Posts tagged Alma

PURPLE

There is a whole lot of purple around here. Raven’s current favorite color. …and since we are celebrating our big 3 year old this weekend, we are just going to roll with the purple thing!
She has really been loving her birthday this year! A lot of anticipation beforehand, and a lot of disappointment when the party was over.

(i just can’t get her to look at the camera)

On her actual birthday we did the traditional singing with cupcake in bed…only this year we had to tell her to go back in her bed so we could sing to her. (she was coloring downstairs at 6:20 am! ..and who knows what time she really came downstairs. 6:20 is the time that Matt thought he was sneaking down to get things ready. Our 3 year old does not like to sleep.)

Later that morning we had a visit from Grandma Virginia! They played and read Raven’s new book!

Then Raven’s friends came over! Pure excitement!

We played games and sang “Happy Birthday”

(she got a little close to the flames there…but she is fine, and she did blow them out)

My girls like cupcakes if you can’t tell by looking at their faces :)

The other kids like cupcakes too…see all the smiles?
Raven had so much fun! She was so excited to have her friends over…and the fact that they sang “happy birthday to raven” is something that has made her so happy, we have been talking about it all week! She has been growing up so fast! It is incredible to see her growing relationships with friends and with God (who apparently talks to her in a deep voice). She is so smart and loving and shy and sneaky and busy. She is a big girl now!

SUCCESS!

Leading up to our trip, I honestly thought we might not be going on our much anticipated trip to our beloved Sayulita. Hazel had a ear infection a week before leaving. Raven had pneumonia two days before leaving. The power of prayer (and powerful antibiotics) got her feeling well enough to fly….and although we were all sick before, during, and still have runny noses and coughs after…we had a great time!
Raven had been talking about Mexico for weeks (“Is Mexico over there?” pointing left), and we loved the build up of excitedment! (This is the way I typed it and I decided to leave it this way…it just seems appropriate :))

Day 1. at the beach!

sand chairs made by daddy!

Day 2. at the beach!

…and swimming with the daddys! (the water was too cold for the mommys)

swim lessons for the big girls

daddy swim for the little girl

Day 3. more fun in the sun! …and carnival!

jumping on the trampoline!

Day ?. The rest of the days are blurred together…all I know is that is went way too fast. Here are other highlights from the week…

family photo

group photo

the Daddys with the kids

…and there were a few peaceful moments like this…

It’s sad that we will not be going back again next year, but Sayulita will always be a special place in our hearts (we love the beach and the food and the sea glass and the smoothies!)…and we will be back again someday!

Christmas is coming!

With Christmas coming, our calendars are filling up fast! This past weekend we had our 5th annual Christmas pj breakfast! We are at 9 kids now…but there will be more next year! (don’t get any ideas…I’m not having another one by next year) The kids love running around, playing with toys, and having tea parties…while the adults eat lots of yummy food and drink mimosas…good times had by all!

all the little kids

all the little kids with the big kids

Later that afternoon we headed up to Swansons. Its a garden center nearby where they bring in a live camel and reindeer for the holidays. Raven was mesmerized…and Hazel was grunting with excitement! (at least thats what we are going with…)

Most of our photos are of the back of Raven’s head…she never wants to miss a thing! I think this will become a holiday tradition..it was so fun (plus we had dinner out afterwards. I like eating out.)

Hazel’s Birthday!

Hazel had such a great birthday! I’m pretty sure she loved every minute of it…and I’ll prove it to you :)

We started a birthday tradition with Raven…wake up with a song, a candle, and cake! Hazel wasn’t so sure about this at first…

happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear hazel

and after this we opened presents! Raven picked out a playground ball for Hazel, and that is by far her favorite gift!

Later on that afternoon was the party! Family and friends came over to help us celebrate our ball of energy! We played, had dinner, and then….we had cake!!! (this is where you can see her joy and excitement that proves she had a great day!)

thumbs up! the cake is good!

…and some party favorites!

(lots of sugar highs and sugar lows!)
As you can see, it was a really great day! We had a bit of a party hangover on Sunday…colds, runny noses, coughs, and some real sugar lows. It was so fun celebrating our little baby girl who is now one, who is almost walking, and who has started throwing tantrums like a full blown toddler. We are so thankful for you and we love you so much Hazel!

Oh, and here is a sneak peak at one of Hazel’s one-year photos!

best friends forever!

November 4th, 2010 | Alma | Eliana | Raven | video

just another day at the playground with friends Eliana and Alma :)

july round up

August 10th, 2010 | Alma | Eliana | Hazel | Raven

Raven LOVES to hold Hazel, and Hazel loves her big sister! Its amazing, though, how quickly the smiles and gentle hugs turn into a death grip and tears.

Lately the girls have loved watching Daddy go to work…it helps with their sad hearts and the tears that come when they know he is leaving. We have 2 Daddy’s girls on our hands. They also love to see how he will be going to work. Is he riding his bike? or driving his motorcycle? or more frequently driving his car? Raven yells through the window “Bye! Bye Da Da! Have a day!”

Pool Party with friends! Always a ton of fun!

Sisters playing in the cool. Me: Raven, its a pool p-p-pool. Raven: Its a cool p-p-cool. *sigh* Oh yes, that is Raven drinking the pool. The girl loves to drink water. That can’t be bad thing, right? I just try not to think about the gross stuff in that water.

Lovely post swim dinner :)She refused to take off the hat. Oh well. Pick your battles and enjoy these little moments that I will look back on and simply smile. At least she’s eating her dinner ;)

…and yes, Hazel is following in Raven’s footsteps! She has discovered how to carry a purse while she plays (and loving every minute of feeling like a big girl!).

more to come soon!

Willis Family Adventures