Our Big Day

Our big news for the day: Abby got mud on her leg.

Oh and we're having a baby.

So we have been quietly waiting to tell Bella we are having a baby. I just knew she would be so excited we even got out the video camera for the announcement. We build up and finally give her the good news.

Me: "Bella, we're going to have a baby"

Bella: (Puffs out her tummy and says) "Your tummy will be fat like mine."

Jeff: "Are you excited?"

Bella: "Yeah, Abby got mud on her shoe and leg."

Fantastic Four!

Our sweet girl is four today!

British Kids are funny

This video is so cute, except now I want to send Bella to a British bording school so she can come back with a cute accent.

Happy Campers

Jeff and I both grew up camping and went a few times before we had Bella, so we thought after 4 years it was time to pick it back up again and see how our little city girl liked it . . . . 

Love at first flame! 

The funniest part was when she got in trouble at one point in the weekend and Jeff put her by a tree for a "time out".  We quickly realized time out's while camping is not effective when you have a child who likes getting dirty.  We basically just relocated her to a new pile of dirt to play in.

Jeff and Bella on the ski lift at Snow Bowl.  So pretty!  (the ride not Jeff)

Quite a view!

I love school!

Off to another year of preschool, five morning a week this year!  She was excited to go and by day 3 didn't want to come home with me at noon.  Other mom's have asked me what I do for 3 hours while I'm home alone, my response: "Anything I want!"

Summer Bliss

This is the second year we have escaped to Idaho for the summer and I do so hope it is a tradition we continue for years to come!

The first day and Bella comes and asks "Mama, can we stay here forever?" . . . 

Day 2 and she might be re-thinking . . . (see her in the corner) At the river . . .  Just cute had to throw it in.

Hands Down My Favorite Kid

We were running errands and she thought this chair was so funny & told me to take a pic.  I saved it as my phone wallpaper and it makes me laugh everytime I see it.

Ireland

What rain? It was so sunny!  This is how we used our umbrella's!

Kristi & I in front of one of the endless beautiful backdrops.

Cliffs of Mohr - Breathtaking!

40 shades of green, Celtic crosses and century old forts atop sheer cliffs, need I say more.  The most beautiful place I've ever seen.

BitterSweet

We had a water day at Bella's school for her last day.  It was overcast and nice and cool, rare for May in Phx!  I love this pic below because I would never describe Bella as petite but next to these two boys (one in the front is in her class!) she looks so small!

Man, this kid likes water!

DeGroff Cousins

Mikie and his family came down in April and we took these pics to give to Mom for Mothers Day.  She totally cried, it was awesome.

Abby turns 6!

She is soooo 6, but is still one of the sweetest, most beautiful little girls I know!  She picked Minnie Mouse as her theme this year and didn't even know her mom and dad were surprising her with a trip to Disneyland.  They showed up at her school after lunch on her birthday and said get in the car we're taking you to Disneyland!  In my next life I want Laura as a Mom!

Long Lost Sisters?

Am I crazy or do Bella and Suri look like long lost sisters?  I think they did a lot more when they were babies.  Poor Bella, her twin has a way more exciting life with a much cuter wardrobe!

Ways your life isn't like a reality show-

Had to share my favorites from this "Parenting Magazine" article :

1.   You drive a Honda, shop at Target, and drink Diet Coke all the livelong day, but no one gives you a damn dime for product placement.

2.  The only Extreme home Makeover you're getting is courtesy of a 5-year-old with markers.

3.  You never get voted off-even if you beg.

4.  You're surrounded by "real" housewives-but like you, they haven't shaved their legs in days.

5.  You know What Not to Wear, but Nothing Else Fits since you had kids.

Grammy + Katie Jo = Cute

Thanks to Grammy (making her Easter dress) and Katie Jo (cutest bows ever!) Bella always looks picture perfect on Easter day!

Just not ready

Laura is constantly telling me to let Bella make her own decisions.  Well clearly she is not ready because yesterday she informed me she wanted to be a BAT for Halloween!  I now have 6 months to change her mind or think of a way to make a BAT cute! (suggestions welcome!)  I'm thinking I'm going to need ALOT of glitter!

Movie Review

I was so excited to see Confessions of a Shopaholic, I had read the books and love the actors that were in the movie so I was expecting to LOVE it!  It was awful!  I am not that hard to please either so if I think it was bad, it had to be bad!  The only consolation, besides the great company, was seeing the trailer for the new Earth movie coming out April 22nd!  Watch trailer!

Chihuly Exhibit

Tonight we went to the Chihuly Exhibit at Desert Botanical Garden.  It was absolutely beautiful and I am sure these few pics do not do it justice!  If you are in the valley or visiting before May 31st, get tickets (at least 1 day in advance) and try and get the 4-8pm shift so you can see them in the daylight and at night!  

She is just the sweetest?

I was putting Bella down for a nap and was cuddling in her bed with her, I told her I had to go and she wraps her arms around my neck and says:

"Don't go, I want you to hug me and kiss me forever."

This is either the sweetest thing I've ever heard in my life, or my 3 year old little girl has already learned how to manipulate me.  I choose to believe the first.

YOU GO GIRL!

Bella watched all her cousins try rock climbing at Quinn's birthday party and decided she wanted to try too!

Happy Birthday Quinn

First trip to the Dentist!

Bella's first trip to the Dentist was a success, she sat back and let them do everything.  I'd like to take credit for such a great showing but I have a feeling it was the promise of gooey, yummy chocolate as a treat that did it.

Just 'cuz

No special occasion, it has just been a long time since we put up a new pic!  

What other kind is there?

So Bella is asked all the time "Don't you want a baby sister or brother" from our loving, well meaning parents and other family and friends.  So she informs me yesterday that yes, she:

 "would like a sister . . . a girl sister, not a boy sister."

Old Habits Die Hard

What do you do when your little girl sucks on her fingers and pulls out her hair?  Why shave her head and put a finger guard on of course!  I'll post cuter pics of her soon because she can totally pull of the short hair (with the help of her SantaBarbara Bows)!

My Little Parrot

So yesterday I was cleaning the garage and Bella was playing with chalk.  It was getting late so I asked:

Me: "Bella, you need to pick up your chalk and put it away please"

Bella:   "I'll think about it."

Happy New Year

How was our New Year's Eve?  There were naked girls, gambling, and a lot of pizza.  Who says life has to change once you have kids . . .

Yes, those are eggs on that pizza.  I think he does it so no one else will eat his pizza.

Could he BE more Italian?