evelina take her first ride in the house with Gigi as her passenger.  I'm certain she had pleasant dreams about the ride all throughout the night.  The car is now parked in the garage and is great for riding around the driveway and cul-de-sac.  Evelina loves being outside so this is a great addition to her toy stash.