Pond times...

Once upon a time there was a boy and his family that went to the park.

The park was great… it had a playground, a splash pad, a train, a carousel and even a pond.

The mother said her sons could go play.

Of all the many things to play on...

there was one thing children were not suppose to play in.

But the boy did not listen when his mother said not to get to close...
And before he knew it, he ended up

swimming with the fish.

Until next time,
Angie

Iowa recap

Note:  Although I thought I posted this several weeks ago, I guess it never posted... So here's a summary of our trip although it happened now over a month ago...

It always seems like our trips to Iowa fly by.  Although this trip went faster than the rest and it was jammed packed with stuff going on.  We originally went back to celebrate my parents 35th Wedding Anniversary but also tried to see Jarrett's family as his Grandma was celebrating her 85 birthday the weekend after and my mom was opening her brand new Bed and Breakfast. 

Michael, Isabelle and I left on a Wednesday afternoon and arrived in Iowa at midnight.  After flying into Mexisoda as Michael said (or as most people call it Minnesota), Grandpa Ray and Aunt Megan picked us up only to then ride another 3 hours just to get to our small town.  Michael full of excitement didn't want to go to sleep so he rode quietly in the back of the van asking every 15 miles, are we almost there yet?  Arriving at 11:44 p.m in our hometown Michael could hardly wait to jump out of the van to greet Grandma Darlene, Grandpa Chip, and Marjory Love (my Godmother). 

The next few days were spent helping my mom put the finishing touches on her bed and breakfast, her new adventure as they move into retirement.  When I tell people my mom is starting a bed and breakfast most people ask me how old she is and when I say they are leaving one business so they can "retire", I get a lot of puzzled looks.  I guess it has been a dream of my mom's to do this and wow has she done an amazing job.  She and my dad (although my dad is very clear to say this is all my mom's effort) purchased a home more than 100 years old from the bank as the previous owner attempted to remodel it, ran out of money and then left it.  My mom has transformed this home into a wondrous site.  She has done an amazing job and if anyone is ever in New Hampton Iowa, I strongly encourage them to visit and stay a night.  Here's a quick plug in case you'd like to see a quick preview of what it looks like... https://www.facebook.com/CozyCorners

So Thursday and Friday we spent the day getting ready for her grand opening.  While Isabelle and I helped the other ladies getting the place ready, Michael spent the day in his glory with Grandpa Chip, Grandpa Ray and Uncle Jonas.  Michael was in Heaven.  He got to ride on a tractor, a crane, a 4-wheeler, play with "toys" his mom would NEVER let him play with and he got to be a true boy.  From the moment he awoke in the morning to well after dark at night, he had a blast getting to be a little boy in the great state of Iowa.

On Friday night we surprised my parents by having Gabriel and Jarrett fly back.  They arrived at midnight and it was then clear why we were trying to keep my mom and dad awake.  I think they were surprised as we had been insisting for weeks that it was just Michael, Isabelle and I coming back.  Although they didn't say it at the time, I think it really meant a lot to them that all of us were there.

After Mom's successful opening of her B & B we awoke on Saturday morning to start getting ready for their 35th Wedding Anniversary celebration later that day.  Before then we made a trip to Alta Vista (a neighboring small town) to spend time with Jarrett's family.  Although we wish we would have had more time to spend, we enjoyed a great Iowa BBQ and quickly caught up with everyone. 
And then Saturday afternoon and night we went to the ballroom that my parents had owned for 27 years and celebrated them.  It was great to get to see everyone and the boys danced the entire night.  People kept asking me where they get their energy and it turns out someone (who shall remain nameless) was feeding them soda all evening. I guess that helps right? 

On Sunday we surprised my parents for the last time and scheduled family pictures.  The last time we had family pictures my last name was different and my sister was only 8.  She's now 22. It was time to say the least.  Sunday evening as we were all exhausted and just wanting to go to bed, we had to make a special trip to the best pizza place in the entire world.  Mabes Pizza in Decorah Iowa.  Although an hour drive it is definitely worth the trip and I continue to try and brainstorm how I can get their pizza here in Phoenix.

And Monday, our final day in Iowa, it seems it flew by without a blink of an eye.  We  wrapped up things and before we knew it, we were boarding our plane to get back to the desert.  The few days we were in Iowa were enjoyable and I think we are still trying to recover from the lack of sleep. 

The boys begged and wished and pleaded, even negotiated to try and get to stay.  They said, "Mom, you can go back and we'll stay here." 

It was a great trip and we have wonderful memories to reminisce about.
 Until next time,
Angie

Diamondbacks!

