Friday the 13th - Mark your calendar now!

In our household we have (almost) too many fun occasions to celebrate in February. The 8th is the anniversary of our engagement (you'll find us at Cafe 50's).  The 19th is my birthday (I'll be 34 this year).  The very auspicious Valentine's Day falls on the 14th (red and pink together, what fun!).  This year though, February 13th has suddenly become VERY EXCITING and IMPORTANT!

SPOILER ALERT*****This post is about to get really crazy, and will make very little sense to anyone, and absolutely none if you are a man.******

I must start by explaining that I have always had a love for swimwear as long as I can remember.  I think it all started with a bathing suit my mom bought for me when I was four or five.  This beloved bathing suit was embellished with a beach scene featuring some favorites from the cast of Sesame Street.  What is not to love, right?  

Fast forward to adulthood... As a single girl living and working in Century City, I had easy access to all the shopping a girl could want.  This was especially handy at the start of swimsuit season (every West Coast girl knows that preparation starts in February or March - for a spring debut).  As Bloomingdales shifted from a small selection of resort suits, to the full-on summer extravaganza of swimwear, I would be there (a lot).  Doing my due diligence - that is - researching that seasons trends, fabrics and silhouettes.  (Basically, trying on a LOT of swimsuits.) 

A few years into my marriage, I learned of a designer out of New York that had revolutionized the whole game.  Her name was Malia Mills, and she felt that swim wear should fit and flatter like fine lingerie.  She creates and cuts all her suits for specific body types and sell them by bra sizes.  Brilliant, right?  She started her company with the slogan "Love thy differences".  The second I saw her website, I was hooked.  There was only two things standing between me and one of her suits: 

1. Distance - Online shopping is not my forte, least of all for swimsuits!!!  Also, they offer many choices online, but some of the most exciting options in fabric/ cut combos are only found in her stores.
2. Cost - Her stuff  is amazing.  It is made in the US from the finest Italian fabrics.  I fully embrace that you get what you pay for, but budgetary limitations do exist.

Finally after many years of dreaming, I got my first (and only) Malia Mills suit.  I ordered online after a few phone consults with the boutiques back east.  Lo and behold, my package arrived and the suit was perfect.  It exceeded my expectations on every level (fit, workmanship, fabric).  All of a sudden, every other dollar I had ever spent on another swimsuit seemed like a tremendous waste.

Fast forward to TWO DAYS AGO...I started thinking that this would be my year to find the perfect one piece (having already found the perfect two piece - see above).  The Blake Lively spread in Vogue featured a beautiful, black Michael Kors maillot.  After a busy day, I finally found a couple minutes to see what Malia Mills had to offer in a similar style.  The second my browser opened on her site, I saw the most exciting announcement EVER.  In pretty pink italics the page casually mentioned that a new boutique is opening on February 13th...in California...in Santa Monica...at...THE BRENTWOOD COUNTRY MART!!!   Can you believe this?????  Are you getting the many implications????  If not, I will lay them out for you.

1. Not only can I now see, touch and try on everything she offers at her boutique to my hearts content..
2. It is located at my MOST FAVORITE SHOPPING DESTINATION IN THE WORLD...okay maybe not the world, but in LA for sure.  
3. The new boutique is only a few miles from my house.
4. It will now be possible to enjoy a City Bakery pretzel croissant after my shopping, I mean research, excursions.
5. That's all I can think of and my brain is getting cloudy with excitement just thinking about the whole incredible reality.

Okay so the truth is, it has taken me two days to calm down enough to write this post.  When I got the news, I literally fell down on the floor making noises that were a combination of joy and shock.   I may not be quite ready to blog about this yet.  (I am struggling to make cohesive sentences due to my excitement.)  But, it's too late.  Let me leave you with the following advice: 

1. Start saving for this years suit NOW!!!
2. Get to the Brentwood Country Mart on or as soon after February 13th as possible.

I think that's it...happy swimsuit season!!!

Father and Son

My brother, Jeff, and his fiance, Andrea, were married and sealed in the Mesa, Arizona temple on December 29, 2008.  The ceremony was beautiful, and the bride incredibly radiant.  Here is a shot from the reception of Doug holding Conrad.  There may be more to come.  I will try to include one of the happy couple.

