It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

I haven't had much time to post but here's some pics to show what's been going on.

Thanksgiving w/ Jeff's family in Bakersfield

Thanksgiving with my Fam

Daddy & Siena checkin out the view

Grandma & Sara reading

Sara showin of her Cookie Monster slippers, which Daddy loves!

Jakey lovin on his cousins

The girls having fun on our staircase (You should see the fingerprints!!)

Santa Sara

Santa Siena

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas & a happy, healthy New Year. Love to you all.

My 18 Month Old Ballerinas & Some Great News!

A year and a 1/2 old. Wow. Mom & I took them to get their 18 month check-up/shots & it didn't go so well. They now know what's gonna happen at the Dr's office & the SECOND we walked into the room, they became hysterical. It was sooo sad. (Daddy is so lucky he has to work because he has yet to experience this.) I was very curious to have them weighed & see their difference. Siena eats much more than Sara. She'd eat 24/7 if we let her. ha ha Surprisingly, there was only a 1.2 lb difference. Here are their stats:

Sara- 24 lbs 12 oz.- 60%

33" tall- 80% I can't believe she's almost 3 feet tall! :-0

Siena- 25 lbs 14 oz.- 73%

32 1/4"- 70%

We were also lucky enough to be one of the few that have gotten the girls their H1N1 shots. It was unfortunately the day after their 3 others, so they were not happy. Poor girls think we're torturing them! Then, the following Monday, I needed to get go an injection for my, hopefully last, radiation treatment & brought them with me. Again, the second we walked in, they started balling. I tried explaining it was for me & to watch how brave Mommy is, but they couldn't hear me over their crying. Kinda funny, but needless to say, Mom came over the next day so I could get my 2nd one by myself.

Speaking of...... my results came in & I am officially 3 1/2 years cancer free!!!!! Whoo hoo!!! Thanks for all your love & prayers.

Here's some random pics from the past month. Not that I need to specify who's who anymore cuz of the hair but I will. Lol

Siena doing a trial run for Mommy in her Halloween costume. So cute!

Siena wearing my apron looking so pretty. She likes to help me stir things. Can't wait til we can bake together!

This pic of Siena cracks me up! She looks like she should be wearing a sombrero holding a bottle of tequila!

Tyler & his "best girl Banana". (My dear friend Michelle of 33 yrs. oldest boy.)

Sara joining in on the fun at the Pumpkin Patch.

Sara looking so cute in her Cookie Monster slippers.

Sara having fun playing with Mommy's jewelry. (Look how red her hair looks in this pic!)

The girls looking at the goats at the pumpkin Patch. Love this pic.

The girls & Grandpa reading a book. Adorable. Check out Sara's arms full of bracelets. She loves to walk around with her arm tilted up so they don't fall off. One day, my Mom & I saw her w/ them all piled on, talking on her cell phone & dusting. It was hilarious.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone! Love to you & your families. Xoxo

Mahalo Hawaii!!

We had such a wonderful time on our trip. The best parts about being in Hawaii?

• Alone time with my sweet hubby
• gorgeous sunsets & crystal blue water
• Mai Tai's
• yummy dinners
• getting to wake up whenever we wanted
• lying in the sun reading magazines

The ONLY bad part? Being away from the girls. It was torture! I was actually surprised by how much. One Day 2 I missed them like crazy. I didn't really want to come home, I just wanted my parents to ship them over. ;-) We can't wait to bring them there. They're gonna have so much fun playing in the ocean, the pool, etc... Fortunately we get our awesome timeshare again next year. :-) Here's some pics....

We spent one night in Honolulu & hung out at our favorite Dukes & Hula Grill

This gorgeous pic of Diamond Head was from the plane on our way to Maui.

The beach near our place

On our hike

From our balcony

Our daily Happy Hour at our place. $3 Mai Tais & $2 beers. :-)

Takin in the sunset

It was Jeff's birthday when we were there. Mmmm.... Hula pie.

Dancin Cuties

The girls, especially Sara, have been loving dancing lately. I got the cutest video that I just had to share! I'm amazed at watching their little personalities emerge AND how much they understand. They're so fun right now. Here's the video. Sorry for the clarity- don't know what the problem is.

Jeff & I just got back from Hawaii last week. Check back soon for some pics.

What was in those Potato Skins??!!

The girls were being sooo funny the other night! I have no idea what got into them (especially Sara!) because we all ate those potato skins, but it was hilarious to watch.

Sweet Sixteen

16 months.... Wow.... Every month that goes by, I'm amazed by how big the girls are getting. I've just realized in the past few weeks that they're not babies anymore- they're little girls!! Despite it being a difficult time (into everything, in all different directions, don't have many words so it's frustrating trying to communicate), it's also the BEST time! They're so fun to watch & it's amazing how much they can understand. They love making us laugh & are so silly & fun to be around. Here's a few pics from the last month.

LOVE this pic at the M.V. Lake

Smiley Siena could light up a room.

Sara & on our 1-on-1 date. She had her 1st Happy Meal at McD's & loved it!

Sara meeting her new friend, baby CK. It was so cute how they were just staring at eachother. Congrats K Family!!!!

The girls have started giving eachother kisses without even being prompted. It melts my heart. (Of course I had to ask for this one so I could get a picture of it!!)

Cutie Kewpies

Do any of you remember Kewpie dolls? Apparently, they date back to the early 1900's! I think they're adorable. A few weeks ago, my Mom went to visit my dear Grandma & she brought the girls home presents she made for her "Babes". My NINETY year old Grandma crocheted their adorable outfits without even a pattern. She put so much love & hard work into them & they mean to world to me. Eventually the girls will be able to appreciate this as well, but for now, they just want to tear off their hats & shoes & chew on their heads! haha

I had a fabulous birthday week! I was spoiled as always by my friends & family and feel so blessed every day for the people in my life. Plus, a big group of went to to see a Neil Diamond cover band on my bro's b-day & we had a blast. I love being a day apart (+ 364) from my brother. It's so special. Here's a pic us.

