This past Saturday we had a birthday party for this big girl. I can’t believe she’s already six! 
(But then sometimes, the way she talks and the things she does, I can’t believe that she is only six.) We’re so glad to have here as part of our family. Here’s a few pictures from the party. I’ve learned that I am definitely not a party planner extraordinaire, but I think everyone enjoyed themselves, so it was a success. 
First Solid Food
Okay, this post really should have been up a month ago, but I think it’s never too late to share this cuteness. So here is Elena having her first tastes of solid food (applesauce).
At first she wasn’t too sure about it, but she eventually decided that it was pretty good stuff. 
Of course, Sofia wanted to help feed her. She did a pretty good job. 
Hooray for milestones!
Justin’s Beard
In honor of No Shave November, here is this piece of awesomeness. 
(Overstatement? Maybe.) Anyways, thanks for letting me document your journey, Justin.
Elena Susanna
Treats for family night
This last Monday night, I let the girls help me make a little treat that I’ve been wanting to try. We made mint chocolate butter mints, and they were excellent. Just look at these little chocolate-covered faces for proof.
When I saw these online, I thought the dough reminded me of play dough, so I figured the girls might enjoy making it. Plus, with just three ingredients and no baking, I figured it couldn’t get much simpler. Here’s the recipe, if you’re interested. Just a warning, though, these are really easy to eat, and since they are easy to make, well, it’s a dangerous combination.
To produce the chocolate mint flavor, I added 1 tablespoon of coco powder and 1/4 tsp peppermint extract.
These didn’t last long, which may just give me an excuse to try out a new flavor soon. Cinnamon sounded good. Mmm. I’ll just have to make sure to keep getting some walking in.
Six Years
Six years ago, today, I married a wonderful, sweet, incredible man. I am so lucky to have him. Today we’re celebrating on separate continents, though, so it’s a little rough. I figured I could just let the day pass by without thinking about it, I could spend it blubbering into a loaf of chocolate babka, or I could celebrate. I decided to go with the third, though it will certainly be a simple celebration, and it will still involve some babka (more on that later). I’m celebrating because I am seriously just so happy to be married to this guy and I love the little family we’ve made together.
And no matter how many years go by, I still look at it as a miracle that two people, growing up in separate hemispheres and virtually worlds apart somehow found each other and made a happy family together. I know there are so many other people I have to thank for this miracle, and that’s why I’m celebrating today, because I am so grateful that this miracle happened. Thanks for everyone who made it happen, and thanks especially to my husband. You are an amazing husband and father. Thank you for all you do. I hope you have a wonderful day too, on your side of the world.
Not Easter Candy
What would you do if you found the smallest, most precious eggs spilled out of their nest on the street? I didn’t think there was much I could do, except take pictures to document the delicate beauty of these two little eggs. Yes, I let the girls hold them very carefully. I’m sure that PETA and child protective services would have something to say about this, but I couldn’t say no to these two cuties. 
I tried returning these two to their nest and putting the nest back in the tree, but the mother didn’t come back. Sad. But still kind of neat to see.
Have a great day.
Our Kittens
So a couple of weeks ago, we were surprised to find 4 little kittens on our doorstep.The girls were thrilled, of course, but me, not so much. I was a little worried about the fleas, scratches, and feeding four little babies. At first I tried to be strict. I told the girls that these were definitely NOT our kittens and that we could look but not touch. Of course that didn’t last long. It was only a few minutes before I heard Isabella say to Sofia “That’s my kitten. This is your kitten” as they exchanged kittens. Well, the cuteness eventually won out. The kittens weren’t really mangy or mean, after all, and the mom was feeding them at night, so I decided to let it be. My biggest worry became keeping the girls from loving the kittens to death. 
Which was actually a real danger, since Isabella treated them like little puppets, and Sofia had a habit of holding them by the neck and poking them with sticks. 
Well, after a few days, the kittens mysteriously disappeared. All but one of them, that is. I wasn’t sure if the mom thought he was too weak to care for, but the little guy was pretty sad looking. After waiting a day for the mom to come back for him with no luck, I decided to feed him. I didn’t want the girls to get heartbroken if the kitten didn’t make it, but fortunately he perked right up to be the perfect play fellow again. I thought he would be our pet until we went back to the States, but it turns out a couple days later, he disappeared like the other kittens. I hope he is okay, wherever he is. The girls were a little sad, but it was a fun experience, overall, for them to have a pet for a little while. 
Maybe someday we’ll have to get them a kitten for real. Maybe.
Joel’s Beard
So, we wanted to have a little fun with a semi-time lapse project, and we decided to go with watching Joel’s beard grow. For a while we were taking head shot every day, but towards the end we slacked off, so that is why the growth is kind of abrupt.
The fun thing was that the girls wanted daily head shot too, so here are a bunch of random pictures of the girls in the morning. 
Flashback: Sofia makes a mess
So another thing we got to do while visiting family in Oregon was learn what happens when you leave a mischievous 2-year-old to take a nap in a room with full book cases and a bag of mami’s makeup.
It looks like she was taking make-up tips from a member of K.I.S.S.
I still don’t know if all the mascara came out of the sheets (sorry, mom).
It makes me wonder what is going through that cute little head of hers.
Our Family 