Valentine Love

Happy Valentine's Day from the Frank family!  

Valentine's Day is a fun holiday for me, I really like holidays that don't take a whole lot of preparation in order to be fun and special.  Most years we call in a Me & Ed's heart shaped pizza and enjoy some candy and call it a day.  We didn't do that this year... it was a pretty crazy day.  Muffins with Mom, two class parties, and three hours of dance pretty much wore me out even for picking up a pizza and we decided to use a Groupon to a restaurant near to the girl's dance studio that was thankfully not busy at all.  

This year, the kids wanted to do their own Valentine cards... so I didn't come up with anything to crafty or over the top.  Hannah chose some Phineas and Ferb treats and Claire chose some gummy bracelets... Target choices: easy peasy.

I do have a tradition of taking a Valentine's day photo of the girls.  This year I was a bit lazy and almost decided against it.  There is something about a tradition though, it's hard to think about the future and know that there will be a gap if I don't do it again this year.  We went out for a little mini-session - I might try to share a few more from that later on.  

But for your viewing enjoyment, here are the previous four years worth of photos...

{2009}

{2010}

{2011}

{2012}

Firestone Walker | Brewery Tour

We are big beer people.

Not like Bud or Coors or even Corona... we are beer-tasting, can-tell-the-difference-between-an-IPA-and-a-brown-ale, appreciate-the-artistry-in-it... craft beer people.  Some people are like that with wine, we just happen to like beer better.

So, we decided to take a little field trip over the Christmas break to Paso Robles for the day and check out the Firestone Walker brewery.

There was a great little half-hour tour that taught a lot about the beer making process as well as what makes Firestone Walker a unique brewery.  We also had the opportunity to taste several of the draft brews that they don't bottle, so they were only available there.

Fun (kid free) times with some wonderful friends! 

Premiere Bridal Fashion Show | Gaga Chic

This was a fun event for the girls and a few of their friends...

Actually, Claire was the one asked by a local children's boutique, Gaga Chic, to participate in the Premiere Bridal fashion show featuring their clothing.  Once we went in for our fitting, Hannah was also given the opportunity to be involved in the day! The event was held at the Convention Center and there were several hundred people watching each of two shows that day!

Both of their dresses were beautiful ivory gowns and they had their hair done to include some vintage hair pieces... so fun!

I personally LOVED Claire's hairpiece... so pretty!

Claire, doing a 'pose' on the runway... yes it is her...even if you can barely see her, lol

And Hannah is doing a twirl here, again barely visible, but she is doing a great job!

Who knows if they will ever have this opportunity again, but they had a blast getting all dressed up for a fun Fashion Show!!

Snow Day!!

We were hoping for a lot of snow for the day snow trip we were planning over Christmas vacation.  Last year we stayed at a cabin in Shaver for three days and the was absolutely NO SNOW... it was a major bummer!  So, when we had a nice storm the week before our planned trip, I was pretty excited!

Chains were required at the top of the four lane (for future reference) and we John and Brian did what we thought was a great job putting them on in just a few minutes.  There was even a 'mountain man' walking by with his dogs that looked at their handiwork and approved.  Off we went!

We found a spot to get out and look at the view when John saw that one of the chains was gone... what?!?!

How do you lose one chain and not even hear it?  Needless to say, we did just fine on the snow with just the one chain, however for sanity I wouldn't suggest it to anyone.

Off again we went to look for an acceptable snow play area... my criteria: not too busy, but not too deserted either, and a safe distance from the lake.

We found a good spot and were ready to go!  We had four snow toys between the six of us, so we shared and paired up with the girls, there was even a good area where we made our own little sled run.

After awhile, we stopped for a lunch break and headed down the road a little more towards Huntington Lake (sp?).  We found another area to play, but it seemed so much more chilly!  We didn't last in that area long, the snow was so cold when going down the sled run that it burned your face and both girls ended up in tears.  It was even too powdery to make any sort of acceptable snowman so we decided to call it a day, head home, and warm up our toes :)

Because of the crazy burning snow in the face, the girls say they don't like going to the snow now.  I know I can change their minds, however one snow trip per year is generally my limit.  While I think it is super beautiful and even fun to play in once in awhile, it is still frozen and tough to move in - not exactly something I would want to live in forever.  So, changing their minds might have to wait until next year!

