Wedding Events

A few pictures....a brief update and then I'm off to bed....

Hanging out with Cousin Jer

Watching her Daddy

Chillin at Grandpa Steve and Miss Claudette's

Lovin her Papa and Great Grandma (GG)

So big!

and the big day.....

The wedding has come and gone, most of the family has come and gone and man was it AWESOME!!! It rained on her wedding day.....but the lightning was beautiful and the rain sounded awesome on the gazebo. When Kimmi and Mikie got to Jamaica they shared stories of Saturdays events with other honeymooners....their story was BY FAR the most uneventful! One bride even shared that her dress even caught fire!!

Kimmi was an AMAZINGLY beautiful bride, Michael looked at her with such love and tenderness.....it was a fairy tale! Stephanie was a PERFECT baby! and despite all the storms around, the helicopter still was able to pick them up for their grand exit :) Here are just a few pictures. I'll post more, but my cousin took most of these so I want her be able to post her handy work first (she takes AMAZING pictures!!!)

Many thanks to all who came and helped keep the atmosphere positive!! It was a great day! Much love to all our family! We've had pneumonia, stomach flu, food poisoning, broken down cars and pure exhaustion....yet we always made the best of it and had a good time! Prayers for all who are ill, hope you are well soon. Love to all! Enjoyed having everyone here!!!

movin girl

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SOOOOO BIIIIIGGGGGG

Well I fell asleep tonight ALL BY MYSELF in my co~sleeper, in my crib. I didn't need my swaddle blanket, but did use one of my softies. Thanks auntie Val for believing in me.....Mommy didn't think I would be able to do it ;)

I'm SOOOOO BIIIIGGGGGG!!!! Now for my next trick....to throw my arms up everytime Mommy says "Soooo Biiiigggg" like cousin Joel can do......That's way cool!

WOW! Our big girl is 5 months Old!!!

Sleepy girl after playing with Ethan and Ryan. I can so see her Daddy in her sleepy little face.

Stephanie was playing on the floor and Boulder came over and chewed his bone. He stayed right by her all day....so precious!!!

She took her first "big girl" nap without her swaddle blanket. Sure, it only lasted 40 minutes, but that's a start :) We "hung out" in our bed for THREE HOURS trying to get her to fall asleep....she was tired, but busy playing because she wasn't swaddled. We'll see if she's able to fall asleep tonight....Boulder has been by her side all day. He's in love with his baby and SUCH a protector!!

Busy day, special snuggles

Stephanie had a fun day with her Gamma while Mommy painted the kitchen....the WHOLE kitchen! The floral wallpaper is gone....the walls are white. I will paint them a color...but not till Josh is home and he can help choose the color ;) So when my mom FINALLY brought Stephanie home we had some MUCH NEEDED snuggle time. Stephanie was SUPER tired because she didn't nap much while out shopping. We snuggled a bit and then tried to go to bed at 7 (her normal bedtime) She decided she wasn't ready yet. So we got up and played....she was a little jumping frog in her jumperoo. She FINALLY got tired around 8.....I put her down and she was out without a peep. She's sleeping in her crib like a big girl....just until I go to bed. Then she'll join me (of course ;) I love that she enjoys her nursery though.....she has actually played in her crib some this week while I have cleaned the nursery and put laundry away. She just talks and rolls around....she loves it. Summer break rocks!!

I have a science training tomorrow, then family arrives Wednesday for wedding madness. It'll be a ton of fun and I am SUPER excited for some of our Cali family to meet Miss Stephanie for the first time! Promise to post pictures as soon as I get a chance to sit down!

Mommies Girl

and what was Stephanie doing while I was so busy cleaning? Well....

Eating Auntie Kimmi's glasses and CLOSING HER EYES for pictures! She knows the flash comes after the red eye light....so she closes her eyes!!! Smart girl (and little stinker :)



Mommy took a break from cleaning and we watched TV and snuggled for a few hours....


She's the perfect excuse to sit on the couch and just be....Being a mommy is the best thing in the entire world.....I can't wait to share this with Josh! He and his girl can sit and snuggle super soon! It's weeks people, NOT months, WEEKS!

A house reclaimed...

Tools of the Trade...

