The sweetest thing

Sometimes, I think I've seen the 'sweetest thing, ever'. Then, my girls do something else that makes me say, no... THAT was the sweetest thing, ever!!!. This morning, the girls and I were sleeping in my bed after Nick had left for work. Berlyn woke up, turned to lay her head on sister's chest, and went right back to sleep. Later, Berlyn was awake, but Talullah was still sound asleep. Berlyn was playing with toys on the bed and climbing around. I went and took a shower, figuring both girls would be wide awake by the time I finished. When I came out of the shower, I found Berlyn, back up by her sister, head laying on her chest, just staring at Talullah. Miss T was still out like a light. Yup. Pretty much the sweetest thing. Ever.

One of our favorite places

We love the beach!!! Lately we've been picking a spot out in Loleta. The girls think that getting dirty is pretty much the best thing ever. They always start out fully clothed and end up shedding layers until they're buck naked and covered in sand. Of course, we always take a bucket of toys that gets equally dirty. I've decided that on the next trip, the baby doll and the binkie stay in the car. Highlights of the Family Fun Day activity included Talullah letting dad bury her up to her waist in sand, and watching Berlyn trying to drink out of the ocean water filled bucket. Once that salt water was on her face, her little tongue kept popping out to lick her lower lip. Wish I'd caught it camera.

Project Time!

So, after a couple people clued me in to Pinterest, I've been inspired to craft my little heart out. I made a cute frame to hang Talullah's art work in. I threw together the cutest button headband this morning. I spruced up a corkboard to hang in the laundryroom (It's not quite finished, yet). I've put the first coat of paint on the magazine rack I scored at a thrift store while dropping off a load of stuff. Any ideas on what to use it for? So far it's an outside shoe holder. I made the sign for my parents forever ago... I swear I'm going to put the hanger on the back today, so I can finally give it to them. Initially it was supposed to be a Father's Day gift. Thanks to Megan Collenberg for the idea and instructions on how to make it! What else can I get my hands on?!?!

Her "suitcase"

Talullah had been asking me about the where abouts of her 'suitcase' for days. I was at a loss, knowing she does not own one. There are not many times she has even seen a suitcase of mine. One day, she comes running down the hall... "I found my suitcase, mom! I found it!" And she's holding her pink wig from her dress up collection. I tried my best to explain that it's called a wig, but she just wouldn't have it.

More pictures of camping...

Camping in Miranda

What with all these pregnancies and babies, we have not gone on a family camping trip in years. This year, we were determined to make it happen. We were bummed that my brother couldn't join us, but with Kathy, James, Genesis, Logan, Sarah, and Chandler, Nana, Papa, and my family of 3, we had a wonderful time enjoying the sun down in Miranda. We played some games, swam in the river, tried to master ping pong, and pigged out on s'mores. My favorite part was watching Talullah get a kick out of hanging out in the kayak while her daddy searched for perfect rocks for her. He'd pull them out of the water and she'd inspect them. Yes, throw them in the boat. No, she'd shake her head and toss it back in the water. Logan and Berlyn were content to sit on the shore and just wade in the little water hole Nick created for them. As long as they were getting dirty, all was well.

My baby's one!!!

So hard to believe twelve months have flown by since we brought home baby Berlyn. She was a a tiny, 5.13 lb bundle of cuteness. She's gained almost 12 lbs, and developed quite a spunky personality in the past year. It's hard to imagine there was ever life without 'little sister'. And... ready or not, she's not going to be the littlest Downey for much longer. We're expecting baby #3 in the beginning of March.