Oh how she's Grown

This Year 

                                                                

Last Year

Butterfly's are a tradition now ... for school clothes. On the second day at school she had the best time singing. My favorite is she comes home singing. They sing the words in the Eric Carle book Brown Bear Brown Bear what do you See. Addie loves sining the words, and LOUD. Her favorite things to do are dress up during preschool, and she loved catching a ride on the back of her friends trike. She's getting so big. I can't believe it. Her little face looks all grown up to me.

The Bounce House

Riley (her friend) Adeline

They had the best time bouncing around. These were taken at Riley's birthday party. Such a fun party. She would laugh and laugh. Then tell me mom watch me I'm going to jump on five colors. Then she'd proceed to jump on each of the color strips.

The First Day of PreSchool

 

 Outside of her classroom

 The bee art project

 Her self portrait (Tim said hers was the worst one- I guess our summer art class wasn't helpful LOL)

 How they walk to the playground. I had to put this photo in because when the got to the playground; Tim had to chase her down she was running around with the thing playing with it.

The Slide

Addie loved her first day. Tim took her, and she loved every minute of it.  

Swimming Fun

We met a swimmer who's 2 at the pool and two months younger than Addie, and thought she needs a little more pushing to swim. The first night of our mock lessons she swallowed a bit of water and freaked out. Now she does not only not want to swim, but didn't want to even move her arms. She would tell us I am not going to move my arms.

I got her back to her regular self jumping in, but she's still be a little more respectful of the water (which is good- she just isn't afraid usually). We bought this cool floatation device that allows her to kick and move her arms and float around without us carrying her. She loves feeling so independent in the water. She does not want us to touch her. The girl is still a screamer. Yikes!

It's almost been a year

What a year 2010 was. It felt so hard almost unbearable at times, and yet I'm still here. I think I feel stronger than I ever would've imagined. I look back on days, weeks, and moments thinking/ wondering how we/I did it just carried on. However, knowing that through each hard day week and mostly many hard moments in each individual day that we have a loving Heavenly Father whose helping us, and knowing there would be good things to come.

This has been a year of adjustments in life. Trying to carry on when our family is suppose to have one more. Feeling happy each day that our forever family is sealed together for eternity. There are still strange things I am figuring out how to handle: for instance the question how many kids do you have. I think I can finally answer it: one. However, each time I say 1 to someone it breaks my heart into pieces.

For now I feel strange because a visit to the graveside is a regular occurrence in our life. Visiting our sweet Savannah's  and Daniel. On the weekend of the fourth we took flowers, and I wanted to just leave them for Savannah. Addie responded we can't do that mom Daniel will be sad. She's such a little sweetheart.

Addie still talks about her I think Monday she was telling us how she wanted her sister to come to her birthday party. She'll just talk about her randomly. Those moments when she does talk about her are so sweet. I keep thinking she'll forget her. She loved her too... which makes me so happy. I always want her to remember. I think I've been preparing myself for the day she'd forget. I feel like our normal is weird for example, sometimes we read stories while we're there. Often because we'll go to the library and on the way home we stop. Addie will always say we're going to read baby Savannah a story. So, of course we do. If I ever try to just drive by with Addie in the car she gets upset if we don't get out. She's also a bit of a pill when it comes to stealing Savannah's flowers. Usually if we bring them I'll give her one before we put them there, but if someone brought some (my sweet friend Tricia) for Savannah Adeline will want to take some with her.

The good things do come ... we feel very blessed one year after. Still very sad she's not with us, but looking forward to the time we will be with her. We are able to see very clearly how each day throughout this year we've been watched over, and cared for. For that we feel so humbly grateful.

4th of July Fun

Two years in a row, and no photos to show for the fourth of July. Tim's phone got stolen, and had all of our pictures on it. We'll get some from friends, but for now here's a little about our weekend. My favorite things were going kayaking with friends. Seeing Addie jump in the kayak to drive while no one was watching, but lots of people were close by. Going to 3 firework shows, and Ad falling asleep during two of them. But the next day having he chatter about them as if she were awake the entire show. Seeing Addie be big enough to do her own sparkler, throw her own pops. Do what any kid should do on Independence Day.