Last week we took the whole family to our annual Diamondbacks game.  Even Isabelle got to go... all of 4 months old.  We also took along MaeLyn and Aaron.  It was a great game and the Diamondbacks played really well.

Daddy and the boys sat about 20 rows ahead of us and Aaron, MaeLyn, Isabelle and I watched from behind.  I told them I thnk it was the most enjoyable baseball game I had been to. With the boys sitting with Daddy, I was actually able to hold an adult conversation and not be interrupted!  Funny how the simplest things bring joy. :-)

The boys had a great time and Dad enjoyed bonding with them.  I even brought along some pure sugar pop rocks candy for Gabriel and Michael to enjoy during the game.  They loved it, but I'm not sure Dad did.

And Isabelle did great too.  When we arrived the seating usher told us he thought we'd be gone by the third inning because of her.  But he was wrong, we made it to the 7th and when we did leave it wasn't because of her but because Mom and Dad are wimps and had to get up for work the next morning.

Until next time,
Angie

There's something about...

a bond between a boy and his dog...

I guess Jack enjoys being read to.

Until next time,
angie

Lake Tahoe take 2

Last weekend we traveled to Lake Tahoe for the second time in three years so Jarrett could take part in the annual America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride.  For the second time I indeed confirm that who ever came up with the name of this bike ride, they were 100% telling the truth.  It is a beautiful beautiful place that brings many oohs and awes with each turn of the road.

The bike ride was 100 miles long and Jarrett particpated again with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training (TNT).  Additionally two of our wonderful friends, Jon and Janelle joined in the fun (I'm not sure they would call it all fun) and particpated on behalf of TNT also.  I was suppose to partipcate as well but only got as far as two practicies into the season and decided with our little bundle of surprise, I couldn't handle all that I had signed up for.  So I dropped out and became the offical cheerleader for all of their amazing efforts.

And cheer is what I, Nana, Papa and Isabelle did last weekend as we yelled, screamed and chanted all in their honor.  The weather turned out to be beautiful, a high of 76 I believe and a breeze.  The very next day, a storm moved into the area and brought with it much much colder temperaturs, wind gusts of 50+mph, rain, sleet and even snow.  Thank God the race was on Sunday instead of Monday.

The drive around the lake is beautiful and I think it best to let the pictures do the talking.  I do however want to give a huge congratulations to Jarrett, Jon, Janelle, Jaime and the rest of the Arizona TNT team.  They all did just an incredible job and until you visit in person, it is hard to comprehend just how big those hills are (they aren't really hills, but more like mountains) and just what an accomplishment it is.

Congratulations Jarrett, Jon and Janelle!  You not only accomplished an amazing feat but you saved many lives because of your endeavors.  And as the spouse of one of those survivors, I will be eternally grateful. 

Jarrett at the beginning ready to take on the adventure...

Jayme, Jarrett and Jon almost at the half way point.

Nana and Papa (#1 Supporters)

The three men that biked the route together.

Jarrett, Janelle and Jon stoping for lunch at Kings Beach

Where we saw Santa Claus and we followed him the rest of the way to the finish line.

Just one of the many beautiful views along the route...

Jarrett at the top of "Spooner" an 8 mile climb up the mountain. 

And the three guys finishing up the race together.

Janelle finished so fast behind them I didn't have my camera ready.  So here's the first shot of the three of them together....Jon, Janelle and Jarrett showing off their hardware!  Job well done you guys, you should be very proud!

Even Santa finished the race... it looks like it belt is a little bit looser than how it will look in December

One of the beautiful water falls near the lake.

Jarrett and I next to it for a size comparision.

And the storm that was moving in on Monday when we were heading home...

This is one of the rock walls (for lack of a better description) near the waterfall.  It is amazing how the water has cut out the rocks in such a unique pattern.  And the fact that the trees can grow right out of the wall is so cool!

Lake Tahoe was great and will be a trip we remember for some time.  Who knows, I hear there's some rumbling that a few folks would even like to bike it again. :-)

Until next time,
Angie

4 months!

Four months already and with each month that passes by I pray that it is one month closer to us calling her officially ours and to getting to post her picture for all the world to see. It is probably the most difficult thing about this process… the waiting and the praying that all will go well and she will get to be ours forever. With the excitement and the joy that we experience each day that she is with us, it seems like a painful rule that we can’t share the images, the videos and the raw emotions of love we get from her in every moment we spend.


