Family Photo Shoot

My whole family smiling their happy smiles makes me so happy. Daisy is excused for now.

This is one totally going on the family wall.

Now we are six

Afton started off her sixth birthday with a trip to the store to get donuts and flowers.

She loved the super hero girl tee, and a new Webkinz from Grandma.

And money in an envelope always gets a great reaction!

Mom and Dad surprised her with a two wheel scooter, something she has been saving her money for! What is she gonna do with all that money now?

Lunch at Red Robin with the whole family! Afton lucked out having Grandma in town for her birthday.

The very yummy chocolate peanut butter cake!

Afton approved!

Happy Birthday Afton! You are our super girl and we love all six years of you!

So what...

So cute, so crazy, so 3!

So big, so happy for spring, so ready to be 6.

So much a girl, so great a dad, so awesome a superhero!

So surprised, so beautiful, so on a sleep schedule!

Spring park day

It's been a long time since I've gotten a shot of both kids looking and smiling.

Afton is overcoming her fear of falling off the monkey bars. I wish I could say the same for my fears for her.

Solo Success

Today was my first day on my own with three kiddos. Although we missed Patrick, it was nice to get back on a bit of a schedule. Abel and I had preschool time, Afton got her piano lesson, a load of laundry got folded and the dishwasher unloaded/loaded. And I even made Afton a hair clip to go with her green outfit for tomorrow.

And I did it all with no nap (unless nap in a can counts)!

The best part of the day....the arrival of the baby girl box from Aunt Christy. Now Daisy can stop wearing unisex colors and begin embracing pink!

Daisy's first daisy

With a name like Daisy, you better believe this little girl is going to have lots of themed clothing. My friend Barb made Daisy these sweet daisy headbands (currently the only little girl items in my possession...hurry up box!)

Daisy Day Three

We are all happily adjusting to the sweet addition of Daisy to our family. Afton could hold her all day, Abel stops running every few hours to pat her on the head. Having Patrick at home has been soooooo nice. I'm already weepy for when he has to go back to work next week.

Daisy Elizabeth

born Sunday morning, 6:59 am

a very happy big sister

Abel thinks the hospital bed may be more fun than a baby.

Girls take the majority at the Maravilla house.

6 lbs 15 oz, 19.75 in...our smallest baby by a pound.
lots of dark black hair and the eyes are still a mystery.

When Nana Comes to Town

I forgot to import these great photos of my Mom's visit. She helped me so much. I highly recommend having help come before birth when the energy and ability to complete normal household routines just isn't there.

My kids love having Nana come to help them break rules (candy!!)...

Afton loved having Nana close at hand to get attention from. Losing teeth, crossing the monkey bars, attending her Valentine school party, giving a talk at church...lots of attention getting activities for Nana to participate in.

And Abel loves when Nana plays crazy with him.

Exactly how I feel

Date night picture

Patrick took me on a surprise dinner date for my birthday. We ate at a yummy restaurant in our little town that we have wanted to try for a year, called Sugar Beet. I loved surprises especially ones revolving around tasty food that doesn't get produced in my own kitchen. Chili lime tempura shrimp, ginger ahi tuna with tempura yams, super duper yummy!

And thanks to my Mom, the babysitting was free and didn't need a ride home! Thank you Mom!

Abel's birthday party

Abel had a race car birthday party...his first party since the adult mandated one year old celebration. He was excited to have some buddies over to zoom cars with...and he thought the idea of more present was pretty neat too.




We zoomed cars around Abe's new road rug, colored wooden cars and had a race, decorated cookies and ate cookies. But I think the kids liked watching Cars best of all. I sure liked how still they were for this part of the party!!

3 teeth in 8 days

Afton was excited to take a self portrait of the newest hole in her smile. I think I uploaded over 30 of them! Afton is quickly realizing that losing teeth is more profitable than doing chores. And she's pretty motivated to save for a two wheel scooter like the big kids at school!

I thought we were in the clear for loose teeth for a few months...not so Afton found another loosey on the bottom row yesterday!

little dreams

One of my little dreams came true on my birthday. Afton and Abel secretly made me loads of birthday cards. Each time a new one was produced, the kids would find me in the house and sing Happy Birthday and give me big hugs. Better than any present for sure!!

Afton the Toothless Wonder

2 teeth in 2 days.