YAY! It came just like I wanted it to. (I actually predicted that we would have snow on Christmas back in October!) Gabrielle doing the "hooray for snow" dance! It's incredible how detailed trees become when they're outlined in snow. I'm loving how easy it is to share photos via iLife '11's new iPhoto. Created…
Yearly Archives: 2010
30 years ago today. Where has the time gone? Life moves rapidly. And every day I'm grateful. I'm thinking of my family today. We are celebrating all across the globe. My parents in Kauai, Hawaii. My brother and his family in Tacoma, Washington. And my sister and her family in Eugene, Oregon. I'm hoping…
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You look the same! So cute.
Jess, I always loved this Christmas photo. Gabrielle definitely has your eyes. Thank you for the beautiful reminder of Christmas past.
Love, Mom
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perfection!
Love your holiay card! SO adorable.
What a beautiful photo. I love this.
Oh My Goodness, She is such a sweetie and this photo is gorgeous.
So cute – we missed you guys so much!
So incredibly beautiful… Merry Christmas. 
beautiful photo!! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you and your family, Jessica! Love your photo of Gabrielle!
Merry Christmas! Love that photo!
One of the most delightful things that happened in my life this year was meeting a great group of ladies that all have daughters close in age to my 20-month old Gabrielle. It's been such a joy to spend time with them – to talk about mamahood experiences and to be inspired by them for…
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Hope you and your family have a Christams filled with joy and peace. Happy Christmas
Linda
you have such an eye for putting together the packaging! love it.
Beautiful presentation!
You are awesome girl! You inspire me and I am so thankful to have you as friend.
What a great idea, they look amazing!
What beautiful cookies! Such care and thought put into a lovely gift idea for your friends.
This is precious!
Awesome, am sure they taste as good as they look. Jealous I’m not in the playgroup! Have fun you wildly talented lady!
Wow! Those look amazing! Nice job Jessica!
Love these Jess! Nice work – they look like perfect cookies!
Happy Holidays – xoxo
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Marky – Miss you! Hope everything goes great at the fundraiser!
I just got to the age when I wake up in the morning and feel sore 
Lol. I still always try to smile though.
Love this quote!
Just took a little walk down memory lane to see what I was doing on this day five years ago, four years ago, three years ago, two years ago, and one year ago. It's amazing how quickly the time has passed – and delightful to reflect on all the great times and experiences I've had…
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I LOVE this idea! The beauty of blogging for years. Seeing the Christ the Redeemer statue is on my bucket list! I love the photo!
Thank you everyone!
Erin – Picture taken at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. We went to their “Santa’s Workshop.”
Jamie – My blog is the best journal I have for daily events. Jeffrey also has an archived online calendar that I can look back on and see what we were doing hour-by-hour for the past five years. I think calendars are the easiest way to jot down quick notes of what you did at the end of the day. I wish I would have kept a more detailed one for Gabrielle’s first year!
Looking back is so incredible…thanks for sharing! I had no idea you met DVF, so jealous!!
LOVED taking a walk down McDougall Memory Lane! Where was this picture of Gabrielle taken?
Love this! I’m so curious…do you keep a written private journal in order to remember daily life? If so, how do you make it a priority?
Thanks…Jamie
jessica – I love, love that photo of Gabrielle! So happy to see you posted about your day – all the way back five years!! You must be keeping an amazing calendar.
That’s a great picture if Gabrielle! Hope you guys are enjoying the holidays!
Gabrielle and I found a sweet little sunny spot a few weeks ago to enjoy a sunset picnic. (It seems a little funny to even be thinking about a picnic now that it's super cold here – but wanted to share!) I've always wanted to try Price's Chicken Coop which is just down the tracks…
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what a gorgeous child! such a joy….
Love the top photo of Gabrielle. The light is very interesting. What a beautiful baby!
My older son loves Prices! Gabrielle is absolutely precious!
Yum! Price’s has always been one of my favourite local spots. Love the picnic box and Gabrielle’s sweet face!
Thank you world for being so full of amazing things to discover.
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great photo!
priceless!
Music has become such a pleasurable part of our family life. And I love the historical aspect of Jeffrey's participation. There's very little music he can't recognize and acknowledge. He was a concert promoter for ELO in his early days and he recalls memories of his childhood nanny playing records of what are now some…
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These tone bells by Basic Beat are a favorite in our home. I know that the some kid’s music classes use them. http://www.amazon.com/Basic-Beat-8-note-Resonator-Bells/dp/B0002EKG5S/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291331824&sr=8-1-fkmr1
Music is sooo wonderful and impactful on our lives. My daughter was barely talking – maybe about 15 months old or so and I was singing to her one night (i cannot carry a tune either) and she put her little hand on my mouth and said “qiet mama qiet”. My husband about fell on the floor laughing while I tried not to cry. She is 7 now and she likes me to sing to her every night before bed.
