Tonya Joy Photography

…orphaned as a young boy…a lesson that has given him wisdom, taught him self-reliance, and such generosity and love for his family today. Rich in stories and experience, we are indeed thankful for all moments we are blessed to spend with him. We learn from his company, his stories, and are better from his example of how to give and share. From him, we awe in how can can turn rollerskating into an art (you should see him on those wheels) and how much he loves to share the rink with his family. Industrial and handy…he can fix it and teaches to use what you have first. He dubs my girls (and all his grand and great-grand {his children too}) his “earth angels.” He tells me all the time that this period of my life with my young children is my “Heaven on earth”. He is indeed right and I am blessed by all the family in my life that makes this earth a Heaven. Father to my Mother…a person whom I am eternally greatful to have. I am sure much of her goodness has come from him. I love you, grandpa!

Great Grandma Joyce…

Famous for her beautiful embroidery…from handpeiced quilts to those cherished christmas dish towels. I remember summer vacations to her home, days playing in the pool, hanging out in the back room at the Downey home, and trips in the motorhome. Her chocolate chip cookies and large family dinners bring back fun childhood memories. Thrifty, thoughtful, and tidy…her home is always perfectly put together and such a comfortable and safe place. My girls love it there and I love that they play with the same doll house that I enjoyed as a young girl. I admire her for her many talents, and as a mother of young children I can not even begin to imagine the loss she has had to endure in her life. I am thankful for the namesake that my brother carries…and for the greater love and appreciation for life that experience has taught me. I love you, grandma.

Ella tells me about her great-grandpa and great-grandma…

“I love to swing on their swing”

“I feel…like…happy when they come over”

“It is fun playing toys, coloring, and playing puzzles”

“I like reading books with them”

“I like eating animal crackers”

“I love them soooo much”

Phew…we made it home! It has been a wonderful & eventful few days and I am happy to say that we have made it home in one piece. I was sorting through some pics that I took on our mini-vacation and loved this sweet little floral one I shot at the gorgeous resort we stayed at. It was such a simple little bush in reality, but just as many things…upon a closer look it revealed such a true beauty. Honestly, I can’t believe it caught my eye within the amazing surroundings it dwelled. The Hilton Tapatio Cliffs…wow…that was a beautiful place. Made even more beautiful courtesy of Priceline.com. What usually requires a 350.00 a night bill, we snatched a last minute deal for 80.00 a night! It was wonderful & we had a great time.

The hotel was spectacular and the colors so deep. I loved the rich patinas of the metal fences and the blossoming petals on the bougainvillea bushes throughout the resort.

Ella was our little fish and desite the fact that she was running a fever, we could not keep her from the pools. They had water features and waterfalls cascading from the faux rock formations. We swam and laughed as we let the little waterfalls dance on our heads. I even went down the tubular waterslide with the girls looking on. I was greeted with giggles and awe that I was brave enough to go on that “scary slide.” (It was a bit scary, but so fun.)

These waterfalls were so real looking…beautiful.

This little one never ceases to amaze me with her beauty and sweetness. A choice child, indeed, to join our family when she did. He knows our needs and limitations so well. On this trip you got your first top tooth and are quite the little biter…you inspired so many smiles and compliments. We are so blessed to have you in our care.

I could write novels about you, Ava. At times I actually tell myself that these are the terrible twos…who am I kidding? You are whimsical, witty, terrific and tender. Your personality is treasured. I love how you liven up any situation and have been the credit of many laughs among our family.

This photo below will always remind me of your tenacity and spunk. After our day in the pools you had become quite attatched to this powder blue poolside towel. I made you put it in the towel return bin upon exiting the pool area, as there were several signs requiring us to do so. You wanted it so bad and made that very known to me (and perhaps half the hotel guests as you trudged back to the room). As we made our way through the resort towards our building, I noticed your complaining about your towel had stopped. When I turned around the see why things were so quiet…there you were wrapping a new towel around your sweet 2 year old form. Your smile was unmistakable…you were victorious! You knew this was your towel and had snatched it off another pool chair as we walked past a second pool area. “Mommy, I found my towel!” I could not, nor did I try to, bring myself to pry it off your little shoulders. Instead, I enjoyed watching you stroll through the hotel as though you were wearing a work of art. Silly, indeed…perhaps trivial…but just another way you bring magic into the simple things in this life.

Hope you are feeling better soon…although playing I-spy with a half-delirous sick 2 year old on the drive home was quite the treat for us all.

” I spy something…orange…yellow…red….blue…black….”

“Gee…Ava…what could that be???”

“That is not Garfeild, just a peice of Paper coming out of the toilet….”

Ok, sweet baby girl…back to sleep. Get well soon. You are already doing better now that we are home.

All my Love…

…Mommy…

Ella is my little party girl and is always asking when her next party is going to be. She is especially into the decorating and treats that a party brings. Both girls are so into Halloween, so we decided to invite over a bunch of friends from church for a play-date. (holy moly…I just added that up, there was total about 40 people here!). Wow, I had 14 moms and their sweet kiddos running around my house for this playdate! It was so much fun though! It is always nice to get out with the kids and be able to visit with other awesome Moms. We had a good time.

The best part was decorating these fun cupcakes…kudos to good ol’ Martha Stewart for the inspiration to make these cute little witch cupcakes.

We let the kids do them and they loved it. One of my friends comes from a family of caterers and she made the most delicious buttercream frosting in all the goulish colors of Halloween. That was so great. Playing, pizza, and sweets summed up the day, and I thought for sure I had earned my self a set of nappers, but the little energizer bunnies still did not go down to sleep…oh, well!

Hope everyone is enjoying this fun season of childhood with your little pumkins! Enjoy it! Thanks for letting me share…

{digi art by Shabby miss Jenn}