Our Girl is 9!

Yesterday we celebrated our precious Maddie's 9th Birthday.  It was a fun day!  This year she wanted just a few of her best friends over to watch her favorite movie, Coraline after going out to dinner for sushi.  I know, so grown up already and only 9 years old.  But before I post photos from her special day...I am going to scratch the sentimental itch.

Aaaah, aint she cute?

This was way back when she actually liked her brother!

Probably my most favorite Maddie pic of all time.  She was at a preschool called "Babies Place" here and her teacher caught this moment.

I believe we were at the zoo here.

Just a regular day back when she was 4 years old...always dressing up. And of course posing to impress any potential Prince Charming. 

Now, here are some photos from her birthday celebration yesterday.

I am still a little worried that Maddie is completely obsessed with the movie Coraline, aka the creepiest kids movie of all time. But hey, it was her day!

The delighted guests - Laslya, Kaila, Alexa, and Larissa.  Maddie has a thing for friends only of other nationalities.  Alexa is my friends daughter and the only Causcasian to make the cut.

Sushiholic is our favorite sushi place in town.  YUM!  Maddie ordered sashimi ofcourse.  Her friends were very brave and gave it the old college try.

Happy Birthday Maddie!  We love you!

A Simple Saturday

One of our favorite activities to do in Marin is hike.  This Saturday we took the kids on a short one to the waterfall at the end of Fairway in the Country Club neighborhood in Novato.  They loved it!!!  It was so great to just be outdoors with them and to watch their little legs in action running down the trail.  I told them there was something VERY special at the end of the trail, so they were both enthusiatic about getting to the end.  And when we arrived, this is what they saw...

Their first reaction was "WOW"!  I have finally embraced life in Northern Califormia after wishing to move back to San Diego for so many years.  And good thing I have done so because now I am stumbling upon beautiful surprises everyday.  I truly love Novato now and all this lovely town has to offer.  Finally, it feels like home.

Sugar doesn't mind all the hiking here either! 

Nope, we aren't still in Hawaii!  This spot is in our own backyard.  Love it!!!

The MuckDogs

Ethan just began T-Ball.  Pretty darn presh!  These are the moments that make parenthood worth it.  I think I actually shed a tear when he first got out on the field.  More pics to follow once he can actually hit the ball off the T!