Que cabelo!

This last weekend Berns and I got the wonderful chance to see Danny and Lauren and their precious precious children. All I have to say is that Eden is quite possibly the cutest little 3 year old ever. Her personality is hysterical and we just couldnt get enough of her! Not to mention, she's the friendliest little thing! I sat there all night playing with her hair....it's fantastic...I'm sure she, and the rest of the family get's sick of hearing about it...but I mean, really, just look at it! I couldnt resist myself....well, that and the classic Eden smile made my day...
We also got the joy of playing with little chubby Charlie. He is such a sweet little boy and just sat and snuggled. Very content with life...Although, as soon as it was dinner time and Danny didnt feed him enough, he would let out a sqwak to let him know! Precious boy...he looks just like his momma (which Im an idiot and didnt get any pictures of her...dang it...but she's precious too!)
Zoie joined in on the fun....mainly just to ooh and awe at Eden....

These boys have known each other for 11 years!! They met in Brasil when Danny lived there with his family...and now they are both grown boys (no, not yet men, they still have a few years) with cute kids. We were sad that Riley didnt get to join us for the get together...so I promissed Eden I would drive down to Southern Cali to visit and play princesses....she was thrilled....so am I, and I'm sure Riley will be in seventh heaven.
Again, I didnt get as many pictures as I should have--but it's always such a joy to get together with people we love!! Thanks Danny, Lauren, Eden, and Charlie!! oh...and Jack (the itty bitty doggy)!!!

Prehistoric Times

No mom, I'm not talking about when you were born--however, I do think that classifies....

So it had been, what, a month since I had taken a vacation--and if you know me, I can't sit still for very long. Riley was on track break (she is in year round school here and her Track is already on a break...dont get me started on it....I'll start ranting and raving...)

Anyways, I decided to pack up the girls and head back up to Utah to visit my sister, Nate, and the adorable children they have! I didnt pull out my camera nearly enough however. It did seem to emerge from the camera bag once when we decided to go to the Dinosaur Museum. I however, forgot to charge my battery, so OF COURSE it died halfway through (that's classic Shea for you...) We did manage to get some cute shots of the kiddos though. We had a good weekend relaxing--and when Monday came to go home we were sad :( to leave all the cute itty bittys and the rest of the fam....But alas, its only a matter of {short} time before I'll be back up there....

Riley building Dinosaur kingdom in the sand/water/slush stuff....

Izzy in her precious new hat....

Riian in the slushy stuff....

Zoie finding more enjoyment in the flash of the camera than the dinosaur displays

How can you resist such a cute little person! Perfect little face...

The boys building a dam to stop the....dinosaurs?? I dunno....

Mr. Jackman just being cute...he does it well...

The shark was coming to get them...Luckily for them...we made it out alive...

The Gathering Place...

So, after what, a month? I have decided I would post pictures of our home, sweet home. I was hoping to wait until after I actually had furniture and decorated it...but blah...it will never be done. So, when I finally have purchased some furniture and everything is actually unpacked I will post updated pictures--until then, this is our sanctuary....

"...View I love the most is my front porch looking in..."

The backyard tiki bar...and Riley's little tiny play house.

The bakyard view from the hot tub...notice the life saver hanging from the palm tree? :)

The view from the backyard door....lots of shade!!!

THe hall entry way into the 3 bedrooms...and a bathroom...that I forgot to take pictures of...

My small, but functional kitchen...dont worry mom, one of these days we will wack down some walls and make it a reasonable size for you to cook us yummy yummy dinners in. Not to mention updating the cabinets (hint hint Paul, hint hint)

The dining room...with crap all around it cause Im not done unpacking....sigh....
Berns and my escape. Out those doors is a private balcony..there is also a nice walk in closet and a bathroom...again...I forgot pictures....
Riley's retreat...Its not finished...We still have to put up wainscotting and paint her pretty flowers on the wall...oh, and clean it...but yes, she picked the color...
Zoie's cute nursery--she's too little to pick the colors so I got to!!! You cant tell from the pic, but it matches her bedding. We still have to put the molding and curtains up in her room....

