The Story of Us

Coming Home.

Yes, once again - my blogging is non existant. I wont be making any promise that I will be better about blogging. Because obviously I completely suck at keeping that promise. I will however try to blog more than once a year! That I think I can do. So much is going on our little life, it's to important not to blog about. On that note…

Vinny and I are finally in the process of doing something we have worked so hard to do. We are buying our first home. I am absolutely so excited about this adventure we are going on, but I think Vin is like a kid on Christmas morning. All he has ever wanted is to give our family our own home, something that is ours, and we did it. He did it! He never gave up and worked so hard to better his career, so we could get here! We close March 8, 2012 - and it couldn't come fast enough. 

This is what I call my “affordable dream home” I am so excited for this adventure. It's a scary thing to purchase your first home, doubling what you pay in rent. But it will be SO WORTH IT! I am obsessed with paint colors, window treatments, furniture… it's so fun to plan! So thankful for my wonderful husband who works hard, commutes everyday and makes sacrifices so we can stay in the valley with the comfort of family, doctors, babysitters, schools, friends, and my career. I am a very lucky girl!

Christmas 2010 Part 2

They may not look it, but yes, these are two very excited little 3 year olds on Christmas morning...

Tell me that is not a face of pure excitement. Just exactly what she wanted...

And here is that pink guitar, just what she asked Santa for...

Which she has not put down since Christmas morning... She is totally rockin'.

 

So I was so consumed by Avah Christmas morning, and her pure excitement, I didn't get one pic of Derek, What kind of mother am I? Seriously... This is the best I got. But it's the two of them, the loves of my life. Oh and how much does she love her little brother! 

Christmas 2010

WOW! Is Christmas really over? I can not believe how fast the month of December went. The anticipation of Christmas was so fun this year. Avah is at the age of understanding the magic of this wonderful holiday! She finally was ready to visit Santa, there was no crying, or frightened three year old, just a happy excited little girl, ready to tell Santa she wanted a pink guitar. 

Avah brought home reindeer food with sparkle dust to to help the reindeer keep up their strength to fly. She has been waiting to sprinkle this on the lawn for the last two weeks. She was so excited to go out and finally do it!! Later that evening when we got home from our xmas eve party, she walked right out to see if it was still there. She couldn't see it anymore - SHE PANICKED. She immediately ran up to her room and said, I have to go to bed, I have to go to bed. Santa has already been here... It was pretty funny! Love this girl.

One of my favorite traditions is Christmas Jammies. I LOVE this. This year my cute nephew Jack got to spend Christmas with us. It was so fun to have two little three years olds running around getting ready for Santa to come! 

(Note the look on Avah's face. She didn't think she had a top, just pants.)

Jack and Avah, preparing cookies for Santa and celery and carrots for the reindeer.

My sweet, sweet children. I love these two so much, they bring so much joy to my life.

*Avah, 3.5 years - Derek, Almost 10 months.

 

First Family Photoshoot!

Yes, I did say the first. I know, I am a terrible mom/wife/person. I never did get family pictures when it was just the three of us. I never did get the pictures I wanted while I was pregnant with Derek and it was still just the three of us. Most of the reasons for me not getting pictures done, was I couldn't find a photographer that I loved, and was reasonable in price, second - because of how I looked. I have been trying to lose weight, and I am not having very much success, I need to work harder... and I will. But in the mean time, I wasn't about to let another year go by with out documenting it in a professional way. Because yes, I do have a beautiful family. I am so lucky to have the most adorable kids, and the perfect husband (as perfect as someone can be.) SO!! The next time we do family pics, I will be smaller, BUT still as lucky and as happy as I am now!! Having said all of that. Here are some of our favorites... 

Shawn Loveland Rodeback - Photographer

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

  
 
 
   

 

 

Just some of my favorites.
 
 
 
   

Valentines Fondue Party!

Every year my mom has done fondue for the kids for Valentines... This year since valentines day fell on a Sunday, we all got to participate... Avah had so much fun!! Her favorite part was the dipping!! She had it down to a science, she would lean in, cover her piece of fruit with chocolate and then quickly bring it back to her mouth... she has a little trail on the table... It was so cute!! Everyone had so much fun!! My mom is the best, she does the cutest things for her grandkids, so happy we are close for her to enjoy Avah! I just love my mom!!

 

 

Of course we had to have an Avah and Sophie photo shoot

  (Jayme made matching headbands for the girls... so cute!) 

 
  

It's 2010!

I can't believe that it's already the year 2010. I think this year is going to bring a lot to myself and loved ones. Of course I anticipate many ups... and maybe not so many downs, but I am sure there will be. I look forward to the challenges that life will bring me, and hope I can change a few things about myself, my life, and my surroundings. I am striving to be a better human being, mother, wife, friend, sister, daughter, designer both professional and not so professional. I am going to strive for outlets to be more creative, more intellectual, more kind, more peaceful, more happy. I have a wonderful husband who I am so thankful everyday, even when he doesn't put his shoes away or pick up his dirty clothes off the bathroom floor. Vinny is my best friend. I will strive to be a better wife and friend to him. I will work harder at being that perfect person for him. I am thankful for my sweet beautiful daughter, whom I really in truly don't know what my life was like before she was in it. I love her to bits and pieces, even when she throws her tantrums or talks back. I love that about her, and I wouldn't change it. She is a firecracker, and I hope that she continues to be a little firecracker, she will go far in life. I anticipate with much anxiety but also much excitement in welcoming our second child into our house of three. I worry about how the dynamics of our home will change. I look forward to the challenge because I know it will make me a better person as a whole... So happy to start a fresh new year and look forward to all the challenges, and changes that come our way...

Some pics from the past month...

 

Avah, Jack and Ethan

 Vinny and his Yankee Blanket from my mom!

 

Fourth of July Pics

Hey!! I wanted to post some pics... but I am currently at work, so in the mean time you can click on the link below and check out my Facebook Album... I am hoping tonight will be the night to do some serious blogging...

Fourth of July Album via Facebook

More Easter Pics...

I thought i would post a few more Easter pics...Enjoy!

A Little Easter... Part 1 of...

So I took about three hundred pictures over the weekend. So I think I will just do batches of posts because I was able to get so many great pics. It is Morning, and I need to get ready for work, but I just had to post a few pics... they were just to cute, I couldn't wait... Have a happy Monday!

Can it get in cuter than that... More to come!

Cousins

Friday was Brayden's 13th birthday. I can not believe I have a teenage nephew! It's just crazy! For his birthday he wanted us all to go to Sizzler for dinner and then rock climbing! It was a fun night! However Avah and I had to cut it short because a 21 month old running around people hanging from a wall... well just doesn't really go together. Avah just loves her cousins Brayden and Ethan (and of course Jack too) They are just so great with her, she asks about them all of the time.

Just a little something to tell - Friday night while I was putting Avah to bed, out of the blue, she sat up and said “Mom, I love Aunt Jayme.” and then layed back down. It was the cutest thing ever!!

This morning we woke up to inches and inches of new snow. I just have to say, yes it looked beautiful, but so not what I wanted to wake up to. I am very much ready for Spring. Hopefully it will come fast!! 

Avah and I are flying to St. Louis at the beginning of April to visit my Aunt Kim, and her daughters will also be there - my cousin Maggie with her two precious little girls, Evie and Ada, and JJ (my other cousin) will also be there. I can't wait. Avah is going to have so much fun with her “cousins.” I haven't met Ada yet, and it's been way to long since I have seen Maggie and Evie. So it's going to be a fun weekend, and I am looking forward to it!!