Spring Blossom

One of our favorite activities whenever we are back in Torrance is visiting the local farmer's market. Once there the girls love to make a bee-line for the stand that offers free Gerber daisies for kids. Chloe picked one up on Tuesday morning, then later that day visited twin friends Annika & Sophia and picked a fresh lemon from one of their trees. She loves homemade lemonade, but she had a different idea - making the lemon into a vase. A great idea! Give it a try the next time you pick some flowers!

Park Fun

Brooke is 20-months-old now - a totally fun age. She's talking up a storm now -- we just can't figure out what she's saying! She loves the park and being outside doing just about anything. Her big accomplishment this week has been learning how to climb out of her pack-n-play. After 3 successful attempts today at nap time, it's time to consider some additional baby/toddler-proofing needs!

Shootin' the Moon

I can still recall my dad breaking out our telescope one clear summer evening nearly 40 years ago to show my brothers & I the moon. What kid hasn't been mesmerized by a full moon at some point? It was fun to relive some of that excitement through my girls last week as we set up the camera to capture this picture of a nearly full moon. Take a good look and relive some of your own dreams & memories...

Happy Birthday, Janelle!

Janelle notched her second birthday here in AZ over the weekend. To celebrate, we packed the kids in the car and headed for Joe's Farmhouse Grill, a great spot we first heard about watching the Food Network one night last year. Nothing fancy, but the food rocks! Much of what they cook with is grown right there on the farm. There's some great run-around space for the kids, a great walk around the farm, and a good playground a short walk away. And the diner offers free dinner on your birthday!

Janelle is a huge blessing to our family, and to many others as well. We thank God for her (not nearly enough, I'm sure). Janelle, may 2009 be the best year yet! Happy birthday!

Summer 'dos

As the East coast digs itself out from the latest snow storm, summer seems to be knocking on our door here in AZ. Over the weekend the temps were in the high 80s. Crazy, but nice! To celebrate the warmer temps, all the Stoops girls except baby Brooke are now sporting new, shorter hair. Don't they look fabulous?!!