I am thankful for............................

I am thankful for SO many things,


First of all I am SO thankful for the best hubby/father to our daughter ever. He literally makes her  us both chuckle like no one else can.  He is the best provider, encourager and friend I could ask for. I love you sweetie!

D and her dada

Also, for my mother who listens to me babble on the phone about nonsense for up to an hour each day. Who still babies me when I am sick. Who along with my hubby knows me better than anyone. Who drives 4 hours once a month to watch her granddaughter for a couple of days.

D and grandma Diane

I am also thankful for my baby girl who makes me laugh. Who is not too difficult by baby standards and who I look forward to seeing everyday. She makes me excited about the future, Ok about getting older and an overall better person.

Doodlebug

 I am thankful for my MIL who takes care of little Doodlebug TWICE a week while I go off to work. She is loving, thoughtful, generous, and she is easy to talk to. She plays hard with D and teaches her a lot of new things.

D and my MIL

I am also very thankful for my sister-in law, Rebekah. We have a very good relationship and I love her SO much.
She is SO sweet, caring and funny and the best auntie ever! and I always look forward to spending time with her. I am also thankful for my new brother in law and Rebekah's hubby Dan. He is so smart, kind, and down to earth, he is also a blast to hang out with. I could not have handpicked a better guy for her.

Dan and Rebekah

 I am thankful for my nephew. Little Boston is SO cute and I miss him so much! I am thankful when I do get to spend time with him because I know that he is going to change so much and I want him to know me. I love my brother and his girlfriend Brianna too of course! Thanks for making such a cute, sweet baby!

I am also thankful for my dad. He always gives the best advice and insight to difficult situations that I may face. I always know if I am down and I call him, he will cheer me up. He has inspired me in SO many ways throughout my life. I love you Dad!

My dad with D

I am thankful for my father in law. He is the first one who will be at your side when you are in need. He is a great listener and a wise and godly man. I have learned and continue to learn a lot from his as well.

My father in law, David and D

I am thankful for so many other people, that I could be here all day mentioning you all. I am thankful for my grandma Maxine who I have always been very close to and miss so much. Also, my grandpa Vaughn my  grandma Orlaine's who passed away's second husband. He is very generous and kind and has treated me like his own granddaughter, even now.  Lila and Frank ( Ben's grandparents) who have taken me in as their own and poured out their love and generosity.  My bother in law Stephen, who is a talented, insightful and kind-hearted man. I also value our relationship. I am thankful for all my extended family, and for all my close friends ( Michaelle Peacock, Alyssa & Ryan Manes, Chris & Ashley Palmer, Amanda Konyn, Christina Sands, Lisa Pakla, Jennifer Pearce,  Kim & Mike Cardenas, my neighbors Tomi & Nolan, everyone at Faith Bible church in Willows, CA. My co-workers and my great job! Thanks everyone for giving me SO much to be thankful for!


Ciao, Tiff

Downtown Chico Christmas Preview

Well, this was another first for the Doodlebug. Before we went downtown we went to Barnes & Noble and picked up another Llama book for D. This one was Llama Llama Red Pajama by Ann Dewdney. So cute ( sigh). Then we  headed downtown and with some time to kill before the Christmas preview we headed over to Jon & Bon's (one of our favorite spots to frequent) to get some fro-yo that is frozen yogurt. We are serious regulars, the girl at the counter even said, "what no wagon this time?" as we are known for toting little baby around in the wagon when downtown. I was jumping up and down when I saw that the holiday flavors were out. So I got my regular peanut butter cookie frozen yogurt on one half and got pumpkin on the other. Too die for! Don't ask me what spurred us to eat such a cold treat on such a frigid day.

Yummy, half peanut butter cookie and half pumpkin frozen yogurt

                                     
                                         My pumpkin enjoys the pumpkin as well.

The  Christmas preview was better than I expected. Many of the downtown businesses had kids from local dance studios dancing in the store windows to loud, hip hop and christmas themed music.  They freestyle danced or performed ballet for an admiring freezing crowd looking inward from the outside.

One  bank displayed 2  adorable, furry, baby lions only 10 weeks old from a small local zoo/ refuge in their window. D was quite enamored by them and kept attempting to go past the caution tape. Dare Devil.

We waited in this line to see Santa. But it took WAY too long and was too cold. So we left and are still on the Santa prowl. Doodle has not met him yet.  I really want a pic of them together even if she freaks out like when she saw Elmo on Halloween.

                       
Here is Doodle and I both sporting our pea coats and of course Daddy got to carry her around most of the time because he is "the muscle" in the family and my wimpy arms tire out after 5 minutes.

Here is us leaving. Why is it that when the baby is fussy, we are always stuck in bumper to bumper traffic?

Well thats all folks!

Here is a new look for fall. Warm and cozy and lots of fun! Like most people one of my favorite colors to wear is black. In order to avoid looking Goth or emo, I make sure when I do wear it to pair it up with something bright and fun. Not that there is anything wrong with Goth or emo, some of my favorite peeps would probably fit in both of those categories. Anywhoo, even covered literally head to toe I feel sexy. Why does that word make me suddenly blush. You know what I mean though, try something like this out and tell me how it goes.

long green skirt: F21, black ribbed sweater: Target, Black Boots: Blowfish

Me and D Love Apple and Macs!

