The Happiest Place on Earth

If you didn't already know, Stella and Olive are two of the luckiest girls in the world. They have an Oma and Papa who adore them. They adore them so much that they insisted that they take them to Disneyland. Can you imagine? We had more fun than I can possibly explain. It was so awesome to watch Stella's little face light up at all the sights and sounds of the Happiest Place on Earth.

We can't thank Mike and Marlane enough for helping us create such magical memories. If it weren't for Marlane coming along, Nick and I wouldn't have had such an amazing time (and we also wouldn't have had a chance to go on Space Mountain together!).

As if we weren't lucky enough as it was, my cousin Krissy's pulled some strings and gained us entrance to both parks for free all days that we were there. How awesome is that?!

Many many thanks to everyone for helping make this trip possible and many thanks to all our friends who gave us good advice on things to do/see. The trip was spectacular and we have already started planning our next Disneyland trip!

–Liv

 Olive napped in the carrier every day for 5 days. What a trooper!

 Watching the carousel. It was REALLY hot outside!

 Our first ride at Disneland - the carousel :) 

 Olive is such a sweetie.

 Dumbo.

 Dumbo: Stella's favorite ride.

 Naptime for Olive while we go on "It's a Small World"

 California Adventures 

 My favorite part of Disneyland is the flashmob style dancing and singing that happens all over the park at random times. It's so festive!

 The Bug's Life ride.

 But mostly STELLA loved it :) 

 Cooling off in the Bug's Life water park.

 So.much.fun.

 My princess in front of the castle.

 Don't let her looks fool you - Stella was STOKED to get her picture taken with Ariel!

 One of Olive's favorite people: Oma!

 Did I tell you that Dumbo is her favorite ride?

 Yep, it is!

 The girls.

 The girls were given these special buttons to commemorate their first visit. Olive wasn't as impressed as she should've been...

 My lovely Mother-in-law/nanny/friend.

Phew! It's hard work having fun.

July 26th, 2012: My nephew was born

After weeks of hospital bed rest, my Sister once again amazed me by birthing a beautiful child right before my eyes - without any intervention and with the strongest of all wills. Because he was born premature, he needed to stay in the NICU for many weeks following his birth. I'm happy to say that Stone Fenix is now at home happily growing and learning about his beautiful family. I just love that Jess and I are both growing such lovely little families and I love knowing that our children will grow up with cousins to laugh and play with.

Back in the swing of things: Nick's triathlon in Portland

If Nick had his way, he'd compete in triathlons every weekend. Here are some photos of his most recent tri that he competed in last month. We are all so proud of him and his dedication to his training!

Summer: more photos than I know what to do with

Let's pretend for a moment that I have free time. Let's pretend that I am a good blogger and I post photos in a timely manner and write funny little captions underneath each photo - eliciting a giggle every once in a while from whichever friend or family member decided to stop by to see what's new with our little crew... Now open your eyes. That isn't reality, my friend! Here you will see a mish-mash of random photos from this summer. We have had a lot of fun and I somehow managed to snap photos of some of it and even more amazing is that I somehow posted them on this blog! Ah-maze-ing!

 One of our favorite afternoon outings: a tea party in the back yard. 

 

 I'd be happy if I were as cute as her!

 My babywearing (and baby wrap/sling) addiction is fully evident now...

 The Hernandezes from California came to visit...

 So we naturally took them to froyo :) 

 Our family :) 

 Enjoying the view at Bellevue Park.

 Visiting the Swatzells in Spokane.

 And then visiting Aunt Vicki and Grandma Norma (below) in Spokane.

 Olive spends a lot of time doing this (being adorable).

 These two are the best of friends.

Stella's 3rd birthday party

In true Hernandez fashion, Stella actually had TWO birthday parties: one at Mike & Marlane's house in Vancouver and another the following weekend at our house. Both parties were a big hit and Stella was overjoyed with the outpouring of love (and gifts) that she received from her friends and family who came to celebrate with her!