But with each passing month I must admit, I’m so thankful for the additional time we’ve been able to spend, loving her and caring for her. Isabelle continues to be truly a blessing in our lives. In the last month she has grown so much and is changing it seems daily. She is a happy baby, waking up in the morning with babbles instead of cries. On the mornings when I can sleep in (past 6 a.m.), I often times awake to her talking to herself in her crib and folding her legs up above her head, almost as if she is doing some crazy yoga pose. And when I peer down on her in her crib and say good morning, she always greets me with her wide mouth, toothless grin that goes from ear to ear. What a wonderful way to begin each day.

Although she’s starting to get the cute folds in her little legs as she puts on weight, she continues to get comments multiple times a day at how small she is. Just this past weekend as we were flying home from Lake Tahoe and I went through the invasive security search with her, the TSA agent insisted she could be no older than 1 month old. I said I promise she’s almost 4. I’m guessing this lady either had no children or hers were adults now.

Isabelle is becoming more and more vocal and perhaps the biggest development this month is that she laughs. She full out giggles and when she laughs she crunches up in a ball and her whole body shakes. It is completely contagious and melts my heart each time I hear her giggle. I’ve realized there are some things in life that never get old…. hearing a baby laugh is one of those things. I’ve started playing the “I’m going to get you game” where I ask her if she’s ready, tell her I’m going to get her and then make a silly sound as I put my head down into the crease of her neck and blow kisses on her cheeks and neck. It gets her every time and she knows what is going to happen when I ask her if she’s ready and that I’m going to get her. She now knows to protect the sides of her neck and face so she tries to turn her head even before I go to tickle her and then, when I surprise her and go to the other side of her neck, she bursts into laughter and her whole tummy shakes. If only I could bottle these moments and share them. In an instant, all the worries, the stresses and pressures of the world are gone, when I hear her laugh.

She’s also getting to be “SOOOOO BIG!” as we say it. She loves to try and stand on her feet when she’s pick up. She’s really strong and I have a feeling she’ll be walking sooner than I’ll be ready. The other thing she’s doing is rolling over. It happened when we went to Iowa a few weeks ago. She was on the floor on her blanket having tummy time. She pushed herself up and talked and before I could even realize what was happening she had rolled over. So much for mother of the year, I didn’t even have a camera in the same room. (Ha- my chances for mother of the year were lost a long time ago). But since the first action of rolling over we’ve seen her a few more times perform her skills. I think she only likes to do it when I’m not ready with my camera. It is funny when she rolls because so far it has only been when she’s on her back. And as she tries to push herself up, her one arm doesn’t go all the way up and so I think gravity helps her with the action… before she even realizes it, she’s flipped to her back. I know it startles her too because her eyes go wide and she gives me a look like, “What just happened?’

Some other recent developments are that she loves to pull hair, yep she found my hair and insists that the left side always be pulled out of the ponytail. She’s also started to develop a love for watching TV. Her eyes become glued to the images on the screen and she follows the pictures intently. I’ve told Daddy that The Bachelorette is her favorite show but Daddy seems to think it is watching the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game. Were still in discussions to see who is right.
Isabelle has a variety of nicknames we call her. Everything from Belle, to Baby Belle, to Isabellie, and bugaboo. It is no wonder she’s confused when we say Isabelle.

And finally I want to mention her hair. She has some funky looking hair. Last month her hair was long around the sides and back and she had little to no hair on top. Since then the top of her hair has started to grow in and it is turning darker. I think it is really cute because the hair on the top of her head is like peach fuzz and decides to stick straight up. Even if I wet it down and sweep it to one side, moments later it is sticking straight up on top.

Isabelle weighs 12 lbs and is 26 inches long. To think that she has grown 6 inches in just 4 months is crazy. It is hard to believe it has been 4 months and although I thought my life was complete when Gabriel and Michael joined Jarrett and Jack, I’ve learned our life was not. She is a perfect addition to our family and we love her more than she’ll ever know.

Happy 4th month birthday baby girl!

Until next time,

mommy

Guess whose headed to Kindergarten?

 Michael, that's who!

It is hard to believe that my little boy is moving onto Kindergarten.  When I still think of him as a little boy, he's growing into a kid infront of my eyes.

Last week he officially graduated from preschool and from Ms. Stacey's class.

He was so proud and happy...

He introduced himself "Hi I'm Michael!"

He sang songs

and showed off some of his dance moves

and more of his dance moves.

He happily accepted his diploma

and celebrated with the rest of his class.

Michael's preschool class has a moto that Ms. Stacey taught them.  I think it is great and it goes like this..

Ms. Stacey thinks I'm special

As Special as can be.

Ms Stacey says I'm special

There's no one quite like me!"

Believe in YOU!

May 2012

Love

Ms. Stacey

Honey, we echo Ms. Stacey's thoughts.  We think you're super special and love you to the moon and back!

Congratulations Michael!

Love always,

Mom and Dad