Claire and the Ear Piercing

Claire decided she was ready to get her ears pierced!

This was a bit of a decision for her because Hannah had been very honest in telling her that it kinda-sorta hurt, but it wasn't so bad, :)

When Claire was four we told her that whenever she was ready, we would take her to have it done.  She kept saying that she would be ready when she was five... and then when she turned five, she still seemed a bit apprehensive so I didn't push the issue.

Well, the day came that she said she was ready!  We were heading out for a family dinner and decided to stop off at Claire's (the little jewelry shop) and get the show on the road!

John got a video of the action, but here is the after shot:

She rocked it!  You could tell after the first one that she wasn't too comfortable, but she didn't complain and let the girl do the next one.  She didn't even cry after the second one.  When asked if she would ever do it again: Nope! (Haha)

Now the hard part: Remembering to clean and twist them every night!

Happy Halloween: 2012

First Day of School - 2012

Here it is!  The first day of another school year!  Hannah is joining the ranks of the second grade and Claire is (FINALLY) at the same school and in Kindergarten. 

Summer seemed to go very quickly, but there at the end I think we were all ready for a little more routine and a little less bickering    ;-)

Hannah spent the summer reading, swimming, and losing teeth!  She was really excited about school after she met her new teacher last week.  She loves school and is always an eager student, so we are really looking forward to this year!

Claire spent the summer swimming, coloring, and bugging her sister ;-).  Once she realized how soon school would be starting (after Back to School night last week) she asked everyday how many days were left and when she could get her outfit ready!  Claire was very quiet in preschool, so I am curious how she will do making all sorts of new friends in Kindergarten. 

We have a tradition of walking to school on the first day, and I have a personal tradition of tearing up about the time we get to the crosswalk... my babies are just so BIG already!!  Luckily,I pulled it together bout the time we reached the classes.

 Claire's sweet friend Julia is in the same class... they stuck together today.

And then after the first day with her teacher, and sucking on a jolly rancher she earned for following directions :-)

Claire's assesment of the day: We spent a lot of time on the carpet, sang two songs, and the playground really isn't too fun.  I ate all my fishie crackers, there was plenty of time, and I got to color with colored pencils!  I will go back tomorrow. 

Hannah's assesment of the day: My teacher is nice.  We have to do a daily journal, like last year.  We didn't really learn anything today, but we will do math facts tomorrow.  I got to use my highlighter to do a word search, can I have a different colored highlighter for tomorrow?  Bre and I have a meeting spot for recess, but I did play with a few kids in my class.

Looking forward to another crazy school year!

Father's Day 2012

Happy Father's Day! 

I am blessed to not only have an awesome Dad, who also happens to be an amazing Grandpa to the girls, but an Amazing Husband who is an Amazing Daddy to our girls.  Two men truly worth celebrating!

We are creatures of habit and went to Tokyo Steakhouse for dinner with the whole family this year to celebrate the day of Dads. 

Note: Next year, if it over 100 degrees, don't go somewhere where thy cook in front of you.  Oh my, it was HOT!

 Poppy and the girls...

 My Dad (Poppy) with me and my sister...

 All the girls...

Concentration

A friend (thanks Kelly!)  reminded me of this photo the other day.  That iPhone sure does come in handy... and Instagram is my current obsession. 

Claire started gymnastics in January.  The beam is tough for her when compared to everything else, yet she still gives it her all. I'm so very proud of this girl.

I call this 'Concentration'...

Regan's Bachelorette Party!

Ahh, a fabulous Bachelorette weekend with some pretty fantastic people celebrating my beautiful sister! 

It can't get much better than a girls weekend spent in a GEORGOUS house on the beach!