Birthday at Lake Lanier

My sister's boyfriend owns a house on the lake and was generous enough to take our family out for the day.  I really couldn't have asked for more fun on my birthday.  The weather was perfect, not too hot and enough overcast to keep us happy. 

It's been some time since we've been to the lake, problably shortly after we got married.  To our surprise Cocktail Cove has been replaced with Sunset Cove, a man made beach that you can dock the boat on.  Isabella enjoyed playing in the sand and going in and out of the water.  Abigail loved being in the water as well; although I think she enjoyed drinking it more than anything....yuck.   

The parts Isabella is still talking about are driving Mr. Cary's boat & feeding the ducks.  It really was one of the best days we've spent in a while, thanks guys!!

Can you find Isabella?

This was too funny to pass up.  Isabella's favorite part about Old Navy is that silly dog you see in the picture.  For some reason she got on the platform and posed long enough for Aimee to take the picture, and just before the manager said something to us.  Oh the life of a toddler.

Firefly Fun

Last night I noticed the fireflies were out, and since tonight we decided to let Isabella stay up a little later we thought it would be a good learning experience.  At first we decided to sit in the back and watch them from afar; however, that didn't work as she didn't know were to look.  Tim sent me inside for a jar as he set out to catch a few of natures wonders. 

We put four in a jar, and I was amazed at how she marveled at them.  It took them a while to light up, but she just sat there waiting for them.  Each time they lit themselves up, her sweet face lit up glee.  Even as she's laying in bed I hear her talking about Grandpa Chendo picking fireflies for her when we go visit. 

Father’s Day 2011

This Father's Day was what I would call simply sweet. It started off with giving Tim his gifts in bed. Isabella presented him with one of his maps we framed, and Abigail (with much help from mommy) gave him a new bag to carry to and from work. I made such an effort to get cards out to our fathers, that I totally forgot a card for Tim. Having just received a hand written card on the back of an envelope for my birthday (something that meant a lot to me), I sat down to write Tim a note expressing my gratitude for the father that he is. He works harder than any man I know. Mentally drained after a long day at the office, he's always ready to help me with the girls, dinner, or even dishes. If that wasn't enough he works on the weekends making our home something to be proud of. The time he spends reading Isabella A Little House on the Prairie as she goes to sleep, conversations over dinner where he's constantly teaching our girls, and the creative play that echoes the sweet sounds of laughter are a few of the many things that make our girls blessed to call him father. I hope that in posting this I will be reminded of his devotion to us the other 364 days of the year.

I read a friends blog today and I loved how she interviewed her children about their father, so I copied her over dinner today. Here is what Isabella said about her father:

Mommy: What do you love about your father?

Isabella: He's special. He's soooooo big!!!!!

Mommy: What do you do with daddy?

Isabella: Plaaaay

Mommy: Play what?

Isabella: Those!!! (pointing to her tower of Legos)

As for Abigail her response to everything is a variation of "dada" and a smile. Perhaps next year she'll have more to say. If you were to ask me the same questions about my father here is what I would say:

Question: What do you love about your father?

Angela: His commitment to principle, his big heart, and his generosity.

Question: What do you do with daddy?

Angela: Talk to him about 5 times a week over the phone.

Question: Talk about what?

Angela: Whether it's about what we're going to plant next at the ranch, my plans for a real estate career….he's always lending a ear during my day.

 

My father is so much more than these three simple answers, but I'll leave that for another post.Happy Fathers Day to all you great dads.

My Birthday Cake

Tim grew up making cakes for his mother on her birthday, and we thought it would be a fun tradition to carry on. Isabella having just completed baking camp at her preschool, was quick to put on her apron. She helped daddy pour the ingredients into the mixer and then into the bunt pan. After it cooled down they iced it together and Isabella generously poured on the sprinkles. You can see Abigail wanted to join in on the fun, maybe next year sweet girl. Although very semi-homemade, I couldn't have asked for a more perfect cake.

