Iris' Mommy Time

Iris has been working hard on

chores and extra jobs around the house,

and it when it came time to cash in

for some of her hard work

she chose "Mommy Time"!

Woo-hoo!

We headed out in the pouring rain

for a bit of shopping

and for some delicious frozen yogurt.

Her concoction?

Mint yogurt, gumballs,

maraschino cherries, sprinkles...

Hmmm....

But of course,

she loved it!

...

Iris,

You are lovely, talented,

and one smart cookie!

I love spending some alone-time with you!

Thank you for choosing me to spend

and afternoon with!

I have loved every second!

xoxoXoxoO

Mom

Food-fest

In March we got a little food-crazy!

I've been itching to try

out new recipes,

new foods,

and even new

cooking tools!

...

The attempt at re-creating the

Passion Fruit Lime Bavarian

from San Francisco's Tartine Bakery...

didn't go so well.

Delicious, yes.

Perfect copy-cat recipe!

No way!

Thank goodnss the bay is not

far away!

...

Luckily classics

like chocolate chip cookies

and our all-the-way burgers with

Blue Cheese, Arugula, and

homemade BBQ sauce

never fail!

We had fun trying to eat our super-huge creations!

...

And thanks to my new birthday present,

a cast iron grill & griddle pan from the

Antique Trove...

{note}

Have you ever been? 

It's a must visit! 

Go! 

Without kids!!!

...we are going nuts with everything from

super-crisp grilled cheese sandwiches

to Korean BBQ!

I love my grill!

...

And last but not least,

dragon fruit!

You see it featured all the time on

food competitions,

and when I saw this

"secret basket" ingredient

at Winco I pounced!

The result?

Beautiful fruit-

think tropical dalmation...?

But the flavor is so, so bland!

We kicked it up with some sugar and vinegar,

but still,

this house will take plain ol' grapes anyday!

...

Happy Eating

to you too!

Birthday wishes...

I can't even remember

what my birthday wish was!

All I know is...

I am so blessed!

Isabella, Ava, Iris,

Owen, Gabriel...

I love you!

Samuel,

You complete me!

XoxoXoO

Me

Knock, knock...

Imagine the doorbell ringing

and being presented with these

gorgeous blooms

from a great friend!

What a surprise and

talk about making my day!

Thanks, Meredith!

Love,

Olivia

Madness

But it's our madness...

And we wouldn't trade it for the world!

Love,

Mom & Dad

82 Spankings and a pinch to grow an inch!

My grandma

-my children's great-grandma!-

turned 82 years old!

And what's worse,

we were late in giving her her gift-

almost a whole year late!

For her birthday

we invited her over for a special meal.

And though we celebrated on her actual

birthday with the cake, hoopla, and what-not,

and though, since then,

we've had her over many, many times since that big day...

Not one meal was specifically devoted

to commemorating her special day!

Oy!

And with her 83rd birthday

fast approaching in April,

we needed to burn rubber!

Hence,

her birthday brunch...

finally!

Great-grandma Lopez, Grandma Rose, and Aunt Julia

The kiddos

The Menu

Greek Feta & Spinach Pie in a Phyllo Crust

Lemon Ricotta Puff Pastry Tarts

Sun-dried Tomatoe and Olive Pasta

Fresh Fruit

Cinnamon Rolls

Chocolate-dipped Shortbread Pecan Toffee

Hot Cocoa

Grandma,

Always taking pictures...

Always walking...

Always enjoying life's little (and big) wonders...

I love you!

You are a rock,

and I know grandpa is so proud of you!

Thank you for being a wonderful grandma,

to me, my husband, and my kids!

We love you!

Happy Birthday!

Love,

Olivia

P.S. 

Your 83rd is right around the corner! 

What a blessing!

A Little Piece of Heaven on Earth

love...

Another one bites the dust!

Congratulations, Iris!

Yer just as purdy toothless

and don't let anyone tell you different!

Love,

Yer Ma & Pa

Isa & The Mosaic Art Contest

Our town hosted an art contest
and called for all area
fifth graders to participate!

The goal?
To create a mosaic art piece
using the theme:

Nature and Wildlife

All winning entries would
be turned into real mosaic pieces
to be displayed at a local sculpture park!

Isabella's mosaic representation of

Half Dome

(It's in her blood!)

was selected,
and she, and like classmates,

set to work with real mosaic tile!

Isabella and her good friend Katie!

Woo hoo!

Congratulations, Isabella!

Your piece is amazing!

{Now we just have to hike you up there!}

xoxomom

Neighborhood Bocce Ball

One of our all-time favorite scores

at D.I....

Our bocce ball set!

There's a new park just down the way,

and it's a great pastime.

Before you know,

you have all kinds of people checking out the game

and wanting to play.

Talk about a great way to meet people!

This time,

it seemed like we attracted half the students

at the girls former elementary school.

It was great catch-up time with so many familiar faces,

and since I had a huge bag

of candy they all stuck around awhile.

I kind of felt like the crazy lady that lures

kids into keeping her company by offering lollipops!

{smile}