Alexia's FOURTH birthday!!

Dear Alexia Marie, Last Friday you turned FOUR years old! What an absolute delight you are to our family! You had been so excited for your birthday, counting down the days until you turned 4 and it is still hard to believe that you are already 4 when I look at you. I'm not sure my words can express right now the sheer wonder I feel when I ponder the fact that God gave us a daughter and God gave us YOU as that daughter. You are so precious, so incredibly precious. There are countless things that daddy and I love about you, but I will name just a few. We love how you wake up in the morning and your energy level is at 100% before your feet even touch the floor. No matter what time it is or who woke you up, you are all smiles first thing in the morning. We love how you take delight in helping us out and looking for ways in which you can help the family. We love how you take such pleasure in doing puzzles. We love how you look up to your big brother and adore him in an amazing way. We love how you love to run to Marco's crib the second you hear any peep come from his room. We love how you are our fashionista. We love how you are a total and complete Daddy's Girl! We love how you are such a cuddle bug and love to give and receive hugs and kisses. You are simply wonderful and we love you beyond measure!

Alexia invited her buddies over for a birthday party and we had such a blast. We kept it all outside this year which worked out great, but it was a bit cold. Our neighbor Jamie offered to do face painting and the kids just played in the yard, ate snacks, enjoyed cupcakes, hit the pinata and blessed us with their company while we celebrated our big girl.






Diego had to go to school at 8am so we had an early breakfast and present time before Ricardo and him left at 7:30. Alexia requested pumpkin pancakes for breakfast so we had an early morning pancake feast! She was so excited to open the gifts from Diego...




...glitter glue (previous picture), toothbrushes and an extra set of clothes for...

...her new baby doll! I took her to the American Girl store the week before just to let her look around and to get an idea of what she liked. She had her heart set on this baby doll and...

...the high chair. Can you see the sparkle of happiness in her eyes!?

I didn't have the camera with me between breakfast and party time, but during that time we hung out at home (Ricardo took the day off), picked Diego up at school and went out to lunch at Chik Fil A.

The birthday girl was the first to get her face painted!

I love this action shot!

Sweet girls, Miriam and Keona

and Michaela too!

I love how this picture shows her as the center of attention. I wouldn't say she looks to be the center of attention, but when she finds herself in that kind of situation she runs with it!

Singing "Happy Birthday!"


This picture melts my heart. I love how Ricardo is squeezing her hands in such a precious way that shows his love and protection of her and I love how she rests in the comfort of that.

She requested pumpkin cupcakes so that's what she got! Do you see a pattern?! I made pumpkin cupcakes with maple cream cheese frosting and banana cupcakes with the same frosting.

Her friends were so sweet and generous with their gifts. She had a blast opening presents!

This captures the "fall festival" feel of the party.

Of course Diego found plenty of people to play soccer with!

Sweet family picture

Oh that face!

He spent a really long time playing up in the fort of the playground. So sweet!