QT with Grandpa & Grandma Walker

Before the girls and I head down to Texas we wanted to spend some quality time with the Grandparents in Akin. We arrived around 12:30pm and met Grandpa & Grandma at their church yard sale. We picked up a few finds, and headed home.

During nap time, Yvonne and I did our standard trip to the fabric store. I love seeing what new fabrics they have and planning out the girls' next few outfits. Shortly after we arrived back home we packed the girls up and went to Flanigan's for ice cream. Isabella proved her paternity through her affinity for ice cream. As soon as the girl was done sharing with Tim, she was off to see who else would share with her. After ice cream, the girls cooled off in the kiddy pool Grandpa bought for all his grand babies.

Sunday morning we joined Grandpa & Grandma at church, had a fantastic meal, and spent a relaxing afternoon together.

I love visiting with Yvonne on so many levels, she is a wonderful teacher. Having raised three children, she's picked up a few tricks: Simple things, like trimming your green beans with kitchen sheers or processing your jam in the oven rather than on the stove. Tim enjoyed picking his fathers brain about our various home improvement projects. After spending most of his life in construction, he's our go to guy.

The ride there and back was not the easiest, but totally worth it.

Fun times

After our busy morning at Stone Moutain, we were welcomed by our fun neighbors Stephanie, Sean, Marrissa, and Noel. They have a wonderful outdoor area, perfect for entertaining.I met Stephanie and her daughter Marissa while walking in her neighborhood on July 14^th, 2010, Abigails birthday. That morning around 8am, I had started having contractions. After my mom and I finished breakfast we went for a walk to get things moving and met Stepanie as we were strolling along. Since meeting her and her family, I have enjoyed watching getting to know them and watching our daughters become friends.

Our time with them was wonderful, full of good conversation, fun times, and great food. What more can you ask for? Isabella is still talking about going to play in the swimming pool with her friends.

Last day of school

As quickly as this school year came it's past us by. We were so blessed to have the sweetest teachers Ms. Amy & Ms. Suzu. Although Isabella came with her challenges (hording toys, not sharing, and the occasional pushing) they reminded me that she is the way God made her and absolutely normal.

As a token of our gratitude we opted for an unorthodox gift: a plant. Walking through Home Depot nothing really shot out at me until I came across the cacti section…mainly because Isabella is half Mexican, but a little because toddlers are a bit prickly. I tried to find the prettiest catctus to accentuate toddlers cuteness.

Nothing can replace the importance these women play in our children's lives, I hope that years down the line they will remember my little Isabella as I will remember them.

Our first hike as a family of 4

Some of my fondest memories as a child are our family vacations. We never traveled miles upon miles to the Magic Kingdom; although that was my fault for never getting straight A's throughout the year. Arreola family trips would be to some outdoor destination with various hiking trips along the way. We'd often complain why we didn't just go to a resort, but now looking back I really appreciate the memories.

We decided to start our Memorial Day at Stone Mountain. One of us, honestly not sure which one, suggested we actually hike the Atanta attraction. So off we went, Abigail on my back and Isabella hand in hand with Tim. It's not often that I walk a mile uphill with an additional 17lbs on my back, so needless to say it was a very difficult task. Much more difficult for me than for Isabella who just breezed on up at the side of her father.

After spending a few minutes on top, we decided it would be best for Isabella, Abigail, & I to go down via the sky lift while Tim rushed down to pick us up. Despite our fatigue, borderline heat exhaustion, and elevated heart rates we are so glad we took the challenge. Without it we wouldn't know our strength nor would we have these fun pictures to remind us of that strength.

Our kitchen table

We've held off on buying furniture for a multitude of reasons, but the planets aligned so we went for it.  I should have taken a before picture, but here it is.  This is phase one of making our home more hospitable.  I have to give credit to two friends one Ansley who chose the colors of our walls in our entire home & Amy G who got us to go with rectangular table (we were thinking round...so glad we didn't choose that).  Both are designers, and we're fortunate to have had their expertise.