Eliza's 3 month photo shoot

Here are the pictures of Eliza's 3 month photo shoot. We were so happy that Grandma Linda could join us.

Sisters

Aren't they two of the cutest kids you have ever seen!

More photos by Gretta

Here are some pictures Gretta took after the "Music Man". My favorite picture actually got taken with Linda's camera, so I will have to add it later. It is a picture of Gretta taking the pictures. She sticks her bottom out, and backs up until she is right where she wants to be. It is pretty funny to watch. I think I need to buy her a camera that is a little more kid friendly. My camera is very small and it is hard for her to handle. She has a really had time not putting her finger over the lens.

"The Music Man"

Eric's sister, Brittany, and cousin's husband Issac were in the La Crescenta Stake Play, "The Music Man" over the weekend. Issac played the lead roll Harold Hill. Both Brittany and Issac did a great job!
Gretta especially enjoyed seeing people she loved up on stage. We had a hard time keeping her from yelling, "Brittany!" every time Brittany came out on stage.
Eric's cousin Jerry and his wife Breanne flew in from Utah to see the play too. It was fun to see them. Gretta always enjoys showing off for someone new. It was a fun family weekend. Enjoy the pictures!!!

Girls Night Out

My good friend Tisha was back in town for the day last Friday. She moved away to the "Promise land", North Carolina, last fall. It was so much fun to have her come visit. We hope our next visit is a little longer.
Friday morning we hit the sample sale and then Friday night a bunch of girls went to dinner. It was fun to have so much girl time all in one day. Plus who doesn't like finding a good deal and eating great food you didn't have to cook all in one day! I got some great deals at the sample sale, and even managed to have some self control over my spending. Eric might not agree, but there was a Storksak diaper bag that was calling my name I avoided. I already have enough diaper bags to last a few more kids, but I am always tempted to buy a new one. It is always fun to carry around something new, and I still haven't found the "Ultimate Bag" yet. I will let you know when I do.
It was great to spend time with Tisha and I hope she come back soon, or that we can make a trip to the "Promise Land".
ps. I am also sporting a new hair do thanks to Nicole. My friend Shelley inspired me to make a drastic change. I love it!!!

Welcome Jackson Tyler

Congratulations to my sister Anna and her husband Gabe they had their baby July 26th at 7:39pm. Jackson weighted 7 lbs 8 oz and was 20 1/4 inches long. Gretta and Eliza are so excited to have a cousin! We can't wait to meet him soon!

Shake, rattle and roll

I felt my first Southern California earthquake today. The Chino Hills 5.4 quake.It made for an exciting few minutes. I was sitting at my desk at work just before lunch when it started. It took a few second to set in what was happening and then seemed to last a little longer than I liked. I am just glad it didn't get any stronger.
Everyone was okay. The only thing that got broken at our house was the pepper shaker that fell off the stove. Oh well. It was time for a new one anyway. I am just glad it wasn't the BIG ONE. It defiantly made me think about what we need to do as a family to get ready for the BIG ONE.

"Mommy lets go to Idaho!"

The other day when Gretta woke up I was on the computer booking tickets to Idaho for Labor Day weekend. She asked me what I was doing and I told her,"Booking tickets to Idaho." She turned around went back in her room and then came out a few minutes later with her shoes on and said, "I am ready to go to Idaho now." I have spent the last few days trying to help her realize that we are going to Idaho in a month. It hasn't been easy. The day I bought the tickets after every activity she told me it was now time to go to Idaho. This afternoon after our naps she told me it was time to go to Idaho. I think she has told this to me at least 10 times each day for the last 4 days. She helped make a paper chain to count down to our trip, but it hasn't helped much. The concept of time is a bit difficult for a two year old.
Nana & Papa...Gretta loves you and can't wait to come to IDAHO! See you soon, but not soon enough for her.

Eliza's weight check

I took Eliza in on Friday to get her weight checked. Last week she weighted 9 lbs 12.5 oz. This week after feeding her high calorie formula, avocado oil along with some breast milk she gained a significant amount of weight. She weighted 11 lbs 1oz which is a 3oz per day weight gain. Way to go Eliza. This puts her back on the growth chart, and hopefully will help her reach her genetic potential. She looks like a new kid!

Baby Doll Eliza

We took Emily to the American Girl store at the Grove. Gretta and Emily got "Twin" babies. Even if they didn't look anything a like. Gretta decided to name her's "Eliza".

Here are Emily and Gretta outside the store.

Gretta's 1st trip to the Movie Theater

Eliza's first movie theater experience was when she went to "Iron Man" with Eric and I when she was 6 weeks old. She slept through the whole thing and did great! Gretta, however, still had never been to see a movie in the theater. She loves to watch TV, and has just recently started watching some full length animated Disney films. However, she has never watched one from start to finish or without running around the house a little bit.
Eric and I debated taking her to Wall*E last week when my cousin was in town, but I didn't want to pay for a movie she didn't sit through. Out local movie theater offers free kids movies on Wednesdays in the summer. So I thought that would be a good place to see how she would do. Gretta loved it, and Eliza didn't make a sound! We were a little late and had to sit in the front row, but it still worked out well. Gretta especially liked the kids popcorn and soda I bought her. She loves popcorn and the movie theater kind is SO good.
It was such a success that I think we might have to try it again.

Baby Eliza

While my cousin Emily was here we went to the American Girl Doll Store at the Grove. They sell the baby dolls in "twin" sets, so I let them each pick out a doll. The funny thing is that they will let you pick out any two dolls. Emily really wanted a doll with curly hair, so she ended up with an African American Doll. Gretta wanted the doll that looked like her with blond, or "white" hair as she says, and blue eyes. They put the two dolls in a box that says twins and it was pretty funny. Emily named her doll "Miley", and Gretta named her doll "Eliza". She told me me, "Mommy this is your Eliza", and then pointed to her sister. She then pointed to her doll and said, "This is my Eliza".
Gretta has enjoyed playing with "Her" Eliza. She put her in the stroller the other night and told me she was going to go to the store. She then put on her Elmo backpack and started taking orders for groceries on a piece of paper she found. It was darling. If you look closely at the picture you will see her "strawberry face". We had just come home from the farmers market, and she ate at least 15 strawberries on the way home.
She is turning into such a big girl. It is so much fun to see her play with dolls. I am sure that this was not our last trip to the American Girl Doll Store.

Miss Claire's Dance Class

I had been toying with the idea of putting Gretta in dance class, but was to cheap to pay the $65 dollars for 7 classes. In June our free parent ed classes ended, and we were looking for things to do. So I broke down and signed her up. It has been the best $65 dollars I have ever spent on Gretta. She loves every minute of it, and asks me if we can go everyday.
My mom sent her a ballet outfit in the mail which Gretta just LOVES. Her friend Aubree also just joined the class which makes it over the top. Gretta and Aubree are so cute together.