Leah's 7th Birthday!

Our first born is SEVEN! When did that happen?!?

We had a family dinner, joined by Poppa Len and Grandy, and Leah requested cobb salad and brownies.

Then the next day we made cupcakes for her birthday party. Noelle and John put the raspberries on top,

Leah frosted,

And their creative mother used beets to color the frosting! (Thanks, Auntie Heather, for the idea.) And unlike John's spirulina colored baseball field birthday cake, it did NOT taste funky. YAY!!!

We had her party at Kid's World, a really great park in the middle of downtown Santa Barbara. Uncle Jeff and (almost) Aunt Ebony came up as well as the Careys. And the now all-local Len Sunukjian clan was present as well.

Noelle charmed Teresa into holding her, pushing her on the swing, and then reading lots of books to her.

And Leah's "first friends" from Vacation Bible School and New Life Church came to celebrate her as well.

These two are as "somethin' else" as they look.

Veggies and dip, g/f pizza, cupcakes, and natural soda (no HFCS!) were on the menu.

And Leah had her first introduction to candles that re-light!

It's safe to say she had a great time!

We love the...

Happy Birthday, Leah! We are grateful to God for you!

Santa Barbara Fiesta!

Every summer, Santa Barbara hosts a weeklong celebration of the old Spanish days called Fiesta. They take the celebration very seriously with lots of dancing and food and dress-up and entertainment and what not. The kids, in-laws, and I had the pleasure of watching the Children's Parade. And Leah had the pleasure of participating in it!

(John and Noelle enjoying the thrill of standing in the middle of the street in front of their mother.)

State street is the main thoroughfare in town and they block it off from traffic for the big to-do.

There are street vendors selling all sorts of fun stuff. Grandy bought the kids confetti eggs and the balloon guy has been selling his wares at Fiesta for over 40 years!

It began with a marching Mariachi band,

and continued with many a colorful, ruffled, dancing girl.

Lots of dance studios bring their students out to perform...

And even the little people get into it:

Groups and families built floats.

And a few groups honored the Chumash Indian tribe who are a major part of Santa Barbara history.

And here comes Leah's big moment! She marched with New Life Church (which is most likely the church we will be going to).

Here she is in all her hand-waving, dress-twirling glory!!! (Of course, Grandy provided the outfit and Leah is already planning for next year...)

John and Noelle were both so excited that they rushed out to greet her.

This was the sombrero float that the kids took turns riding on.

And this is Luke who helped to pull the float.

It was a very fun event for all involved.

VIVA LA FIESTA!