Do it, Dad!

Amidst all the remodeling,

a first:

Iris lost a tooth!

And she's the only one so far whose given

Dad the green light to yank it out!

Way to go, Iris!

Sick? Call Iris

She frets,

fusses,

fluffs pillows,

and puts everything you'd ever need

easily within reach!

...

Thank you, Iris.

You take such good care of me!

Love,

Mom

Veteran's Day Hike on Auburn's Western States Trail: Could You Hear Iris Crying?

Just as the girl's and I promised,

we brought the whole family back to the Western States Trail

to continue our exploratory mission

and actually make it down to the water!

Being fall,

everything was exploding in golden foliage!

A perfect photo opp,

this ledge overlooks the water below

and only makes you thirst for more!

We came across this stone bench,

and it made for a perfect rest stop.

Well, almost perfect.

The cliff dropped off steeply below,

which meant I couldn't take my eyes off

Owen, Gabriel or Ava!

I think there collective goal was to give me

a heart attack.

Samuel would have helped watch them too,
but he was busy throwing rocks off the ledge.
His goal:
To hit the water.
Result:
Not even close!

The waterfall!



At one point,

we came to a cross roads.

Normally we vote,

but this time we split our party into two

to see which would provide the better access to the water.

Samuel, won.

But his pick was super-close to these creepy guys

who were hanging deep in the bushes.

We were outta there!

Mom said!

So off we went on my trail,

and though the water access wasn't as great,

it had these super cool bramble tunnels to run through.

It felt like we were in the Vietnam jungle!

Lunch was peaceful for the most part,

though I was still on edge from our earlier encounter.

All I can say is,

I'm so glad I wasn't alone with the girls!

The kids really appreciated the down time,

and like always,

each found their own nook and cranny in the rocks
and set up a temporary "house",

or in Owen's case, "space ship".

Gabriel,

he thinks we're still at home and he can easily

throw his food on the floor before picking it up again to eat it.

Unfortunately, son,

you do that here and it's covered in sand and dirt!

My handsome husband.

I love you, Samuel.

On the way there and back,

Samuel and I always carry Gabriel,

and for 95% of the time,

Owen too.

Do the math,

and that means when Iris poops out,

there's no one left to give her a ride out.

This is extrememly upsetting to her,

because you see,

she doesn't do math.

At least,

she doesn't do math well.

Because according to her calculations,

there are plenty of arms to give her a ride.



All in all,

this is exactly what we were looking for.

Not to make her cry,

but to see if she would lose it like we thought she would.

Let me explain:

This was more or less a trial run for

a more intense overnight backpacking trip

planned for Thanksgiving break.

We were on the fence as to whether she

could handle a trip like that...

and now we had our answer!

We love you, Iris!

A Fabulously Fabulous Thanksgiving Feast

Iris is at that wonderful care-free age where

everything about school is wonderful and exciting,

especially the holiday parties!

That,

combined with the fact that it's just her personality to

naturally G U S H over everything,

and you have the perfect storm

for a super-smiley and

very happy little girl!

The Fall Activity was one such occasion,

the perfect excuse for smiling so hard your cheeks hurt!

She looked a-dorable in her pilgrim smock,

and though she refused to wear the hat,

she gladly sat down to the feast!

Thanksgiving Menu

Popcorn

Cornbread Muffins

Pumpkin Pie

Fresh Strawberries

Apple Juice

...

Iris,

On the list of things I'm most grateful for,

you will always

-and I mean always- 

top my list!

I love you, baby girl!

Love,

Mama

Happy 5th Birthday Iris!

Iris Luciana

She came out crying...

and hasn't stopped since!

Okay, that's not exactly true.

But sometimes it certainly feels like it!

This girl graces us with plenty of smiles,

tons of sweet laughter,

and a heart so big and pure.

And yet,

there's definitely some sass

sprinkled in there.

And every now and again,

it gets her into a fair amount of trouble!

