Baking Banana Muffins with my Sweet Bebe :)

On a lazy Saturday morning Daddy went to meet a colleague for coffee and Ava and I were left in our jammies playing together. I got Ava dressed for the day and then thought that it would be really fun to use up the overripe bananas sitting in our fruit bowl and make banana muffins. I wasn't sure if she would be interested, but I knew we were in for some fun when she went to get her apron after seeing me put mine on! My heart melted at this alone and we hadn't even started the process of making the muffins :) Ava was so intrigued and such a great participant! She didn't get bored at all and she was such a great helper. She helped add ingredients, crack eggs, use the mixer, stir and pour. She was enthusiastic about everything we did, asking it she could "tye?" (try) each time we added something new. I would watch as she dipped her little index finger in the batter to taste. It's beyond words how it feels as a mom to watch your child experience something new, and to be teaching her and experiencing it all with her is a joy!

here is Ava with her measuring cup....

exploring flour, what it feels like, what it tastes like :)
"trying"some banana as we added them to the batter
licking the mixers
"yum, mama", she said
Daddy came home to see us putting the batter into the muffin tray. He was surprised to see us baking together and thought it was so sweet, so he took a few photos of the two bakers :)

scooping the batter (Ava the great taste tester and muffin cup wrinkler)

all ready for the oven!
25 min. later and viola! perfectly done! we are so proud :)
Banana chocolate chip muffins.
Ava ate 2 in a row right when she woke up from her nap!

She loved them, and Daddy did too :)

A warm welcome home :)

It's hard to believe I haven't mentioned this little monkey on our blog yet, for he, his mom and dad are a huge part of our lives. This little guy is Kekoa Kai and he was born in August to Scott and Hsiaolei Hanson, our beloved next door neighbors. We have grown so close since he was born and their friendship means so so much to me. It's funny to think that we've lived next door to each other for years and, though we were always kind and friendly, we never connected until our bebes arrived :) I remember Hsiaolei and Scott coming over to ooh and aahh over Ava in her bassinet when we brought her home and 16 months later I got to meet the love of their lives, Kekoa! Isn't he such a sweetheart?

When Brad, Ava and I arrived home from our trip back east there was a "welcome home" sign above the doorknob and our apartment was warm and toasty because they had come over to turn the heat on for us the day before we came home. It's so nice to have a friend right next door to share life with. We share meals and make time to play a lot. Ava loves Kekoa and can be heard loud and clear screaming out his name when the screen door is open "kekoka!", she says! It's been a joy to watch him grow and develop and to share stories and experiences with Hsiaolei on childrearing. I am so grateful to have them next door and I miss them terribly when they are away. Even if it's just for a day. There is a great comfort in knowing someone is right next door that you feel so connected to and comfortable with. It's a blessing.

pretty Hsiaolei and Kekoa in the sling (taken the day we left for Boston).
This is Scott and Kekoa, all dressed up for pre-Chirstmas festivities :)
These are our love-bugs in their B.O.B strollers. We went for a walk together to the park the day after we returned from Boston. It was so nice to reconnect. We missed them!
Ava & Kekoa, best buddies :)
Ava is eager for Kekoa to grow. We took them to the park again early this week and Ava was asking for"kekoka wun?" (Kekoa run?) with her. We told her not quite yet, but someday!

Sunrise & the park in AC

The view from the Cabin is spectacular when the sun comes up in the morning. This morning Grandpa was awake and had coffee brewing for me at 6:45am! Thank you, Grandpa. It was a beautiful sunrise.

Later we took the girls to the park in downtown AC. They had more fun running around in the grass and leaves than on the play structures. Brad and I let them wander together. Such sweet girls playing together, that is until we hear Hailey yell out to us "Cassie & Daddy, I think we need an adult over here". Ava was, of course, climbing to high places that she can't get down from :)
Hailey, our little helper.
I love this picture of Hailey. Great eyes.
Little Miss A is laughing at Hailey :)
a really nice trip to AC. We are so grateful for the Cabin. It's a wonderful getaway.

Big Sister, Little Sister

"Raise your hand if..." is Hailey's new game. By the end of the weekend Ava would raise her hand to whatever she said :)

Big Sister, Little Sister UGGs

The Big Trees of Big Trees State Park, CA

We couldn't walk the trail that we usually do because of the mud and slush and certain little fingers getting cold, but we found a little spot in the woods to play for a bit among the trees. They are so tall you can't even see the top of some. They are truly magnificent!

hugs.

Sledding at Big Trees, SP

It took us about 30 minutes to get up to Big Trees from AC. Ava had her nap at the house, but Hailey was zonked. I guess getting up early and playing with your sister all morning tires her out :) Ava was so funny when she realized Hailey was asleep she looked over and said "hi hay-ya" over and over in hopes she would wake up!
As soon as we parked and opened up the car doors Hailey was up n' at 'em!
We got right to it. There was a small area for kids to sled, perfect for Hailey, too big for Ava. The snow was not fresh, so it was packed down and melting a little, which made it very slippery; perfect for sledding! Here she goes....
whooooooooooooooooo
Ava watched from the bottom. She was loving it!

Daddy made a run with Ava on his lap, as did I. She was a little thrill-seeker!
Go Daddy!
Hailey had a long ride all the way to the trees.
Ava and Hailey thought it was hilarious to pretend to fall in the snow :)
We found a snow bench that had been built for sitting.

We saw a slight incline and thought it would be perfect for Ava to sled alone! Daddy give a big push and the sisters are off! weeeee~
Somebody likes sledding :)
Snow ball wars! Hailey and Daddy were "getting" each other. Hailey got DAddy pretty good right on his head with a wet snow ball. Gotcha Dad! :)
All done sledding and on to explore the Big Trees.

up to Angel's Camp for the New Year (and to celebrate Christmas with Hailey)

On New Year's Day we met Hailey at 10am at the Pleasanton Library. The rest of the 2 hour car ride up to AC was squeals and giggles from 2 girls so happy to see each other they couldn't contain it! We were headed up to see Grandma and Grandpa Koch. The house was warm and decorated when we arrived. We were welcomed with hugs and love. I brought in the packages and we had Christmas all over again with Grandma and Grandpa!
Hailey found her stocking, but was disappointed to hear that I stuffed it and not Santa. I told her he only comes on one night and since she was with her Mom he dropped his presents for her at her mom's house. :( You can see from the picture that it didn't damper the excitement too much at all-
I saved a present for Ava so she would feel a part of the celebration. She got a fisher price farm and boy did she like it! Now she sings "old MacDonald had a Farm" as if she's known it for months! Her talking has really exploded! Brad and I are struck every day by the new things we hear!
Gramps and Grandma watched with amusement while the girls opened their gifts.
And they opened a few things we had saved for them from us :)
Auntie Nicole bought Ava a copy of her favorite childhood story, The Blueberry Pie Elf. I remember putting our name on a waiting list at the library so Coley could have this book. The author lived down the street from our Nana's home in Truro. It's a sweet story with a lot of nostalgia for Nicole. It was sweet of her to pass it on to Hailey (now that it's back in print).

And then, you won't believe what happened next!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hailey opened her gift from Grandpa Great and it was.......
An AMERICAN GIRL DOLL! Hailey was ecstatic!
yay! yay! yay!
Can you believe it?! She said, "that's why Santa didn't bring me one. He knew Grandpa Great had one for me!"
Here they are. Hailey and Robyn, the American Girl Doll. Thanks Grandpa, you made it a very special day.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. It's going to be a good one.