Xmas Crafts With Auntie Kelly

Auntie Kelly's friends, The Shafers, made Christmas related arts and crafts for Carmen as a Christmas gift. What an awesome gift! Carmen was so excited to sit and string beads onto a snowflake. When she was done, we put it on the Christmas tree.

Carmen is carefully placing marbles onto a starfish here. She loved it. Afterwards, she counted all of the marbles for me.

Lastly, Carmen decorated a snowflake with butterflies. I think this one was her favorite, although she still has a Christmas tree to make out of candy. We're saving that one for a special treat. Thank you Maddie, Jill, and Mike for such a fun gift!!

Thanksgiving 2009-Uncle Kevin's Pictures

Thanksgiving 2009

Carmen had just woken up from a nap when people started to arrive for our celebration. She is still waking up here.

Carmen's grandparents hosted Thanksgiving and invited their neighbor Nan. Nan is practically one of the family and we were all happy she could join us!

Carmen actually tried everything on her plate. Although she definitely saved room for a ton of pumpkin pie and ice cream.

Beach Day!

Summer is coming to an end (at least for Auntie Kelly who is going back to work next week) so Grandma & Grandpa wanted to bring Carmen down to the beach for one last time. It was a bit too windy for our umbrella but overall, we had a blast soaking up the sun and splashing in the waves. Carmen even fed the birds. :)

Carmen's PlayDate :)

Auntie Kelly took Carmen to visit her friends down in Long Beach for the day. Carmen had a ton of fun playing with her friends Madison, Zan, and Hania. She can't wait to go back! Thank you for having us over Mike and Jill!!!

At the Beach with GrandMa & Auntie

Carmen had a great time at the beach. She loved playing with the sand, especially burying her legs in it.

After spending a ton of time with our feet in the water, we wanted to take a quick break for a snack and juice.

When the waves would come up to our feet, Carmen would jump into the water. She loved it...and it was super cold.

Carmen also liked digging up shells and getting big handfuls of sand. :) She can't wait to go back.

More Bday pictures!

Carmen is sharing her card with Uncle Kevin. She's pointing out Elmo, who she absolutely adores!

Carmen got a doll house from Mommy and Daddy and she loves it! She is spending all of her time these days with it.

Carmen is completely infatuated with Elmo so you can imagine the excitement she felt when opening this gift.

Carmen's 2nd Bday!

Uncle Kevin just bought a new camera and took some amazing pictures of Carmen at her 2nd birthday party! Here's one of the family!

Everyday leading up to her birthday, when asked, "What do you want for your birthday?" Carmen would respond, "CAKE!" So we did not disappoint her.

She took the biggest bites and said, "Mmmm" when chewing. So funny.

Carmen had practiced over and over again how to hold two fingers up when saying that she is two, but needless to say, she isn't that coordinated yet and can't get that last finger to stay down. :)

Carmen got a lot of great toys and cute cards. Thanks again Uncle Kevin for taking such awesome pictures!

Summer Vacation Part II

I couldn't resist adding this picture. We had just finished a spaghetti dinner and Carmen's face was classic.

We stopped at Sugar Pine Railroad where Carmen saw a "too too train" and she loved it! She doesn't stop talking about it.

We spent a day at Bass Lake where we picnicked near the water. We saw ducks and a ton of boats. Carmen wanted to "swim swim" very badly. 

Carmen and GrandPa resting.

Vacation to Yosemite National Park

Carmen is ready to hike with her backpack and leash. Ha.

The family rode bikes around Yosemite Valley. Carmen got to ride along in a little carrier attached to Mommy's bike. It was a gorgeous day!

This is a river down the street from the cabin we stayed at in Wawona which is right outside of Yosemite Valley. Carmen loved it!

Carmen got to sit in a backpack for our first hike of the week. She actually enjoyed it but Daddy's back did not.

Carmen loved being on vacation and started talking quite a bit during the entire week. We've seen her vocabulary blossom and she is speaking in more sentences and phrases.