What a difference a year makes

 So last year, on this day, we rushed Riley to her GI specialist in the bay area because she had stopped eating and drinking and was becoming seriously dehydrated. She wasn't able to eat much solid food and wasn't talking (at all) yet...A year later, I'm thrilled to report that she's doing so well! She no longer chokes on food, she can talk up a storm and she's thriving at school. I'm so grateful for the her speech and feeding therapists, inspiring teachers and to our friends and family for helping her blossom. She's such a bright and delightful child and I feel so blessed by both the struggles and successes!

The Third Year's a Charm!

Riley loves the multitude of balloons
her grandpa picked out for her!

We had the best time at Riley's 3rd birthday party! It was a gorgeous and relaxing event thrown by her grandparents, my parents made her cake so we literally did nothing. We showed up and had a good time!

Ri loves cars and is especially in awe of firetrucks or "byah-buh!" She loves the bright red color and I surmise that she loves the loud sounds and lights that often accompany the firetrucks in our area, which are always on the go near the hospital.

Although she hasn't accepted her age (She still insists on being "two"), we know that being three will turn out to be a wonderful thing for her. If the party is any sign, then it's going to be a great year!

Happy birthday to our spirited girly!

Up, up and away. The balloons were almost strong enough!

Riley's grandparents made this adorable custom cake!

First candle extinguished!

Doing what firefighters do best, getting rid of flames!

Ri shows off just how delicious the cake is that "Gamma Gamma" made!

Ri gets a tutorial on the capabilities of her new truck!

We still cannot believe how gorgeous Riley's dress up set is. Beautifully handmade items
from Aimee that allow Riley to don a colorful owl costume or a custom tutu with
ample style and a slightly edge grunge. Ri shows us here that an outfit made from the
whole combo is a showstopper!

Baby Love

Oh my, so cute, where to start?! Riley is in love with "Cawlee"! They had a blast playing in southern California. We went to the beach in Newport and the two of them hit it off!

Playing in the ocean, adorable kisses, squealing and sharing snacks.

Just tonight, she looked at a photo album and kissed the page with "Cawlee's" photo.

Celebrating Grandma's big day

A wonderful birthday dinner with our family, the three little girls, my parents and my uncles. We had great food and cake and Ali gave her grandma some sincere kisses for the special occasion!

Our girls on a Saturday

I can't say enough kind things to adequately describe my brother-in-law's photography. I'm amazed by the gorgeous things he captures and then shares so freely and diligently with our families.

In particular, these gorgeous photos, taken in early June. I love the candid expressions, playful and subtle lighting, the compositions and I just love seeing the three girls together.

I'm grateful to have these moments captured so beautifully. Now I just need more wall space to accommodate all the prints I'd love to make.

Oh These Burdemsome Babies

Ms. Mitts can be a devoted doll-mom. Last night we left the house on a walk and instead of bringing just one “dolly”, she brought three! Insisting on carrying all the dolls, along with her new Matchbox truck, Riley created a spectacle. She walked over half a mile carrying and dropping and repositioning her armload.

Recently, she’s very off-put by the camera; however, she was amiable for these two photos because I asked to take a photo of the dolls, and what proud mom doesn’t want to show off her babies?! (and truck)

An Old Town Saturday

We got a wonderful visit a couple weekends ago, my grandparents came all the way from Southern California to see us. Well, who are we kidding, they came to see the tiny girls!

We had a wonderful weekend and I have a few minutes to snap photos while we were waiting to ride the train in Old Town Sacramento.

I can tell that my grandma has had a ton of experience with little ones, not just her four kids, but she watched all of my cousins and my siste. I was impressed, Grandma handles miss. B'dah like a natural!

Our Little Giant

Alison got to experience Opening Day yesterday! She was our little good luck charm, born during the World Series and has had to wait nearly her whole life, 5 months for her first baseball game.

Well we got our money's worth! We arrived early and saw Train perform, we got to see the enormous flag unfurled, the World Championship flag was raised and we experienced the fly over from two F16s (I forgot they were so loud and barely covered B'dah's ears in time). Jonathan Sanchez was the starting pitcher against the St. Louis Cardinals. We had a great view to enjoy seeing all TWELVE innings of the game. Very exciting, ups and downs and a win at the last second, our good luck charm worked again!








Ali took it all in, enjoyed the birds, noise, took naps and begged garlic fries (unsuccessfully). We enjoyed a nice walk along the bay after the game, and ate dinner at the same place as the starting pitcher. All-in-all a successful first game!

Laughing at Grandma's Dog

So grandma found out that when her really tiny and extremely fluffy dog puts her head out the car window, the visual of the fur in the wind are really, very funny to a two-year-old. She was laughing even more, before I turned on my phone to video her delight.

A Breakdown During Dad's Giant Birthday

For some reason a total meltdown ensued as we began to sing "Happy Birthday" to Riley's beloved dad. Were we that shrill or off key? Was she upset after hearing that the song is, perhaps copyright protected?!

Seriously, I feel some explanation is owed for the level of drama, that our little drama queen displayed. Here's the play-by-play of the lit candles and our song.









We had a wonderful dinner with baseball themed food and a Giants-colored cake. Thank you to all the family and friends who made this wonderful evening possible.

And a very happy birthday to the love of my life! 10 years together and 30 years old! What could be better. (well, maybe all of that without the singing).

Summer Bliss, June 27, 2010

Finding these photos gives me serious summer fever, especially since it's so cold and dark - with today being the winter solstice! A summer afternoon spent in the pool, eating fresh peaches. What could be better? Seriously, nothing!

Riley spent an hour and a half standing on the underwater bench in the deep end of the pool, playing with her measure-up-cups. She poured water in and out of them and enjoyed every ounce of the afternoon.

She then retreated to the edge of the pool and chatted on her cell - a girl needs to keep her phone handy when she's sunbathing!

Teton National Park - On the Way to Yellowstone

On Thursday morning, we headed out to Yellowstone. We were lucky enough to be chauffeured by Michele's dad - who has driven buses for years through Yellowstone.

We enjoyed a beautiful view of the Tetons and Mt. Moran, without too many clouds obstructing the view, like I've seen in the winter and spring.

Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend

After 23 years, my car and I are parting ways. My husband was kind enough to buy me a new car, a new, white, station wagon, in fact. The sad part is that we cannot insure or use three cars. As a tribute to my car I have some photos catalogued from the last 23 years; starting with the Summer of 1987 when my family picked up the car, brand new, at the Volvo factory in Sweden!

The Volvo has taken my family on a two-month road trip all over Europe, to a cross-country family road trip and another cross country road trip with my best friend when I was 18. I've seen 46 states, many of those with the Volvo!

I am happy to report that the car is still running great and will get a new home!










Sweden, 1987














Germany, 1987










School Picnic, Arcata, 1988















Our home in Eureka, 1989








Monument Valley Utah, 1990











Amity, Arkansas 2000










Stuck in a Tahoe Blizzard, 2001

















Family Camping, 1997


Girls' Weekend, 2010