Memorial Day Weekend

This Memorial day we went up to Sacramento and Tracy to visit both sides of the family. The road trip was long and I was a bit worried about how Charlotte would do, but it turned out great. We only had to make 2 stops each way. Here are some photos from the trip.

Charlotte watching birds at the rest area.

The reason for our Sacramento visit was because my cousin had an engagement party/dinner. Here we are before we left. Joanne and I. Kyle, Dad, and RyanMom and C.J.Daddy and baby chasing duckies.After the engagement, we planned to head for Tracy the next day to see Raresh's cousin and his family. It was in Tracy that Charlotte really started walking a lot. For weeks now she's been taking 2-3 steps and then crawling, but while visiting the Neicu family she just took off. It's crazy how one day she's scared to death to take those steps and then the next she's ready to go.

Here is Kayla and Charlotte chatting at the restaurant.This was our sad attempt at getting Ally, Charlotte, and Kayla in at least one decent photo.Finally, all the girlies...Ally, Me, Charlotte, Kristen, and Kayla.We had a wonderful time seeing all our family and celebrating a day for all our Military Heros. Thank you for sacrificing so many things so that my family and I can feel safe and enjoy so many freedoms. God bless you all.

Kayden's 2nd Birthday

Saturday, we celebrated Kayden's 2nd birthday. It was oodles of fun. She wore an adorable t-shirt with a sparking 2 on the front and perhaps the cutest too-too ever. Here are a few photos of the day.
Here is Charlotte and the birthday girl---Checking out each other's outfits.Little Arianna arrived, too!It was a fun weekend. Happy 2nd Birthday little Kayden. We love you!

It's official...smaller things are just cuter!

If there is one thing that I'm sure the entire world were to agree on it's this...hospital gowns are atrocious. They are extremely unflattering, the open in the back for crying out loud, and they just make one feel ever so frumpy. I think it's safe to bet that hospital gowns are one if not the ugliest clothing item out there, right?

Well, maybe you'll change your mind when you see this one...

Sooooo cute, huh? Charlotte had her first year check up and Dr.'s appt. They said to strip her down to a diaper but it was freezing in that room, so when they offered this little number, we just couldn't refuse. Glad to report that our little sweet pea is progressing very well. She's in the 75% for height, 50% for weight, and her head is full of brains! (she literally said that.) She was a total trooper during the shots. I'm glad to report this is the first time I didn't cry. Mommy's growing up!

Blog entry overload

I finally had a chance to update some photos and so we have 4 posts today. Enjoy...

And just to get the ball rolling. I've included 1 photo and 1 video.

The photo is of Charlotte's new tooth. Remember, how I mentioned she got 1 bottom tooth just in time for her first birthday? Well, now we have 2 bottoms and 2 1/2 tops. The picture below shows the first she gotThe best part is...the first top tooth to come in was not the traditional one. Take a look...

Isn't that crazy?

The video is one of her laughing. My mom made me promise I wouldn't get her in the shot because she was doing some pretty silly stuff to get her to laugh. So because I love and honor my mother, I agreed. You can, however, hear her---that is funny in and of itself. Enjoy.

I'm glad the animals don't know...

That I am NOT an animal person.

Look what we found on the side of our house in an old planter?

3 very cute little kittens that will sadly---one day...grow up into CATS. Sorry cat lovers.

As if that wasn't enough...look what we found again this year in our grotto? A bird's nest complete with birds and bird poop. (For those that ever wondered?--Fake owls don't do squat!)

Guess who is the only person who's happy about this?

For all the PETA fanatics out there...rest assured, your precious animals are safe. We aren't touching any of them. We aren't feeding them. And we certainly aren't keeping them. I'm hoping that when the cats are big enough to leave, they will. Cats leave if you don't feed them, right?

Maybe I'll send a campus wide email asking if anyone wants to provide a home for these little things?---(yeah right...like that would ever happen!)

Swim day

I am so thrilled that summer is quickly approaching. I love summer. For a number of reasons:

1. We get to use the pool.

2. More BBQs

3. My birthday

4. Cerritos College has 4 day work weeks. EVERY FRIDAY OFF for 10 weeks!

To sorta celebrate the fact that the weather is getting warmer--we took Charlie out in the pool.

A Day at the Beach

About 2 weeks ago the Isai's decided to take a little trip down to Huntington Beach. It was a very spontaneous decision but it turned out great. The Starke family came along and we even all piled in one car for the occasion. Can you say road trip??

Here are some photos:

Charlotte's very first birthday

Last weekend on April 25th we celebrated my little love bug's 1st birthday. It was such a wonderful day. She took a very long nap right before everyone arrived which made her a very happy and social guest of honor. The theme I selected was lady bugs. Here are some pictures of the day. I warn you...there are quite a few.

The birthday girl... The decorations...simple and sweet.Mommy and Charlotte...Daddy and Charlotte...Getting ready for a little snack...Ready to take flight...Bunu and Buna Vlad...Daddy and a very unhappy Charlotte in the bounce house...

The cake and other sweet goodies...The smash cake...What she did with it...Yum Yum...all done...Showing off her second outfit...
There you have it...just a smidgen of the day. My thoughts on motherhood are simple. Motherhood is the most amazing gift the Lord ever gave me. It's been a blessing and an honor to serve God in this way. To my sweet little love bug---you've made my first year as a mommy a wonderful one. God Bless you!

I love you!

--Mommy