While Mom and Dad have been busy reclaiming their house (every inch of it! They keep bringing me more stuff ;) I have been busy doing some reclaiming of my own. Not just of rooms.....of organization, cleanliness, peace and tranquility. For some time my house has not been a home.....it's been where Stephanie and I hang out, eat and sleep but not the relaxing oasis I wanted it to be. Now, I have managed to keep my backyard as a peaceful place that I enjoy being....but stepping back into the house is not always a fun experience (aside from the fact that it's nice and cool ;)

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my little house, I am beyond grateful that Josh and I are in a house, the house is in good condition and I am able to do alot of fun cosmetic things to spice it up (even putting a pepper plant on the table) I was so busy being last summer being prego (and SUPER sick) then so busy with being a mommy and work that I didn't have time for my house. Cleaning had become something I just didn't do. I kept up with dishes, bottles and always had clean laundry....that's about it. Tonight I am happy to say that my house is CLEAN, my laundry is done, folded AND PUT AWAY, the guest room and bathroom look amazing and my house is actually my house. The messes are all mine (so there is no one to blame them on or any excuse to leave them), and Boulder is a "free man" being able to roam the house and do his thing......which is follow me around. It's still strange to walk to the bathroom and see a guest room and not Kati's room.....and not smell her perfume in the bathroom......she has lived with us since we bought the house.....miss you sister! Can't wait for you to see what I've done to the place ;)

Here are some before and after pictures. None posted of the "after" for our bedroom and bath....that's a surprise for Josh (Family can see it when they come over, I just want him to say, WOW!) same with the kitchen...if I do end up redoing it I won't post any pictures...that'll be a surprise to :) Enjoy....yes it was hard work, but it was so worth it! Sitting on my couch and enjoying the clean home that I have "made" for my family is awesome! I love being a "house wife"....

It's all folded....promise!!

Guestroom before

After.....

Kitchen Before:

Kitchen After:

My Plants....some cucluants, some herbs and a little spice....a peper plant!

Living Room Before.....WOW!

and after....

Guest Bath Before:

and after.....my favorite!!

and my new shadow....

In the guest room

in the kitchen.....

in the living room

Mommy's boy :)

Prayers...

A large part of our family hits the road tomorrow am (Sunday) to head for Texas. Please pray for safe travels, no car trouble and patience (there are alot of them packed into two vehicles!). They will be arriving Wednesday, along with others arriving by plane.....Pray for safe travels for all heading to the Lone Star State for Kimmi and Michael's wedding.....

Kati and Wade's Move

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For those keeping tabs....

Things I got done today....

• Guest bedroom (and it looks AWESOME!) Thanks to Daddy and Uncle Mikie for bringing over the furniture.
• The guest bathroom (and it looks even AWESOMER then the bedroom) Sorry Josh, Americana has invaded that room as well....and some red ;) but hey, it was free decor since I had it in the garage.....
• Garage cleaned out (and a HUGE load of stuff went to CCA).
• Wedding stuff with mom (we ran around for about 4 hours doing wedding stuff)
• MY DRESS CAME IN and has to have some SERIOUS ALTERATIONS! Bummer! I have to be at the dress shop at 9:30am tomorrow to get it sized...guess I better go to bed ;)
• Updated the blog very important for our Daddy....and the rest of you enjoy it as well ;)

Much love, If I don't answer emails or phone calls be patient....I'm on a deadline here people (a self proclaimed deadline of Saturday because I want to relax and play with my little girl, hee hee)

Picture Update

Here are some pictures of Stephanie and I watching TV (Fathers Day), hanging out at home, playing in her crib (one of her new favorite play spots) and her boo-boo. She's getting so big! Enjoy!!

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Father's Day Pictures

For Father's Day Stephanie and I hung out some at home, at Gamma and Gampa's house and then went to Grandpa Steve and Miss Claudette (that's what we call her for now....until Stephanie "names" her ;)

Stephanie had a blast with her Gampa playing with his hat, and with Grandpa Steve and his awesome beard! She is one loved little girl.

**Kati had just had her wisdom teeth out so she's not in many pics and doesn't look happy in the ones she is in.....it's not that she's mad she's just swollen and it hurt to smile**

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Progress

Carpets cleaned, guest room painted, dogs groomed, ALL laundry folded and put away. Well, except Stephanie's....she's asleep in her nursery so I could fold laundry in my room. (don't get excited, she's coming to bed with me after her midnight bottle) CCA items ready to be put in the driveway early in the morning, linens for guest bed clean and SMELLING GOOD (I love my new washer with the auto softener dispenser!!) Desk is in my new "office" which is the guest room closet.

