Insta Photo Friday

This week has been all about playing outside, finding critters in the yard, planning and preparing our garden, family and balance. In fact I am typing this from the yard watching my two gremlins play near the pond and herb garden. Plus being outside in the yard helps me to avoid the giant pile of laundry lurking in the guest room! As usual my photos are of my kiddos and nature"y" stuff. They are what make me happy. Cheers to a beautiful weekend ahead!
Linking to InstaFriday hosted by Life Rearranged. Also I am taking part in a fun Photo A Day Challenge hosted by Fat Mum Slim and have included some of my Instagram photos here as well.

Friday Photos via Instagram

Sharing photos from our week could not come on a better day. 

FRIDAY I thought you would never arrive!! 

If my iPhone is good for nothing else it's a fantastic way to capture the highs and lows and moments that sneak in between that make up life as a Mami. So often Mr. will ask "what did you guys do today?" And I'm like "uh, all kinds of stuff." And I go on to try and piece together the little events that made up our day. More than likely I will have a photo or six to share and Mr. seems pleased with that over my mumbling. Huh, weird. I've only a few photos to share this time around which is not to say there weren't more photo worthy moments. It's just that you know my phone is not actually one of my appendages.  

Linking to Instafriday

InstaFriday

Hi!

With over 400 photos on my phone I thought I would share a few from the last week. We are linking up with Life Rearranged, Insta-Friday.

As always there are some photos from the beach. Padaro Beach in Carpinteria is quickly becoming a favorite although it does get busy by late afternoon. The surf is small and the water seems a touch warmer here. Very inviting for JQ and Stella! We are actually looking at homes there. The community is small with local businesses prominent. An environment I could see raising the kids...

We drove into the city for a quick visit with Mr's familia and to stop by his Dad's Cabinetry shop. Dinner at Arry's has become a tradition if Mr. gets to choose where we eat. It's just a quick burger and fries place but they have great old school quarter machines right in front with trinkets and toys for the kids. I actually look forward to getting out a quarter for them and watching how they get all excited over a bouncy ball or little ring.

Lastly some flowers from nuestro jardin. My sunflowers are all in bloom right now which I love. It reminds me of late summer.

InstaFriday

Another Friday and the beginning of another month. Am I the only one completely blown away that the year is nearly half gone already?! We have been in Southern California SIX months. My baby will be two years old in two months and time seems to be getting away from me. I am living life, intentionally, presently everyday. Not putting too much thought into the future although with little ones I can't help but go there sometimes. My love for the InstaFriday tradition continues. I am always so thankful to have images from our week and utterly amazed by all that we have done. This week we took a mini holiday, celebrated Mr.'s birthday, played with family, took a picnic lunch to Mr. and went to a Dodger game (and NOT in that order!). The sun came out so we painted outside, ran at the neighborhood park and made a new friend. My favorite photo from the week is of JQ, throwing his head back and running full force at the park. Happy boy!! Today we are laying low, both babes have a cold of sorts and we need a touch of recuperation. Cheers to a speedy recovery and too a lovely weekend!

InstaFriday

I can not imagine tiring of this end of the week tradition. Remembering the week via my iPhone photos reminds me of all the fun we have and how much the babies change and develop week to week. This week we returned home from time spent in Northern California. It was cold and very, very rainy. The weather followed us home, my niece came to stay. We played and explored and shared some of nuestros lugares favoritos y cosas. The sun came out and we soaked up as much as we could. Hay más días de lluvia este fin de semana que viene, pero aún queda mucho que esperar! Today it is a bit cloudy out and there is talk of more wet weather. I am enjoying the rain for now. A good storm would be a real treat!

Happy Weekend!

Linking to Life Rearranged

Insta-Christmas

We are officially on holiday with family & friends.

There will be lots of food, wine, conversation & celebration in the next two weeks. I am looking forward to every.single.bit of it.

Merry Christmas & Feliz Navidad!

Linking to Life Rearranged for InstaFriday!

Sunday Rearranged

An adventure in Camarillo Grove Park.

Playing and lunch at The Lakes

A bit of sun and relaxing at Harbor Cove Beach.

Our Holiday in Ventura County.

Linking up with Unknown Mami for Sundays in my City & Life Rearranged for InstaFriday.

InstaFriday, A Few Weeks Worth

I am including a few weeks worth of phone pictures in today's collage. Still not back to a regular blogging schedule I've skipped a few InstaFriday's.

