A breath of fresh air...

Hello blog.

It's been a while, and for that I am sorry.

I could make excuses, like how two kids are way more hectic than one, and how my new job as Artistic Director of CYT Santa Cruz is crazy, and how I just closed a show with 27 kids that went well but almost ate my head, but I won't. Instead we'll just breathe a new breath, and move along. Shall we?




Fairy and Princess. Something tells me that there will be many more pictures like this in years to come.

Gardening: tough girl style.

A walk along West Cliff Drive. Yep, we are legit with our double bob.

Grammy came up to visit.

And brought Christmas presents from Uruguay!

Elsa is rolling around like a champ.

And loves to stand.

Fancy Clara playing play-dough. Apparently earrings and tiaras help.

Yeah, she's fancy.

You might remember the galloping jumperoo from when Clara was wee.
Elsa loves it equally as much.
She also loves to drool...

Clara playing "violin" (on her ukulele with a drumstick).

Clara on the Santa Cruz boardwalk.

Elsa and Daddy flying a kite.

Reid, Steph, and J flying too.
(Note: Elsa's baptism pictures are above. The Hellekson clan came down for that as Reid and Steph are Elsa's godparents.)

Beautiful Santa Cruz sky.

Sisters rockin' their new purple fleeces. Thanks, Grammy!

Highland's park.

Clara took this picture.

Clara took this one too. I love it.

Clara riding "Dinah the Dinosaur" as she has been dubbed.

Elsa joined in too.
(Note: Clara chose her outfit that day. We just roll with it now.)

Happy E.

Auntie Coco came up during tech week. She was a lifesaver!

Clara and her buddies watching my show. Clara will tell you she got to see it 3 times.
We have to reenact the entire show everyday. She has most of it memorized.

My cousin Mike and his fiance, Daniela, came over for a visit.

Clara had fun.

This is how old Clara will be in a week! Yikes!

St. Patrick's Day.

Elsa rockin' the green shirt.

Clara sporting her green banana slug shirt.

And finally, green cake (inside and out).

See one more new post below. We've had lots of adventures.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Nana gave us a family pass to Monterey Bay Aquarium for Christmas. We have already put these to good use visiting twice since January.



Clara and Mama outside the aquarium.

Daddy and the girls.

"Part of Your World..."

Trying out the slide.

Playing the water.

Beautiful jellies.

Trying to catch bait.

Family in the mirror.

Elsa.

Clara listening to whale sounds.

Seals on our walk from Monterey to Pacific Grove.

Daddy and Elsa.

Mama and Clara in Pacific Grove.

Christmas with the Donahoe Clan

Christmas was wonderful! Heather's entire family, which has grown by three little ones since we last celebrated Christmas together, converged on Ben Lomond for a cozy Santa Cruz Mountain Holiday. Here are some highlights.



Kicking off the Christmas season with Clara's first Nutcracker experience. She loooved it.




Happy Birthday, Jesus and Paddyyyy...

Clara and Aunteenie enjoying Christmas Eve at Aunt Melanie and Uncle Henry's house.

Cousin Evan treats Elsa to a mind-blowing light-staring session.

Sissy-heads.

Clara shows Cousin Ian how to build a sand castle. Or at least how to get a lot of sand down your pants.

Elsa tells Paddy he should get some snowman jammies to match her and Clara.

Presents with Nona and Paddy.

The Little Man. The Big Boy. Just don't call him "Baby Ian" anymore.

Sean's dietary advice for Elsa is a bit suspect. I don't think "giraffe" is on the menu until at least 8 months.

Clara tries on her new ballet shoes. Expect to see some ballet picture-posts in the near future, as dance lessons have already begun with Madame Heather.

Ryan, Andy, and the newest beautiful edition- Moira Avens.

Super-Auntie Erin Kathleen.
 

Our little family, with the girls rocking Nona-made velvet Christmas dresses.

Sean and Ian making a break for it.

After the staring contest with Uncle Porkchop, Elsa declares a thumb war.

Semi-annual Gingerbread Co-Champion: The Man Tower.

Tied for last place: Chickville.  ;)

j