Yes We Did- What a Great Day

What a great day! Today I had one little one with me, Lola, watching the Inauguration of Barack Obama. All I can say is what an incredible, glorious, memorable day. We are so hopeful and in such need of a good president. Not just any president, but one with heart. One that really listens to the needs of the American people. The weight of the world is heavy on his shoulders, but I have confidence in Obama and I really do believe he will help to make this world a better place.

I am also so full of pride because I got to witness the first black man as president of the United States of America. It is something that I never thought I'd ever see, but hoped my children one day would. How far our world has come. I just have to say it, but "YES WE DID!"

Silly Moment with Eden and Lola

Silly moments with Eden and Lola...

Birthday Video Happy Birthday Song

Eden's Birthday Party footage "Happy Birthday Song"

Eden's 7th Birthday Party

Oh where do I start...Eden had her 7th birthday party at Encore Gymnastics in Walnut Creek. We were expecting quite a few girls. We had about 17 girls at the party and it was so loud and fun! We also had Nana, Abuelita and a few parents stayed as well. Eden invited friends from school, her ballet school, girl scouts, and swimming buddies, too. She really values her friendships and so we had a hard time narrowing it down to just a few. If it were up to her we'd have 40 or more.

The girls first started with the Rock Climbing part of the party which they do for about 30 minutes and then they move on to the gymnastics part which lasts about the same amount of time. They all did so very well and I could tell Eden was in her element; rock climbing, friends, and gymnastics...such a great combination.

After this they moved to the party room for food and cake. This year Eden wanted a princess theme so we had princess decorations up and she got a gigantic barbie cake. It was so pretty! She'd had it once before and she really wanted it again. They had so much fun and I can't believe how loud a room of girls can get.

Lastly the whole crew moved over to another room where Eden sat on a bench and each girl got a chance to bring their gift up and open it with her. This was such a nice touch! They all had a great time and we ended the party by handing out party favors at the door.

That was one of our favorite party spots. The place was so incredibly organized and it just made for a really enjoyable experience. Eden said it was her favorite place, too. We just might have it there, again.

Later that evening Tio Usi and Caro came by our home to give Eden a card and gift. It was so nice of them to drop by for a visit on her special day.

Needless to say we were all exhausted and we ended the evening by just relaxing and playing with a few of Eden's new toys.

Eden's 7th Birthday

So Eden is now 7! This is such an exciting time of year! We go crazy at birthday time and this birthday was no exception. We literally had tons planned for her actual birthday which was on Thursday and then we later had a birthday party planned with friends and family for Saturday.

On Thursday, Eden had a little celebration at school. She got to wear a special birthday hat (which she did not like because it messed up her hair) and the kids sang happy birthday to her while I took about a million pictures. Then they had donuts and juice per Eden's request and then we handed out favors to the classroom after school.

After school we came home and celebrated with Nana who took the day off (Dad couldn't leave work until much later.). We openned presents, ate cake and then we were off to a birthday lunch at Eden's favorite restaurant, Fresh Choice. Afterward we went to Toys R US (our birthday tradition for the kids) where they sang A Happy Happy Birthday song to Eden. It's so cute because they announce the birthday child, how old they are and they sing them a song and put a hat on them and give them a birthday balloon. They say over the intercom to all the shoppers, say happy birthday when you see the birthday girl. And so Eden did have a few Happy Birthday's while shopping for toys. It was very fun and quite tiring for Eden, who had such a long day.

When we got home Dad was there and we openned our presents with him. Eden was thrilled because she got excatly what she wanted and she had a really great day.

I can't believe she's already 7! I remember the day she was born and it seems like yesterday she was clinging to me like a baby koala. Everywhere we went, Eden was in my arms. We used to call her "mommified" because she wanted her mama all the time. I miss those days but it's so fun watching her grow into a young girl. She's fun, sweet, charming and smart and a lot of fun to be around. It's great listening to her stories which most often revolve around Zelda and Link or Princess Peach and Mario, or Star Wars something-or-other or she'll just break out dancing ballet, prancing and twirling. She's a really fun girl and just enjoyable to be around.

Every year that goes by, I get a little teary-eyed because these moments with them are so precious and really borrowed time. I gave Eden a card with a beautiful butterfly on the front and I told her that it's only a matter of time before she turns into that beautiful butterfly, and spreads her wings to fly. But until then, I am going to enjoy every single day I have. Experiencing all the joys all over again of being a kid.

Lola Sled Ride Footage

Here's footage of Lola on our New Year's snow trip to Lake Tahoe.

New Year Snow Trip at Lake Tahoe

We just got back from a snow trip at Lake Tahoe and it was absolutely beautiful and breath taking. We visited Lake Tahoe last year after New Years Day and decided it's something we will try to do every year around this time. And so we left January 2 right when a storm was coming in and we were so afraid they would close the highway going into Tahoe, but we made it!

Lola had a little bit of car sickness and so we had to stop for some snow munching and fresh air (poor thing. Now I know she needs dramamine on our trips up windy roads). Once we got there it was time for fun in the snow.

We stayed at Camp Richardson in their Beach Inn which is located right on the Lake in South Lake Tahoe. There are such incredible views there, you could just sit there and stare all day at the snow covered mountains and just take in the beauty of it all.

We decided to go cross country skiing and the girls did unbelievably well. Eden was such a pro she kept going too far ahead of us and Lola managed to keep up with us. It was too too precious seeing her little three year old self on tiny skis! Enrique did well and I didn't do too badly. I fell a few times and some how managed to get back up (if you've ever skied then you know it is such a task getting up!). We all agreed that skiing was a sure thing for us to do next year when we take our annual New years trip. Here are some pics of our trip. Enjoy and Happy New Year!