Starting the birthday celebrations early

Brianna's birthday is coming up next week. Her birthday party will be this coming Sunday. However, she's been asking Mommy for "chipas," everyday for about two weeks. So tonight was the night! We made chipas together, a week before her actual birthday, to "kick off" the celebrations.

Brianna is a great little helper and she helped every step of the way, including rolling her own tiny "chipas." These are traditional Paraguayan and Argentinian cheese balls made with tapioca flour. We make them with vegan cheese and they are still super delicious!
Especially in the winter time, Bibi's Mom used to make "chipas" from scratch and serve them with hot chocolate. The fragrance of fresh cheese bread and chocolate proved irresistible to Bibi from a very young age. It's always evoked the warmth of good family times while it's cold out. Guess Brianna has captured this family tradition too! It's exciting!

Painting Project - Kiara's room

Last week we stripped the old wallpaper and this week we're putting in a coat of white paint to cover the flowers before the sage green goes in! Jeremy is working hard after work and is very meticulous and detailed! Brianna is also "helping," though more white paint ends up on her body than on the wall itself =)

This is (approximately) what Kiara's room will look like when it's finished. This is the bedspread and color scheme we chose for her. We'll only be waiting for a beautiful bundle of joy!

More project updates & pictures to come!

Our best wishes for 2009

Here are a few photos out of the amazing photo shoot we had this year with Schaap Studios (www.schaapstudios.com)

All four of us excited about our journey together

May all the ups and downs this year will bring, give all the glory to God

Thank you for keeping us in your prayers. You are in ours!

A visit from Murray & Elaine!

We were honored to have Murray & Elaine Sankey over for dinner on Sunday evening. We had a great time visiting and also enjoying the jacuzzi. Ampee & Amee, their hosts, came along and loved playing with Brianna too.

Brianna was very affectionate with Uncle & Auntie. She made the rounds giving kisses to everyone, especially our guests! The hot jacuzzi was enjoyed by everyone on a cold evening.

We very much look forward to seeing Sankeys again soon!

Clarks and Castros come to Visalia

One of our most favorite group of people came to visit us in Visalia this past wekeend. Jorge & Edith Castro came from Argentina to visit their daughter Gisel, husband Joel and beautiful granddaughter Isabella.
We had a great time catching up, eating good food and enjoying the jacuzzi with the girls.

Isabella and Abu Jorge

Dancing queen I

Dancing Queen II

We can't wait to get together again soon!!

We're back!

We've had some computer problems lately and couldn't post for a while ... but we were busy nonetheless! All three of us made our first cake of 2009, a Vegan Blueberry Coffee Cheesecake. Brianna loved helping out!

Top chefs

The finished product ... super delicious!

Happy New Year!! - ¡Feliz Año Nuevo!

We pray 2009 will bring new opportunities, true happiness and heavenly blessings to all.

Oramos que 2009 les trae nuevas oportunidades, felicidad verdadera y bendiciones del cielo a todos.

Love,

Jeremy, Bibi, Brianna & Kiara

The Monterey Bay Aquarium

On Sunday we went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and had LOTS of fun learning about otters, penguins, anemones, etc. The aquarium is very kid friendly and has lots of hands-on stations for little kids to crawl, play, draw and learn. Here, the requisite picture with the pirate, across the street from the aquarium

Looking out into the ocean from the aquarium

Bri, again, smiling by the beach

Making "chipas," traditional Paraguayan cheese breads and also a family favorite. Brianna was very eager to help make them and anxious to eat them in the morning with homemade hot chocolate.

We loved our short but fun filled days in Carmel. Can't wait to go back soon!

The last weekend of 2008 in Carmel-by-the-Sea

We spent last weekend in Carmel and were blessed to have an amazing time, beautiful sunny days, good food and many great things to do. Here Bri is smiling for Daddy

Bri, the photographer (she took this picture all by herself)

Getting close to the beach on a beautiful day

The gorgeous home we enjoyed for 3 days. Thank you, Hansons!

Christmas with the Veiss'

On the 26th, we had a Christmas brunch with Victor, Suzana and the girls. The little ones got a chance to open presents and play with them. Brianna got a "Princess Chest" full of dress up stuff. Needless to say, it was a hit! She wants to wear this lavender dress everywhere now! (and has little shoes to match too!)

Mia started walking! She got a pair of bath slippers and a fun book

The girls having fun being princesses

A yummy all-American breakfast for us all.