Happy Mothers Day to me!

My sweet husband got me the best Mother's day present.  A new 24 " iMac computer!  Don't really have a clue how to use it yet, but I'm really excited about it!  AND he got our family a new camera/camcorder.  I just need to figure out which cord I use to connect it to my new computer so I can update our blog (I know it's been so boring seeing the same ol' pics).  Our other camera broke a while back and I guess I just put blogging on the back burner for a while!  So... more to come soon.  And thank you, thank you, Marcus!  I love my presents!

Four years old...

Happy Birthday to our beautiful baby girl!

Avery turned 4 years old on April 13th

(this is sooo late--I'm such a bad mom)

Sweet little Avery came into this world in the midst of CHAOS!  Our move to San Diego, Marcus' new job here, finding and purchasing a home, etc. all made for CRAZY times, which left poor Avery with a basket case for a mom!  Alas, she learned how to make her needs and preferences VERY clear from the beginning.  And when Mommy didn't get it right, she wanted her Aunt Allison (who of course would give her whatever she wanted).  "I go my Atson", she use to say in her little sing-song whine.  Avery was blessed with a lot of spunk to fend off (more like SCARE) all the boys she will have after her in a few more years!  She is my little playful child...I love her evil little giggle and how hearing herself toot makes her laugh uncontrollably!  She has a love of music and singing and is always surprising us with how quick she can learn a song.  Avery is so very loyal to those she chooses to love.  She fiercely defends her big sister Madie and doesn't want to experience anything without her.  

Our little Twinkle Toes

She gives us so much to smile and laugh about.

We love our Little Miss Sunshine...Although she has a real knack for dirty looks and grouchy grunts, she is a loving little girl who has always melted our hearts with her sweet little voice as she says, "I wuv you tooooo much!"HAPPY BIRTHDAY AVERY BUG!  You have brought our family so much joy and laughter.  I love you too much too!

New Family Pictures!

My friend Randi Brunt has started a photography business and she was in town last weekend from Washington. So she offered to take some shots of the little munchkins and of our family. So we headed to Laguna Beach--it was SUPER windy and our hair was crazy! The kids had a great time running on the beach and climbing rocks. Randi did an AWESOME job--I love how she captured so many different expressions and angles. She has a real natural artistic ability--THANKS RANDI! You can check out her fabulous portfolio at http://www.flutterpix.com/ and she custom designs picture books at http://www.heritagemakers.com/.

While the big kitties are away, the little mouse will play!

Saturday was just a quiet laid-back day at our house...Owen (little mouse) found a new toy while his big sisters (big kitties) were outside...And there was nobody around to rip his fingers off the stroller, yelling, "NO, OWEN!"

He LOVED pushing this little babydoll around--he would get so excited to be walking that he'd get going way to fast and fall. But he wouldn't let anyone or anything get in his way--he was very determined...I'm having flashbacks from Avery pushing the very same stroller and doll...maybe that boy needs a fire truck or something to push around, ya think?


Madie and Avery found their skates in the garage and decided it was time to learn to skate. They put on their pads and helped each other down to the sidewalk (crawling on the grass)...

It seems theat going over the driveways was too scary, so they crawled across (AGAIN)...soon after Avery took the skates off--she didn't like feeling so out of control...Madie kept at it and started skating pretty well after a half hour.

My sweet baby boy turned 1 year old!

Happy Birthday Baby Owen! You have grown into a little BOY in just one fleeting year! I blinked and now you are terrorizing your sisters' toys, throwing EVERYHING--mostly food and balls, and taking your first steps! Each day we fall more in love with you...you're hilarious "cave man talk", your squishy little cheeks, and all the loves (when you'ree not pushing us out of your face). We love you little man. You bring so much joy to us (your parents), your sisters, grandparents, aunts uncles, cousins..and we're so excited for all the fun times yet to come and all the things you will learn. We thank the Lord for sending you to us to care for...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Bubby!

We love the beach...in February!

I love Southern California! Where else could you go to the beach in February and swim in the water wearing a swimsuit? And have no crowds to wade through to find a spot. We had such GREAT weather on Saturday--so we decided to head to the beach. The girls have been begging us to go to the beach for months now. When I got Owen out of the car and he saw the ocean, he starting bouncing and laughing, reaching towards the beach. As soon as we got there, the girls dropped their stuff and ran to the water!

Owen was definitely in his element--so much open space to cruise around--actually, he did the gorilla walk all over the rocks and sand (you know, hands and feet, not knees). He was so intrigued by the sand...and eating the sand...He chased his football all over the beach--it was so fun watching him explore this new place (he doesn't remember coming last summer).

The girls had so much fun riding their boogie boards in the thirty-degree water (sure felt like it)! Avery surprised me and didn't take anytime getting use to the ocean (in the past, she wouldn't go in the water until a few weeks into the summer)...they played in the watere until sunset.
Just in case you were wondering, I DID NOT tell Avery to pose like a swimsuit model (Hope this isn't a preview of her future)!

Avery's Portrait Day

Ok, there is a wonderful tradition in my husband, Marcus' family, to do a formal portrait of each child at the same age. We do our kids' portraits just before they turn 4. So last week, it was Avery's turn in the spotlight,and she just ATE it up! She looked so sweet with her hair all curled (thanks Aunt Coco) and her pretty pink dress. Also, thanks to my sister Coco for watching little Owen while I helped Avery! And to top off the day, Mom even took Avery to her favorite place-McDonalds-for lunch!Here are a few snapshots I took outside the studio...

Our little babygirl, Avery (almost 4-not a baby anymore)...such a beautiful little face.

"Oh, please (posing with a cheesy smile), no pictures!"