Happy 3rd Birthday, Clara!

Monday was a day filled with squeals of surprise and pure joy.  There is nothing much sweeter than a child's birthday!  A day dedicated to celebrating and enjoying some of the things they like best.  Clara's birthday started with a squeal when she walked out of her room to find balloons hanging in her doorway.  She loves balloons and immediately lit up.  I really appreciate the excitement that she has for simple things! Her sweet, caring, inquisitive and observant personality is such a blessing to our family.  She constantly amazes me and opens my eyes to see things anew.

On Sunday night I set the table for a special birthday tea party.  She was so delighted when she walked in the kitchen...and has asked to have a tea party each morning since!
 

Always looking for an excuse to wear a party hat, Matt and Clara wore theirs proudly all through the evening! 

Goggles from Grandma B & Grandpa were a big hit!   

So pleased! 

Insert audible squeal here!  

Preparing to blow out the candle a second time following the special Overton "Today Is A Birthday" song. 

Saying the goggles were a hit may have been an understatement...she has worn them everywhere this past week.
They've been on bike rides, walks, to the store, church & park.  This girl cracks me up!  What joy she brings to our lives!

Little Buddies

Lily and Maggie are destined to be buddies!  

Clara's 3rd Birthday Party

Last Saturday we enjoyed a beautiful afternoon at Fort Vancouver to celebrate Clara's 3rd birthday.  Clara had fun running around with her friends, while the adults were able to enjoy some good conversation! 

Matt, Clara, Maggie & JB waiting for the drumsticks to finish smoking on the barbecue.  Maggie's first bbq!

Audrey, Avery & Natalie playing with their bubble wands.

 

Rachel was happy to hold Maggie while I took care of party stuff!

It is always fun to watch the kids interact and enjoy time together.  Clara was pleased to have so many of her buddies there!

In looking at this picture, I am so thankful for the girl friends I have  here in Washington.  God has definitely provided great friendships for me and wonderful families for us to connect with.  

It was a windy day, so we decided to wait until after singing "Happy Birthday" to light the candle.

Clara anticipating her big moment...only to have it snatched away by the wind!

Matt, determined as ever, moved the cupcake to the bench...

I wasn't able to capture it, but, yes the candle was actually lit!

One happy birthday girl!  

As she was crawling into bed I asked her what her favorite part of the party was and she replied, "The candle with the '3'."  It's the little things...


Later Matt told me he had asked her the same question and she had said, "Barbecuing chicken with you before the party and eating the first piece of meat."  She is definitely Daddy's little helper when it comes to the bbq.

Family Time

While in California last week we were so blessed to be able to spend time with so many of our family members.  After spending a couple days in Tehachapi with my mom and dad, we drove over to Carpinteria for a couple days.  When we arrived we were greeted by my Aunt Cindy and Grandma and a table of presents with a happy birthday balloon for Clara's upcoming 3rd birthday and to celebrate Maggie's birth!  I was so glad that they were able to meet Maggie.  We trekked down to the beach and spent the afternoon enjoying the sun (& shade!).

Maggie with her Great-Aunt Cindy

Maggie with her Great-Grandma

An extra special treat was getting to meet up with my brothers, Joe & his family and Andrew and my sister, Aly in Pismo Beach for the night.  It was a beautiful afternoon when we arrived and checked into the hotel and we just spent the evening watching the kids run around, swimming in the pool, and enjoying dinner from Firestone Grill (yet another California essential).  Clara loved getting to play with her cousins!  

I love this picture of Aly!  I just love her beautiful smile!
She loves being Auntie!

  

The night we were at the hotel, Grandma B surprised Clara with cupcakes and everyone joined in to sing "Happy Birthday".

Uncle Joe made a quick trip down to meet Maggie then headed back for work early the next morning!

The girls and I with Kathie

The next day we met up with my good friend Kathie who was my master teacher when I student taught.  She is a wonderful woman who taught me a lot about patience, planning, positive attitude and love.  We continued to keep in touch as I began to teach.  When my brother and sister began college in San Luis Obispo, she "adopted" them and began having them over for dinner and checking in on them.  She and her husband, Chuck, have played an important part in all of our lives!  It was really a treat to get to visit with her!


The flight home was so smooth!  Maggie was just awesome the whole time and Clara was fantastic too!  I'm so thankful that we were able to go visit!  I am especially thankful for my mom for making these minitrips possible!  She drove from place to place and made sure so many of the details were in place upon our arrival and throughout the trip.  She was flexible, knowing that at any time we may have to pull over or abort a plan, which I greatly appreciate!

Farming in California

Last week the girls and I headed to California while Matt was gone to Eastern Washington for High School Work Camp.  Maggie flew for the first time and we survived the flight with just one big spit up and a couple crying spells.  Thankfully, we were at the back of the plane!  Clara, the experienced traveler, was helpful and enjoyed a couple activity books I had wrapped up for the occasion.  I am amazed each time we fly at her ease in the airport and how she knows just what to do as we walked through security and while on board the plane.

Grandma B was in Burbank to pick us up and we made a crucial first stop at In'n'Out then headed to my parents' house in Tehachapi.  It is always fun to come home to the apple orchard and to see it in different seasons.  It is especially neat now to bring Clara there.  She gets so excited about the apples, the tractor, and helping Grandma B & Grandpa with their "farm chores". 

Grandpa & Clara checking on the orchard one evening.

One happy girl!

This visit we met Tio Rojo's 3 hens, Sally, Betsy & Dorothy.  Clara went with Tio each morning to collect the 3 eggs and to feed them.  She liked the idea of the eggs, but wouldn't reach in to get them.  She left that up to Tio! 

Sally, Betsy, Dorothy...not sure which one is which... 

Tio: "Do you want to reach in to get the eggs?"
Clara: "No, that's okay.  You can." = ) 

Sitting up in Grandad's Park before we left for the airport.

 

Smiles

8 weeks old