Finding the little treasures…

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…