i've been vacillating for some time, on whether to blog or not to blog. i've asked myself am i exposing myself and my family too much to the outside world, through the virtual world? am i self obsessed to write about the going-ons in my life in such detail? am i writing an online diary for all to read? ultimately, i realized it's really just an extension, of what i already post on facebook and instagram. photos and text - just more of both in the blog posts. when my friends who are bloggers (you know who you are!:), share their latest: whether it be family updates, recipes, the correlation between a book they read and their own life or the latest trends - i'm so excited to dive into each post! so here we go..."to blog." ps. 3 months away, means 3 months worth of family updates.
my birthday. enjoyable in every way. celebrated with friends and family. my dear rina knows how to make any of her friends feel loved and there was no shortage with mine (again this year!). we enjoyed brunch and i opened an amazing box of goodies:
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| among the small packages: a beautiful bracelet, morse code for friend |
there was an amazing spa day at the bacara, for more celebrating, with my favorite ladies: sisters and mama. much needed relaxation time with girls to enjoy a treatment, eat lunch have a real drink and sit by the pool. we reminded ourselves that it needs to happen, much more often then it does.
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| this pic alone makes me want to return, NOW |
with all of our roses in full bloom in may, i also tried making rosewater for the first time. so excited to use this on linens etc. it turned out divine:
diegas took me out for a delicious meal and we then celebrated back at the house with the babies, my parents and em over cupcakes - perfection:
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| arlington tavern: truffle mac n' cheese |
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| followed by fried chicken (ahem) and d ordered bouillabaise |
may also brought us some wonderful family time
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| sbdi end of the year show, with a sbdi volunteer, grandma t! |
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| nana filling in for pap- and-evia-twilight |
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| walks with grandpa |
diegas went out of state on business and the girls missed him terribly, we made the airport pick-up a great adventure:
we also got to see friends and family in the bay, at the end of the month, when we traveled north for my gami's 80th birthday celebration (must have been having too much fun at gami's party, because i don't have any photos) also not a SINGLE photo with my bestie, becky. luckily some captured on her camera! - wranglin' kids i tell ya:
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| a long 6 hours, but some special moments like this |
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| merrill and riley have lots of fairy and princess dress-up clothes |
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| gorgeous hike |
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| fun times at the fair. good sport daddy's on "spinny" rides that mama's can't handle! |
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| evia's dream of the carousel, check! |
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| flying her plane! |
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| becky's rummage sale score, their very own bounce house |
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| bali made evia her very own eggless pancakes and mickey to boot - such a goooooood bali! |
with june came lots of summer fun! swim lessons, ballet lessons, sillies at home with mama, house and yard renovations and family gatherings. i truly feel blessed beyond words to have so much quality togetherness:
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| she LOVES corn |
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| evia drew mama and evia dancing and holding hands with lipstick |
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| rina's beautiful celebration flowers: blessed |
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| jacuzzi time with cousin elena |
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| beck and evia exploring in the woods |
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| grandpa's bee suit's on the line |
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| digging for potatoes |
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| mama and evia time |
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| easy coming home to these cuties |
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| someone planted face first on the sidewalk - ouch! |
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| zoo day with these beauties and handsome gent! |
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| we see lots of beauty on our daily walks |
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| neighborhood turkey (horsey and chickens too!) |
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| when the mama's be grillin' papa's are chillin' must be father's day |
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| someone found papa's clothes and got in them! |
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| our walker.... |
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| rina's turn to be celebrated: what else for my foodie friend then a guinness ibarra chocolate cake! |
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| outdoor easel painting |
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| nightly twighlight watching with papa |
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| running the rose garden at 8am with auntie emi |
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| present making for rina |
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| evia mirroring papa's fish sketch |
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| oooh oooh |
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| aaah aaah |
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| summer solstice with the ladies |
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| first ballet class, mommy and me |
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| we're continuing to have so much fun |
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| family beach day |
and with summer in full swing, july:
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| the 4th and LOTS of watermelon |
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| movie for the ladies (aminah too!) on the 4th of july |
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| watching the city fireworks from our living room |
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| the new sandbox and play area for the girls |
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| sound garden |
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| fun walk and and duck feeding with mary and rina (cooper too)! |
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| sweet moments with rina. we're so sad she's moving out of state...but we'll be visiting soon. |
and today a beach day with one of my oldest friends, carly and her cutie, gavin (thank you for convincing me to keep the updates comin'!!):
