Great New Interios Magazine!

I was really bummed when Domino was taken off the newsstands last year. It was my favorite interior and home magazine. Many of our DIY projects were inspired by it. After almost a year, there might just be another publication that can replace my beloved Domino. I bought Fresh Home a couple of months ago and kind of just left it in the magazine bin in the bathroom and forgot about it. Recently found it under piles of other magazines and felt like I struck gold again! It's got a great layout with very detailed and easy to follow instructions. The best part is that there is a photo for very step of the DIYs. The DIY projects all look very polished and not DIY at all (unlike READY MADE). It's also got loads of great informative articles with terrific advice; many are also very environmentally conscientious as well as budget friendly. It's been a while since I read any magazine from cover to cover! The only down side is that it's published every quarter...

Ella at 9 months

Little chubby girl has lost some of her cheeks since she's become more mobile. She's an expert at speed crawling and is getting really steady when standing now. One of her favorite pass time is looking out the window just like great grandma!


On the day she turned 9 months, we started day care. She's been going for a week now and is getting used to the idea. Her first day was a little rough though.

Another milestone was having her first tooth peek out.

Crafter's Guild 2010

Crafter's Guild have been reinstated in 2010. The first finished product was from Ms. Jenna. She made a quilt as a baby shower present for her good friend's little girl. This was her first attempt at quilting and the results are IMPRESSIVE!


Ms. Jenna embroidered quite a few butterflies at the encouragement by her hubby, Tyler.

Voila! I hope her friend likes it as much as we all do. The good news is, she's hooked! She's wanting to start on another one.

Ella's first busy Christmas

Ella had a business Holiday Season this year. First, on 12/23, little Aaron stopped by to wish us a Merry Christmas. Thank you for the cute little toys!

That night, we attended a little get together at Uncle Johnson and Auntie Alvina's house. Ella put on a new outfit and some new boots for the party.

But true to her style, she couldn't wait to take off the boots. Little girl prefers to show off her big feet!
Look at the spread on this dinner table!

Post dinner, Ella played with Peanut and absolutely loved him.
On Christmas day, Ella went on her first trip on a plane. Here she is waiting to be boarded with Daddy.
She had her own ticket too! Off to meet the Leys in Tempe!


Auntie Roz cooked us a delicious ribs dinner, and then it was presents!

A couple of home sewn gifts for little Katie. A pillow dress from the sewing book Roz gave me for my birthday. Then, a little apron for when Katie helps with the cooking.

Both Ella and Daddy hit the bottle to get some Zzzzzz

We all got up bright and early the next day for some yummy homemade granola.

Then it was time to really meet the Leys. Katie: "AHHH, Ella's here again! She's everywhere I turn!!! AHHHH"

Nathan didn't mind us much. He's the happiest baby I've ever seen. He's always smiling, even at only 3 months! (Well, maybe not in this photo...)


Hands are a great snack. YUMAlthough a wooden hammer is even tastier.

Finally Mommy got it that Ella was teething. Thank god Auntie Roz was prepared with teething biscuits. Just messier than the hammer...

This is Eddie's last photo. He unfortunately had to leave us, but is now in a much better place :)

We only went out to eat a couple of times. The first time was to a Mexican restaurant where Mommy ordered a delicious mango and crab salad.

For New Year's Eve, we went to the famous LoLo's Chicken and Waffles. Who would have thought to put fried chicken with waffles?! And cool pickling jars as water glasses!

For our last nite, New Year's Day, we had an all out Chinese Hot Pot dinner. Of course, lots of left overs for the next day for both breakfast and lunch. Auntie Roz couldn't be happier with all the food all week long.
It's finally time to go home after a week of vacationing. Ella was definitely beat on the way home.

This is how Ella likes to eat

Between feedings, Ella likes to feast on her fingers.


This is a short on how she likes to eat her blueberry oatmeal.

Handmade gifts and greetings

I've been trying to craft whenever I can in the evenings. Such a great way to relax! Especially with a drink in hand. I've been doing some sewing lately. Since we're going to Rozanne's for Christmas and it'll be the first time we meet little Nathan (aka Benjamin Button), I had to make a quilt for him to bring over. Went to my favorite little fabric store in the Avenues, Peapod Fabrics, and got a few different patterns. Made one of my signature easy peasy quilt.




Also had some fabric that I bought there a while ago. And so Tim and I made an apron for Lola.


Finally, how can new parents be without Christmas cards that's got our baby's picture on it?
Thanks for helping out with the glitter Grandpa!

In preparation of Ella's 1st Christmas

This year, we'll be going to Auntie Rozanne's to spend the Christmas Holiday and New Year with Cousins Katie and Nathan. So we stocked up on Onsies for both Mommy and Ella.

Had to also get a Christmas themed one.

We can't forget to pack Ella's new favorite monkey! Thanks Grandma!


Lastly, we still have to keep the house clean before we head off, so Ella's started cleaning the glass on our front door.