Rique tries to get Rora to smile

Yey! I can put video clips on here now. Watch out Grandma, these kids are pretty cute.

Rique Read to Rora

If you can't tell, this is a picture of a great big brother reading to his baby sister.

I had left her in his room to watch him play. She lays on her tummy and watches and he plays and I get to get stuff done around the house.

I peeked in on them and found that he had gotten his chair and was holding her in a standing position as he held the book and told her stories. I tried to sneak in a capture the moment, but this was the only shot I got before they both toppled over, book and all.

Sleeping Beauty Eats Peas...

with peaches, oatmeal and applesauce all mixed together. Yum or Yuck?

She had been fussing, so I thought she was hungry. I set her up in her high chair and started feeding her, she was eating really well, so I thought I'd been right, however in between bites, I looked up and she had dosed off.

I let her sleep in her chair so I could finish my dinner. When I was done she woke up and finished the rest of her dinner.

I think peas, apples, peaches and oatmeal must be good for the skin, she looks gorgeous.

Enrique Shines

I tried and tried to get Enrique excited about his Lincoln Logs that he got for Christmas last year, but finally gave up and packed them under his bed.

Much to my surprise last night, I found him building a horse corral with them in his room.

Another thing we've worked on with little success, until now thanks to his really cool coloring book from Uncle Ryan, was coloring in the lines. Yet, yesterday, I walked into the room to find him coloring all on his own (in the lines!!), I was so proud. I especially like this coloring book because the lines are very thick and leave room for mistake with success.

Emma's birthday party.

After many days of Enrique asking me when Emma's party was going to be, the day and hour finally arrived, much to my relief.

Doesn't Rique look happy in this picture?
He knows what to do with a pinata now. Remember when he was younger and didn't want anything to do with the pinata? Now its full swing ahead.
This was just before we removed the bat and rehung Pooh Bear for the other kids.
Seth and Aurora watched on in the freezing cold as I snapped pics.

This is the dress up dress we made for Emma's present. When she was over at our house she had said that she'd like to be "Belle" from Beauty and the Beast, the one that sings with the book. I was quite pleased at how well this outfit came out, all from scraps and an old church shirt of Riques.

Alpine Hoop

After our drive, we were all ready for dinner, unfortunately all Aurora could do was watch us eat. I love this girl!
I was so happy to spend this beautiful car ride with my little family. It was such a treat to have Seth home early to surprise us with this wonderful drive.

These pictures don't do it justice.
We were amazed at how close all this beauty was to our home.
Shouldn't this one be a postcard?

Seth, Enrique and Aurora all waited patiently in the car as I snapped pictures in the turn outs. Enrique was a little afraid we were going to fall off the edge, the roads were a little narrow and steep.

Seth commented that it was like driving through Yosemite, just not as crowded.
We plan on picnicking here next year when things warm up.
At first we both thought there was a lot of poison oak around, then we realized it was just the leaves turning color.
We got a beautiful day, the next day it rained and the followind day it snowed.

We can't wait to share this drive next year with Grandma and Grandpa Sandoval.

You guys have to come!

Simply the Best!

Monday evening, as I was preparing dinner, doing dishes and rocking out, the door bell rang. It was our next door neighbor wanting to know if we'd like to have a trampolin. (It was cute to see his older watching from the sidewalk to see our reaction.) He said that his kids had all grown out of it, no one used it and that he'd like to see it go to someone who'd like to use it. He thought Enrique might like it and that soon enough Aurora might like it also. Of course I said yes, and thank you over and over again.

They lifted it over the fence and now we have a trampolin in our own backyard. They were all so happy to give this gift to Rique, it was really touching.

Rique loves it! Despite the cold evening, we all jumped on it right away.

Our neighbor just asked that Rique jump up and down and say "Hi" to him when he's in the backyard. I feel so blessed to have such great neighbors as the Bonds.