Saturday, April 30, 2011

first family vacation

During spring break, we went to Monterey for our very first vacation as a family of four. We had been on vacation with Madison before this trip, but it was always with friends or family. These three days we spent together, making wonderful memories along the way!



sisters who love the beach
Madison's first time touching the sand

showing us what she discovered


The water was freezing cold and it was really windy, but that did not stop Audrey...she actually ran through the water with her swimming suit on!


This picture makes me laugh as I remember that we had to hide out in the bathroom while Madison fell asleep. We played Tangled on the portable dvd player and ate ice cream from Rite Aid. Like I said...memories.


This trip was actually a Christmas present from my parents, Nani and Papa. It included a two night stay at Asilomar and four passes to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Audrey couldn't wait to go to the aquarium to see and touch all the "fishes"!


As soon as we walked through the door, Audrey was given the opportunity to let a tiny crab walk on the inside of her hand. She loved it!! Later she told us it was her favorite part of the entire aquarium experience.


Madison checked out a few things...


...and soon was out for a nap in Daddy's arms.


sisters in a clam shell


For those of you who have been to the aquarium, this is where you stand under the glass as the water crashes down around you. Yeah, Madison wasn't too excited...


...she let us know it!


Audrey could stand there forever if we let her.


family pic...Madison is clearly still very upset


Madison's first time feeling the cold ocean water on her toes.


Audrey holding a crab that she found on the beach.


building a sandcastle with Daddy


crawling on the sand...


...gets you pretty dirty!


Daddy's girls


THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, NANI AND PAPA!!!

madison - 11 months

Madison is into everything!! She continues to love opening and closing drawers and cabinet doors, especially ones that she isn't supposed to be opening. Mommy's purse, the diaper bag, newspaper, the refrigerator, an empty diaper box, really anything in her reach becomes something for her to get into or play with. She is also pulling up on anything she can, the couch, the bathtub, chairs, but mostly her crib. Madison is "babbling" a ton, but we haven't heard any real words yet. She also sings into her sister's plastic microphone, dances, and she "loves her baby" while rocking back and forth. In addition to "all done", she is now signing "more" and "please". Soon after turning 10 months old, Madison had her two bottom teeth come in, one right after the other. And just this week, Madison began to show her love from afar by blowing kisses...sweetest thing ever!!

clap, clap, clap


yummy, avocado



Little story about these special pearls: These pearls were my grandmother's pearls that were given to my mom when my grandmother passed away almost five years ago. When Audrey was Madison's age, we took a few pictures of her with the pearls too. Both my girls with my grandmother's pearls...sweet.


madison's Tupperware drawer in the kitchen
first bite of a yummy graham cracker
enjoying the sunday morning paper
happy girl
big girl standing up
blowing kisses...they just don't always get sent

cozy with her blanky

Thursday, April 14, 2011

big hat days

On our way to...Big Hat Days!!

audrey chose to ride on the helicopter... ...while madison watched from afar! as always, we grabbed a snow cone on our way home

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

young chef in training

Almost a year ago, I bought a Groupon for a 45 minute cooking class for Audrey to attend. Last Saturday morning, Audrey and I went to Young Chef's Academy, where Audrey learned how to bake Irish Soda Bread. Yummy!!
first things first...Audrey washed her hands and put on her apron

helping measure the flour

stirring the dough

kneading her very own portion of the dough bon appetit!

Monday, April 4, 2011

little, big girl

Audrey is our little, big girl. I say little, because at three and a half years old, she weighs 27 pounds (only five pounds more than her baby sister) and wears a size 2T. We love how small and petite she is, mostly because it helps us forget how big she really is getting. Audrey is a "big girl"! She is getting more and more independent and learning so much every day. She gets dressed all by herself, recognizes all her letters and their sounds, and helps whenever and however she can. But the biggest accomplishment for Audrey this month, is that she is no longer wearing diapers!! She was only wearing them at night for the last year, but a few weeks ago we decided it was time to be done. We are so proud of Audrey!! Yet, when we sit back and watch our little, big girl from afar, we can't help but be a little sad that time has gone by so quickly.
she loves to read, be read to, or make up her own stories


what a wonderful mommy she is to her babies...all of them!

cotton candy ice cream
one rainy day, we made binoculars and went on a safari


anything princess makes her happy

Sunday, April 3, 2011

the little things

The last couple of weeks, we have spent a lot of time indoors because of the rainy days. On these days, it's the little things that keep my girls happy and entertained...
fun with the tupperware drawer

inside watching the rain POUR down outside

that's Audrey's little finger, pointing to the hail outside Madison preferred licking the window
watching these two girls play with one another brings me so much joy


after the rain stopped, we put on our rain boots for some puddle jumping


she loved it!!

when the sun finally came out last week, we went to the park to fly kites


as soon as Daddy gets the kite in the air, Audrey is off running


Madison watched, not yet ready to fly her own kite