Blessed

"Only love can be divided endlessly, and still not diminish." 
~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh


July 1, 2012


"A daughter is a day brightener and a heart warmer."  ~Author Unknown
 

 

"A boy is a magical creature - you can lock him out of your workshop, but you can't lock him out of your heart."  ~Allan Beck

" A babe in the house is a well-spring of pleasure, a messenger of peace and love, a resting place for innocence on earth, a link between angels and men."
~Martin Fraquhar Tupper

 

Disneyland

Disneyland really is the happiest place on earth.  We were able to visit the big D while we were in California.  Bruce, Marianne and Kristin came with us, spoiling us rotten! Thank you!
The task of blogging about our trip ovvvvverwhelmed me (some pictures were in Picasa, some in iPhoto, some on a zip drive from Bruce and Marianne, etc), and I had already made a book to remember our trip.  I had searched for all these pictures once before and didn't feel like doing it again.  So I took the lazy way out and just took pictures of the book.
We spent three days riding rides, eating ice cream bars, and making lots of fun memories.  Thank you for a great trip!!!

"The magic is as wide as a smile and as narrow as a wink, loud as laughter and quiet as a tear, tall as a tale and deep as emotion.  So strong, it can lift the spirit.  So gently, it can touch the heart. 

It is the magic that begins the happily ever after."

-Disneyland Imagineer

Walking into Disneyland was so much fun.  The kids couldn't believe their eyes.  Even Austin was pointing at all the fun things. 

Being splashed by water, or being under the sea...as long as I'm with these people, where I am doesn't matter to me!

Going round and round or on a boat, I sure love hanging out with these crazy folk!

At first a little timid, and then getting very brave, going on scary rides was all the rave! 

Planes, trains or automobiles, lots of fun, and lots of thrills 

Nighttime was magical as anyone can see, but what do you expect, and the land of Disney?

He Walks!

Sunday April 22, 2012.  Our baby boy started taking multiple steps like it's no big deal.
On Monday night, he turned into an official walker.  Just in time for our Disneyland trip on Tuesday.  Walking all over Disneyland is WAY better than crawling.  Perfect timing Austin.
 

 

Fun In the Sun

We had so much fun playing in the water, sun and mud!

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Visit to Grande

When I was little I had a shirt that said, "I love my dentist, he's my Dad." I want to make one for my kids that say, "I love my dentist, he's my Grande."
 

 

No cavities! For anyone but Dave, that is. 

Grande was kind enough to take them to work in Betsy, his 1944 Pontiac.  

But I was Mother Hen and made them sit in the backseat.  I love Joshua's little face in the window of the backseat. 

 

Walking-It's Good For the Sole

My Mom and our next door neighbor, January would walk the three mile loop around our house every morning while we were growing up.  It was a time for them to clear their heads, get away from all us crazy kids, and have their time together.  Now that I am a mom, I can now fully understand and appreciate the importance of this morning ritual.
When I come home to visit, I am lucky enough to join them on their walk.  It is my turn to ask them questions about hard mothering issues, get wonderful advice, and just be with my Mom and January.
January got my Mom a plaque that is still in our house, that says, "Walking- It's Good For the Sole." I completely agree.
Austin got to join us too, and he wanted to hold my Mom's hand.
 

 

California Friends

While we were in California, we were able to see some of our great friends.
Rocia & Emer and family.  (Emer isn't really that short, he was kneeling down, and Dave was on his toes.)


Chris and Megan and family. 

 

Miracle Babes

My sweet sister Rachel, has waited years for these babes to get here.  We have all prayed so hard for this miracle, and the time has come.  To celebrate Rachel and Ryan, my mom, sisters and I threw her a shower.  Rachel is loved by so, so, so many, so lots of people came to support her.  We made all the decorations at sisters trip, and now they are hanging in the boys nursery.
Congratulation Rachel and Ryan! We are thrilled for you!
 

 

 

 

 

 

My Outlet

Kenneth Cole is one smart man.
And I am one lucky lady to have such amazing sisters.  Of course we fought growing up, but they are honestly now my best friends.  They are, and always will be, my outlet.  The people I will go to when I need something, or even when I don't.  My go-to girls when I need a good laugh, or someone to listen while I cry.  Lucky for everyone, my one and only brother married someone who just naturally fits into our family.  Carrie is perfect in every way, and we are so lucky to have her.
I feel so incredibly blessed to call these girls my own, my blood, my sisters.

Sisters Trip 2012

 We flew into California on Tuesday, April 10.  I spent the 11th all day with my sister Melissa, then Jess flew in that night and we headed to San Francisco with Lukie for some dinner.  On the 12th, Jess and I left my Mom's house, drove down to pick up Melissa, drove to pick up Rachel, had lunch with Carrie and Baby Ty, went to go visit Andrew at Apple, and then headed down to Beverly Hills for the start of our sisters trip! 

 

Rrrrrrrrrrrroad Trip!

We were all raised loving a good deal, so the first stop: the Outlets, of course.  

 

 After shopping and then driving, we finally pulled into Sara's place in Beverly Hills at about 1 am.  Sara and Ben had a last minute opportunity to go to Thailand for  two weeks, and then extend it to one month (luckies), and we missed her so much on the trip.  She would have been so disappointed in our lack of cooking and dancing that occurred.
Friday morning at Grand Luxe Cafe. 

More shopping!!!

 

We spent all day Friday shopping.  We hoped to go to the beach, but it was pouring rain, so it was not meant to be.  Carrie was able to fly down early Saturday morning (Andrew had to work on Friday), so we picked her up, got donuts, and then started our workout. Good thing we had sugar overload so we could hike the Hollywood sign.  Rachel wanted to ride the horses. :)
 

 

Sitting in the same spot as we did 3 years ago.  My how things have changed.  

 

Since we couldn't go to the beach on Friday, we did it on Saturday instead.  It was so windy that we all got free exfoliation.
 

And then spent the rest of the day shopping.  There was a common theme amongst our shopping, coral and stripes.  Every thing we bought was either one or the other.  And I'm pretty sure we all have twinner clothes. 

That night we stayed in, ordered a pizza and made the decorations for Rachel's shower.  

Jess wanted to feel Rachel's twins move, so she put her hand on Rach's belly, and one of the babes gave quite a kick and it scared Jess so much that she feel off her chair.  And then I about feel off my chair laughing.  

 Sunday we went back to the mall, got our free Sprinkles cupcakes, took Jess to the airport, got our Cafe Rio fix, and then headed home. 

 

 

 

Melissa and I don't know how to drive a stick, so the poor pregnant lady, and the pumping lady had to do all the driving.
Helpless.
 

My sweet mom watched our kids while I was with my sisters, and Dave was with his Dad, driving the truck (I got the better end of that deal).  Austin is obsessed with my Mom.  After four days of not seeing me, he still wanted nothing to do with me.  Only my Mom.

Nope.  Nothing.  

After not seeing Dave for almost a week...

My Mom still won.  Every time.  

Thank you Dad and Mom for watching the kids, and thank you sisters for a weekend to remember.  Coral and stripes!!