Mara continues to excel and thrive at school. Her teacher is amazed at her progress and her drive to learn. We couldn't be more proud of our little girl!
Here Mara sporting one of her cute lacy tops for school.
And wearing new hair accessories compliments of our new friend Marivell!
There's nothing quite like Santa Cruz in the winter and a scenic shot of West Cliff Drive.
Walking with Granny and Wolfie in her new princess raincoat (thanks Auntie Denise!).
Mara is getting good use out of her Christmas Cinderella dresses. The past two weeks she's had playdates with her best friends Bailey and Alexandra. The Cinderella twins!
Playing in her princess tent with Bailey.
Mara making new friends: playing with Mia, a daughter of one of Clare's colleagues at work. They were at a going away party to celebrate Clare's new position at Cisco.
One of Mara's (and Mom's) favorite thing to do is snuggling!
Celebrating Denise's Birthday with a Mara birthday greeting special.
While in Chicago, Nick and Clare had a chance to enjoy their foodie passion of trying a new hot restaurant called "El Ideas". For the first course we couldn't use utensils!
Modern fine dining wouldn't be complete without a liquid nitrogen show.
Mara continues to be blessed with wonderful gifts from old and new friends alike.
Here Mara opening a gift of wondrous hair accessories from her new friend Marivell (Clare's colleague).
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Loving her new animal print Long Johns, compliments of Auntie Mimi!
Mara's list to Santa included a tent (shown here), a new guitar, a cuckoo-cuckoo- clock ?!
But by far, the holiday highlight was receiving her Cinderella dress. This is the "fancy" one and she received another from a friend. Since then she has alternated between wearing the two at all times.
Now that's a rock! Daddy did good this year :-)
One of our traditions is to open one present Christmas Eve. Here Mara opening up new Minnie pajamas.
Celebrating at Clare's work. You gotta love that suspicious look out of the corner of her eye!
Another Christmas celebration with our friends the Costas.
Here Mara with one of her best friends Alessia.
This year for Christmas we visited Union Square. The girls in their matching umbrellas!
In front of Macy's.
Visiting the Monterey Bay Acquarium.
Mara is still growing like a weed, including her hair. It's so beautiful and shiny.
Here after her first big girl hair cut at the Mall.
Now Mara lets Clare braid her hair in a fancy French Braid.
Clare is absolutely thrilled with her new position at work: Chief of Staff for the Chief Digital Officer. It's an incredible opportunity and she is thrilled to be making this level of impact at Cisco.
And even better, her group is incredibly appreciative of her being there.
This is the way they welcomed her to the group?!
Mara rocking her J Crew blue coat. Even with her school uniform, she has to set the fashion trend at school.
Celebrating Granny's birthday at our house with Clare's famous flourless chocolate cake (well actually it's Kokkari's but who's checking anyway). Mara "helps" by blowing out candles.
An artistic shot of Mara doing one of her favorite passtimes: taking a bubble bath in her Mom's tub.
Our precious angel sleeping with her favorite book "Crafty Chloe", compliments of our friends Maia, Emily, Will & Sarah.
After many years of drought we are finally experiencing El Nino with lots of rain:
a Mara first since she's been with us!
Celebrating Clare's sister Liz's 40th birthday from afar!
There's nothing better than receiving a video greeting from Mara singing you Happy Birthday?
What's being a little girl without going to Disney on Ice? Mara made up her own song in anticipation:
"Anna" with her Mom at the show.
Perfect front row seats to enjoy the show up-close.
This year for Halloween Mara decided to be Jessie from Toy Story.
She was so excited to participate in her school's Halloween celebration. Here with her friends getting ready for the parade.
The Halloween parade on the school playground.
Hard to believe that not so long ago our little princess was terrified of walking between the couch and the coffee table at our house. Look at her go amid the pumpkin patch!!
Having fun at the celebration: painting her pumpkin!
Getting ready for trick-o-treating!
Note Clare's costume: Jessie's Mom!
Mara has the arts in her blood. She really enjoys painting with her new found passion of Aquarellum, compliments of her Auntie Liz!
Clare continues to enjoy the opera with her Mom. We are looking forward to the day when we can bring Mara!
Spending time over in Santa Cruz (Clare's old stomping ground) with
Granny is one of our favorite past times. Here we are together at the
Crepe Place where we discovered a surprise performance of belly
dancers. At first Mara was shy but she quickly couldn't resist the pull
of the music.
Now you tell me, does this girl have a groove or what?
So much so that Mom couldn't resist joining in on the action! Okay, yeah we admit it is a little hippy-ish ;-)