Music is such a part of my life too! My favorite band is The Randy Rogers Band. When my first grand-daughter, Danica was born I would sing to her “Tonight’s Not The Night” every day at naptime. It worked like a charm, I could sing other songs and she would be wide awake, then sing that one and she would be out. I cried the first time she sang it along with me! She is almost 5 now and still loves to hear it! I can’t wait until she is old enough to go to a RRB show with me!
I really, really loved reading this today Jessica.
This is such a lovely post! I enjoyed reading it. So fantastic that you got this all down for posterity!
LOVE this post! As a professional pianist, and as just a fellow music lover — this is so important to pass on to your children, and you are doing a phenomenal job.
Aww – Thanks Erin! I wouldn’t know you if it weren’t for Music Together so I’m eternally grateful!!
This was SO sweet AND touching AND inspirational AND heartfelt AND true!!! Loved reading it and love you guys!
Lots of fun family adventures this weekend. Based on the recommendation from Charlotte's Little Ones magazine, I suggested to Jeffrey that we check out the new Mint Museum Uptown. The article gave great tips about how to get the best out of a visit with a small child in tow – advising to start the…
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Love the self portrait, Jess. Such a beautiful lady you are. xo
Hi Jessica….we recently went to the Mint for my birthday and I loved it! Glad you signed up for the Absolute Organic produce! If you tell Vonda I referred you I will get a free box. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
What a great activity for children! I am so happy to hear that Amelie’s has a new location, I’ll have to check that out next time we’re in town!
Oh no, although I love a girl who can wear a little grit well. Good on ya’ Gabrielle, love you!
I got giddy when I came across the idea for water painting in First Art: Art Experiences for Toddlers and Twos. Brilliant. Free. Not messy at all! And we can do it outside – where here in Charlotte, NC, it's still suprisingly sunny and in the high 60s! Pumpkin goodness in the form of mini…
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i was just checking out this dollhouse on Zulily…a great sample sale style site (think gilt or hautelook, but specifically for kids/moms!). it’s on sale there right now for $115 off the regular price…might have to pick it up for gabrielle for the holidays!! here is an invitation to the site: http://www.zulily.com/invite/agassner533
My little friend looks so cute with my favorite shoes! =)
Thanks for the tip on the “holiday” forever stamps!
Remember last year you linked to a book Advent calendar? (I saw it several places, but first here.) Are you doing that this year? If so, I’d love to see yours. I am, and I’m looking for more ideas on wrapping them up.
Ooooh, thanks for sharing the holiday stamp picture! Those are beautiful, and something that could be used all winter long.
And I loved your vignette about Jeffrey and Gabrielle’s morning tradition…what a lovely moment for them!
I love that bottle topper myself, it also works on those animal bottles they sell at zoos, we are reusing the heck out of those now. Lucy has asked Santa already for a dollhouse, I’ll have to check that one out to recommend to him!
Jessica – painting on sidewalks with water is my absolute FAVORITE child activity memory! The preschool I attended introduced me/my mom to this idea. I spent many, many sunny days outside with my mom painting the sidewalk with water as she gardened or hung laundry out to dry. Love seeing little ones enjoying this!
LOVED this post! Loved the water painting idea, loved the pumpkin muffin recipe (YUM!) and loved hearing about how GG has developed (since it’s been so long since I’ve seen her)! Can’t wait to see you two!!!
love these little snippets of your life right now. beautiful! and i have no kids and i want that dollhouse too!
So love this look. The colors. The shapes. And her taking a big risk with the hair.
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Love the jacket and the blouse, not crazy about the bloomers! Love the hair!
Emma does look fantastic – what a great way to change up her look!
In the 70′s my Mom cut her hair from long to short just like that – it was so cool. Emma look amazing – wish I had the courage to be that bold!!
Loved that article too. Her hair is SO SO great like that – can’t wait to see the movie too (don’t you want to come with me)…
I love your adventurous spirit in clothing…
zulily.com
is a children’s site I love…and purchase many items from… much of what they offer are items that look in step with your tastes. I haven’t been able to find better values anyplace.
loved that whole editorial. she looked fantastic.
I was just looking at this article in my Marie Claire mag last night. LOVED all the muted colors.
