1.10.2015

new year, old traditions


my parents started a tradition some time ago, of camping on new years eve. it's a nice tradition. my little family, likes to reflect on the past year away from the hustle and bustle, even if only for an afternoon, and think about the year to come. it sounded like a grand idea to join my parent's adventure of an overnight and make it a little get-away. 

when you live in the same town as your immediate family, it's difficult to carve out time that's not interrupted by chores, errands, work and general daily life. so getting away together is always true quality-time and a rarity that's appreciated. 4 days was a true vacation and it was so nice to have everyone in one place.

the girls were a little under the weather, so we opted to go home each night (the beauty of your get-away being only 20 minutes away). but we set up our campsite as if we were sleeping there, we made all our meals there, roasted marshmallows and played all day. but, we all slept in our cozy beds...kind of perfect for those freezing december nights.
the site my parent's snagged the monday before new years, wasn't too shabby.
the first day we arrived, we promptly went down to the beach, literally a stone's throw away
chilaxin in the warm winter sun with papa

my dad. happy and cozy.

before the logs got chopped they were great little campfire stoops
bikes were a hit. evia and mila made 8(!) new friends at el cap - all the kids had bikes and scooters. a shout out to coralie, oliver, reese, wynn, liliana, gabriella, gweneth and zenia.





popped corn on the fire

the sunsets those 3 nights were stunning
our adventurer
 

our goofball. we turn around and she is walking with a 3' stick balancing(!) on her head - NO HANDS

my mom painting in an open meadow while anna catches some rays.

dad fishing d and evia tidepooling

auintie anna and mila checking out the tidepools

a seal came up onto shore, yawned put his head up as if sunning himself and then hopped back into the waves!

"evia" caught 3 fish on my dad's pole
 

sillies laying on rocks
anna, em and salt-dog
 


me and my littlest love
 
new year's morning breaky, buttermilk donuts with maple glaze
the day after new year's we had a SUPERB day with our zavala counterparts! a zoo date, followed by the chocolate lounge for some legit sipping chocolate, a walk on the breakwater and home for a fresh salmon dinner. unparalleled and a perfect way to begin 2015

chocolate-staches
starting to really be able to read. here she shows mila how the shop window reads "open."

the wee-est zavala cousins on the breakwater
hello 2015!



chocked-full christmas

as soon as december hit, the month was chocked full of fun activities. the nice thing about this year is it never felt overwhelming, too busy or last minute. i'm not sure what changed? it might just be that the girls are getting to the age where they're a little more self sufficient and it makes all things a little easier? maybe were at a stage where we feel so satisfied with life? heading into christmas i had this mentality that everything is as it should be and we don't NEED anything, less is more and how thankful i am for our little family. it made all the celebrating, events and gift giving feel like an "extra." i suppose *that's why* this year felt different. sometimes the beauty of this blog is i talk through these things right here, on screen. 

below are the photos the capture of month of christmas fun!
evia's preschool sends home artwork and projects weekly. december especially had some thoughtful and cute projects. that's one cute rudolph, if you ask me!


painting our neighborhood-found pinecones to decorate our mantel on the first weekend of the month



this year's holiday card, complete with photos taken by auntie anna.

getting our tree


a fun day of choosing ornaments and decorating. i left an entire box in the attic this year.

the first night our nativity scene was up a ginormous full moon shone in through the window

papa found thes elk antlers in the backcountry and hiked the 40lb-ers out several miles

the 2nd annual ladies-shopping trip sans children. important stop on the way - target.

on that same shopping day, the girls explored with papa in the mountains

our first year of elf on the shelf....here's our first night with "sugar plum"

a little card for her papa

ginger bears for ayinny's tea party and pre-k teacher goody

have always wanted to make these, been pinned on my pinterest board for too long. stir your cocoa with this (and ibarra at that!....some crazy sugar for the littles and the mama's too!)

mila and i preparing our salt dough ornaments for our playdate, when all the kids painted them

evia with her sweet friend penelope, excited for their christmas performance moments away

singing in the christmas show with all all her pre-k buddies

with her fans, nana and grandpa

zavalas 2014


pretty ayin at her tea party, age 2, with her tio d

snow at the harbor

visiting the tylers on the parade of lights evening
listening to the annual polar express tale
the evening skies have been gorgeous. this was a blustery shoreline-walk evening

we may have or have not defaced this picnic table when we were teens!



an afternoon of lunching and the nutcracker with evia and nana

such holiday joy


she looks so grown up to me here


an average night of papa-wrestles and laughter

an 80 degree night sitting outdoors and watching the light curtains blow as i sipped a warm drink with a few of my favorite ladies

i love this crew
bizcochitos

not only do the lovies love to get out amidst all the holiday bustle, but i think the mama's do to. look at these two on our zoo date!

worth every penny. wind tunnel.
dad serving up christmas eve cocktails

a rare moment of just us two. christmas eve at my parents.

we made santa a special "s" ginger cookie

christmas morning with pretty auntie!


so much christmas, sometimes just makes you want to lay on the floor and roll around


one final christmas event with amy, while in town from chicago and her ladies