Flashback Friday

7/31/05 - Gracie's first day home. This is where she gets her love of music from.

Happy Birthday Gracie!

Four years ago today my life changed forever. I welcomed you into my world with open arms and an open heart. What I didn't know before that day was how incomplete my life was without you. After 20 long grueling hours of labor I wanted nothing more than to meet you. I was excited, nervous, even scared but the minute I heard that first cry I was so overwhelmed with joy that all the nerves went away. For nine months I wondered what you would look like, what you would sound like and as soon as I layed eyes on you I couldn't have pictured you anyway else. You had the most beautiful lips and your Mommy's chin. You fit perfectly in my arms and I knew at that exact moment that you'd forever be your Mommy's little girl.

Now, fours years later you've grown into a beautiful girl. You're funny, crazy, sassy, smart and so darn cute. You look so much like your Daddy, but have so much of my personality. You definintely give your Daddy and I a run for our money. You know what you want and aren't happy until you get it! I must say that as much as your temper gets me going, I also love that you have such a strong will. I hope that I do my job as your Mom in directing you how to use that will in the most positive way.

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My Gracie lu, you're my little BFF, my sidekick. I love nothing more than to hang out with you. You have no idea how much my heart mealts each and every time you stop to tell me you love me. Or how I'll drop everything when you want to cuddle. I love that you've become an awesome big sister. You take such care of your little brother and I've seen a whole new part of you. I treasure the little things about you and hold on to each and every one of them becuase these years seem to by flying by. I pray so much that as you grow we'll continue to be so very close and keep the bond that we have today because when you're 10, 15, 25, and 40 you'll still always and forever be your Mommy's little girl!

Your Birth Day!

1st Birthday

2nd Birthday

3rd Birthday

4th Birthday

And here's some pictures that I think help sum up your four years.

Happy 4th Birthday Lu Lu!!

Flashback Friday

July 2005 just weeks before Gracie was born. She was destined to be a river rat!

Let's go Dodgers!

We all went to the Dodger game last Thursday for Manny's big return. Thanks to my Dad for hooking us up with the sweet VIP tickets. This was the first game they'd been to so I wasn't sure what to expect but to my surpise that were both awesome! Of course Dylan had to flirt with the ladies behind us but that just mean that his big sis got hooked up with popcorn for the evening.

Here's Dylan after the exhaustion of waiting for Manny to do something big. After the third strike out, he just couldn't take it anymore!

Emliy's Birthday Party

I know, I know, I've been so terrible in keeping up to date, but I've actually been falling asleep around 10:30 which is usually my blogging time. Anyhow, two weeks ago was Gracie's BFF, Emily's birthday. It was at the Chino Kids Museum and the kids had so much fun. I would've never thought about having a party there but it was PERFECT! Tracy rented it out just for the party so the kids got to run around the whole place and us parents didn't have to worry about other people being in there. It was actually nice to be able to relax. Gracie had the time of her life and her and Emily were inseperable, as usual!

This is Gracie, Ryan and Emily. Ryan used to live down the street from us and the three kids were total pals. We haven't seen him in a while and couldn't believe that he's now a whole head taller than the girls. He's only 7 months older than Emily.

Little Dyl having a blast.

It took Nathan a while to warm up around all the kids, but once he did he had so much fun.

The Campos Family.

Best Friends!! Look at the post below to see the two of them just a year ago.

Flashback Friday

With it being unbelievably hot this week and it being Emily's birthday, I'm posting of picture of Gracie and Emily at Disneyland last year. We celebrated Emily's birthday at the Happiest and Hottest place on earth. I think it was about 105 degrees that day. Don't think it stopped them from having a blast though!

Dylan - 6 months

My little baby boy is half a year today! How did this happen? Where did the time go? He's halfway to one? Why can't he just stay little just a bit longer?

Well he doesn't have his Dr. appt until next week so I don't have any stats to share, but I can tell you that he's gotta be pushing close to 20 lbs.! My little man is a chunk :) And boy does he LOVE to eat!

So little man, here's to your 1/2 birthday! And to celebrate, here's just a few things that I love so much about you.

I love:

How your smile can light up any room.

How you search so hard for your sister the minute you hear her voice.

How you love to cuddle, especially with your Momma :)

How you practically dive for your bottle the minute it's in your sight.

How you talk in your crib for 15 minutes before you're ready to get up.

How being outside makes you so happy.

How you're such a good and happy boy, even in 118 degree weather in Havasu.

How you LOVE to chomp on your toes.

How you're trying so hard to sit up by yourself right now.

Your sweet baby smell, especially when I rock you to sleep at night. Oh how I wish I could just bottle it up.

Your contagious laugh. It's just like your sister's.

How you have so much personality. I can't wait to see that grow.

How you've added so much to our lives in the short 6 months you've been here.

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I love you with all of my heart, my little Dyl Pickle!

Wordless Wednesday

Hehehe.....

What's Your Passion?

So we had this big discussion at work today with our CEO about each individual's passion. We just started this new perk here where after a candidate accepts an offer, we tell them about their first "Passion Day". Basically they get their first day off, paid of course, to do something they're passionate about. When they come into the office on Tuesday, they are expected to share what exciting thing they did since we paid them to do it. Well there's been a little controversy about what the expectations are. It shouldn't be spent running errands, doing laundry, cleaning house, etc. It also get me thinking...what am I passionate about? Spending time with my kids of course, but it's supposed to be more about "YOU" and not others. So...baking, sewing, reading, music, drinking :)??? I don't really know what my day would be!

Now tell me, what are you passionate about? If you could get paid to spend the day doing something, what would it be???