ojai/santa barbara mini trip

we like little night/day trips somewhat close to home. santa barbara is always at the top of our list as it's always a little cooler there and of course, there's so much sentimentality that goes along with it- as that's the place we first lived together and grew our little family! santa barbara by day via instagram on my phone:

waking them up super early, partly to make the most of our day, partly because chris is so excited 🙂

after the day in santa barbara, we decided to stay in ojai- a little town inland. we've never been before and we are for sure gonna go back again! kids on the golf cart on the way to our rooms:

i wish i took more pics of the hotel and ojai in general than the ones from my phone 😦 you can click on their website and see just how lovely and amazing our hotel is! totally going back!!! ojai resort.

this is the building we were in, heaven!!!

good times. we've got a few more little summer mini trips before the crazy early school season begins! love the long days, no schedules, sleep in life we're having right now 🙂

July 25, 2011 13

summmmmmmer

it's officially summertime! i now have a kindergartener, 5th grader, 8th grader and an 11th grader! this time next year will be emotional- as caleb and cam will be promoting from elementary and middle school. eeeek! this was a few weeks ago. little elsie climbing up to her brother's bunk, wanting to keep up with him. they play so well together. love it. it will be strange to see this summer- how once i had a house full of 4 children wanting to go on forever adventures, where the summer seemed so long. now the older 2 will be busy with friends, sports and work commitments. strange. this growing up thing. makes me wish i could go back a few summers ago where i was pulling my hair out wondering what am i going to do with these kids today?! sigh.

June 18, 2011 2

sweet sixteen party :)

last friday night we threw a surprise sweet 16 party for kira. it was a ton of work but such a fun experience. i couldn't have done it without both of our best friends' help! 🙂 i didn't take any pics of the venue or details, so sad. thankfully her good friends were able to catch these pics for me 🙂 i love them! dots cupcakes did all of the sweet treats. red velvet and toffee… kira's favorite flavors!

i couldn't resist the hello kitty napkins, doesn't she look like she's holding flags up? our kira is a flaggie at school, captain actually! 😉 cake pops and macarons. heaven.

spam musubi, heart shaped! my sweet friend punched all those hearts out, amazing.
bit of decor. flowers in random jars, candles, frames of her and her friends everywhere.
and my favorite 🙂 the photobooth! i cut out the garlands myself and had kira's friends put it up for me. i gave them my vision and they went to town. i love how it turned out!

what a rush.. planning and executing a party. between the 6 in our family- we have birthdays quite often, now for a little break until november…when the big guy above turns THIRTEEN!

June 8, 2011 15

sixteen today

this time 16 years ago i was in a hospital room in encinitas, a new mom. she was born at 11:18 am. my first born. the one that changed my life in so many ways. the one that i had to grow up over night for. the one that took my breath away and made me rethink everything i thought about. we have grown up together. she's growing into this amazing young woman, capable of so much, taking on more than i ever did at her age. in just a few years, she will be done with high school. ready to take on the world. watch out world, you don't know what's coming. 🙂 we love you soleil. xoxo

June 6, 2011 5

makes me smile

to pop over to my favorite scrapbooking site and see this happy face on the front page!
details of this cute project can be seen here at this link. we had a fun morning working on it together! there's a challenge that you can participate in, details at the link!

May 29, 2011 3

as we get closer

to the end of the school year, it's a reminder of what lies ahead at the end of summer for her.

she will start kindergarten. we had her screening last week and it was so crazy to see her in the old classroom of her siblings, to sit in those little chairs, to be nervous over the questions they asked her. we've opted for afternoon kindergarten, as we did with the older kids, me wanting to hold on to our mornings together for as long as i can. (not to mention the both of us are not morning people) i love this bottom picture of her. one of her favorite rituals. vegging out. blue blankie. summer, please don't go by too quickly! tonight her big sister is going to prom. how is it that in 10 years we could possibly be doing the same with els? yesterday i realized, as i was sitting outside with elsie as she painted watercolor pictures, her big sis was out getting her nails done/painted at the same time. ten years apart. i love my girls.

May 14, 2011 4

national scrapbook day at twopeas!

its national scrapbook weekend at twopeas!
this layout is part of the NSD Weekend Blog Hop at two peas. they will be giving away a $25 gift certificate to the store, all you have to do is leave a comment at this link here. you do not need to leave one here at this blog, just at the two peas site.

i am not giving anything away, 2peas is. contest is open till sunday night. there's quite a few projects participating, go find them and increase your chances of winning! more info here at this link.

thanks! happy nsd!

May 6, 2011 0

go soleil

our kira soleil is nearly 16. she's made captain of the flag squad. and today PR'd at the 300 hurdles, qualifying for finals for her league! she does hurdles, long jump and pep. she's worked so hard, we are so proud! she also does prom and makeup and heels. but she also loves being surprised with fresh flowers in her room, a handmade card and watching disney princess movies with elsie. sometimes i shake my head in amazement at how different we are. she's a breath of fresh air. (when she's in a good mood! haha) we love her so! (always!)

May 4, 2011 6

came across this

the other night when chris and i had gone out, left the oldest sis in charge of the little kids:
i love this age of artistry! and free babysitting, haha! 🙂

April 29, 2011 3

little desert flower

a morning walk in palm springs:

she noticed she matched the flowers. 🙂

flair for the dramatic 🙂

at starbucks, our breakfast destination. so glad that when i aimed the camera at us, this is what i got back 🙂

then chris got these of us:

my lovebug. i could get all mushy about how she's five and how we spend our days together… but i won't. i think anyone who reads this blog knows my love for my family. just wanted to share this series of pics of us because they make me so happy 🙂 total happiness and warm comfort captured here! 🙂

April 18, 2011 13