80's flashback

I was looking through our iphoto's and came across this pic. I had to put it on the blog, just because it is so freakin cute and funny. It was taken at Auntie Mimi's house (my sister) around christmas last year. Ella's first 3-D movie with her cousin's Connor and Aidan. I love this picture, it cracks me up. Plus it has 3 of my favorite people in it! 

Baby Red Pepper Anyone?

As our summer garden is beginning to dye out, our little red pepper plant is finally producing fruit. We picked the first one a few weeks ago, and there are about 5 more ripening on the plant. This is my first time growing peppers, so I wasn't sure what to expect. For a month or two that little plant just sat there not doing much, I assume it was working on its roots. Then one day it had blossoms. Ella and I were so excited, since we weren't sure if it was going to produce anything at all. Long story short this is our first teeny tiny red bell pepper. We made a delicious coconut curry chickpea recipe and added the pepper to it. We are looking forward to eating the rest of them!

 

PS: We have about 2 dozen pablano/ancho peppers in the garden, not sure what we are going to do with them all! Any suggestions? They are SPICY!

Big Girl Bed!!

Ella has a Big Girl Bed! We converted her baby/toddler bed into a full size headboard. We put Grandma Mac's beautiful butterfly quilt on the bed, and of course completed it with a princess canopy. A perfect fit for our sweet little princesses.

Playing hide and seek (her new favorite game). When she wants to play she will say, "I'll  hide and you will seek."

It took us most of the day to rearrange her room and put it together. Once it was finished Ella laid down and took a little nap. 

Our sweet baby girl, not much of a baby anymore.

First Day of Preschool!

Miss Ella is officially a big girl! She started her first day of Preschool on Monday. She was so excited, she walked into class and immediately started playing with the toys. She is so confident and outgoing she amazes me. When I came back to pick her up at noon she told me she was not ready to leave! I guess that is a good thing, but I kind of thought she would be more excited to see me. 

I enjoyed my free time as well. I went out to breakfast with a friend and then was able to hit Trader Joe's for groceries. It's amazing how much you can get done when you are kid free. 

Ella in Mrs. Lisa's classroom

Ella and her class mates

Ava, Maya, & Ella at school

A Nice Surprise

So last week Troy was able to play in a golf tournament at Torrey Pines through work. He was so excited about this, he has always wanted to play Torrey Pines. One of the guys he was playing with is in sales and was staying at the Inn compliments of Callaway. Long story short, this guys decided not to stay in his comped room for the night and offered it to Troy. So lucky us, we were able to stay at the Inn and Torrey Pines. It was so beautiful, we brought a picnic and wine to have in the room. Ella thought it was so much fun, she loves hotels.  We walked through the golf course and checked out the coast. The following morning Miss Ella and I had room service and played at the pool. What a nice unexpected surprise! Thanks guy, and thanks Callaway.

                           

                

Santa Rosa

What a great time we had in good old Santa Rosa. We arrived on the 21st(my b-day) and spent the first night at the Hotel La Rose in railroad square. The hotel was kind enough to give us a double upgrade! Our room had a huge 4 post king sized princesses bed ( as Ella called it) with a balcony over looking the gardens. It was very nice and relaxing and right next to our favorite restaurant La Coco's were we had dinner with friends. We spent the rest of the weekend at our good friends house. They live in my dream neighborhood in a beautiful historic house, with awesome neighbors. They are so close to downtown that Troy and Hans rode there bikes their and went pub hoping one night (lucky boys). It was a really relaxing weekend, I forgot how peaceful Santa Rosa is so quiet and slow paced. I was in heaven, it was a perfect birthday! 

Here are some pics!

               

Ella with Snoopy                      Enjoying the view

                                     

Salmon Creek Beach                        Ella with Natalie & Kai                        

Lefty, greatest dog ever!