Port A- Staycation

Since Texas is all new to us, there are plenty of things to go and see within a short drive.

We started things off with a trip to Port Aransas. It was about a 3 1/2 hour drive that included lots of bridges and even a ferryboat ride to get there. This was our first time visiting a Gulf coast beach. Everyone kept telling us that we wouldn't like it cause we are from California. Well the water was warm and we liked that. We agreed we have seen beaches with more beauty, but enjoyed our time there. For a 3 year old a beach is a beach and Sophia was more than happy to be there.









Our attempt at a family photo with my remote control (guess I need some practice, maybe next time I won't cut off our heads)

can you see the remote in my hand?





we had to be careful of these and other jelly fish

(I've done this before and I'm sure I'll do it again...I shot all of these photos with an iso of 1600. Why? because the last time I used my camera it was dark and I never changed the iso back. I was kicking myself when I realized I had done this. A lot of cute photos ended up grainy. Boo! You think I would have learned my lesson having done this before.)

Thinking about Christmas Cards

One of my favorite things about the holiday season is sending and receiving cards. I've already started looking around online to see where I should order from.

I love to send photo cards and Shutterfly had an amazing selection of them. I was quited impressed that they had the options of photo paper or new premium cardstock for stationary cards. You also have the options of flat or folded.

There are also so many designs to choose from whether you want something traditional or something a little more modern your cards will defiantly be chic if you go with Shutterfly.

I have so many favorites it's going to be hard to decide on just one. These are some of the ones I love.

Oh What fun Christmas Card

Bright and Merry Christmas Card

Stylish white snowflakes holiday card






I've used Shutterfly in the past for the photo books and I've never been disappointed. Good quality and great prices. They've also got personalized wall art that I would love to order. You can get gallery-wrapped canvas printed in a variety of sizes.

I'm excited to use Shutterfly this year for my Christmas Cards. The only problem I'll have is choosing just one design.

Bloggers get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly… sign up: http://bit.ly/sfly2010

Life in Texas

It's the end of October and still hot enough to get wet.

Sophia often asks what happened to my other house? I tell her it's still there, we just live in Texas now. She says she wants to go there. I don't blame her. Sometimes I want to go back too. (OK, a lot of times.) Not to our small apt. I don't miss that thing. I just miss what felt like home to us for so many years. Rob will be the first to tell you change is not easy for me. It's been quite an adjustment. Things are different here in so many ways. I'm not complaining. A lot of things are good changes.

It takes me about 20mins to go anywhere (except the grocery store, 10mins).

Strangers are nice here and want to talk to you and help you. I've probably talked to more people at the grocery store here in the last few months than the entire 4 years in DC.

I have 2 more bathrooms and a lot more house to clean.

I keep thinking because it's a little overcast in the morning I'll be able to wear a scarf or boots, not the case.

I've become a spider killer, cricket catcher, and weed wacker.

I'm also the sprinkler system, we don't have. ( we got old sod pulled a couple weeks ago and new sod layed so I've been watering every day!)

HEB (the grocery store) makes fresh flour tortillas daily -yummy

Rob and I have a new addiction- Blue Bell

Life here is good! I get to wake up every morning to 2 smiling girls and spend each and every day taking care of them. And when I'm lucky I get to see/spend time with my husband ;) Before I know it life in Texas will feel like home.

Still Cleaning them

2 weeks ago Scarlett became twinners with her sister. How I forgot to blog about this, I know not. I know I posted it on fb though. Only 4 more weeks of cleaning 3x/day. I'm not counting down or anything. She looks so cute. Even in the photo below when she's crying, "Mom stop taking photos of my new earrings already."

She turned 5 months on Sunday. I can't believe how much she's grown. She loves watching her big sister run around in circles and dance. It always brings smiles and giggles to Scarlett's face.

During wake time she is becoming a permanent fixture on my hip. I don't mind though. I love having a baby to carry and hold. She keeps me smiling all day. She's been a little fussy the past couple of days, maybe teething? All in all she is still such a happy, easy baby. She makes me want another baby!

My 3 Loves!

Our Daddy has been working an insane amount of hours over the last 6 weeks. We are talking 15 hour days. We don't get to see him much, let alone spend quality time together. So when he has a day off we try to make the most of it. On this day we went to the Zoo ( thank you groupon for the awesome deal on a family pass). While there I realized that Scarlett doesn't have any photos of just her and Daddy so I started shooting away and came out with some adorable ones.

Sophia loved seeing the animals and there is a little kiddie play area with water and sand and then she was in heaven.

I heart my photo wall

So this is my new favorite wall in my house. I got the idea from here and adjusted it a bit. I used 12x12 frames and prints. I got the frames on sale from Michaels for about $4.50 and got the prints at Costco for $2.99. So it ended up being very budget friendly. As frames and enlargements can get expensive.

October means Pumpkins

Last year around this time we had just come home from our 6 week tour of the west coast family and I was feeling so sick from morning sickness; hence, Sophia did not get to go to a pumpkin patch. This year I bought her a fake pumpkin at Michaels Crafts and she liked it. But then a few days ago she informed me she wanted a real pumpkin. I had intended to take her to get a real one, I just hadn't gotten around to it yet.



She had a blast trying to pick up the big ones.



In the end we just bought a couple of little ones. She came home and wanted to paint them right away. Might head over to Walmart and get a big one for carving. We'll see.

We had a nice morning enjoying the cooler temps. Still not cold enough for sweaters though as you can see.

Scarlett's Blessing- 3 months

Last month Daddy gave Scarlett a beautiful blessing. One that brought tears to Mommy's eyes.

We love this little girl so much ( all chubs and thunder thighs included).

She continues to be such a happy, easy going baby. She hardly ever cries.

She loves to suck her thumb and bat at things, smile, giggle, watch her sister play, and just recently she started grabbing toys and bringing them up to her mouth so she can suck on them.

My Mom and Dad were her for the special event. We had a wonderful weekend with them both here.It was hard to see my Mom go after 2 weeks. She helped me unpack and when she wasn't unpacking she was watching the girls so I could unpack and run errands. We miss you!

Magnolia Bakery- LA

On our way to LAX to fly to TX we stopped at this new bakery in LA. I'd never been to the one in New York ( I actually waited outside of the one in NYC in a line once, but ditched the line to go put my name in the raffle for the $25 Wicked Tickets and I'm glad I did because I won.) Sophia, being the cute, lovable girl she is walked into the bakery with my Mom and started watching them make the cupcakes. They then offered her a free one and took her photo. This all went on while I was changing Scarlett in the car (a blowout). When I got inside I found this happy little face eating her cupcake.





As you can see it's the cutest little bakery, I loved the decor



I couldn't leave without trying the famous Banana Pudding and it lived up to it's name- delish!

Also tried the Magic Cookie Bars- more yums.

Thanks Dad for fighting the traffic to drive us there :)