Betsy's Baby Shower

Betsy's baby shower was last Saturday! It was so beautiful and fun. There was a lot of love there for Betsy and her little Elora! Guests came from all over. There were a few teary moments - especially with grandma to be. The weather was perfect. It was such a happy day!

The theme was fairy princess - the old fashioned woodland kind.



Unfortunately, I didn't take very many photos and those I did take didn't turn out very well. Nearly none were in focus! (Hangs head in shame.) I must've had too much champagne. *sigh* There were many cameras out so hopefully they were more on the ball than I. ;)





Caitlin hosted the party at her house in Venice.



Kathleen, Krissy (B's sister), Meghan and I all helped.



We all had different jobs -- I was in charge of the party favors and signage.





We even did the flower arrangements! Cait made these gorgeous dangling crystals that we hung on the branches and around the tent.



Sergio helped put fairy wings on B's baby picture, and also helped make all the fairy seals to tie everything to the invitation.



I did manage to catch one of the games on video.



We cannot wait to meet you Elora!

Monday Meow!

Aw. Mia was determined to nap, despite the sunlight pouring through the window above her.

Grayson update

The problem with these little ones is that they keep growing.







cutie.

New Painting

Nora, Sergio's mom, painted this.


(Sorry about the glare.)

She brought it to us on her recent visit and we got it framed last week. We LOVE it! The colors are so vibrant and gorgeous.

Monday Meow!

I don't know how your cats like to hang out but Micio likes to be on her back with her legs splayed open.



So unladylike.



Micio: "Who me?"

Two Sundays Ago

Warm afternoon perfection.







Hopefully today is just as lovely.

Baseball Night

Last week, we were lucky to be invited out to a night out at Dodger Stadium.









First Dodger Dog in YEARS, the Dodgers won, AND Fireworks!

It was a great night.

Click a photo for more on my photostream.

Parents

I love them.

That is all.

Happy Friday everybody!

Brunchtime

Great friends + New recipe + Bubbly = great time.

Brunch has quickly become my favorite meal to host. The bright of the day makes it easier to focus on what counts: your guests. The champagne drinks don't hurt either. :) This time I got to try out a delicious new dessert recipe (Marsala poached figs over vanilla ricotta) and we dug into a couple of special jams we've been saving, one from a lavender farm in Ojai, and another from here.






We got to rock out with Diana and Lior just last month. But we hadn't seen Sophie since her party! So happy to finally get a chance to hang with her and her parents.

Yeah, I know I posted pictures of baby Sophie yesterday. But you all don't mind just one more, do you?



I mean, look at that face. Click on a photo to hop on over to my photostream for more!

Sophie update

A while back, we gave this baby an elephant.









So ADORABLE.

New Camera Effects

There was a firmware update for my camera last week. Cool new effects came with it. My favorite so far is called "Toy Camera".





The one called "Retro" is nice too.

Monday Meow!

Remember when we gave Mia a Lion Cut? Her fur is already growing back in!

The Landscaping: Decomposed Granite Patio, check!

Remember when I posted a quick preview a few weeks ago? Well, we've been busy working on it and various other house projects. We're finally ready for the big, bloggity reveal.

BUT WAIT! I know you are as fond of "Before and Afters" as much as I am. And who am I to deny you this pleasure? And really, it's the most effective way to convey massive change.

BEFORE

This is from the day we got our keys to the house!

As time passed, we cultivated many weed plants.

Which we mowed like it was real lawn.

(Yes, he is wearing the exact same shirt in all three photos but rest assured, they were taken at three very different times over the course of two years.)



Drumroll please...!





AFTER






Granted, it's taken a couple years. Keep in mind, Sergio built it all himself, all by hand. And when I say "by hand," I mean this: He broke the concrete with a sledgehammer, cut each board with a handsaw, nailed with a hammer and put in nearly every screw with a screwdriver. Tools powered by Sergio. Literally.

It's not that he likes kickn' it old school in the tool department. We're on an über tight budget and every time we find ourselves perusing the power tool department, there's a cart of supplies with us, patiently waiting to be paid for. After this experience though, I've told him that we must get outfitted with the right POWER tools before he starts on the deck. But that's for another post.






Click here to see posts of the backyard in various stages.

Stay tuned for more info on some of the new patio details, with photos of the fountain actually flowing and nightshots (oooh...très romantique!).




So, when are you coming over to hang out in our new patio?

Psst! There's a little video at the very end of an old post that shows Sergio hard at work. i forgot all about it! We got a chuckle out of it. Click here.