Quick Hello!

Hello from the Barat clan! It's been since the holidays since we've posted anything here, which to me feels like a LOOOOONG time ago! We're well into the new year, and looking forward to our upcoming trip to Cabo!!!

Addison is especially excited, as she thinks we are taking a trip to Mexico specifically to see Dora the Explorer and her friend Boots the Monkey. Thanks Uncle Grant! Ever since Grant sent a picture of himself with a life-sized Dora (work event), Addison has been fixated on meeting Dora. She's practicing her Spanish and has the basics down - hola, gracias, me llamo Addison. It should be HILARIOUS to watch her interacting with the locals and attempting to speak their language. She'll talk to anyone who will listen. :)

Little Isla continues to learn new words and phrases every day. She's stringing 4-5 words together at this point (mostly in the form of a demand!), which is truly amazing. She says things like "Daddy take it down", "Mommy, kiss it!" when she has a boo-boo, "I don't like it", "Turn the light on", and "Want to read books" just to quote a few. She's also OBSESSED with dolls of all types - baby dolls, Barbie dolls, Disney dolls...if it's a doll, she wants it. She's very protective of her dolls too. "Baby crying" and "Baby hungry" are two of her other favorite catch phrases. We had a belated holiday gift exchange and dinner with Guy, Heather, Carly and Cassie on Saturday, and the mermaid doll that Cassie received from us was a big hit with Isla. So big that I took her to Target on Sunday and got her one of her own. She was SO cute sitting in the cart saying "Thank you mommy! Mermaid! Open it, open it!" I can't tell you how many times she said thank you. She also sings along to the Disney Princess songs we play in the car. Songs from Tangled are her favorite.

Unfortunately I don't have too many new pictures, except for a few from my phone, including the special afternoon Addison and I spent together a couple of weeks ago getting manicures and hitting Dairy Queen for a treat. Addison was asking me for weeks to get her nails painted, so I finally took her to the place I go and she had a blast! She charmed everyone in the place and was the perfect patron, holding very still and letting her nails dry completely without smudging anything. I may have created a monster....

Judith's birthday dinner - she doesn't look a day over 45! ;)

Amazing sushi boat at Masu, the picture doesn't do it justice - we're hitting this spot again for DJ's birthday at the end of February

Addison's fancy mani! They painted flowers and suns on all her nails

Happy with her Dairy Queen treat