Everybody meets Mabel

After the park, we headed to Auntie Cynthia's house. She had gotten home from the hospital that morning, and invited us over. Gabriela couldn't wait to meet her baby cousin. 

Willow just knows that Mabel is someone special, she always gets all smiley and lovey when she's next to Mabel. I love this photo of them both. It looks like Willow is telling Mabel a secret. Gabriela had her turn. I think she's a little excited. 

Uncle Lane and his little niece. She is checking him out here, for sure. 

And Easton has so much love for Mabel. He wants to kiss her on the head and love on her all the time. The first time we visited, he couldn't stop calling her Maple. 

Los Grovers love you, little Mabel. 

An Afternoon at Briones

  Sunday afternoon we packed some snacks and headed out to Briones Regional Park. I envisioned us going on a hike. We ended up not walking far at all, but climbing lots of trees, exploring up hillsides, and finding some interesting things along the way. The important part is that we were outdoors together, enjoying the beauty of it all. The short lived time of year, where the hills are so lush and green just after some rain. 

These kids brought their insect nets, but Easton mostly used his as a gun. Go figure. 

Our walk consisted of going from one climbing tree to next and then climbing and pretending for long periods of time before scouting out the next tree and starting all over. 

Easton called to me, "Look Mama, I'm a sloth!" A proud sloth, at that. Look at his face!

Gabriela, the Sloth 

Then, we heard a cow and the kids decided we should follow the sound to see if we could spot her. It took a little bit, but we found this baby cow. 

And only because we left where we were to find the cow. We spotted this little maze. The kids had so much fun walked through it to get to the middle. 

Four months old

And just like that, the fourth trimester is over. I feel like myself, I am getting plenty of rest. Willow is a complete joy, this happy baby. Sh is so alertlthis little princess puts up with all the love her big brother and sister have for her. 

Willow is starting to drool like crazy and has had a super runny nose. Could she be teething already?!

She has rolled over from tummy to back a couple times, loved her daddy's guitar playing and singing, and has officially found her toes. When I reach down to pick her up out of her bouncer, she knows and arches her back immediately, so I can get my hands around her little body and pick her up. 

When you say the baby looks like a pixie, her big sister may immediately find a pair of fairy wings for the baby. 

Willow, you are growing right before our very eyes, you are such a joy each and every day. We are so lucky to have you and the love you bring to our family. 

Welcome Mabel Marie!

Cynthia gave birth to her first baby, a little sweetheart named Mabel Marie, who arrived promptly on her due date, in time to share her birthday with her daddy. 

Mabel was four ounces heavier than Willow at birth and one inch shorter. I still couldn't believe how tiny Mabel was or that Willow had ever (three months ago) been that size. 

I was happy to bring the tired parents some non-hospital tasty food and get me some Mabel snuggles. Your auntie loves you, little miss Mabel. I am so happy I get to watch you grow and look forward to you having a special relationship with your cousins, just like I do with your mama. 

Gabriela made Mabel the sweetest birthday card. "Happy birthday, Sweetheart. My sweet baby cousin, I am so happy to welcome you to the world. Love your older cousin, Gabriela"

I love how it ended up that Willow shares a middle name with her Auntie Cynthia and Mabel shares a middle name with her Auntie Elena. These girls have some fun adventures ahead, I just know it. 

Valentine's Day

On Valentine's Day, we baked decadent chocolate brownie/cupcakes for dessert, and Lane cooked a delicious steak dinner. Gabriela set the table all by herself with our fancy dishes and we had the sweetest evening together as a family. 

I turned our homeschool room into Valentine making headquarters. I'm not sure it has recovered yet, but it was worth the mess. Just look at all these handmade original Valentines! Lane and I each made valentines for each other and our kids and the kids took turns making surprise valentines for each other too. So much love went into making these. 

We passed them out, one at a time, reading aloud our heartfelt notes to each other. Lane and I cried our eyes out from all the sweetness and love. 

Gabriela's Valentine to Easton included a very fancy Darth Vader. 

She also decided she wanted to make a valentine for Simone. It touches my heart so much that she is always sure to include her sister. 

Easton's Valentine came straight from the bottom of his heart. 

We laughed and cried and shared our love for each other along with a delicious meal. Best Valentine's Day ever.