Thursday, December 15, 2011

Baby Bruce


My little sister Erin and her husband Marc welcomed their baby boy, Bruce Luis Braga, on November 30th. It was a long intense first labor, but Erin would be the first to say it was well worth it. The girls and I went over to Tampa to be there for the birth and Charles joined us later that day after work. The girls were parading around the hospital chanting "BABY BRUCE, BABY BRUCE!" They were so excited for their little cousin to be born.

It is no surprise that Erin is a wonderful mother. It definitely suits her!

The girls meeting their cousin baby Bruce for the first time. It definitely made them anxious for the arrival of their little brother.


He is so stink in' cute!



We all just adore baby Bruce and can't wait for him to meet our little guy in March, we know they are gonna be the best of friends!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Isabelle Turned 4!


Our sweet Isabelle turned 4 on November 19th. Like usual, Isabelle was counting down the days till her birthday. This year she decided to stray from her Tinkerbell birthday theme that she has had the last two years. But she didn't stray far and it wasn't too unexpected, this year it was all about princesses. She decided to have a princess party with all of her little friends. They all came dressed as princesses and we did everyone's hair and nails to finish off the princess look.

Mikenzie was our hairstylist and did everyone's hair with glitter and all.

Some of the other mom's and I took on painting all the girls' nails.



Little Anya had to get in on the nail painting action.




After getting all princesses up, the girls all decorated princess crowns with stickers and jewels.


Isabelle had been eyeing this princess cake at Publix for a while so we had to get it for her birthday.




All the girls were eager to help Isabelle blow out the candles.



Isabelle was very spoiled by all of her friends with lots of fun presents. Thank you everyone!


Ever since we lived in NYC last year Isabelle has wanted an American Girl doll. We went to the American Girl store a couple times a week. She has talked about it ever since. My mom told her that she would get her one for her birthday and you bet Isabelle held her to it. She kept telling my mom that she needed to go on a plane to NYC to get her doll. Isabelle examined the catalog very closely for months and found her perfect doll, Kanani. Isabelle loved that she had long brown hair like her. When Isabelle opened her present from my mom, she was all grins. We got her a couple of outfits that she picked out for her and she loves changing her into her different clothes.


Our friends Scott and MaryLynn and their little girl Zoe were in town for the week from NYC and were able to come for Isabelle's birthday party. Isabelle was so happy to have her little friend Zoe there for the party.

Just a little update on Isabelle and her current interests/likes:
  • Isabelle is loving school. She only goes two days a week, but is thrilled whenever she gets to go. She has made lots of friends at school and loves her teachers.
  • Isabelle started off the school year not knowing any of her letters, but has really picked them up fast.
  • Isabelle's favorite color is purple.
  • Isabelle would wear a dress every day if I let her.
  • Isabelle loves playing dress-ups and changes her clothes all day long.
  • Isabelle loves playing outside and going to the park.
  • Isabelle always wants to know what our schedule is and has the sharpest memory. If we stray from our plans she will be the first to let us know.
  • Isabelle is a great big sister. She really takes ownership in her role in the family. I absolutely love seeing the relationship she has with Anya. They are the best of friends. I love seeing them interact and all of their inside jokes that are just between the two of them.
  • Isabelle is thrilled to have her little brother join us in March. Everyday she talks to him and hugs and kisses my belly.
  • Isabelle insists on routines. Everything has to be done in a certain order.
  • Isabelle is very opinionated on EVERYTHING.
  • Isabelle's favorite food is apples. We still struggle with getting her to try anything new. She is definitely the picky eater in the house.
  • Isabelle loves watching movies and can quote any movie or sing along to any song after seeing or hearing it only 2 times. She has a great memory.
  • Isabelle loves going to church and learning about Jesus and the prophets.
  • Isabelle loves reading the scriptures and memorizing scripture stories.
  • Isabelle loves Family Home Evening, especially when we pull out the flannel board and she gets to tell stories from the scriptures.
  • Isabelle's favorite time of day is when her Papa comes home from work.
  • Isabelle loves to cuddle.
  • Isabelle makes us laugh all day long, she is always doing things and saying things that keep us rolling.
  • Isabelle is working hard on her French. It isn't always easy for her to form sentences in French, but she is making a big effort to try. She has great understanding and comprehension of French thanks to Charles' continual effort to always speak in French to the kids.
  • Isabelle loves France and everything to do with it. She gets so excited when she sees pictures of the Eiffel Tower.
  • Isabelle loves New York City. Everyday she tells me she wants to go back to her new home in New York City and that she misses it there. If she could live anywhere it would be there. Sounds like her Momma.
  • Isabelle is very sensitive and loving. She always wants to make sure everyone is happy.
  • Out of nowhere Isabelle has gotten very good at art. She has taken a big interest in painting. I accredit most of that to her school and all of the art projects they do.
  • Isabelle loves going to Disney.
  • Isabelle finally learned how to swim this last summer and loves being in the water.
  • Isabelle has learned the value of money. She has picked out a few different toys at the store, found out how much they were and then saved up her money till she had enough to buy them. She is so proud each time she buys something with her own hard earned money.
  • One of our favorite things Isabelle says is when we ask her to do something that we don't know she has already done she always says "Maybe I already did..." It makes us laugh every time.
  • Isabelle has a few jobs around the house. She is in charge of setting the table and she always clears her own place without being asked. She also is getting better at cleaning her room and cleaning up after herself.
  • Isabelle is very independent and will help herself to whatever she wants in the kitchen.
  • Isabelle brings us so much joy. She is like sunshine on a rainy day. We just soak up every moment with her.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Parade of Princesses