We also had our Family Reunion last Saturday & it was so fun. I'm so grateful to my cousin Mike for hosting this great event each year. Here's most of us.

Here's a couple other funny pics. I couldn't find Siena & it was far too quiet. This is where I found her- in my closet. (Don't judge me by our messy closet. haha)

Sara saw a zucchini on the counter & kept pointing to it. I'd cooked them for her before but she didn't like it. I gave it to her anyway & she walked around the house chomping on it raw. Too cute.

Getting Into EVERYTHING....including the doggie door

So, they're always following me around & whenever I go into the garage, they get upset. Well, they finally figured out how to get out there. I had to take pics. (Just because these pics are of Siena doesn't mean that Sara wasn't in on the action too! lol)

Also, I have to post this video. The girls were suppose to be napping the other day but here is what went on instead. They're too funny.

Use this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oqUC8Hxmdg

15 Months & Warming My Heart!

I really can't believe my girls are already 15 months. When I go to bed at night, I sneak in to peak at them & they look sooo big in their cribs. A little part of me is sad that they're growing up so fast, but then they do something that makes me so happy they're becoming little ladies. My favorite moment as of yet happened yesterday. Siena was sitting on the kitchen floor & started crying. Sara walked over to her, kneeled down, put her hand on Siena's cheek & kissed her on the mouth. Siena kissed her back & stopped crying. I couldn't even believe what I had just seen. I scooped them both up & smooched them all over. I can't wait to witness many more moments like that......

So, we're having a great summer! For one, Siena had her 2nd follow-up with CHOC & was seen again by a team of Dr's/Therapists. She is still a little behind in motor skills but did great with the speech & occupational therapists. (This kind of surprised me since she's still not using many words, but somehow they could tell she was on the right track.) She's now 22.3 lbs & is 2 feet 6 inches tall!!! :-0 She's as smiley as ever, but her little temper tantrums are not as cute. She's also started to bite (much to her sister's dismay), but I don't think she's really doing it to be mean. Not every time anyway. She also babbles A LOT! She says Dee Dee for doggy & a lot of other things it seems. Today she saw our turtle outside & got all excited yelling "Dee Dee! Dee Dee!" She also has been saying a lot of "Uh oh's". I love her blabbering. She has the cutest little voice. She's also still a big Daddy's Girl. Every time she notices a picture of him, she yells "Da-ddy!" I love when he walks thru the front door at night & she runs to him with that big open mouth smile. Another heart warmer. Here's an adorable pic of my once little Peanut. The face is too cute but the belly is great too! hee hee

And another one.

Sara is still a big Mama's Girl. She'll be perfectly content with Jeff when I'm not around, but the second she hears the door, she's runnin to me! It's so sweet. I hope that never changes (although I'm fully prepared that it easily could). She now says "Ma" a lot for "more" & does a lot of grunting & exasperated whines. She's really trying to communicate but I can't understand most of what's she's trying to say. She also likes to back herself into my lap & has to sit in a certain position on my leg. And lately, she's been loving dancing. Really it's me holding her while I dance, but she loves it. Siena also wants to join in, but every time I try to hold both & dance, I can't last more than a min. That's about 44 lbs. of extra weight!!!! So,whomever has to wait their turn turns into a puddle of tears. So much for fun! Here's Sara once again trying to make me laugh. She's kept putting her "Lamb-y" on her head as a hat.

Another one of Sara over at Grandma & Grandpa's

I'm also realizing how much they understand now. When I say we're gonna go to the store but we have to put their shoes on 1st, they run over to me & sit down & put their feet up. Then, they take off for the garage door, ready to go. Also, when I'm looking for something & ask Sara where it is, she puts her hands up in the air like "Where is it?" They also show us they're being sweet by tilting their head & laying it on you or the couch and we say "Ahhhhh....." My other favorite thing lately is them both trying to make us laugh by doing headstands. One will do it & hear us laugh & the other will join in. Here's a pic I caught:

Here's a couple of them together, which has been so hard to get lately.

Fun in the pool

At Aunt Cherie & Uncle Keith's. We went back for Jeff's 20th reunion. Depsite being nervous not knowing anyone, I had the best time. I was so proud to be on my hubby's arm. Everyone said the nicest things about him & were so happy to see him. Do we look like we graduated 20 years ago???

Hope you're all having a GREAT summer!!! Xoxo

I've Been a Bad Bloggin Mommy!

Sometimes I'm just not in the bloggin mood. So, now that I'm soooo far behind, I'll just update what we've been up to with pics & a video. But 1st I have to say welcome to 2 new sweet baby girls that were born in the past month. My dear friends Heidi & K.T., congrats to both of you!! XOXO

Kyrstyn & I bravely took the girls to Legoland. It was fun!

BBQ with Jeff's college friends (& now mine.) 7 kids 3 & under! :-0

Father's Day with my 1st true love. I love you Dad!

Sara not too thrilled with picture time.

SS, KC & I in Santa Ynez. So much fun! (You don't have Google? hee hee)

Sara- now with 11 teeth!

Siena's hair is getting sooo long. Love her in her pigtails.

My nephew Jake announcing a Little League game. So proud of him!

I feel like Siena looks sooo big & grown up in this pic. :-(

Cutie Sara

4th of July party @ Mom & Dad's. Just the 6 of us but so much fun!

Sara's quite the little entertainer. She kept climbing into the rocker & then would "fall off". She did it over & over & loved us watching her & laughing. Here's a short video.