Summer Birthdays!

This post is long overdue...  Somehow the summer got away from us and we are only now blogging about our kids' birthdays, all three of which fall in the summertime.  Gabriel was born in June, Eliana in July, and Karina in August.

In June, Yeh-yeh and Nai-nai (Elvin's parents) visited us from California so we decided to do the 1st (of many) rounds of birthday celebrations at that time.  Karina was very excited, because she got a new bike!  This bike has a basket, and a bell, and doll seat on the back -- pretty amazing!

Eliana also got her gift from Elvin's parents...

A nightgown that matches her Josefina doll!

They also got some other gifts -- some mini dolls and such.

Gabriel got a set of kitchen appliances that are battery operated, and really spin/blend/drip/etc!

We had cupcakes, and one candle per kid...

Pretty exciting!

Later in the summer, was Eliana's actual birthday.  We had gone camping that weekend, and came home just in time for dinner and presents.  Gabriel is figuring out more about presents, and is starting to "help"....

A Fancy Nancy book!  Gabriel is very into these right now.  =)

A sewing basket.  Eliana is starting to get into crafts and the like.  She loves having her own stuff, which she keeps on top of the refrigerator to keep it safe from little hands!

We went to dinner that night, at Red Robin.  Our kids love this restaurant, but we aren't big fans.  So, once a year, for their birthdays - and they even get a sundae!  You can see Gabriel is pretty interested in the sundae...Eliana did share!

Karina's birthday is August 6, which also happens to be Emily's brother's birthday, and also Emily & Elvin's anniversary!  Karina doesn't really appreciate that she has to share her day with so many others, but, it does mean a big family gathering!  Grandma and Grandpa, and also Uncle Charles (the brother with the birthday) and Aunt Sara and their two daughters, our kid's beloved Abby & Millie came over for dinner.

 A pile of kids on Uncle Charles!  (That is Millie under Eliana)

 More gifts!  For Karina this time.  You can see that Eliana isn't thrilled to be watching the opening.

 A playmobil farm!  All three kids look pretty pleased!

 And, the ultimate gift - a huge Minnie Mouse dress up doll set, with PETS!  So many hours of fun!

Karina is NOT fond of cake, so chose to have a birthday bowl of ice cream, with the candy letters and number 4 candle.

We did have a cake for Eliana, as well, since this was her chance to celebrate with the extended family.  Six years old!

Here is Eliana blowing out her candles (and Gabriel helping out too.)

Every year we have a little joint birthday party for Eliana and Karina with their friends.  This year we were planning an alternate gathering (we took them and a friend to Disney on Ice) but in talking about it, Karina didn't believe she had every had a birthday party with her friends.  The last two years she had thought it was Eliana's party, and never realized it was in her honor as well!  Oops!  So, we did a very small birthday party for Karina that weekend -- a tea party.  She loved it!

 Gabriel joined right in with the table of little girls and ate his share of jello and cake and lemonade!

We have used the same piñata for the past two years, and our girls now consider the purple flower piñata as an integral part of a birthday party.   It has a little flap that lets the candy out, and it trickles out with each hit.  Makes the piñata very exciting as candy keeps coming out, with every turn!

 Gabriel tried to take a turn, but doesn't quite have the form yet.

 All the girls (plus Gabriel).  Happy Birthday!!

This year we decided to try and ask the girls a few questions, to track their answers as they get older.  So, here are Eliana's respones:

How old are you?  Six

What is your favorite color?  purple and light blue

What is your favorite food?  Macaroni and Cheese

Who is your best friend?  Kate

What is your favorite thing to do?  Go to the Adventure Park at Mt. Hood.  Even going there and back is fun because you can see all the tiny beautiful trees on the mountains.  

What do you want to be when you grow up?  Be a mommy and go horseback riding.  There's a lot of things.

What is your favorite subject in school?  the Bible

What is your favorite day?  Thanksgiving

What do you want to learn when you are six?  Swimming

Karina's responses:

How old are you?  Four

What is your favorite color?  rainbows

What is your favorite food?  pizza

Who is your best friend?  Ann

What is your favorite thing to do?  Spin around

What do you want to be when you grow up? Be a mommy

Who is your favorite cousin?  Lena

What is your favorite day?  Saturday, because then Daddy gets to stay home

What do you want to learn when you are four?  how to do somersaults

For Gabriel, he isn't really ready to be interviewed, but we wrote down what his responses would most likely be today (November 8)

How old are you?  TWO!

What is your favorite color: green

What is your favorite food? Olives

What is your favorite thing to do?  Cook

So here are our kids...2, 4, and 6 years old!