Front entry way into the HUGE living room...and i have no furniture for it...so make yourself comfy on the tile while I play you a diddy on the piano...

Other view from front entry way....
View from dining room to living room...Tuey the Turtle chose to have his room right there...
The "office" aka TV room, aka only room in the house with furniture (THe TV is behind the curtain, we hide it when we arent watching it)
Another view of the TV/Office/Family room...

Well, there you have it folks...our lovely, quaint, wonderful home. We love it and will love it more when it is filled with visitors to feed and play games with...so hurry up, come visit!!!

Is it just me?

So, I realized that after what, 2 weeks of ignoring my duties as the blogger of the family, it's time to return to my keyboard and punch away the happenings of the little Costas.

HOWEVER, before I do that, I must ask... WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME!! I have tried ATLEAST eleventy billion chocolate chip cookie recipes only to fail at every single one!! I have tried cookies of my friends that are absolutely to die for--i get the recipe, give it a whirl, only to have my cookies taste like poo...so seriously....is it just me? yes, yes it is.

Because of my rantings about my inability to make good cookies, you know what I have been up to this month....well, not all month. A girl can only try to bake for so long. I have also spent the month....attempting to clean up the house, but who am I kidding--not much progress has been made. Most of my time is spent squeezing itty bitty cheeks and making up ridiculous songs. Zoie laughs at me, Riley rolls her eyes at me. I have also mangaged to make a friend (YAY FOR ME!!) Riley and I have spent a good ammount of time playing with Natalie and Stephanie and Will--very nice and friendly people in our church. Stephanie and Riley are one in the same and enjoy running around being 6 year old girls. I've enjoyed the "girlie" time I've got to "gossip" with Natalie. Her darling little boy Will loves baby Zoie (he is almost 2) and he is such a sweetie! Other than that, I try to avoid the outdoors...which is usually not something I like to do. But when it's almost October and still 101 degrees outside, I find the sanctuary of my home very pleasing. They tell me it's cooling down though--bah ha!

Berns is loving his new job and loves working from home! I am really enjoying the situation too! He gets the chance to see the new things Zoie is doing and gets the chance to see Riley right when she gets home everyday--Not to mention I get to bug him all day long!!! I'm sure he's THRILLED. He hasnt had time to do much of anything besides work...so that's the only update for him...sorry, I'll tell him to be a bit more exciting.

Little Miss Riley Roo is gorgeous and marvelous. She is the same creative little bug she has always been. She loves her new school and is enjoying making new friends. As I mentioned before she has met a new little friend that goes to her school and church. They are pretty much the same little person with different colored hair.

She also loves to spell...I'm not sure where she got that from cause I am the worst at spelling. She is currently visiting her dad in Utah and Megyn (her step mom) let me know that she was telling all her little neighborhood friends that she knows how to spell ADDRESS!!! Ahhhh, the joys of childhood... She knows how to spell address, but I dont think she actually knows her address....that will be next months goal...

Our Zoie monster is getting too big too fast. She just turned 4 months old! She has mastered the art of rolling over--then immediatly yells at us cause she hates being on her belly. She also developed her deep little belly laugh. (Dont worry grandparents, I'll post a video in days to come) For some reason she thinks its hysterical when I cackle like an evil witch...I dunno....

Other than that she coos, and smiles, and is the most content little baby I have ever seen. She ADORES her big sister and kicks her legs frantically in excitement whenever she gets home from school.

Life in Vegas, I must admit, is rather fantastic. I think it's due to the fact that I have a wonderful husband and 2 amazing children...and quite truthfully, I can't make cookies no matter where I live...

Ladies and Gentlemen---here's the living proof....

tal pai, tal filha :)

My baby girl

Its been 6 years today that little miss Riley Aspen entered our lives. She has been nothing but a joy. Her sparkle and love for life is something I cant get enough of. I cant believe she is already 6!!! She is such a beautiful little soul and I am proud to be her mommy. Happy birthday baby girl--youre amazing :)