Birthday Girls

 Natalie and Amanda turned a whopping six years old on January 3rd and we have had some very fun celebrations in honor of their birth.

Our celebrations started out with mani/pedis with their best friends on the day of their birthday.  They all had so much fun!

Natalie shows off her pretty golden finger nails.

And Amanda had a sparkly pale pink. 

They both got very dark blue toes in contrast to their pale colored fingernails.   Here are all the girls lounging at the salon.

And here are the beautiful nails and toes.

After we got home from the salon, we had some yummy cake that daddy made for the girls.  Vanilla for Natalie and chocolate for Amanda.

And then we opened a few presents.  These Hello Kitty sleeping bags were quite a hit and helped Natalie and Amanda prepare for the big upcoming slumber party.

Amanda decided to try it out immediately.  She went right to sleep!

They also received this cute little kitty and puppy.  Stuffed kitties are the only kind allowed at our house due to severe allergies.

A few weeks after their actual birthday, we held a Fairy Special Birthday Slumber party at our house. Mom and Dad were BRAVE to host five girls in addition to the brood at our house.

We decorated and made it all look very pretty!  Some beautiful fairy wings, tutus and wands for each little fairy was in order.

And we had fun making these cute little fairy cupcakes.

Here are Fairy Amanda and Fairy Natalie waiting in anticipation for their friends to come.

After their friends arrived, we had a wonderful visitor -- Fairy Tilly.  She entertained the girls with a wonderful magic show,

some balloon making,

a few songs,

and some fairy special painting.

After Fairy Tilly departed, we sang happy birthday and blew out all of the candles.

And then we partied ALL NIGHT LONG.  Well, it felt like all night for Mom and Dad anyway.

Happy Birthday Natalie and Amanda.  We love you and are very proud of the grown up girls you have become!

Sitting On The Dock of The Bay (or River)

It certainly does not feel like winter here.  The drought is terrible, but the warm days are lovely and these cuties love to get outside and play so we are definitely not complaining!

A Very Merry Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas this year with the kids!  On Christmas eve, the kids open one present from Mom and Dad, which happens to be some festive Christmas PJ's!  Below, the kids show off their new clothes and can't wait until St. Nick makes his visit to our home.

The kids were also very thoughtful to leave out some treats for Santa and his flying reindeer!  

Right before bed, Will makes sure the treats are positioned just right.

The face of excitement on Christmas Morning!

First, a quick peak to see what's in the stockings!  A new jingle bell for Natalie's bike!

Amanda is so excited to see the presents, and want to guess at what could be inside each one.

I think this is a pair of socks for Dad.

Natalie loves the wrapping and can't wait to see what's inside.

Hey Mom, here is a very long and heavy present...Is it for me?

Will found a candy cane in his stocking.

Natalie shows off her new note pad.

Wow, this is a very exciting Furby!

I have one too!

Dad, does it talk?

The kids are also now old enough to play card and board games.  The family enjoys time together playing many different games, and these will be fun additions to the home.

Will is thrilled opening this gift.

Now it's time to open the very long and heavy boxes...what could they be?

A scooter!

Will is so very pleased with his fun toy!

Dad and Natalie are also very pleased with Dad's new gift...a bottle of wine!

This is exactly what I asked Santa to bring me!  He is such a great guy!

I love my stuffed unicorn.

Even with all the new presents, sometimes it's the old favorites, like Will's blanket,that make us all feel real comfy and cozy.  

We hope that everyone had a great Christmas!