I have to get my hands on that jacket.
Need this reminder as I work Gabrielle back into a comfortable sleep schedule after being on the road for the past couple weeks. So happy to be home. This sweet little midnight snack (hello, time change + daylight savings time, nice to meet you) of grape Jell-o with mini marshmallows sure hits the spot! I…
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kB,
HA! Well, Love me I guess – because your friends are going to be loving you!
Cheers!
Jessica
So…..I click on the poster…and $100 later I have 3 cool vintage posters and another for a friend……should I thank you or hate you?
Thanks!
k8
Morgan – If you like Jell-o and you like marshmallows, it’s amazing. This is grape jell-o, so the picture doesn’t do it justice!
Maria – You can click on the image for the link to the Breathe placard. Here’s the link http://www.etsy.com/listing/61375220/take-a-big-deep-breath-13×19-vintage
does that taste good? it doesn’t look too good but i’ll have to try it later! haha
I love that placard too. Do you have a link for where you got it? I think it’s great!
Really? Marshmallows in jello? Who would have thought?
I LOVE that placard. I am a firm believer in deep breaths. In fact I often use them to restart my heart(tachychardia joke), and also believe they help me remember facts that are ‘on the tip of my tongue’. Big bursts of O2 are good for the heart and brain.
So happy to HAVE you home!
If these keys could talk – I wonder what they'd be saying! It's super inspiring to be here at my sister's house. Her energy for the work she does is something I so admire. It's nice to just live a day-to-day life with her for the week – and let our little ones get to…
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Yumm bowls have to be one of my favorite meals. We make them all the time at home! Glad you are enjoying some time here in Oregon
I live in Roseburg, and it is a treat to head to Eugene for a Yumm! bowl. We love them! Try the Chilean zucchini- Sooo good!
Cafe Yumm is the best. We hit it every day we are in Eugene. It is something our whole family agrees on. Then we go to Euphoria Truffles to stock up on some of the best chocolate anywhere.
Old McDougall Had a Farm! And on her farm she had a SHEEP and a COW! She had all kinds of fun knocking on doors… And learning to walk in work boots! All the cousins were looking delightful. It was a wonderful day!
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So fun! And those masks are awesome! Cutest little farmer with her animals…:)
now HOW cute are you GUYS???..seriously..love the outfits..bet YALL had alot of fun!
Adorable!
Gabrielle seriously has some of the coolest parents ever!
Gabrielle looks adorable! Its so fun that your family always gets together for Halloween. Hope all is well!!!
Nicely done Jess! I love it. Glad you, Liz, and Ali all got to spend the holiday together. I’m sure it was amazing.
this is absolutely adorable!
What a moo-ving potrait of a family having fun, he posted sheepishly. 
SO cute. Love the family participation as well!
OMG! I love it! You are too creative!
Such amazing beauty in the Fall colors of the Pacific Northwest.
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I can’t wait to see Gabrielle’s Halloween costume! Could you write a post about your favorite travel essentials. My SIL travels a lot for her job & I would love some suggestions on what I could buy her for Christmas.
Glad to see you are “back!” Love your scarf on 10/28. And love that you are enjoying the Northwest with your sister. Hope you have a dry Halloween!
tammy t
Gabrielle and I are visiting my sister in Oregon. Sheer delight for the little ones to be together!
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I love how Gabrielle says “Hi-lo!” So cute! They are both adorable!
so cute! i found your blog by way of ali’s a long time ago and lately when i see a picture of anna on her blog i think she resembles you, but the look on her face on the first frame of that video gave me chills she looks so close to you! a mcdougall for sure! she and gabrielle are so beautiful! i’m expecting in november and my sister is in december and i’m so excited to think that we are going to have sweet little cousins like that too! enjoy your time together!
jill in mn
Aren’t they perfect
So cute!
Oh they are adorable.
seriously?! how cute are they. so wonderful that they are getting to grow up together, such an amazing bond. have a lovely Halloween!
Oh, How Sweet!!!!!!!!!
Adorable! What fun to have a cousin her age!
So sweet!
Ruffled, rosette goodness courtesy of American Apparel.
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I have been eyeing this top for MONTHS now! But, like Linda, I’ve wondered how I’d be able to pull it off. Can’t wait to see it on you!
Ummmm… I know your going to be able to pull this off… I’ll be fascinated to see how. I’m afraid this would come under the heading of…WHAT was I thinking if I tried to do so. THAT is the reason I love your blog… it allows me a brief glimpse into an entirely different prospective.
Love the ‘Ooh la la’ blog train…who will be next!?