Samuel nicknamed her,

"Sweet n' Sour"

And that is no joke!

...

Iris,

Your mum and dad love you to pieces!

 You bring us great, great joy,

and it is so fun to watch you grow!

Have lot's of fun today,

and every day after!

Love,

Your parents

Your celebration began with Grandma Rose and family!

Grandpa Jose with grandsons, Gabriel and Owen!.

Ava Grace and Lola

Samuel giving your new helmet a try.

Then, we had "Birthday Sunday" at Grandma Clista's!

Happy Birthday Iris & Lennon!

Aunt Rachel did a great job with the lego cakes!

After all the celebrating with family,

your real birthday finally arrived.

What better way to start the day,

than with a chocolate cupcake for breakfast!

I love your smile!

Since it's your special day,
you were in charge of the dinner menu!

What did you pick?

Homemade Pepperoni Pizza, of course!

A cupcake for breakfast does NOT count as your official dessert!

Let's see if you can muster enough air to

blow out candles for yet another cake!

Well done, baby girl!



Iris,

We hope you had a wonderful,
wonderful birthday!

We love you so much!

Keep on being you, sweetheart.

Remember,

"We love you because you're you!"

Love always,

Mom & Dad

End-of-Year Luau

Nothing says summer like a Luau,

and this annual end-of-the-school year tradition at the girls school is a must for our family! 

Gabriel was a bit bewildered at all the commotion...

...but made for a great lap-buddy.

As the girls shook...

...and shimmied...

...they completely brought down the house!

Isabella welcoming the newest member of the school, Iris! 

She starts kindergarten in the fall,

and couldn't be more excited!

These guys have a little while (thank goodness),

before they fly the nest too. 

Though in the fall,

Owen will also start Joy School two times a week for a few hours of the day.

{Sigh}

What will Gabriel and I do with ourselves?



Iris' Spring Tea

Tell me,

what good is a beautiful spring day

if not for an equally fabulous spring tea?

Iris and I were of the same opinion,

and so we sent out invites to all the four-year olds we know,

decorated our home,

baked treats,

and waited...

...for the fun to begin!

The doorbell rang...

and rang...

and rang...

and soon our backyard was humming with excitement!

The air was filled with happy squeals...

...a flurry of bubbles...

...and laughter!

We coul not have done it were it not for our fabulous helpers!

Thank you Ava...

Elizabeth and Isabella!

We took a break from the fun in the sun to decorate sugar cookies!

Never have you seen so many sprinkles...

...atop gobs and gobs of frosting!

There was a brief respite from the festivities to watch a little of

-what else?-

"Cinderella"!

We took our tea (fruit punch),

caramel corn,

petite brownies & cupcakes...

...al fresco!

Amidst the fluff of organza and lace...

...there was a lone boy!

We were delighted that Iri's Sunday School classmate chose to join us!  Though he was in the minority, I do believe he had a great time! 

Thanks for coming, Nathan!

As the "tea hour' came to a close...

...it was time for some games "on the lawn"!

We divided the girls into teams,

and in relay-fashion they attempted to fill water pitchers with

...what else? 

Tea cups filled with water!

Some were intent on not spilling a drop!

Others ran without care!

And still some tottered graceful as can be!

In the end though,

they had a smashing time!

The grand finale of was a riotous game of "Duck, Duck, Goose!".  They had so much fun, and we all died laughing when Nathan, at the conclusion of our game, took a flying leap to capture the runner!  Well done!

Then it was time to wait for mom's and dad's to collect their princes and princesses!

What better way to wait than with lollies?

It was a delighful day! 

And at the end, I positively flopped on the bed!

Thank you to all the mom's who stayed to help,

and for all the parents who let their little ones 

share this special day with us! 

We were so glad to have you!

And last of all,

endless XOXO's to my sidekick and best friend. 

He is happy to help in every capacity,

and most of all,

he makes us smile.

Iris and I are eternally grateful!

Happy Tea-ing!