Parentals come for a visit

My parents came down for a long weekend - we had a great time!

My dad met 'Chano' (his new nickname for baby C) for

the 1st time and I think they clicked from the beginning.

C eating spaghetti.. this kid will eat anything you put in
front of him, or anything he can reach. At 8 months he's
completely mobile now and can stand on his own. YIKES!
Dad and Mom held him LOTS and now know why I
love his baby feet so much!!!


Dad and C

Dad watching C while I made dinner. I love the look

on C's face. They really liked each other's

company... too bad I couldn't get my dad

to change his diaper... heehee!

This pic was actually taken today. We went to the

park and Bella couldn't wait to start playing with

her soccer ball. She actually did really well and dribbled

the ball between her feet. We left after she fell trying

to kick the ball (and CRIED) and thought people saw her fall.

I thought she had hurt her ankle but she told me

in the car that she was just embarassed that she fell.

My little perfectionist...

My poor mom trying to organize all of Bella's

Polly Pockets...

Kindergarten Graduation

The 'girls' getting ready for their graduation ceremony.

Their room was already cleaned out - pictures off the walls and tables

turned over... this year went by so fast.

Bella wants to be an artist when she grows up, she

specifically told me today that she thinks that she's going

to 'pursue fashion designing' - amazing. My aspirations at 6

was to be an avon lady or maid...

Bella with Miss Zarlengo. She was so excited to be able

to pick out any dress she wanted for her graduation

day. This one is one of her favorites

Mother's Day...

I hope everyone had a fun and relaxing mother's day!

Shawn, Bella and Cristiano treated me to one of

the best mother's day ever. THANK YOU!

Being a mom(and wife) is one of the most incredible gifts

God can give us and I'm so very thankful to be able

to share my life with my family.

I realize (on a daily, hourly and minute by minute basis)

that my life is not my own.. - but it's the opportunity

I have to watch my kids grow and be there for them

that makes me feel truly blessed.

Shawn took us out for a scrumptious brunch at

the Renissance Hotel.

My beautiful flowers and cake... compliments of the family.

AND - they also gave me a diamond and sapphire ring.

Shawn - you are amazing - thank you!

Bella took this pic during brunch. She is truly an artist in the making.

Tolitosis

I have to admit, I LOVE baby feet!! 'Tolitosis' is a

term near and dear to my heart that encapsulates

the very essence of what normal people call

stinky feet. Baby 'C's feet aren't 'THAT' stinky-

Who me? My feet smell like roses!

A typical day after school: 'B' crashes and 'C' refuses a late afternoon nap...

Feels like summer....

It was a beautiful 85 degree day (a little windy)

but a great day to play outside!!!

We spent most of the afternoon at the park and

Cristiano took his first ride on the 'truck'

Bella was selling us some ice cream here -

unfortunately the only flavors she had were

watermelon sorbet and chocolate. :)

She can actually swing on the monkey bars now

and get from one side to another... my

little monkey

Baby 'C' snug next to mama

Almost 7 months old...
He loves to play peekaboo


Okay, so I'm re-living the 80's through my kids.
I can't help myself. They look so cute with
the popped collar. Well, they look cute to
me regardless... who can resist such a chunky
face. Many kisses to this little one


Bella set up the table for us. Gourmet
pizza and lemonade were on the menu.
Thank you Bella!


My favorite time of the day... naptime!
He fell asleep playing

I'm a big boy now! Baby C has now tried

mashed potatoes, tortillas, bananas,

and of course rice!

Field Trip -- Dry Gulch USA

It was an unseasonably cold day for the Kindergarten

field trip to Dry Gulch (our church's camp) but the

kids (and parents) had an AWESOME time. We are

so blessed with such a wonderful church and school.

Our church built Dry Gulch to mimic an old western

town and everything there (buildings, train,

playgrounds, eating facilities, etc) is top of the

line. I can't wait for Christmas Train! (2009)

Bella is telling everyone that her daddy couldn't

come on the field trip because he didn't fill out the

parent form in time... we missed you

daddy!

The kids were very well behaved... we were

waiting for our turn to ride the carriage.


I thought this little horse and carriage ride would
be pretty uneventful but the 2 horses they had
pulling us must have had some serious caffeine.
It felt like we were riding on a roller coaster.


This pony was born on Sunday!!!
We all got to pet it, along with a baby Shetland
Pony, some sheep, and a pig (which we stayed
arms length from... he kept trying to eat our shoes!)


Bella is holding a baby chick!
She was so excited to have this little one
in her hands... 'Mommy, I think he likes me,
can I have one??' -- let me think about
that... uh ---- No. She also asked for
a horse (I'll let Shawn handle the response to
that one).



My silly little girl...

Ok - so this isn't a pick from our field trip
Isn't he cute! Holding his own toothbrush.
And wearing some serious highwater pants!
We can't keep up with him. He keeps outgrowing
everything we buy... very much a good thing.

6 months old!

We can't believe how quickly 6 months have gone by..

Latest accomplishments:

- scooting backwards (literally on his back)

- sitting up all by himself

- eating table food

- can almost drink out of a cup

- Talks, talks and talks

Bella wore this sweater when she was

9 months old! We're actually having a hard

time keeping up with his growth spurts.

Bella on WAY too much sugar! She decided to dig into
her Easter basket and made a plate full of treats
for herself.