I've asked myself on several occasions lately: where has my fashion/style blogging life gone? And here are the answers that come to mind… I've been in a busy place. Juggling so many things. So many great things. Working and thinking and dreaming and learning and mommying. There have been many days when I think of…
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So true. Thanks for writing right from my soul.
love you jessica…always so truthful and real..and always an inspiration
but please don’t stop the Gabriella posts or daily posts … we (or at least i) still like those!
love the yo gabba gabba live show pic…I am debating taking my kids in November.
Amen.
I, too, have been blogging less, but I’ve been enjoying life and all it has to throw at us. Nothing wrong with that. And who doesn’t love all of the free and beautiful inspiration out there that we can learn from each other?
Yay! Looking forward to future posts!
One of my favorite things about reading blogs long-term is seeing the evolution of each blogger’s theme and focus…because that feels real and genuine. I look forward to seeing what’s to come here. =)
Great to hear…and thanks for supporting my blog, it means a lot to me. I’m not going anywhere…will always be a reader! xx
Love this!
Today was a beautiful day for a visit to Hodges Farm in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bruna and Gabrielle and I joined our friends Amber and Stella for a wonderful adventure. The farm has a pumpkin patch and chickens and goats and pigs and horses and hay rides. Pumpkin heaven.
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Oh my goodness! The photo of Gabrielle with arms up and the pumpkin patch in the background is so reminiscent of Laura Ingalls Wilder at the intro to Little House on the Prairie! Adorable, simply adorable.
someone who went to my old school and was in my class owns that farm! haha i’ve been there for a field trip
These pictures could not be sweeter. What amazing weather you are having…are you sure you want to drift into the fog next week!? Hope you do – see you soon!!!
This girl LOVES to travel. But when our plane touched down tonight Gabrielle looked right up at me and said, "HOMMME." It's a line I've heard Jeffrey say hundreds of times, and it's always the thought I have when landing back home in Charlotte after being on the road.
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so so cute…glad your back safely
Love hearing her speak…she has the best speaking voice. No doubt where she gets that. Hearing her over the phone today made my morning!
Glad you made it home safely!
(((((;
Love the pic! (;
I've never NOT cracked up while reading an E. Jean advice column in ELLE magazine – so I was delighted to come across her list of the 25 Things Every Woman Should Know. She's a brilliant writer. And her list made me think and laugh. I hope you find the same.
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I really enjoyed this, thank you for sharing!
i get “elle” and love ejean’s column, but i hope nobody ever, ever takes #18 seriously. the most passive-aggressive + embarrassing advice she’s ever given! love 8, 14, + 21 though.
Yeah, she’s a witty one! 
Ooooh, thanks for sharing. I don’t read Elle magazine, so I’ve never experienced her wit and humor – but I’m a fan now. =)
Party hats. Lots of kisses. And cupcakes. Life is good.
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so sweet! Miss you friend! Life is busy with going back to school …but good.
Love catching up on here!
xo
j
adorable!
Awwww!!! Gabrielle looks gorgeous as always, but who is that adorable friend of hers?!?
Oh what fun you can have with a "tub o' beans." Thanks to sew liberated for the idea (and Amber for the recommendation to visit the SL site). Gabrielle was a bit hesitant at first. But then decided to jump right in. I love watching her explore.
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I did this with puffed wheat and my twins loved it. I put a large bedsheet/drop-cloth down to catch all the stray bits that would inevitiably fly out in the frenzy of activity. I had a friend who filled her bin with cornmeal. Using beans is a great idea too – hours of indoor fun
The light in these photos is so great – fabulous shots!
I did the same bean activity box with my daughter. She is now ten and still talks about how much fun her ‘bean box’ was!
Love the “old school” Little People!
Super simple basil pesto recipe – I keep coming back to this. And I love the color.
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MBT shoes, the symbolism of modern society, MBT zapatos shoes, but also gives a better feel certain social status symbol. A pair of MBT zapatos shoes international brands were more noble people. This is not only in today’s society phenomenon. MBT zapatos shoe manufacturer discovered as early as in ancient symbolism of MBT shoes. MBT shoes represent a symbol of social status or special institutions.
Yum! Have you ever tried with other nuts? Walnut is yummy!
Vicki – I hope it turns out great. A friend on Facebook just recommended to add a bit of spinach and put the blade in the fridge or freezer prior to using it to keep the color pure – the heat darkens the pesto).
Suzette – Wow, that sounds delicious! I’m going to try that next!
Adelina – Thanks for visiting!
