Twinsies

My baby sister (who I used to call "my baby girl" so who is now "my original baby girl") was sweet enough to ditch her awesome college life in San Diego and watch Ava while I work for the summer.

It's given us all lots of time to bond. Plus, Chelsea has mastered that casual, beach-sexy So. Cal. summer look so she's motivated me to wear something other than my PJs all day.

On this particular day, Chelsea showed up wearing the exact same colors I had Ava dressed in.

We're going to miss you like crazy when you go back to school, Chelsea, but we promise to visit soon!

Happy Birthday My Love!

For his birthday, my husband didn't want a big party with all his friends, he didn't want to go out to an expensive restaurant, he just wanted to have a nice dinner at home with his immediate family.

Since he is the birthday boy, I made him the dish he requested using a recipe from the Bride & Groom First and Forever Cookbook (which I highly recommend) -- Linguini with Scallops, Spinach, and Bacon in Champagne-Cream Sauce (similar recipe here).

For dessert, he asked for the island treat we had during our honeymoon in Hawaii -- hula pie. It's easy to make; I just filled an Oreo cookie pie crust (just mash up a package of the cookies with half a stick of butter) with macadamia nut ice cream. You can top with hot fudge and whipped cream if you like, but it was already plenty rich without it.

Thank you, Alex, for being the best husband and father your girls could ever ask for.

Red, White, and Blue

We just finished cleaning up our yard a bit (the pool is finally blue again for the first time this season!) so we wanted to have our friends over to help us enjoy it. But I was feeling a little overwhelmed at the idea of prepping for another party. So when any of my friends offered to bring something, I decided to take them up on it. And I'm so glad I did because I wouldn't have been able to pull off anything as even remotely close to Martha Stewart worthy as this:

Kristen's festive and delicious yogurt-covered strawberries could have been on the cover of MSL.

Jenne topped these confetti cupcakes with strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and chocolate mint leaves... all from her own garden!

Happy 4th!

The Ballerina Photo Shoot

Ma Petite Danseuse woke up early this morning so while Dad was still asleep I was suddenly inspired to pose her as a ballerina before she outgrew her adorable pink tutu and ballet slippers.

Being a prima-donna.

Removing her dancing shoes.

"Alright, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up."

I think Ava found artistic inspiration (literally) listening to "Dirty Dancer".
(Hey, even ballerinas have to do the business sometimes.)

Fancy Girls in Their Pretty Pearls

Ava's best girlfriend Violet came over today for a play date wearing her "little black dress" and finest pearls, so Ava decided she just must show off her pearls as well.

Can't you just see these two as old ladies going out to tea or something, Ava plump and jolly and Violet slim and proper?

Two Years Ago Today

We celebrated our anniversary in Napa on Saturday, so today (on our actual anniversary) we spent a low-key evening at home cooking a special dinner together. We cook nearly every meal at home, but it's usually something fairly simple (salad and/or sandwiches for lunch and rice or pasta with chicken or meatballs, or steak or salmon if we've done grocery shopping recently). We love cooking more elaborate meals together, but we don't normally take the time and effort unless it's a special occasion. So we loved having an excuse to spend time together in the kitchen tonight, and we agreed it was the best meal we've made together. We made the most amazing Lamb Chops with Mint-Mustard Sauce, Sweet Peas with Red Onion and Mint, and couscous, all from the Bride & Groom First and Forever Cookbook my mom gave us as a wedding gift.

We ate so well we didn't even have room for dessert, so we'll have to save the strawberry shortcake bears for my birthday, which, incidentally, is tomorrow.

Celebrating Two Years in the Vineyards

Yesterday my husband and I celebrated our two year wedding anniversary (which is actually tomorrow) with a day trip to Napa. We made a pact to visit the little mission chapel among the vineyards where we exchanged our vows every year to reminisce about what a perfectly beautiful day it was.

Ava contemplates her macaroon order while we wait in line at the Bouchon bakery.