A new shrub in our garden

Well, I figured it is time to finally start writing again.  I figured that this can take the place of my journal since I never write in that either.  Hopefully I'll be able to keep this up.  So in April we welcomed our little girl Kailey to our family.  She has been a blessing and a joy for the whole family.  The kids just love her and there seems to be no jealousy.  She is also a very good baby and a great sleeper so she has been even easier for us all to enjoy!  Here are a few pictures from her arrival.

 

 

 

some of her newborn pictures that I took

 

and her birth announcement

 

For Mom and Kim

I have been busy re-designing things in my house. One project is Ella's room (still ongoing) and the other is the mantel which I finally finished. Kim I hope you like it :)

Ella's theme is Butterflies.  I found these butterflies on a wall hanging and cut them off and attached them to the wall.  My mother in law will be making her a quilt for her bed that is lavenders and greens and the walls are lavender and will have white beadboard down the last third of the wall (as soon as Matt finishes).  You can see a little of her new bed that we got last week from Pottery Barn Kids.  I'm very excited about that because I love Pottery Barn but never get to purchase from there.  Then I will paint her dresser white to match.  I will post pictures after it is all done.

Ella Bo Bella turns five!

It's hard to believe that my little girl is now five.  She is such a joy and blessing in our home.  For her birthday this year we decided to make it a little lower key and have her friends over for a Teddy Bear Picnic.  They each brought their favorite Teddy Bear (or stuffed animal) and had a picnic outside.

The Birthday Princess

Parker helped make cupcakes

Each of the girls frosted their own cupcakes to look like Teddy Bears.  A win win.  I didn't have to do it and they loved it!

The picnic

Thanks Grandma and Poppy!

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

Halloween



Parker posing for the camera.  He cracks me up.  After you take a picture he says "see?"  He loves to see himself on film or digital as the case is nowadays.





Our pumpkin family





My Jedi and Butterfly





Parker had his fill of candy



Pumpkin Patch!

 We went to the pumpkin patch with Ella's pre-kindergarten class at the end of October.  We've had a lot of rain for Southern Cal. lately and I think this was the first time I've been to the pumpkin patch when it hasn't been above 95 degrees!  Parker spilled his drink on his shirt and refused to wear it (the story of my life).  That boy is making me old!