Merry Christmas!!

We had a wonderful Christmas at Gigi's this year. The kids had a great time and are starting to really play well together. They are getting so big and are becoming mini versions of us. Bella is a little princess and really enjoys bossing her brother around. Zach is a ball of energy with an endless appetite. We are very blessed and thankful to have such wonderful kids and such an amazing family. Merry Christmas everyone and a Happy New Year. May the Lord bless you all in 2012.

Zach got into Gigi's tupperware and did this!!


Opening up presents at Gigi's










Bella's new princess castle, no boys allowed!!


Gigi spoiling us rotten by letting us eat the frosting off the mixers



Christmas at Uncle Joe and Aunt Lisa's

A fun and busy 2 weeks

We have been very busy and I'm sorry we haven't posted these pictures earlier, but here are pictures of Isabella's birthday party. We also had a small cake at home with her cousins and Gigi. The kids love playing with their cousins and always have a blast when they get to see them! We also have some pictures of Bella at school right after dance class, she looks so cute in her ballerina outfit (that's what she calls it).

We are thankful for all the blessings that the Lord has given us and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!

Happy Birthday Princess

Tomorrow marks the day where our lives changed forever (in more ways than one). Our baby girl turns 3!!! I'm not going to get all sappy this year and divulge all the emotion that goes into this time of year. I spend a number of days during the week getting teared up at how much the angel sleeping next to me amazes me to turn on the water works now. She just curled up next to me to drink her chocolate milk and watch her favorite tv program...the music channels "Sound of the Seasons"! The girl is in love with music and dancing. I guess she was worn out because she dozed off a full hour before her normal bed time.

Crazy enough she had two great milestones today. First, she made a big step in progress in her potty training this evening, I will leave out the details on that one ;) AND she rode her bike for the first time all by herself about an hour ago. She spent a good 30 minutes riding in circles from the dining room to the living room to the kitchen teaching herself to pedal and steer. We had just finished decorating the tree and she hopped on her bike. She's been trying the last several times she has gotten on the bike to pedal by herself but her baby brother has a tendency to interfere. But tonight he was in bed and as she took a crack at it she succeeded! I must say that is the one thing I have noticed the most in her development lately...she is really doing more problem solving. Other than some minor medical problems and small delays in fine motor skills, our preemie princess is a ROCK STAR!!! We spoiled her with a pancake breakfast and pizza buffet for lunch. The two foods she asks for the most, other than daddy's "skibetty".

As I alluded to above, little brother is very mischievous. He is growing like a weed, saying all kinds of words, has incredible motor skills, has gotten all four of his molars in the last three weeks, and constantly wants to eat. He does tend to be a bit of a bully, so we spend quite a bit of time trying to keep him from crawling on and tackling his sister. All in all he is super precious!

On this great day of reflection I have three things to say;
1. God is amazing and works miracles that open my eyes each day.
2. I am blessed to have an amazing man in my life that supports and encourages me through some of the toughest times of my life.
3. Rebecca and Lauren, I love you more than I will ever be able to describe and thank the Lord to have given you to me as friends even if we are separated by miles and busy lives...I know you are always there!

Okay, I've cried anyway. God bless each of you and may this holiday season bring reflection to your heart on all the tiny miracles that surround us each day. Love and Peace of the Lord be with you!

Our crazy adventures on our way back from Nana & Papi's


Opening presents from Abby!



These two have become best friends, for obvious reasons!


Enjoying some ranch dressing with her carrots...only after witnessing daddy do it!


Decorating our Christmas Tree (in Halloween apparel no less!)