Sisters, Showers and Joshua Tree

What could be better for this mamma's soul....time with my sisters, a baby shower celebrating Tommy's arrival in May, and a day to hike around Joshua Tree Nat'l Park.

A mountain named after my beloved husband (No big deal that is almost kicked our out of shape rear ends!)

Apparently she couldn't handle the length of the hike

Elena was thrilled to be let loose to explore the sand, rocks, sticks, bugs, etc.

Liss and Mike are very loved by their church. They threw a shower for her and over 30 ladies attended....Tommy has a big extended family excited to meet him!

Crossing paths in California...we had a few precious hours between our arrival at Mike and Melissa's and Erika's return to Oregon

Addie (one year old) and Elena (almost two years old)

At her finest

This sums up some of the things that Elena enjoys right now: food, hanging out with mom, being outside and not just stuck in her car seat doing errands all day long. Hmmm, I like all these things, too.

NOT a Box

I suppose one test of the quality of a children's author is how a book they've written effects the little reader. Well, Elena has been inspired by Antionette Portis' book "Not a Box". We've recently discovered the treasure that the Chula Vista library is for children's books. Elena, like most children, has always been a fan of boxes. Right after reading this book, which is about a bunny who uses an ordinary box for extraordinary adventures, she went for the closest empty box-looking object she could find (in this case, a laundry basket). She sat in it and proudly looked through her new book. I suppose she was not actually in a box, she was really in a boat or spaceship.

"Its my Not-a-Box!"