It is my birthday weekend and I'm hoping to take some time out for just me. I'm not an overly indulgent person, you really can't be when your a Mom of two under the age of three! But I think birthdays should be celebrated and I plan to do just that all weekend. There will be time spent as a family, with my Mr. and some time for just me. What is your favorite way to celebrate your birthday? What is that one thing you might indulge in on that day?

Linking to Life Rearranged.

Insta-Friday (on Saturday)

It's short and sweet, just the cream of the crop this week in iPhone pictures! We are moving into our new house today and I am both excited and exhausted. In and amongst the madness of this move Mr. and I have taken special care to watch, enjoy and be playful with Stella and Joaquin. This must be crazy weird for them and for not fully understanding what is going on they have been real champs so far! We had ice cream at a local favorite before leaving Chico where I snapped one of the photos here. There is a picture of the biggest moving truck known to man, the little ones dancing on the (train) table and me. I hope yours is a lovely weekend and Happy Halloween!

Friendly Faces

I noticed this weeks phone photos consisted mainly of my babies faces and the weather (err the sky rather). I'm not really sure what that might mean but looking at my little ones never gets old!! So if your interested in seeing a bit more of them and sine other quirky stuff you can follow me on Instagram @pancita and I'll follow back!

I'm linking up with Life Rearranged for InstaFriday.

Insta-Changes

My mind is all a jumble as I am looking through this weeks photos from my phone. I have photos of food, from a family celebration and lots of my babies.

Some of the things I love most.

This last picture of a map tucked in the corner...

That's the one that's got my head spinning.

We are moving.

I am excited, hopeful and nervous as all heck! Ive never moved with two little ones. I am probably a nomad at heart. I think my sister googled me once and there was like 14 places my name popped up. Its just that now I have these two beautiful creatures and two more furry family member's all making the move. We are going to be just fine, I know it.  But oh friends...there is an adventure ahead and I cant help but feel it in mi pancita (haha)!

Linking up with Life Rearranged.

All The Pretty Colors

It was a quiet week in the world of my iPhone photos. I need two free hands to wrangle my little ones these days. The photos I did snap however are full of color and that makes me smile.

Una colorida vida es una vida feliz.

Linking up with Life Rearranged.

Heritage, A Trip & A Fever

From September 15th and continuing until October 15th the U.S. celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month. September 16th is Mexico's Independence Day. On October 15th Hispanic Heritage month concludes with Dia De La Raza. The Anniversary of Columbus' landing in the Bahamas.

We, the U.S. are after all a copulation of many cultures and Hispanic culture is an especially prominent one at least in our neck of the woods. California's past, present and future is inseparable from the Spanish and Mexican cultures specifically. The California Missions are a tangible representation of that cultural history. This week while in the area the kiddos and I visited the Santa Clara De Asis Mission on the campus of Santa Clara University. Truly a beautiful piece of history as are all the California Missions I have visited. I am at least fourth generation Californian and it has clearly taken place as my cultural identity. An identity rich in Hispanic influence among other things. I am not Latina. Although someone once said I was at least in part Latina while pregnant with my babies. Bad joke? Eh.

My children are a bit too small still to understand what is Hispanic Heritage, Independence, Spanish Missionaries and all that. To them it is normal to hear Spanish being spoken, to eat tacos from a truck or chilaquiles for breakfast. To see pigs feet,whole fish and tripe at the market as well as pinatas hung from the ceiling. To hear Ranchero music on the stereo at home and to see Mommy dancing and Daddy singing along. They are part of this Hispanic rich Californian Heritage.

The week was full, as they have been lately. The kiddos were in childcare for the very first time! I fussed about in the garden and baked cookies. The little ones played with their cousins, whom they adore. We had breakfast out with my sisters, Mom and Grandmother and brought some firewood in, just because. Joaquin ended the week feeling pretty under the weather. Running a fever and just wanting to cuddle. So. That is what we have been doing.

What did you all do this week? How will you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month? Do you notice a Hispanic influence in your daily life?

Some resources and reading suggestions on National Hispanic Heritage Month.

via

Linking up for InstaFriday on Saturday.

InstaFriday Photos

Summing up the week by gathering these photos has helped me appreciate each and everyday. You should try it! Time really does go by too quickly ya'll.

Linking up with Adrienne Rose Photography and

Friday Phone Photos

We are headed to a bit of sand and sea breeze for a few days. Although we have been loving the late summer heat the beach calls to us...by name no less! She is a persistent one.

It was a busy, fun, jumbled week per usual. Just the way we like it.
Porque nos gusta que sea asi. 