LOVE this Family

I saw Mr. and Mrs. Duggar on The View today holding their newborn daughter, Jordan (#18).  I have always been inspired by the sincerity that shines through in each interview with this remarkable family.  Today was my favorite appearance of all.  There was a moment when Barbara Walters asked the couple why they decided to have so many children.  Michelle's reply was incredibly touching.  She said that after the birth of their first child, she experienced a miscarriage.  At that time, she and her husband searched the scriptures and felt strongly prompted that children are a gift and reward from Him.  They prayed together and asked God to give them the love that he has for children, and bless them accordingly.  I thought this was beautiful.  All the parenting advice in the world can't compare with this one thought.  What a great starting point.  We should begin our journey as parents by asking God to give us the love He has for each individual child he blesses us with.  Marvelous!  Learn more about the Duggars here.

Snowed in!

Over the river and through the woods...

...to Grandmother's house we go!

Olivia the Snow Queen

Eric and Mary in the snow

Grandpa Heder worked with the kids on origami ornaments for this little Christmas Tree.

We had a wonderful and adventurous time in Salem at Grandma and Grandpa Heder's home for Christmas.  We enjoyed lots of snow, treats and time with our loved ones.

To Bethlehem and Back, Twice!

Wild, wild fun for Isabella, Olivia and Lexi

One of our favorite houses in Sleepy Hollow

It was a magical night.

Eric stokes the fire by pulling on a rope attached to a pulley that opens the bellows.

Eric pounds some leather

Eric sharpens a knife

Camels had to be parked outside the City Walls

The Roman soldiers were less than friendly

Last week I learned of a church in Manhattan Beach that hosts a program called "Journey to Bethlehem".  The program runs from Friday, December 5th to  Sunday, December 7th.  Apparently the event is very popular and crowded.  Through the homeschool association, we were invited to a special preview night on Thursday.  Doug was working late that night, and we were very sad to go with out him.  Something told me that it would be worth making the trip even without Daddy. 

The kids and I arrived as the doors were opening and we waited in a very long line.  Finally, we entered Bethlehem.  First, some kind travelers shared their wealth with us.  They gave each of us a handful of shekels to help us on our journey.  Next we saw a camel.  Eric was excited to pet him.  Then, we were stopped by three wise and learned men who told us that a miracle was taking place that very night.  As we continued into the center of town to be counted for the census, we were stopped by some fierce Roman Guards who demanded that we pay our taxes to Caesar.  Once inside the center of the city, we saw artisans and tradesman, food stalls (luckily we had some shekels left), dancers, storytellers, beggars and children herding sheep through the streets.  It was quite an array.  We stayed for quite a while enjoying all that the city had to offer.  Suddenly, an angel appeared and told us that the Savior was born.  We set off to find the new baby.  Finally, we found a lowly stable with a sweet family sheltered there.  They shared with us some of their story, and we got to see and pay our respects to the Christ child.  

We had such a special and fun night, we just couldn't tell Daddy enough about it.  He insisted that we return again as a family on Saturday.  We also invited some close friends to join us.  We enjoyed the second night in Bethlehem even more.  Right after returning from from our second trip, we drove a few miles to "Sleepy Hollow" (a neighborhood in Torrance renowned for it's beautiful Christmas light displays).  We caravaned through the neighborhood with children hanging out of the sunroofs (everyone was driving about 3mph).  Many people were enjoying the amazing light display on foot.  Shouts of "Merry Christmas" rang out up and down the streets.  Finally we tandem parked and said our goodbyes.  We also exchanged children so that we could each leave with our families intact and lawfully restrained.  

If we weren't in the Christmas spirit before, we sure are now!

Socceropolis

Just after his second birthday, Eric saw some kids having a great time at a soccer camp at the park near our house.  He was dying to join in the fun.  I talked with the coaches, and they said they take kids as young as two at their weekly classes.  Socceropolis is a non-competitive skill building soccer workshop.  Eric is nearing the end of his second eight week session.  It is an hour of solid drills, with several water breaks.  The players get quite a workout.  Eric loves it.  His focus is pretty remarkable.

Eric was disappointed that he only scored two goals during the scrimmage.

Eric really likes his coach, "Coach Milton".  He and his wife Valerie have run these amazing soccer classes and camps in Santa Monica for fifteen years.

The little soccer players await instructions by sitting on their soccer balls.

Olivia and Conrad enjoy some crackers, while Eric is on the field.

Noah's Ark

On Thursday we visited The Skirball Center.  They have an amazing, interactive Noah's Ark exhibit.  We really enjoyed the experience (so much so that we were the last to leave).  

Eric and Olivia played for hours on the Ark.

There was a great baby area with adorable little animal blocks.  Conrad loved it.  He's ready to be down and playing now.

Here is a shot of Conrad eating a lion for lunch.