Merry Christmas, babies!
New Year's Eve
We love you. Forever.
christmas musical
This year, you were in the Christmas musical with the choir. It was lots of staying at school late, then constant "Go to sleep Bella!!!" afterwards. You guys have been working so hard, and I am SO proud of you! You were the cutest flea there :)
thanksgiving 2016
With moving day fast approaching, this year we decided to scale down Thanksgiving. We cooked dinner at our house, and took it all to Abuelita Lucy's house. You girls were so excited to "help" out.
Thank you so much for always putting life in to perspective.
2016 christmas card
Another Christmas card for the books! Every year, I'm rushing at the last minute to get outfits sorted out, places picked, and basically running around trying to get ideas. This year we started kind of early. As soon as the Christmas stuff got put out we got some decorations, then got your outfits...and we waited for the perfect weather.
We headed out to Hermann Park and set up. Ya'll....I LOVED this years pics! You two had so much fun with the glitter blowing and just running around the park. We went to eat Olive Garden afterwards, so I'd call this years pictures a success.
We headed out to Hermann Park and set up. Ya'll....I LOVED this years pics! You two had so much fun with the glitter blowing and just running around the park. We went to eat Olive Garden afterwards, so I'd call this years pictures a success.
I am so thankful for another year with you. I hope that this Christmas (and every day before and after it) finds you happy and healthy. I hope that you feel the same joy as we do every day we get to spend with you. We love you. Forever.
locks of love
Our goal as a parent, is to raise kind-hearted, responsible humans. We do the best we can. We try to show you how blessed we are: you girls are happy, healthy, thriving children. This is all we can ask for out of life. It's also our responsibility to not shield you from some of the sadness in this world. For years, I've donated my hair to Locks of Love. This organization provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged kids suffering from long-term hair loss. The last time I donated my hair was when I was pregnant with Ellie, I like to think a little bit of us is somewhere off making a little girl happy.
You asked so many questions, Belly. I explained the process, the purpose, and needless to say; you were fascinated. You stated that you would let your hair grow and wanted to do the same. For 3 years now, you refused haircuts, you dealt with us constantly griping about your long hair, and all without wavering. You had a mission!
With hair down you your waist, you finally took the plunge and asked us to take you to get a haircut. So off we went, and let me tell you...it was an emotional day for everyone. You held my hand real tight as we walked inside the salon. I asked you if you were ready...and the smile you gave me lit up the entire room.
I watched your dad get a little emotional, as soon as the hair was gone...I kind of felt like our "baby" was gone. You look SO different! Not only physically, but just in making a decision so big on your own. Always be this kind. Always be this gentle, baby.
You asked so many questions, Belly. I explained the process, the purpose, and needless to say; you were fascinated. You stated that you would let your hair grow and wanted to do the same. For 3 years now, you refused haircuts, you dealt with us constantly griping about your long hair, and all without wavering. You had a mission!
With hair down you your waist, you finally took the plunge and asked us to take you to get a haircut. So off we went, and let me tell you...it was an emotional day for everyone. You held my hand real tight as we walked inside the salon. I asked you if you were ready...and the smile you gave me lit up the entire room.
I watched your dad get a little emotional, as soon as the hair was gone...I kind of felt like our "baby" was gone. You look SO different! Not only physically, but just in making a decision so big on your own. Always be this kind. Always be this gentle, baby.
halloween 2016
I think this will be one of the last year's you guys will have coordinating costumes. Ellie, you really wanted to be Sofia the First this year, and I promise that next year I'll let you choose. But THIS year...I can still pick!
Aren't these the 2 best friends anyone could ever have?!
Bells, you were pretty easy. I ordered your costume off the internet. It fit perfect, so you were ready to go. Ellie, of course I had to make you something a little *extra* special. Everything I saw had this huge heavy hat, and didn't quite look Hedwig-ish enough. Soooo...I set off to make yours by hand. The process was very much trial and error. Thank you for being such a team player, baby.
Trick or Treating
october 2016
The last time we carved pumpkins was 2 years ago.
We skipped out on it last year, since your dad was overseas;
I'm glad we continued our tradition :)
And just because...
it's totally normal to want to wear your Sofia the First costume to Target.
Ellie, you immediately ran to this soldier nutcracker and screamed "Ese es mi papi!"
We skipped out on it last year, since your dad was overseas;
I'm glad we continued our tradition :)
Also in October, we had the Fall Festival at Belly's school. Belly, you had a choir performance...it was GREAT! We all made it to your performance and hung around the festival.
And just because...
it's totally normal to want to wear your Sofia the First costume to Target.
pumpkin patch 2016
Yesterday, we surprised you two with a trip to Dewberry Farm. It's one of those really cheesy themed farms, but your faces lit up as soon as you saw the big barn and the horses. It's always an absolute joy to do things like this together. Oftentimes, we get so caught up with work and life, and it's nice to just press pause and spend time together.
Also...trips to Dewberry are bittersweet. It reminds me just how fast time is going by and how big you're getting. I always feel like I'm THAT mom, (you know, the one taking a ton of pictures all the time just being embarassing) but seeing these makes me very happy to be documenting your lives like this.
The first time we came was 2011, when Belly was 2.
6 years later, and we've come full circle.
2012, our second year there...and now we've added one more :)
Although, some things will never change.
Your dad's a sucker for the puty face, it works EVERY time!