Salud!

Linking here, and here

InstaFriday Funtastic

Here is a peek into our week via my iPhone photos.

It was a busy, fun, let's change it up a bit type of week. I almost don't believe it's Friday!

It's corn and tomatoes and cucumbers at the market(and lots more too). The color kill me every week. Nature is seriously beautiful!

The weather is heating up for one last hurrah before the crisp September evenings and mornings kick in. My car even said it was Caliente! heh.

There was much baby doll disappointment at Costco, do all babies have blue eyes? Really? Psshhh!!! Wake up people!!!

My Mr.'s brother came for a much over due visit and brought his pretty lady friend. Joaquin honestly LOVES his Uncle Richie. He follows him e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e.! 

 My toes got a little extra attention. Actually my toes got some attention. Period.

Oh and the little ones have finally discovered Lego's! This is my kind of activity. I can play Lego's for hours!

Happy Friday.

 

Linking up here.

Take A Peek

A peek at our week from my iPhone pictures because it is InstaFriday!

This week included a whole jumble of things as is typical for us.

We always hit up the farmers market and right now the pickings are sweet! Locally grown, organic fruits and veggies, meats, cheeses, flowers, honey, eggs, you name it we've got it!

We usually get a fresh hot tamale as well before leaving. YUM

There was cooking and playing in the garden like always.

Stella gave her little cousin some love before we hit the road mid-week.

Then it was the Zoo and other fun stuff in the city.

It has been a busy one y'all! Having two very mobile toddlers is exhausting and crazy good fun!

Happy Friday. We may be hitting the road again today... yippee!!

InstaFriday

A peek into our week via my iPhone photos.

I snapped a few photos of the beach and train depot near the end of our stay on the coast. There is a certain style or feel to things on the north coast that is very calming and introspective for me.
There is J.Q. in front of a mural on our lunch date yesterday downtown. I really must spend more one-on-one time with that little guy!
 And lastly Miss Stella and I just before we headed out to celebrate her Gigi's birthday(aka my Mom)!

I usually have a bunch more but life happened so...

We are linking up with Life Rearranged.

Where Oh Where

A peak at our week via iPhone photos.
Last night the radio in JQ's room spontaneously played a song, then stopped.

A few minutes later one of his toys that makes sounds, ...made a sound.
Think about that totally unrelated thought as you look at these photos.

A photo from last Sunday. "The Daddy" with JQ. How they typical get around these days.

There is a standing invitation with my family. Who ever is around on Wednesday evenings, meet at Burger Hut for dinner. We usually go and I get a salad and JQ is a wild man the entire time and doesn't eat well(cause he is too busy being wild). But, we go anyway and feed him later.

Stellita's hair is coming in curly and sometimes when she wakes up from her nap she looks like this...

I love it!

I found what I thought to be some kind of prehistoric insect in our backyard this week. It ended up just being the skeleton of a bug but still made for a pretty awesome photo.

If I want a picture of myself I have to take it. So, here I am, taking a picture of myself with Little Miss.

Cheese!

Today we went swimming and Stellita pulled out these bad boys. Damn, she is so much cooler than I am even with a mouth full of food!

It has been an emotional roller coaster this week. Incredible highs, seeing old friends and their babies...Also gut wrenching lows as Mr.'s abuelita still remains in the hospital.

Where oh where is the time going?

 

We are linking with Life Rearranged.

Happy Friday!

Weekdays Past

I had intended to post these photos as part of InstaFriday put on by Life Rearranged, but alas the week got away from me once again and I really just haven't had the desire to "fire up" the computer too much.

 Thank goodness for my iPhone as it allows me to do almost everything on it.

(ENTER) iPhone photos. :)

Like some other bloggers and non-bloggers I know I put together a small summer to-do list. Things that spell out S.U.M.M.E.R. to me and that I want to take part in.
One of the things NOT on my list but we did experience is a cold, yuck. Joaquin and now Stellita have the "punies".
I am loving some local wine that we bought last year on The Farm Trail.

Our garden is really great this year. Even though it is a bit "free form" my Mr. still loves it which says a lot!! Aside from all the fruit we are getting I am loving the flowers. I try and plant perennials and have a soft spot for broad faced flowers.
Although my Mr. isn't playing this year, a first! we went out to the baseball field the other night. JQ totally loved hanging in the dugout and throwing the ball with his dad.

Well time to enjoy some homemade pizza and a movie to close out a lovely week and a super weekend.