This year Emma fell in love with pumpkins.  They have a few growing in her garden at pre-school and everyday she has to say "hello" and "good-bye" to the pumpkins there. She was so excited to pick out her own pumpkin at Avila Valley Barn!  I don't have any pics of Emma in her Halloween costume yet, but here is a cute picture of Tessa as a strawberry!  Don't eat too much candy tonight!


Allyson Magda Photography


 Lavish, rich and spectacular, this Marie Antoinette theme uses pastel pinks, peaches and gold. . Make use of a variety of textures including silk, lace, satin, and damask, and use layered table clothes, large feathers, and satin ruffles to create a dramatic impact.
I love the sweet decadence with a chocolate or champagne fountain. Your wedding cake should be a towering pastel creation, and other sweet treats could be arranged on vintage cake stands, it's oh-so gorgeous!



design by Aileen Tran



design by Aileen Tran


design by Aileen Tran


I am alive... but getting over food poisoning.. Emma is getting over a mild concussion!  Slowing feeling better and getting lots of sleep.  Hope your week is going better than ours!  Here is a sweet apricot look that makes me smile:-)






 Today Tessa turns 2 months old... I can't believe how quickly time passes!  With all our computer problems I haven't downloaded my most recent pictures:(


Tessa is practically perfect in every way!  She lets me sleep 5-6 hours at night, she's a great eater and is easily comforted!  She rarely cries and is content to be alert and happy.  She doesn't spit up and is a great traveler.  (Tessa has already been on several car trips and camping!)  She has been smiling since one week old.  At her one month check up she smiled at our pediatrician and he almost cried.  (He has helped us with all our adopted cases.)  For all the friends and family that have walked through our long adoption & family journey, it's sweet to share now the good times and not just the dark ones!  After all the babies we don't have, it makes us appreciate Tessa all the more! 


Her happiness is contagious!  Just this week she started laughing!


image above by pottery  barn
I am alive and well, but my laptop is not!  The hard drive died and troy is working on re- building it!  I'll be back soon!
baby troy

dating in 2003
Almost nine years ago, I met this outgoing guy, with orange hair (he had tried to bleach it himself), who had just ran a marathon a few weeks before.  He seemed a bit too over confident and a bit too interested in me. I did my best to ignore him, forget his name and avoid his prying questions.  Obviously I failed.

Seven and half years after marrying him, he still makes me laugh, is working as hard as ever and still sometimes runs.. though not Marathon distances, since having kids.  Happy birthday my love, to the best dad, adoring husband and best of friends!

We love you much!

wedding in 2004


hawaii 
Traveling with him is the best... he is the expert researcher... on places to stay, great food to eat, what to do, and cool places to see.  He always finds the greatest "off the beaten" path adventures for us.

Halloween
Silly Troy 101- He never takes anything too seriously!  He's taught me to loosen up a bit!

with baby emma
He's greatest pride and joy... Emma and Tessa!


Christmas at the beach

with brand new baby tessa

emma 2011

Florence Italy
Life with you is half as difficult and twice as fun!


image above and below via Hostess with the Mostess


Emma's new favorite thing is Strawberry Shortcake, here is a fun grown up look, that is both vintage and chic.  This is for you Em!!!

image above by once wed

image via cake bliss blog
Lane Dottie photography

image above by Megan W

image above by Dorothy Huynh floral design by Aileen Tran

Here is some wedding inspiration from the iridescent feathers of a peacock!  The beautiful feathers offer indigo, green, turquoise and plum. The shimmering shades offer a variety of jewel tone wedding color combinations. The rich colors and feathery patterns create a classy, contemporary look, oh-so pretty!


image above by Terilee Dawn Photography

image above by Superglossy