Oh how I love Halloween, especially now that I have kids! It is so fun to see the kids so excited for Halloween. Isabelle was counting down the days! We had several Halloween parties/events that we went to. Isabelle took that as an opportunity to have more than one costume. So this year she was Silver Mist and Cinderella. She was very proud of her Silver Mist costume because she saved up her own money to buy it. We have been trying to teach her the value of money and she is so proud when she buys something herself. Anya was her favorite princess, Snow White. I had also picked up an Aurora dress for her, but she just wanted to be Snow White. Normally I don't let the girls leave the house in dress-ups so they thought it was great that they got to go everywhere dressed in their costumes. Isabelle acted like an old pro at the whole trick or treat scene and Anya only took a couple minutes to get a hang of it.

Our very own Silver Mist at the ward Trunk or Treat


Isabelle and her best friend Addi were inseparable. Addi and her family moved to Texas just a couple days after the ward trunk or treat.

Anya and her friend Brielle (Addi's little sister).



We went to a fun Halloween party at the YMCA. The girls got to decorate cookies, get their faces painted and go on a Trick or Treat Parade. I couldn't believe Anya kept still to get her face painted.


Halloween party with Isabelle's class at school. The kids had fun Trunk or Treating and decorating Halloween cookies.

What a fun Halloween Season, can't wait till next year!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Pumpkin Patch


To kick-off the Halloween Season we made our annual trip to the Pumpkin Patch. It is so fun to see the girls so excited about picking out a pumpkin, and extra exciting for Anya to be a part of the action this year. They each got to pick their own little pumpkin and then one big one for the family to carve. Once we got home the continued to carry their little pumpkins around with them wherever they went.




We got our pumpkins!


Time to carve

Doing the dirty work

Isabelle wanted a "Spooky" pumpkin this year.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Girls Trip!

We had our 4th Annual BYU Luv Shack Reunion. Unlike other years where we have gone to someone's home, this year we went to Laguna Beach, CA. Thanks to an awesome hook up and discount from our friend Tiffany, we were able to stay the weekend at the Newport Coast Villas. Gorgeous!!! It was absolutely perfect for us. We had a fabulous weekend full of shopping at malls and the Swap Meat, eating, and having much needed girl time. I'm still amazed that we are able to coordinate all of our busy schedules and find a weekend every year where we can all get together. This was the first year that I have been able to go without a baby, so that was a nice break for me! Charles did a great job holding up the fort while I was gone.

The six of us, plus two little munchkins!


We found this fabulous restaurant on the beach called The Beachcomber. We could have gone back there for every meal, there were so many things on the menu that sounded delicious.



My delicious lunch!


The two pregnant mommas. I guess we know who will have babies with them next year!


Did I mention how beautiful it was? I have a new love for California!


We thought we would try and be young and hip again by renting a red Mustang. Too bad it was too cold most of the time to put the top down. We were quite the site all packed to the max with four of us in the car and all of our luggage.

I am so grateful to have such good friends where regardless of the distance between us, we can always pick back up right where we left off. I'm also grateful for all of our wonderful husbands who allow us to have a little time each year to have our girl time!