Double trouble action

Delaney is obsessed with the i-pad, i-phone and our Mac computer, Her favorite thing is to look at pics of herself. No joke she could do this all day. She thinks that a computers main function is to display pics of her.  When she sees one she yells "BABIES." which is what she calls herself. One time Ben, D and I took our regular weekend outing to T-Bar here in Chico, to get lunch and a tea. D saw a young girl on her laptop and yelled "BABIES!" To say it has gotten out of control is an understatement. I was actually worried that she was becoming vain and that maybe I should not encourage this. However when I asked D's pediatrician he laughed at me and said that it is developmentally normal for babies to  enjoy seeing pics of themselves and babies.  D even knows how to scroll through the pics on daddy's i-pad with her finger. Anyway since she loves to see pics of herself SO much I put her on the Mac and played around with the photobooth application and here are the results. Such a fun time! 


Ciao, Tif

                       

A sneak Peek at Delaney's 1 year photo shoot

I was SO excited to FINALLY do Delaney's 1 year photos. I think it is important to capture all the big milestones. Okay, I know that she is 14 months old now, but better late than never, right? God definitely blessed us that day with beautiful weather. I wanted to take the pics at my in-laws property because there are a  lot of  cool outdoor elements and I liked the idea of taking pics somewhere meaningful. The colorful trees and stunning views of the foothills just added to the already perfect picturesque day. I must admit I was a little nervous about the session, having sprung the idea on our photographer Jenn just hours before. Mainly, because it was at least a 20 minute drive there and back which gave us only 45 minutes to get the perfects shots because Jenn had another appointment right after us.

  Luckily, my mom was in town and I definitely put her to work. I sent her and Delaney out there early to get her dressed and ready. Then Ben, Jenn and I rode out together a little later.

  D ended up being a total ROCKSTAR! With  Ben and I and BOTH grandma's on deck it was a recipe for success.

  My father in law is a collector of antiques and anything rare that he can see potential with. Prior to the session I inquired about this antique horse out in their field that looked like it was from a playground. I thought it would be perfect for her pictures. Well, sure enough he had the horse shined up and mounted that day so that D could proudly sit on it. She was giddy when she got to sit on it like a big girl with mommy inches away to  grab the precious cargo if she were to slip. 

I highly recommend to you all to make sure you have an entourage with you if you want your child's pics to go really well. It was so amazing to see my mother in law bouncing out from behind the photographer's  back saying peek a boo  and my mother comforting the crying baby who stepped on something poky outside with her bare toesies. I love mom's. 

These pics were taken by my mom. Jenn's pics will be up soon. You can check out her business at:
Poise photography, Chico, CA

A Day at the in- Laws

   My in-laws lost their home 3 years ago in a wildfire that swept through the valley.  Luckily, they were able to get out of their home safely with most of their pictures and their computer. However, they lost everything else precious to them. My mother in law was very sad that she had lost a very special ring. My father in law spent hours sifting through ashes one day and was able to find it. PTL! It was very traumatizing for them. They decided to rebuild their dream house in the same location. The house is there but they still have some more projects to do before they are  completely done.It is a beautiful 2 story home. Doodlebug LOVES going out there and playing outside and watching the dogs run around. There is lots of grass, trees and land for her to explore. Inside the house they have a little table with a checkered pattern on the top just for her.

Hair feather extensions!!!!!

 Hair feathers are the latest trend right now. They come from roosters and are in many different colors. They started relatively affordable and now the prices have risen as the popularity has increased and the supply has decreased. The trend originated in Colorado where fly fishing is popular and moved to California. The feathers are really low maintenance and bonded with an extension bead and clamped into the hair. They last about 6 to 8 weeks. You can style your hair as usual with them in. 

Hair feathers in black and white and red

    I received a tip to go purchase mine at the local fly fish shop in town and they would be much more affordable than going to a hairdresser. I went into a the shop and was greeted by a very outdoorsy looking country boy who I felt kind of foolish inquiring about feathers for my hair. He was thrilled about me asking and led me to a wall of beautiful colored feathers. They were less that $1 a piece. I picked out 3 and then payed for them. Making small talk I asked him if a lot of people were coming in for them. He proceeded to say "boy you would not believe it!" One lady from a big salon in LA called and offered to buy me out but I refused stating that I wanted to keep them local. Then he leaned over the counter and whispered "plus I get to have all these cute young girls come into my shop."  Feeling  little flattered and slightly red in the face I grabbed my feathers and walked out of the store. 

* My hairdresser works at Blondies  hair salon and she is amazing her name is Christina and I have been faithfully going to her for years now because she does the best highlights!!!! I tipped her off about the fly fish shop at my next appointment and she also proceeded to tell me that she puts lace pieces in hair as well, but that you have to get the right kind of lace that can be ironed.Black lace looks really good tucked under blonde hair.