Olympic Madness

We were lucky enough to stay in Downtown Vancouver for a couple of nights and get into the spirit of the Olympics. It was a bit crowded to see the various pavillions around Vancouver, but it was just great to be part of the action. We missed Wayne Gretzky pass by our hotel as he carried the torch to the Olympic cauldron. It was raining, and rushing down to see him was not appealing to a very pregnant mom with two young kids, although I felt bad for Ray who probably would have wanted to see Gretzy. Nonetheless, we were able to spend some family time, seeing the torch being carried through a Downtown street, visiting the Olympic countdown clock, hanging out with our best friends, trekking to the fenced Olympic cauldron, and witnessing the masses of people cheering for Canada! We may not have had any tickets to any Olympic events, but just being in Downtown Vancouver made us experience the Olympic mania!

Go Canada go!

Happy Birthday, Ray!

A start to the new year means that it is also time to celebrate Ray's birthday today. When I asked him what he wanted for his birthday, he said all he wanted was to save up for an IMac(reasonable) and for me to bake a cake. I'm no baker, so thank goodness for Duncan Hines Devil's Food Cake. I love that Ray is such a simple guy that even a cake out of box will make his birthday happy.

Happy birthday, Ray! Here's to many more birthdays of Duncan Hines cake and of celebrating your special day together. Karch, Tessa, and I love you always.

Here's a picture of my most awesome husband and K & T's most dedicated Dada with his favourite people.

Keep calm and carry on...

Besides finding random things on etsy, reading blogs, written by Perez, my fashionista cousin, and blogger moms have been a recent internet pasttime. One of my friends who writes a blog introduced me to a blog by Stephanie Nielsen (http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/). Stephanie who, despite almost losing her life and her husband to a horrific plane crash that claimed the life of their family friend, still manages to live by this popular timeless World War 2 sign below,


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to keep calm and carry on. Sure, there are times when it seems life isn't all that great, but then she takes a minute and realizes that being able to have a second chance in life, to spend time she may not have had with her children and family, and to be with her Mr. Nilesen, are what makes life great. She is admirably optimistic, and reading her blog has made me learn a thing or two about motherhood.

After all, I have noticed lately that I've been more overwhelmed to the demands of juggling work and motherhood. This is a little bit scary, considering the fact that Ray and I are expecting our third this April. Don't get me wrong, I am extremely excited and happy to have a third. That is, in fact, mine and Ray's ultimate plan. Yet, I still need to be reminded to keep calm when things are making me crazy and carry on with life and remember that my babies are growing up so quickly. I just need to learn the magic formula for balance and cherish my daily struggles with Karchy and Tessa. After all, I honestly cannot stay frustrated with these faces:

Can you?!

Oh...I just love them, despite the "music" they make. So, here's to the next decade with my new mantra...keep calm and carry on!

Etsy finds

Ever since I was introduced to Etsy (Thanks to my cousin Hoolie's blog post awhile back.), I have been obsessed. Of course, I haven't really bought much from the site, but I just love looking at everything and telling everyone about it. Here are some of my etsy finds:


Here is another dress from Little Trends. Tessa wore it for one of my best friends' wedding ceremony.

I asked my Tita Lycette to check out this pattern on Etsy, and this is what she made for Tessa. I would never have been able to make it. She actually made two, but I stored one of them. Love the fabrics and love both the practicality (it's reversible!) and cuteness (the fabric combination is awesome) of the jacket!

Here is a doll that my friend customized for Tessa. She also has a store on Etsy called The Rice Babies.

Thanks Etsy for making me more addicted to searching for finds on-line!

Our Little Fashionista

My friend, Carlen, makes little trends for little girls and boys, and has been asked to make some dresses for a new store called the LBD store (aka The Little Black Dress Store). To introduce the store to the Vancouver community, LBD organized a fashion show, and Tessa, along with another cutie Ava, was asked to model Little Trends designs. Here is our little fashionista with her number one fans and her fellow models.

Happy Halloween

From Dora the Explorer and Optimus Prime...

Happy 2nd Birthday, Tessa!