building bears

 

When Grandma Judy asked Ellie what she wanted for her birthday, it was to go to Build-a-Bear together. She had window shopped there before but had never made a bear of her own.  And somehow she knew the outrageously priced animals and accessories would be something only a grandparent would fall for.   She insisted Brooklyn come along and that they make an extra bear for Leighton who was napping at home (Ellie is always thinking of her sisters).  She wasted no time and went straight for the most psychedelic animal in the place.  And insisted she be dressed in a Rapunzel dress to boot.  And since she already was wearing the dress, it just made sense to name her Rapunzel.  Please note Brooklyn's traditional colored bear in a sensible jean skirt and t-shirt named Honeycomb.  Again, polar opposite sisters.

As soon as she got the bear out the door and got the outfit on it, she gave it the biggest and longest hug imaginable.  Ellie is known for her dramatic flair. 

 

six sandals

Here's to 

matching sundresses, 

bare toes, 

saltwater sandals, 

&

green grass.

We love you summer.

welcome summer

 sprinklers

 sisters

 smiles

snacks

sandals and sips

Road Trip Summer 2012

Last week we kicked off our summer with a little road trip.  "Little" like over 20 hours in the car in 4 days.  The girls were troopers (thanks to 3 DVD players) and we really enjoyed getting away and seeing family and friends.  We headed up to the central valley and spent time on the Walking Lazy M farm.  A favorite place of the girls and mine.  My good friend Steph lives in her grandparents' old farmhouse surrounded by vineyards and orchards, just like my grandparents house used to be.  We ate farm fresh eggs, spent hours on the trampoline, gorged ourselves on Superior Dairy ice cream, and even got in a country road run (to combat the ice cream of course).  I love the simple farm life they live, and just sitting around her table sipping coffee and catching up is pure bliss for me.   

Then we headed up to Madera to celebrate Brett's parents' 40th anniversary with their family.  We did manage 4 drive bys on the way...my grandparents' house and my former homes in Fresno.  Kerkhoff, Balch, and Angus to be exact.  So strange to look at a house you spent so many hours and made so many memories in and think another family lives there now.  The curious cat in me was dying to knock on the door just to get a peek. 

We also managed to squeeze in a day trip to Yosemite with Brett's parents. They honeymooned in Yosemite 40 years before.  It was neat to be with them and think about all the time that had passed between then and now, and how their family had grown to include the five of us.  Yosemite holds tons of memories for me and just the smell of the trees took me back to family camping days when I was a kid.  The girls loved the tunnel that opened up into the amazing view of half dome, putting their feet in the cold water, and the ice cream cones that rewarded hours of walking.

 

 

Happy Dad's Day

 

These girls sure do love their Daddy...

on Father's Day and every day!

Princess Ellie is 5

The royal celebration commenced this weekend as Princess Ellie turned 5.  We went all out with pink and sparkles (which I am still sweeping off the floor 5 days later!).  I loved getting creative with this one and avoiding prepackaged Disney princess paraphernalia.  Of course pinterest and etsy came in very handy with this endeavor, as always.  I've figured out that you can pretty much make a party with a big pack of pretty scrapbook paper.  It became invitations, thank you cards, princess party hats, wands, and yards and yards of pennant bunting.  

 Grandma carried on the tradition with her cake making and made Ellie the cutest pink princess chocolate cake (with a frosting necklace and earrings to boot!).  

 

The girls came decked out in their own princess gear or helped themselves to our endless supply of dresses.  Ellie managed to go through 3 different dresses during the party.  She said dressing up was her favorite part (no shocker for a girl who goes through at least 3 outfit changes each day!)

Are those dainty princess fingers or what?  

Her favorite gift was the prince/beast doll from Beauty and the Beast.  When we took her to the Disney store the week before her party, I asked her to show me what her favorite thing in the whole store was.  Lucky for me she walked right past the nearly $50 dresses straight to a Ken doll of the Beast.  Weird I know, but I can't complain due to the $8 price tag and the enormous smile on her face when she opened it.

Happiest Birthday Princess Ellie!