Memories...

Similar pictures in very different times. (2009 & 2007)

Mommy and Ellia: same place, different time...

Daddy Time!

Much of October and November was spent with all of the couch cushions pulled off the couch and turned into an obstacle course for the girls to burn off energy.

The girls are getting an early introduction to Daddy's long standing belief that he could have made it as a triple-threat entertainer.

Ellia Update NOVEMBER

Anyone who knows me, knows of my long standing love affair with board games! I was excited to introduce Ellia to her very 1st board game: "Candy Land" Well, let's just say we managed to get through the game. She just wanted to look at the different cards and use them as 'money'. (sigh) We'll readdress the board games at a later date.

The flu hit me like a ton of bricks one Monday afternoon.
It lasted a long and treacherous week while I had both girls at home with my miserable self. Luckily Claira never got the flu! She was busy teething with 3 teeth and constant congestion. Ellia had just a touch of the flu for 1 day! While I lay in misery I had no qualms about letting Ellia watch TV show after TV show. You can see, above, how she looked like for an entire week. I was so worried about my babies and the flu. They don't have the H1N1 vaccine but I've been pumping them full of homeopathic supplements.

Here the sissies are playing in their craft corner.

Ellia really liked hanging out with the Hill boys.
Their swords, guns and cars were right up her alley!

Claira's Update NOVEMBER

I looked at Claira one day and was surprised to see that she had taken it upon herself to put necklace and necklace over her head and wear them! She also puts bracelets on or dangles a purse from her wrist!

I finally let my wild child Claira experience sand.
Boy did she love it, even ate a bit of it.

This chick will climb ANYTHING put in front of her.
I think she'll love climbing at Gymboree for her birthday party!

Claira started taking a few steps in October. By Thanksgiving she was walking more than crawling. And suddenly I realized, as I led Claira into daycare by the hand instead of carried, that I have two upright children!

HALLOWEEN 2009

I've always had a soft spot for the memories of trick or treating; with Ellia's 1st trick or treating night being one of my favorite memories...she stomps down the sidewalks taking in the whole experience.
Claira was as squooshy as ever in her padded Ladybug costume. She took it all in from the stroller while munching on snacks.

A few times our little amateur trick or treaters stepped right into the candy-givers home!

Poor Ellia was so excited about her Tiger costume but then when the day came the headpiece just never seemed to sit right. Her neck must've been so tired but she didn't want to take it off.

The residents of Los Alamitos really went all out decorating their super-quaint homes for Halloween. All of us looked forward to what the next house would look like. And the home owners really liked our trick or treating trio because they enjoyed seeing little kiddos show up in the spirit of the holiday (instead of so many teens)

Claira couldn't help but sqeeze those chunky cheeks belonging to Griffin!

Family Time

We finally went to our local library - The Cerritos Library - and it was pretty impressive! It won the award for Best Library of LA and I can see why. I look forward to when I can take Ellia and Claira there to pick out books to check out.

Grandpa came over to spend some time with us this week and we ended the night with pumpkin carving! Pumpkin Carving...always sounds so nostalgic and wonderful and then you're about 12 minutes in and you want them finished! Luckily Daddy is very skilled at carving the faces & Ellia and Grandpa scooped out the gooey seeded insides to perfection. We call our creations The Pumpkin Family and say "Hi" and "Bye" to them everyday. (Can you guess who is who?)

PUMPKIN PATCH TRIP!

We hit up the Irvine Railroad Park pumpkin patch with the Navarro family. It was very crowded but all of us came away with some wonderful, orange-filled photos!

Who's this? This is a vintage pumpkin shot of Ellia circa 2007!

And here is little sister with her version in 2009!

Claira now has 4 top teeth and she discovered the ability to clap and gives herself a round of applause often now! She also is learning to walk and it won't be long now before we see those first steps...

Ellia chilling on the pumpkins with who she calls "Baby Ella" (Ella Navarro)
She is very tender with her and likes her a lot.