Friday Night Summer Concert

Adeline's smile at the concert

There's a lot I LOVE about summer, but one thing we've been enjoying are the free concerts in the park. We relax (chase Ad around) and enjoy the summertime. She loves going. She'll play ball, join the dancing train and probably her favorite thing to do is try and find some mud/ or dirt to get into. She's a bit of a hot mess at the end of this summer day. We just watched Mulan so at this concert she was really into showing us her warrior moves (hi-yas and jump kicks). I am not going to lie her moves are pretty amazing- she still loves to pretend.

Art Class Day 2

Adeline holding her art

I started an art class for the summer. It has been so much fun. We meet twice a week at a friends house who is a pre-school teacher, and the kids do a circle time, play time, art time, outside time (with painting, water play, bikes etc) We got the curriculum from mother goose, but my friend is supplementing. She's making the little class better than I ever could've imagined. Addie has loved it. I feel like she looks like such a big girl.

She is telling me mom today the color was green, and orange ( orange was last week, but still). She talks about the shapes we go over, and she just loves being with her friends. It is so fun for me to get to go and do the art portion of the class. The kids are so much fun.

Riding a Trike

She did it at two (and a couple of months) she finally chose to ride her trike. The peddling was the tricky part, and she always wanted to go backwards with the pedals which would make it impossible to go. But she finally chose to do it. She could've done it a few months ago if she wanted to but she's so stubborn, and doesn't really want to be taught. We're so proud of her! Now she cruises around, and likes to put a frog in the back for a ride (yes a real one).

Father's Day

What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy?  Play with him and do puzzles

  

What makes Daddy happy? A Smile on your face

  

How do you know Daddy loves you? He loves me very much …

  

What is something Daddy always says to you? Don’t go outside

  

Who is dad’s best friend? bishop white

  

What’s dad’s favorite sport? Play baseball

 What’s dad’s favorite food? sandwiches, tacos, taco  bell

  

What’s dad’s favorite color? Orange

  

Who is dad’s mom? I don’t know

 What’s dad’s favorite animal? Polar bears

 What does dad smell like? A skunk

  

What’s dad’s favorite show? Alpha and Omega

  

I love you dad! Adeline

Frog Catching

Today Addie caught her first frog all by herself. We go out each night looking for her frog she's named Melody. She loves this name because five months ago we watched The Little Mermaid II. It had a big impact I guess because now she loves the name Melody. She was so funny while she was catching it. She would laugh, and squeal even at times getting frustrated it wasn't easy enough. Then she told each person that walked by I caught my first frog all by myself.

Lucky the Leprechaun

A note & a game from the Leprechaun

Look what Lucky did to the living room

                                                                

This is what happens when Lucky the Leprechaun stops by

We put pennies out on the porch & the Leprechaun turned them into gold, and left a rainbow!

I've never been so excited for St. Patrick's day! I can't wait to see that little face light up. I think one of my favorite things about being a mom is having the opportunity to make each moment special. I LOVE traditions, and this one is fun and nothing has really been enjoyed. I'm lucky to have an older sister who told me that Leprechaun's stop by people's houses, and lots of great friends with good ideas. I sure am lucky!

Art Show

Adeline and Carson

Her picture in the art show (looks like a crab)

on stage singer story teller invited everyone up to sing twinkle twinkle

She shimmied her way to the very front

Lucy and Addie 

She so wanted to take her artwork home. But she was really brave Miss Kelie said she could have in class that everyone needed to see her beautiful work. I am not so sure she bought that. The song on stage was pretty funny. She doesn't know any of those people around her. I have no idea how she got all the way in the front (pushed her way in). I didn't think I'd get to see her because there were so many kids. Next thing I know she practically front and center. 

The Kings Game

Slamson, Tim and Adeline (check out the score board)

Addie cheering for the Kings

True fan if you like them when their AWFUL

who everyone really came to see Dwight Howard

Adeline has been to three kings game this year, and she's really becoming a huge fan ... just like her dad. Unfortunately they may be going to Anaheim. Favorite things about taking her to the Kings game: every time they'd announce Jason Thompson Ad would say that's me. Her eating the cotton candy. The dancing she would do, and probably my favorite is her coming home and saying defense or go kings.

Pretending at Preschool

Adeline and, Carson pretending to be the teacher at preschool. The teacher commented on how well they played together. Carson was talking all about how many muffins Addie ate (she was hungry). She was pretty excited about the fireman that came to class... she got a hat. Also it's tooth month so she painted a picture of a tooth with a toothbrush.

