Happy Belated Birthday Beautiful Bella!

I couldn't get this post up in time, but at least I could use a wonderful alliteration in the blog title.  That has to mean something right?  Isabella Juliet is already four.  I can't believe how quickly time flies. I also can't believe how much personality and noise is held in her tiny little body.  She is a sweetheart, a comedian, a princess, a diva, a daredevil, a good "mommy" to her dolls and a good little sis.  She warms my heart every time she says, " Mommy, I lub ( love ) ya!"  In the matter of seconds she can go from laughing, to leaving the room with her shoulders hunched over and her bottom lip sticking out.  At least I don't have to worry about her holding in her emotions.  She has been rolling her eyes at us since she was 11 months old, but she also has the most beautiful smile and gives great hugs.  Bella got to have her first real party on her birthday with year with a bounce house, princess cake and friends. Happy Birthday Bells!

Take a Hike

We were blessed with some beautiful weather over our Christmas break and when our loved ones are here from Iowa, there is nothing they enjoy more than getting outside.  One Sunday morning, my mom and the kids and I decided to go on a hike.  I learned a few things about my children on this hike.  First, they both love the outdoors and never fight when we are on an adventure such as this one.  Second, in the eyes of a child a rusty bottle cap from some teenage desert drink fest is a really cool treasure. Third, Cooper is my cautious child- he thinks everything through and is a firm believer in "safety first."  Finally, Bella on the other hand is a dare devil and follows the philosophy of "if it's not dangerous, count me out! " Thank goodness she has her older, cautious, brother always looking out for her!

It's a Good Kind Of Tired

Every time we get all of our families together, Wendy and I have dreams prior to the event of sitting around all evening drinking wine and laughing.  Each time darkness arrives and the pitter patter of little feet, crying over sharing, games of star wars, and chaos in general has died down we are lucky if we can get one glass of wine down before our eyelids drop for the evening.  It is ok though, because it is a good kind of tired.  It is the tired you have after one fun filled day after another and knowing that you are so lucky to have a family that has so much fun together.  So much fun, that not getting more than one glass of wine doesn't even matter.  Not to mention the fact that we always do manage to find a way and some time to have some good old grown up fun!

Christmas 2008

I don't know how to say this in a politically correct way, so please know that I don't mean to offend.  But, here goes.  I think that after this year, my children might just believe they are Jewish.  They learn about Hanukkah at school and know that the celebration lasts over a course of many days and that Jewish children get a gift on each of those days.  I understand their confusion, that is kind of how Christmas worked this year as they got to celebrate four different times.  Maybe that is why Bella sang the Dredel song just as much as she sang Santa Claus is coming to town.  Christmas #1 was at Joe and JoAnne's and truly was a wonderful celebration. For the first time since Dave and I have been married, all of his siblings were there.  It has been a difficult journey getting to that moment, but I'm so happy for Dave, his parents and his siblings that that moment has arrived!  The next morning we had Christmas #2 at our house thanks to all of Santa's great gifts and the few that Dave and I bought as well. :)  A few days later Mimi and Papa arrived from Iowa which was a huge cause for celebration and a few more gifts to boot.  Therefore Christmas #3.  A few days after that and after a very LONG and exhausting night of travel for 1/2 of our brood, Wendy, Brandon and boys arrived and we then had Christmas #4.  In the children's eyes, the gifts were pretty exciting.  In my eyes it was wonderful in the sense that I was lucky enough to spend the holidays with EVERYONE that I love!  

As a matter of fact, I did fall off the face of the earth...

And landed in Whoville- the wonderful world of Dr. Seuss.  For those of you that know about musical season, you know that I sort of cease to exist in the normal sense.  So, that being said, it is musical season and life has been a whirlwind lately.  I woke up this morning and have lost my voice, so I decided I would take the time normally spent talking to update my very outdated blog.  So prepare to REWIND.....