Pumpkin Patch 2012

This year was just like the other years... Our annual trip to the pumpkin patch. Every year I think I get that much more excited. Layla is getting to the age where she is more aware of her surroundings. Although she is still hesitant about riding ponies, or feeding goats, she has that excitement in her eyes like its all new all over again. The innocence that Layla has in her is amazing. To think she she has no clue about the big world around her lights up my heart. You would think that after coming here year after year it would be the same old same. But its not. The pumpkin patch evolves. The first couple years Layla couldn't walk. She would ride the ponies, go on the quad rides. The all of a sudden she had this fear about the rides, goats, and ponies. Its always different and I never know what to expect. This year was all about the bird section and the corn maze... Even the pumpkins didn't strike curiosity. We made it through another year.

4th Of July

So this 4th of July I had a full day of events planned for us. In the morning we made our way down to where the local parade was going on. We picked our seats and patiently waited. I don't know why, but I have this odd passion about parades. I just love them. No matter how big or small, parades for me are always a blast. Layla had a great time, an even better time when she realized the people on floats were throwing out candy. After that we headed to where the fireworks were going to take place. They had jumpers, food trucks, vendors, pony rides, a petting zoo and tons more! We had a blast. We found some seats afterwards and waited for the fireworks. 

 My 4th of July Princess

 Patiently waiting

 She loves her grandma! 

 But her mama more! hehe

 I loved this part them carrying the flag!

 Layla waving her flag (to get candy of course)

 Saying hi! 

 This jumper was fun but too big for mama

Churros and a beam light! 

Happy Easter!

Our Easter morning was simple yet great

I got up a little bit before Miss Layla and made breakfast for everyone

By the time I was done cooking she finally woke up...

With bunny prints on the floor I was sure the Easter Bunny had come

Layla half asleep was just as amazed as I was :)

I knew it would be hard for her to want to eat breakfast with all the treats the Easter Bunny brought

She still managed to eat her breakfast thankfully

Off to Church we went

Grandma made a wonderful dinner and we finished off the day with a Easter egg hunt... 

Layla's basket was too small Grandpa had to get his bucket.

Such a wonderful day to spend it with those you love 

Bunny Breakfast

For Layla and I, Easter is forever going to be one of those holidays that hopefully she will love as much as I do. Last year we were both baptized together at the Easter Vigil. So this year I thought I would find as many things to take part in and make it a special time of the year. Among all the fun and exciting things we did was the breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Who doesn't want to eat with the one and only Bunny?! It was super cute how the mall had set this up with a magician entertaining people as they waited in line. Face painting (Layla isn't in to people touching her, let alone coloring on her body) balloon animals, Cinnabon and drinks... They even had a raffle which Grandma won Layla jellybeans! Layla enjoyed every moment, especially when the Easter Bunny stopped by. She was a little shy but made sure to show him all her little toys she had received

Egg Coloring

The last few weeks have been off and on for us. First I caught a cold, then just when I thought Layla wouldn't catch it... she did. It has been hard to plan activities for us because I want to be a good person and not get other peoples children sick. So we stay home. 

That is until I feel we are well enough to head to the store to get some eggs to get festive and do what traditions call for. Egg Coloring! 

Not only to mention so far we have been able to do a egg hunt, take Easter pictures and get the egg coloring done. We still have many things planned in the next couple days to come! Hopefully we both stay in good health to be able to embrace this Easters season! It also marks one year since Layla and myself have been baptized. So much to be thankful for! Happy Easter Weekend! 

Laylas Visit With Santa

It's getting better :)

Easter!

This Easter started out, as lazy day. Recovering from the baptism and everything that had drained out from me and Layla. We slept in, not too late... Layla and I woke up to the excitement that every years brings for myself, although she doesn't quite understand Easter means alot of things, and of course, Easter baskets. This year I decided to get Layla a little basket, but also her first bike(pictures to come of that) For some reason I forgot to take a picture of this shiny pink Radio Flyer tricycle! Everytime she seems a little boy or girl on a bike she goes nuts! So she opened all her little gifts, def. loved the new p.j.s grandma and grandpa got her. They always find special gifts for their granddaughter. We got ready for the day, and some yummy food and off to the park we went a little easter egg hunt. My brother his girlfriend and my nephew joined us for the day which is always nice. Then it was off to bed early to continue to recover!

Happy St. Patricts Day

St. Patrick of Ireland is one of the world's most popular saints.
Apostle of Ireland, born at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, in Scotland, in the year 387; died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, 17 March, 461.
Along with St. Nicholas and St. Valentine, the secular world shares our love of these saints. This is also a day when everyone's Irish.
There are many legends and stories of St. Patrick, but this is his story.
Patrick was born around 385 in Scotland, probably Kilpatrick. His parents were Calpurnius and Conchessa, who were Romans living in Britian in charge of the colonies.
As a boy of fourteen or so, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. Ireland at this time was a land of Druids and pagans. He learned the language and practices of the people who held him.
During his captivity, he turned to God in prayer. He wrote
"The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was rosed, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same." "I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain."
Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britian, where he reunited with his family.
He had another dream in which the people of Ireland were calling out to him "We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more."
He began his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, whom he had studied under for years.
Later, Patrick was ordained a bishop, and was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland. He arrived in Ireland March 25, 433, at Slane. One legend says that he met a chieftain of one of the tribes, who tried to kill Patrick. Patrick converted Dichu (the chieftain) after he was unable to move his arm until he became friendly to Patrick.
Patrick began preaching the Gospel throughout Ireland, converting many. He and his disciples preached and converted thousands and began building churches all over the country. Kings, their families, and entire kingdoms converted to Christianity when hearing Patrick's message.
Patrick by now had many disciples, among them Beningnus, Auxilius, Iserninus, and Fiaac, (all later canonized as well).
Patrick preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years. He worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God in Confessions. After years of living in poverty, traveling and enduring much suffering he died March 17, 461.
He died at Saul, where he had built the first church.
Why a shamrock?
Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity, and has been associated with him and the Irish since that time.
In His Footsteps:
Patrick was a humble, pious, gentle man, whose love and total devotion to and trust in God should be a shining example to each of us. He feared nothing, not even death, so complete was his trust in God, and of the importance of his mission.

That time of the year has come again! Valentines Day... Now that I have a daughter, I look forward to spending this special day with my Layla Bug. It's all about doing something special for her and my reward is to see her smile! She is loved every day of course but this is an extra special day set aside just as a reminder. Many people dislike Valentines Day, but really who doesn't like holidays?! I love any reason to buy someone I care about a present or little gift. It doesn't have to be big... So this year I baked Layla some red and white carrot cake cupcakes, and I got her a little gift and we couldn't do the day without a tutu and a Valentines Day shirt! I love my Layla Bug, and although we did celebrate the day of love together, I promise I will show her I love her all year round. <3

Halloween 2010

This year I was definitely looking forward to taking Layla on her first trick or treating.... I love holidays, and I definitely like celebrating them. This year, I wanted to pick a costume that was different from the regular. As I searched and searched I couldn't find anything that was different. All the costumes for babies are typical. I came across this pink kitty costume, and I thought it would be perfect for my little kitten. Layla enjoyed the whole entire night, although she may not remember it down the road she will have pictures. Creating memories now is what its all about.

Pumpkin Patch 2010