West St. Market

It was just a day to be outside!! We had to eat at Niko's because after 4 miles we were hungry!

I always love taking pictures in their bright colored chairs! This is probably one of my favorite areas of town. It makes it like Reno is actually a city.... however you leave and you end up seeing homeless men with walking sticks that are decorated with fake flowers and you remember where you are.

Reno is unique.

Hunter Creek Hike

We were so excited to spend a Saturday with Daddy! We headed out to Southwest Reno and enjoyed a LOVELY LOVELY LOVELY hike!! We didn't make it to the end where the big waterfall was, but the girls did really good. Especially because the trail was a bit tough!

Fun times crossing steep hills on rocks!!

Breastfeeding and being one with nature.

Passed out little party animal!

The girls love throwing rocks in the river! There were a lot of people doing this hike and everyone was really nice, including all the dogs! Only one set of weirdos, thank you Reno, blasting rap music?? while hiking.

Joe plans on running the trail. Go Killian, Go.

We hiked 4 miles!! And everyone will sleep really well tonight!!

Beauty & The Beast: A Play, Breakfast, and Meet the Characters

A little too bright, but fun nonetheless!! The girls had a lovely morning when their Papa and Yaya took them to see a local producation of Beauty and The Beast. They have the best grandparents EVER!!!

The wolves were a little scary, but Christina petted them bravely. Not too many people supported this event... kind of sad.

The girls said Chip said that Gaston liked to take pictures. Chip was a couple inches taller than Christina.

The ladies loved the play!!! They got pancakes, sausages, a pre-show, sour skittles, starbursts... and a memory to last a lifetime! I can't wait until it's their turn for their next play!!!

Toyland. Joyland.

Welcome to Toyland. It's Christina and Maria's creation for their brother. Then they will sit there and wave things in front of him, make noises and entertain him.

Eli loves it!!

7 months old!

What a better way to celebrate 7 months than our first swing ride at the park!

Elijah loves to play with toys, be tickled, take baths, be held by Mommy, give "besos", and play with his sisters.

He still hasn't really "taken" to solids. I feed him at dinner and usually we get about 5-6 spoonfuls... it's quite the trick to do so!

He has 2 teeth that have broken the gumline, but not pushed through all the way.

He had his first cold and did really well. We were up feeding a lot for comfort during the night, but in the day he was happy and quite the little trooper.

He is a total love bug and between Maria and I, probably gets a thousand kisses a day. Christina gives him space but is equally affectionate. You'll often find her standing him up and holding him. They are such great helpers and adore their brother!

Elijah can pull up on things when he is sitting in my lap. He also likes to walk holding on to our fingers.

Anne of Green Gables/Mania Tea Party

One of the BEST movies ever. And boy, was I so excited that the girls loved it too!! We've seen Anne of Green Gables and Avonlea twice now!! And each time, there are giggles when Gill comes on screen. We had a tea party and got dressed up. We also had special oreos that were delish. Highly recommend the berry blast and birthday ones! The girls did their own make up, got ready and left the house to return to this...

 pretty simple. But sometimes the best things in life are simple. Plus we watched the movie... again.

And loved it.... again. How can you not just smile when Anne breaks her slate over Gill's head?

Or when she is rescued from the boat?

Maria loved that we had matching pearls.

More Time in the Sand

We decided one morning to pick up and go. We had a great time at Pyramid!! Although of course...

I got the car stuck in the sand.

Ummmm... thank goodness for Scott, aka possibly Paul Bunyan, who whipped out his tow strap and coached me out while he pulled with his truck.

I was a little embarrassed, but more just grateful that people are still willing to help each other.

Because there is no cell signal out there and really, I had all the kids....

Lesson learned.

Only go with Joe.
Or don't drive down at all in the sand.

Eli's first time at Pyramid! He says, "Don't feed me to the piranhas mommy!!"

It really is such a peaceful place at Wino beach. Plus the drive is so unique with the desert all around. It's odd to imagine that once this was a vast ocean with large sea dinosaurs.

Easter At Papa and Yaya's

Easter Sunday was also my Yaya's birthday! I couldn't have asked for a better Grandmother in life. We have talked almost every single day of my life. She is always there for me. She is wisdom. She is the hardest worker I've ever known. She gave up everything for her family. I am so grateful to Heavenly Father that my children can know her and look to her as an example of kindness and Christ like love. I'm honored to be named after her. It was so nice to celebrate the Savior's Resurrection and the birth of my Yaya together. Such joyous events in world. Also a good reminder that our births would mean nothing without the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus.

 The food was great and the company even better! Which says a lot about the company because the food was muy sabroso. Aunty Tobi was there too!! She had gone to a drag show the night before which provided interesting brunch conversation with Yaya Sofia.

The girls hunted for rice krispie treats and fruit by the foot courtesy an older Easter bunny. There were also a few Easter eggs with a special message, "You are the most beautiful girls in the entire world." that they had to piece together.

Dad's glamour shot.

And of course, what's Easter without playing in the sandbox for hours and burying each other in our church clothes. I was so proud of the girls though because they cleaned their own shoes!!! It was such a nice treat!

Easter Morning

We usually like to celebrate commercial Easter on Saturday, however the Easter Bunny was a little disorganized from what I hear from some very reliable chicks. Something about watching Nova that affected his ability to concentrate or not cry every 30 seconds thinking about the grey mother whale who fought for 4 hours relentlessly a pack of orcas who were trying to kill her baby. They succeeded and she was left with nothing. She had spent 5 months starving herself trying to get her baby big enough for their perilous journey to food... nursing him, playing with him tenderly.... and then... nothing.

I mean, I know he's in a better place and will be resurrected... but...

it affected the Easter Bunny.

So I hear.

From the chicks.

Eli's first Easter basket!!! He loved his new teething rings!!

The girls also enjoyed their scratch and design princess packs.

We headed off to church and had a lovely meeting! It was extra special because my Yaya came!!! Her car mysteriously broke down and she was ready to go to her church when I called.... guess it looks like Heavenly Father wanted us all together! Jody got the saint award for missing sacrament to pick her up. He went to another ward during priesthood for it.... but that's just the type of guy he is. Always willing to do anything to help. No matter what. He also fixed her car afterwards.