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe—I’ll definately try this one—been trying to find one that is perfecto.
I’ll let you know how I like it.
I adore basil pesto. There is nothing better than this drizzled over ripe tomatoes + fresh mozzarella. Yum!
that looks tasty! I’ll have to try it out.
I'm so in love with the illustrations from Suzy Lee's wordless book Mirror. It's a delightful piece to flip through for a moment of self-reflection.
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cute.
Today is a rainy September 11th. Someday, you'll better understand what this day stands for. For now, you're grateful to be up and checking out the world from an upright perspective. I love you, sweet Gabrielle.
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I haven’t been able to wrap my brain around how to explain September 11th to my twins – I will look for that book – thanks!
Jessica, wondering if you can tell me about your rain-boot socks – are they Hunter? I have black Hunter (original tall) boots and need some nice socks for them.
Thank you!
Leni – Thanks for the suggestion. I love the idea of a children’s book to help teach the story of what happened. I’ll check that one out!
There is a great children’s book called September 12th (written by a classroom that was near the twin towers the day they fell). It would be the perfect way for Gabrielle to understand about Sept. 11.
she’s a stylin’ baby girl!
Very sweet post. It is amazing that our children don’t know what happened on 9-11 but oneday will. Thanks for an interesting perspective.
Love Gabrielle’s boots!
I decided to take the stairs in the parking garage of my doctor's office building. After many, many visits there throughout the time I was pregnant, I always used the elevator. This past Tuesday was the first time I'd been back in quite some time. And mentally, I am such a different person now that…
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I couldn’t agree more!
Life sure is beautiful!!! Thanks for the reminder!!!!
I love this! Thanks for sharing Jessica.
So pretty, but don’t you dare let that moth out the elevator doors and anywhere near your closet! They are my nemesis.
Beautiful sentiment. Beautiful life!
The butterfly/moth color palate looks great for the Fall coming up!!! I love wearing my browns in the Fall.
We are back in Charlotte after a month-long trip out to the West Coast – to visit family and friends and work on Jeffrey's next book. It was such a wonderful time. (A chance to meet my friend Jessie's little Max, a wonderful day with Jessie and Rebekah, witnessing my big sister participate in her…
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the photo of you walking with your daughter & mom is amazing!! so beautiful!
After seeing your photos, and finding out that some of Jeffrey’s books are now available in iBooks, I immediately got my iPad out and tried to purchase them. I was disappointed to find out that they’re only available to the US market right now, not the Canadian store. I hope this changes very soon!
Maybe one day I’ll get to visit the west coast!
I’ve never heard of a lady slipper shell—What a great story.
Beautiful photos!
Love all the pictures !!!
oh man i absolutely love dick’s, so bad its so good, and i love the picture of gabrielle on the beach- she looks so contemplative and just happy to be there.
Ahhhh…home sweet home. Hope you are enjoying your other home again now.
Great photos. I just finished round one of The Little Red Book on the iPad.
Love your photos Jessica
so, how does dick’s measure up to frisco freeze in tacoma ? one of my favorite places to go growing up thanks for sharing such beautiful photos. i love oregon !
OMG GMG! Today you took your first solo steps. But you can hold my hand forever.
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it’s the shoes!
Precious girl! When my son took his first steps, I just lost it. I was boohooing. It was so inspiring to see him take those steps!
Oh, and totally not child-related, but I must say, you inspired me to pick up that three-dots grey cardi you’re wearing in your “Today’s Style” photo. I have it in the stripe version (and I looove it), but you looked so chic in your grey one, I had to have it too!
yipppeee!!!!….can’t wait to see a clip of her toddling around
so exciting!!!
YAY!!! for you sweetie I can’t wait to see you …. I’m so proud of you!!!
Oh, how exciting! And I love the sentiment…that no matter how far she walks, you’ll always be there to hold her hand. Wonderful! =)
Go Gabrielle! So proud of you sweet girl!
Woohoo Gabrielle! Way to go little one!!!!
AWESOME. I love the OMG GMG – that is so cool. Can’t wait to see you guys again!
Yay Gabrielle! Great news! It’s a whole new chapter now!
WOO HOO GABRIELLE!!! Mama, batten down the hatches!
what a beautiful little girl you have…it looks as though you have so much fun together! love her daily style inspiration…how fun!
k.
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leni - that photo layout is adorable!
Amber - Just beautiful!
Sarah Welch - I love that Gabrielle knows how to correctly put on a scarf:)
Looks like fun! I’m jealous.
Bruna - YAY! That´s amazing!
Ashley - Beautiful!