Happy Valentine's Day

-We love your beautiful blue eyes

-We love your teeny tiny voice

-We love you love to read books

-We love your laugh

-We love your smile

-We love you think everyone is your friend

We love your determination

Baby Caden

6 lbs 3 oz. 20 1/2 in.

(he's tiny compared to his brothers coming in @ 8lbs 2 weeks early)

Perfect little guy dressed for success

Okay so I think my newest nephew looks just like his dad. It's about time one of them look like him as a baby. I think the three others looked like my sister as babies (not so much any more). He is the sweetest little baby... just so peaceful. It is a joy to have this little guy in the family.

Addie was so excited to meet him. When she gets really excited she starts talking in baby. She was squealing, and shaking because she was so excited. She keeps pretending she's going to the hospital. She'll tell me mom I'm going to the hospital to see baby Caden. We sure think he's great.

Sweet Ride

I think it could be difficult to teach this one how to do anything/ everything. She is so stubborn. We took the scooter out for a ride, or should I say we tried. She insisted on having her purse with make-up (thanks Montanos) in it. I convinced her to put it in the pouch on the scooter, but she insisted on still carrying the purse. She was trying to drive the scooter with one hand. We will work on this, but if I try to tell her, or show her how to do it. She could care less. She just wants to do it her way. At one point she was behind it pushing it. She pretty much knows how to do it she just won't/ doesn't want to I guess. Perhaps it shouldn't bother me ... I don't think it really bothers me worry may be a better word. I am a teacher. I don't feel like I am going to be able to teach this kids anything because she has a mind of her own.

Twas the night before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, and Santa stopped by. Year three at Christmas with an allergic reaction. Poor Addie her eyes were all puffed up. No BUENO! We had a delightful time with family and friends. Just seeing little Ad getting all of this toy out finding this basket to put it in. Then watching her sneak into Michelle's duck slipper's wearing them all over the house. Yummy all of the tasty food. Special spending time with family, and remembering what this season is all about. We left early without opening some of the special packages from the Gargano's (wonderful friends who hosted the evening). Addie was having a major like the worst meltdown/ tantrum ever. She's had a rough couple of days ... So, tired she didn't sleep the night before. She opened one when we got home a tutu. She insisted in putting it on immediately. Needless to say she slept in it too.

The Nativity

Adeline & Carson as Mary & Joseph

Tanner, Jacob and Parker as the wise men

Addie, Tanner, Parker, Jacob, Carson (in front Tyler as the shepherd)

A fun filled FHE with the live nativity. The kids were so cute, and it's amazing because this it what this season is all about. Joseph (Carson 2 yr old) did an amazing job playing his part. Addie had been so excited all day. She was a bit cranky, and wanted to do her own thing. She is still carrying around the baby Jesus in his swaddling clothes (she insists that it is a blanket). It was a special evening.

'Tis the Season

All the cousins with the gifts

Adeline unwrapping

She did not want to give up those junior mints

The beginning of the candy bar game

doughnut/ snowman craft (she ate hers instead of making it)

Grinch stickers

Oh what a night of fun! We had crafts good food and family. Delightful: seeing everyone enjoy each other and the games (especially how well the kids participated in the candy bar game). Hilarious: when the boys started to get too hot, and took their shirts off. Then Addie thought she should do the same. I explained to her it wasn't so, and we got jammies on.

Pajama Party

Addie enjoying her cookie

Addie and her cousin Carson

Tonight Addie's school had a little pajama party. She thought it was really fun to go to school in her jammies. She wanted nothing to do with Mrs. Claus except to admire her from afar. She screamed when we offered the option to go see her. The highlight of the evening according to Addie was playing in the kitchen and having her favorite people there with her. Goodbyes are difficult these days.

Addie's Gingerbread House

Here's what Ad made today at school. Don't you love the cheesy smile. That's a dad hair day. My friend sent the picture to me at school. I saw it, and was like WHAT's up with the hair. When I left today Ad was sleeping. So, I sent Tim a text asking what happened to Add's hair. He replied I put a beanie on her. She was just looking a bit scraggly.

Made me Laugh: Add said to me (while she was playing nicely) mom it's okay and she patted my back and face lightly repeating mom it's okay. Also how cute Addie and Lucy (her friend) play together. Races, and bumping into each other (Lucy would bump Add, and she would get laughing so hard). Mind you during the race they are in dress up lucy a butterfly and Addie a ladybug in high hills.