Ruthie...

Bella is upstairs playing with her American Girl dolls. She dressing Ruthie and says to me, "Ugh! I wish that Ruthie was real so that she could wiggle her bottom and help get these pants on!" I wonder... Who is it that she witnesses that trick working for? Couldn't possibly be my big booty she is referring to - right? Hee hee...

SO convenient!

We lunched at the park today for Bella's birthday. I could totally get used to this boy thing... So convenient! :)

Do you think she likes it? :)

I am sure that I am not the only mother that is guilty of wanting something for her daughter that she didn't have when she was a little girl... Bella got an American Girl doll (Kit Kitteridge) for her birthday today. She is so excited and it is totally hard to not show that I am just as excited! She got matching outfits and extra clothes and accessories for the doll. I love it when I can "hit a homerun" with a present that makes my kids giddy with excitement. Love it even more when it is something I want to play with too! :) Ha!
She has carried Kit everywhere and even seatbelts her in the car with her. She takes her into stores and even just changed her clothes so that she can come to dance with us tonight. So Cute! It is such a grown up girl toy and she is so very careful with her - it couldn't be more precious! And the best part? I heard her whisper in Kit's ear this morning... "I have been waiting for you my whole life!" How cute is that?!

**Camera phone - not the best photo, but still cute...

Happy Birthday Bella!

Today is my baby girl's 6th birthday - can you believe it?! I am her mommy and I am dying at how grown up she is! She is so mature for her age and is really conscious of others feelings. She is such a big helper and I am so lucky to have her with a new baby on the way! She is really tender with Cole. I love to listen to them giggle or watch her take such good care of him. She opened her gifts this morning and was so appreciative of every little detail. She is becoming more aware of her little blessings in life and I am so grateful that she knows she is spoiled! She is beautiful and sweet and absolutely melts her mommma's heart...And I should mention that she has her Daddy completely wrapped around her little finger too!
I love you Bella!

Dad and Victoria

Dad and his beautiful bride Victoria...
Dad was married June 13th up at Stein Eriksen. It was a beautiful day and I felt so special to take part in it. I am SO happy that he has found happiness. Victoria is an amazing lady with an enormous heart. She dotes on him and loves him and I love her for it! She has so many beautiful qualities and they make a really great match.
She is really sweet - and going from no children to so many children and 15 grandchildren and being really excited about it proves it! Love you both and wish you every happiness the world has to offer. XXOO

Daddy and His Girls...

It is no secret to anyone that knows me... I LOVE my Dad. We are extremely close and I am overwhelmed with love and gratitude at the very thought of him. This photo is from his wedding in August. I love it of all of us girls. (Unfortunately there are a few missing.) But - thought that I would take a minute and give those pictured a shout out... I love my family...

First Dad -- He is amazing. He hosts a lunch for the sisters every Friday afternoon. He lets us all come and completely invade his house with our children and stay for as long as we want! He couldn't be more generous with his time. It means so much to me! I love you dad.

>>From The Left of the photo --

Kim -- Kim married my brother Chad. She is SO much fun to be around and prolly has the cutest laugh in the whole world - it is really contagious! She is an amazing mom and for sure the CLEANEST person I have ever met. (WOnder what she thinks when she comes to my house! :) ha! ) She is really tender and a perfect match for Chad. Love you Kim!

Leslie -- Les holds a special place in my heart - she loved to sleep in my bed growing up! Hee hee... Les is a great mom too! She is for sure "homemaker of the year" with her constant jam and salsa making! She is super thoughtful and never forgets anyone's birthday. I appreciate her sweetness more than words! I love you Les!

Amy -- Amy is ridiculously talented in the hair department. She for sure gave me the best hair cut I have ever had! We just found out she is pregnant and I am so excited that we get to be pregnant together! (Even if I am a few months ahead and a few pounds heavier!) Amy has been my partner in crime on too many occasions to even mention...:) She is incredibly sweet and strong. Love you Mimi!

Steph -- Yes - I have a sister named Steph too! How is that for wild and exciting? Stephanie is really sweet and such a good mom to her boys. She is a mad go-getter and it makes her a fab real estate agent. She can be really giving and is spending next week at a foster kids camp. So sweet. Love you Steph!

Jen -- There isn't ever enough room to say enough about Jen. I think that she is an amazing woman, mother and wife. It is annoying that she manages to do it all so well! She is an incredible mom to her three beautiful girls. She full on makes their riding costumes and even braved dance clothes last week. She is queen of hair-dos and all things girl. I look to her example constantly! She has started her own business - Vintage Hem - and it is a huge success! I am so proud of her accomplishments and am in awe that she has the courage to make it happen! I love you Jen!

"Snowcone" should be my middle name...

SO everyone is talking about pregnancy cravings... Thought that I would add mine to the mix! I am HOT! Seriously - does it have to be one million degrees everyday? I CANNOT cooldown... Snowcones are my saving grace. My current fave? Tigersblood and Pina Colada - side by side - YUM!
Others on the list... Been dying for a simple baked potato from Wendy's, but after THREE attempts to get one and being shut down (WHO runs out of potatoes?!) and one tearful episode following one such shut down, I have given up. GOing to have to buy and bake my own dang potato! And as usual... Loving garlic and anything mexican! The seven layer dip and guacamole at Harmons keep me happy on a weekly basis. hee hee...

MEMORY LANE

I stole this off of Ashlee's blog... I am totally doing it for some happy distraction!

MEMORY LANE- This will be fun! This is just too fun to pass up. Here are the directions:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! I guess good or bad, but be nice!!!!!!!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

A quick update...

Still alive, but for sure the worst blogger ever... I have so many big events to catch up on but NO TIME to do it! I promise - it is coming...
Unfortunately, we have a sad little update -- Our beautiful new home was broken into this week and we were robbed BIGTIME! I mean honestly - who steals?! I have been through an emotional tornado - first sobbing for days and now I am ANGRY! I feel violated and betrayed and heartbroken all at once. They came at somepoint during Sunday (July 20th) night and stole so much that they must have had a Uhaul truck or trailer to tote it all away. Among the things they took (and mind you - we notice more and more everyday) our leather couches, 3 plasma tvs, my kitchenaid mixer, a shopvac, a powerwasher, our lovesac, a beautiful painting of Christ that Steve and Katie gave us for Christmas, a vintage leather football, and the most painful items -- my iMAC desktop computer with all of our family pictures on it and ALL of McKay's baseball gear. I am horribly devastated and sickened by the fact that someone feels totally okay robbing us of our precious memories! We just want those items back! We are doing everything in our power to catch the people that did it, but keep your eyes open!
We have so much to be grateful for and are focusing on our many blessings. We are so happy that no one was hurt and that we are all safe and sound. I know that there are a lot of worse things out there... We are happy to have two beautiful children and one more on the way -- and find in them all that we need to live a happy life! :)

SNIPS AND SNAILS AND PUPPY DOG TAILS...

That is what little boys are made of! We are having a boy! Little Cole is so excited. He wants it "to be named Ryder and sleep in my room!" Bella was a little disappointed at first, but is just as happy now -- especially after her daddy explained that she will be his ONLY special girl for now. :) Too cute!