The girls decided to wear hats. I guess I was hat girl growing up, I had the big old Blossom (loved that show!) style hats as a kid, and still like wearing them on occasion. Not so much those Blossom ones anymore, just regular straw hats. I guess my girls got that hat love too. They take my hats and even Ben’s hats and wear them all the time, and for some reason this past Sunday they both decided those hats were particular outfit completers and wore them. I was going to tell them not to and that they didn’t really go, but I took a chill pill and went with it. Our hats look much cuter on them than us anyways.

And really, as many outfit sharing photos I’ve taken, I never really get comfortable in front of the camera. I’m no model and don’t have the skillz, yes, I put a z at the end of that, to pretend I am one. I just have one sure way to pose and that’s with a smile (or look to the right because I like my left side better). So after those very few poses in my repertoire, silly is what you get. Plus, my girls are all about silly.

on me: shirt, aa from sister. pants, urban outfitters. shoes, c/o boutique unicorn. necklace, lo fidelity love. on true: dress, vintage. clogs, c/o lotta from stockholm. on brave: dress, vintage and gifted. shoes, vintage via rachel’s pop up shop. on soul: dress, vintage. shoes, vintage via etsy. on glow: romper, old navy.

I love these girls. Yes, they drive me nuts. Yes, they bicker, fight, and create ruckus together. Yes, after a long day of being with them I need a beer. But man oh man, yes, I do love them a whole lot that I will put up with being nuts (and having a beer every night) for the next 20 years. Though I will probably alternate the nights with wine.

And how cute is True in stripes and denim?! This little ensemble was sent over from the folks over at Molo, an overseas brand, and we are now big fans of their stuff (very well made goods!). True also suddenly looks a tad bit older in this pairing. I wish I could look as cute as she does in stripes and denim.

These girls are all so different from each other, but they all come from the same mold. If you know Ben and I well, and you know True, you would see that she is the perfect mix of both of us personality-wise. Brave is just utterly sweet. Soul’s looks sweet, but she’s dangerous. And our little Glow has a perpetual smile on her face when she isn’t whining for food. Yes, our everydays are pretty crazy with these four, and as much as I often get so frustrated in the heat of the moment (a lot of moments), I deal because this is what I want to do and where I want to be.

on me: shirt and skirt, vintage and thrifted. brick me up heel, c/o modcloth. on true: shirt and denim, c/o molo. shoes, salt-water sandals. on brave: shirt, misha lulu. shorts, vintage. shoes, rachel’s pop up shop. on soul: dress, misha lulu. shoes, vintage. on glow: shirt and skirt, f21 baby (when it used to be around).

When we were in Texas, the girls went swimming with their Grandmama a lot. Ben and I joined in one day at the hotel pool before we made our way to the family reunion. Ben’s dad taught all of Ben’s cousins how to swim and was an avid water sports guy. He knew how to sail and even built his own sailboat! Our girls don’t know how to swim just yet, but to start off, Ben’s mom was doing some basic techniques she used to do with his dad to teach the girls. The girls had a blast and each time they would get a bit more confident in the water. Now, let’s just hope we can actually sign them up for some swim classes here in SoCal. Every summer I plan to, but then I am either pregnant or giving birth, so we never get around to it. Those aren’t in our plans this time around, so let’s hope we get around to it.

I didn’t learn to swim until I was 16, even then, not sure I would consider what I do as swimming. I am not that confident of a swimmer and can’t swim with my head under water. Partly because I wear contacts and don’t like opening my eyes under water and part because I don’t know how to hold my breath. I for sure don’t want my girls to have my lack of skill and want them to be completely comfortable in any body of water.

Besides learning how to swim late, I also learned how to ride a two-wheel bike at the age of 11. I guess you can say I am a late bloomer. Heck! I even joined facebook, twitter, and instagram much later than all my peers too. I guess it tends to be my theme. How old were you when you learned to swim or ride a bike? My friend Melody is learning how to swim late too (I probably should join in on those swim lessons too)!

on me: bathing suit top and bottom, c/o lime ricki. on ben: bathing suit shorts (and undershorts), c/o lime ricki. on true: bathing suit, target. on brave: bathing suit, target (last year). on soul: bathing suit, old navy (4 years ago). on glow: bathing suit, target.

So what did we ultimately decide to do this weekend to continue the anniversary celebrating going? Friday night we dropped off the girls at my parents’ house, went on a date, then went on a craigslist purchase pick up, came back to my mom’s to pick up Glow, then went back home to spend all day Saturday cleaning. That’s what we both really wanted to do and we are a-okay with that. We got alone time with each other (with little Glow nearby) and that’s what is most important.

Last year we did a stay-cation home-cation and I guess this year was a stay-cation clean-cation. I really like clean-cations. It is refreshing to get junk out of the house! Wouldn’t you agree?! What kinds of things do you typically do for anniversaries? Do you travel or plan a night out?

on me: shirt, thrifted and altered. denim cut offs, really old ones i’ve had for years. shoes, report (love these via modcloth). giant clutch (totally perfect for a date night when i didn’t need to lug diapers), c/o lovenell. on ben: shirt, vintage. jeans, diesel (his fave brand). shoes, nike.

We ended the day trip and did our celebrating at La Condesa. Gosh oh gosh. That food was yum. We debated between that place or Uchiko, but since we aren’t so fond of the Mexican food options in the L.A. area, we went with Tex-Mex over sushi. We indulged in ceviche, fish, and maybe I had a little bit of fun with my margarita! And their beet cake… oh yeah, definitely trying to recreate that at home. That was the best dish to end the celebration dinner.

It’s so strange to be without the girls for a full day, but it was a much needed break and good time to reconnect and just laugh and chillax with Ben. I may or may not have tried to get fresh with him all day long, but seriously, I just couldn’t resist. I think that boy is pretty darn hot. Like real hot. And before I make you gag with all this lovey dovey stuff, don’t worry, we really do have spats too. We get on each other’s nerves just like any other couple. That’s what makes the choice of staying together and working on our marriage even more meaningful. We both choose to be here despite our ugly sides… and boy do we have them!

All in all, the day was just grand. We came home to girls already sleeping in bed, a box full of cupcakes, Grandmama and Auntia with loads of funny stories about the girls, and a bit more rejuvenated from just having some time off to focus on each other. We pretty much love Austin and will make sure to take another day trip when we come back to San Antonio for Christmas!

on me: shirt, vintage via ms. tips. shorts, vintage thrifted and altered. shoes, madewell. necklace, homako. purse, anthropologie. sunglasses, c/o sunglasses shop.
on ben: shirt, vintage. jeans, diesel. shoes, nikes.