Le Miserables

We had a great evening of adult fun at Le Miserables in San Francisco last night with Brian's family.  Dave, Dani, Terri, Brian and I went to set a matinee showing.  Neither Brian and I had seen it before.  I wasn't sure what to expect and didn't know much about the story.  But, it was fantastic!  The sets were incredible....several left us wondering how in the heck they did it.  We went to dinner at Town Hall....I'm in love.....wonderful dinner and atmosphere.  We strolled along the embarcadaro after dinner....we are so blessed to live so close to such a great city!

Here's some pictures from the night....

Sara's 2nd Year Video

Here's Sara's 2nd year in 8 minutes of video pictures. So fun to watch her progress and growth. She has learned so much this past year!

Letters to Sara: 2 years old!

Dear Sara,

You are two years old today!  I have had the pleasure of spending the last 730 days with you since your birth.....the day I was given you in a perfect 6 pound 14 ounce package of pure joy...the day that forever changed my life for the better.

From the day you were born, you have been a happy child with an ability to melt everyone’s heart and put a smile on our faces. Your daddy and I have been the proudest parents every day as we have watched you transform from that 6 pound newborn to the toddler we see before us today.  To us, you are perfect and we couldn’t ask for a better child.  Never forgot that, sweet girl!

A year ago, you were still crawling and had your "chunky monkey" baby body.  Today you speed walk everywhere you go, and have turned into a little girl who loves to clap, read books, swim, sing, and laugh.  Somewhere along the way, you decided to start talking and now we get the biggest kick out of learning what is on your mind.  Your latest trend of adding a ‘y’ to your favorite nouns (milky, cuppy) is amusing but we can live without the “No” response you somehow acquired in your vocabulary.  The words we hear come out of your mouth never cease to amaze your daddy and I.  You are a little parrot right now, repeating everything we say.  There is not a day that goes by when your daddy and I don’t look at one another and smile over something we hear you say. We never could have imagined how much fun being your parent would be.  You are one special little girl!

Welcome to your third year of life. We are ushering in the year of "why," potty training, and a big girl bed. I cannot wait to see what the next 365 days bring us.  Never forgot how much you are loved. Nothing will ever change that sweet girl, ever....

xoxo,

Your mommy

Happy Birthday, Sara!

We celebrated Sara's 2nd Birthday with family and friends at Rankin Aquatic Center.  It was the perfect day at the pool.  Sara had a blast....here's some pictures from the day

Dawson likes his watermelon on a stick!

Sara loves the slide

Evan

Fiona

Sara and our neighbor Molly

Water baby!

Family Pic!

So happy that my 3 besties could be there...Sara is lucky to have so many aunties that love her!

A table full of Kenny's!

Snack time!

Sara and Morea

Pizza, Cupcakes, Icecream and Presents back at the house



Wow...everone is smiling at the camera!

Really?

How is it really possible this girl is going to be 2 next week?  Crazy, wonderful, beautiful fast year!  Can't wait to celebrate her next weekend.  She is transitioning to her new classroom next week.  Big changes for our little girl!

Anniversary Weekend Happenings

What a full, wonderful weekend....We accomplished 2 firsts.....laying sod....check....leaving Sara overnight.....check!
We laid sod in the backyard....here's some pictures:

Just to remember where we started:

It was hot here yesterday, so we were up bright and early.  In the yard by 7:30am....

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Sara is a great helper!

Belle enjoying the grass already!

All Done!



 Sod was laid and sprinklers were programmed by 10:30 am.  Like painting, all the prep work of installing sod is the hardest part.  It was a whole lot of digging and rototiller.  A BIG thank you to my dad for lending us a helping hand and the rototiller!

We cleaned up, had lunch, gave Sara a million kisses, left her in the capable hands of my parents, and  headed for the Claremont Hotel in Berkeley.  It was brutal 100 degrees when we left our house around 3:30pm.  A delightful 83 degrees when we pulled into the Claremont 20 minutes later!  We are so lucky to be close to natural AC!

We checked into our room, explored a bit, grabbed a snack and a couple adult beverages and headed to the pool.  Brian swam and I lounged by the pool with a book.  So nice to have the pool mostly to ourselves.  It was 5ish by the time we got to the pool and most everyone was packing up.

Had to do a self portrait picture!


Foggy view from our room this morning....the Bay Bridge is to the left.  Golden Gate was just to the right.

We walked to Rick and Ann's for breakfast. We put our name in for a table and headed for Peet's Coffee, which was right next door.  It was overcast when we went to breakfast and sunny by the time we were done. 

We were home by noon.  We were excited to see Sara and Belle!  Sara was so excited to see us..we got quite the greeting when we walked in.  She had a great time with my parents.  We had a great time at the Claremont.  But, we both said that we missed Sara a couple of times.....love that kiddo!

Happy 5th Anniversary!

Our wedding invitation started with the words, "For everything there is a season, a time, and a purpose...." So fitting and true when I reflect on the past 5 years. The last 5 years have been imperfectly perfect.....the kind of perfection that comes with LOVING the imperfect...LOVING the gifts and trials that I am SO grateful to experience together.

In the dark times of infertility and extended periods of lay-offs, we learned that we could do hard things. We've learned that in a marriage, you never crumble at the same time. You wait your turn. And we learned that when it gets really dark you just sit quietly and hold hands until the light returns. It always does... eventually. 

We are surrounded by light...we just have to remember not to be blinded by it....to remain grateful for every good and perfect gift.   Those dark times have made the light that much sweeter.  It's not big, flashy things that yield sweetness.  But rather a recognition in the sweetness of the simplest things that builds a slow, warming glow of gratitude.  Those sweet moments of watching Sara toddle around the park singing at the top of her lungs.....simple perfection.   Those quiet days of working in the yard, side by side.  Yes...it's hard work...but we get to do it...together.   Those lazy Sunday mornings at the Farmer's Market, walks around the block, and afternoons in the sandbox....perfection.

 Happy 5th Anniversary, Brian!

Happy Birthday, America!

We had a low-key 4th of July since it was in the middle of the week and Brian had to go back to work bright and early Thursday morning.  We headed downtown to the Martinez 4th of July Parade again this year.   Sara loved the parade....she clapped, blew kisses, and waved at everyone going by.  So fun to watch her!

Roxx on Main, a great restaurant on Main Street, hosted a pancake breakfast, so we had pancakes before the parade.  Then we strolled down to find a shady spot on the curb.  Next year, we have to get into the spirit and decorate her wagon!

 We ran into her friend Haden from daycare. 

They had fun watching the parade together!

 So many sights to take in!

This is for you, dad!  You need to enter your car next year!

Love the old cars!

This guy was so nice!  He drove right up to Sara and hoked his old-fashion horn.
Sara blew them a kiss. 

They had 2 dogs on the back!

Sara was pooped after the parade.  We worked in the yard during her nap time.
  Final pass with the rototiller.  Sod coming this weekend!
Soon to be bench is laid out around the tree.

We played outside in the afternoon with her water table.
The weather was just perfect

Sara was the sprinkler inspector!

The sprinklers work! 

Sidewalk chalk!

All the excitement wore her out!