Still to do:

• plant ground cover on side of house, hide soaker hose
• put Stephanie's laundry away
• vacuum
• mop
• set up guest bathroom (a trip to Linens and Things and some elbow grease)
• pick up living room
• clean kitchen
• grocery shop
• organize my closet (sometime before Josh gets home)

I've made amazing progress and am SUPER tired! My arm aches from my tetanus shot (bad timing) but otherwise all is well. Now heading off for a good nights sleep and dream...this time next month I will be heading off to join my daughter AND husband I can't wait! I just keep reminding myself.....this time next month you'll be a family of three, this time next month Josh will be home (this time next month you can ask Josh to get up and feed Stephanie at 5am....and he will be THRILLED to do it ;) There will be a fun post in a week or two of all the things Josh has to look forward to....complete with pictures! Not yet though, there is still work to be done....Tomorrow is another day of hard work and wedding stuff.

Speaking of wedding stuff....time for a Sister Update (since neither of them blog)

Kimmi's new job is going great! She's having a blast at her training but found out today that she has to report to work MONDAY and then part of Tuesday......NO WAY! So mom and I will be finishing up all wedding stuff on our own (mom has been working hard and knocking a ton of it out, I'm doing some work and a whole lot of moral support via cell phone ;) We want Kimmi to be able to enjoy her time with family next week so all wedding stuff WILL be done by Tuesday (or atleast that's the plan).

Kati and Wade made it to their apt around 6 our time (4 their time). They checked in and the plan was to unload and have dinner.....where you ask? IN AND OUT, OF COURSE. If you've ever eaten there, you understand (if you haven't find the closest one and make it a road trip ;) I told Kati I wanted pictures ASAP....will post them as soon as I get them. I am so excited for her.....but keep looking for her car when I come around the corner to see if she's home. It hasn't hit me yet that this isn't her home anymore.....that's going to take a bit. She is enjoying the mountains and the beach....and the wonderful California smell (flowers and ocean). She called me and said "I was driving and looked out my window and there was the ocean"......I was jealous! I can't wait to go visit her in her new home!

California family,

Take care of my sister! Invite her to do stuff, call and check up on her (and don't be offended if she doesn't answer or call back :) Text her little hello's and drop by to say hi. Wade reports to work in a few weeks and she'll have nothing to do (she says set up the apt but I think she'll have that done pretty quick!)

Thanks much, the big sister

Kimmi's Bachelorette Party

It was great! We had a wine tasting at a SUPER CUTE little Vineyard in Grapevine. Then had some downtime at the hotel before heading to the Gaylord and having a SUPER nice dinner. We then went to a bar/club on the Gaylord property....way fun. The girls had fun dancing inside....and I enjoyed a table by the lake (it was a bit out of my league inside ;) We then headed back to the hotel for some cake and chit chat before bed. It was an honor to plan it and know that Kimmi enjoyed herself! Here are some of the pictures (I'm short on time so check out this blog).

Kimmi's Bachelorette Party

It's go time.....

**Pictures to go along with this update will come later this week**

Kati and Wade left this morning to head to Cali. She text me this evening and they had made it half way and were going to rest up for tomorrow. Stephanie, mom, dad and I got up to see them off....then Stephanie and I went back to bed ;) We later got up and ready for the day. When I was out back with the dogs I stepped on a nail and had to go to the dr to get at tetanus shot (and missed an AWESOME science training I was going to attend). Then we went home and played. Once Stephanie was in bed I vacuumed the new guest room, cleaned the baseboards, shampooed the carpets and "cut in" the bottom 3/4 of the walls. I'll finish painting and setting up furniture tomorrow.....CAN'T WAIT. I moved our desk and Mac computer into the closet....it'll be our new "office" (anything to get it out of my kitchen)

Side note about last night.....Kati and Wade were loading up and I was helping out. When we went to put Wade's car on the trailer I helped make sure his car was straight....then when the trailer wasn't hitched right I was NO HELP....but did get our WONDERFUL neighbor to help. When we finally got the car loaded one of the tires was on top of the straps that hold it onto the trailer.....so Wade put the car in neutral, my neighbor pushed it a little and I pulled the strap out from under the tire. THEN when we were working on getting the straps over the tires one wouldn't fit.....and I figured out you could move the base over to give us more slack. This is a recap for Josh.....Baby, you would have been proud! My hands were covered in grease and everything ;)

So Kati and Wade are off and half way to their new home in California. My guest room is half way done, my yard is looking great (with a few more plants to get in the ground), my laundry is done but NONE of it is folded (I'll get there) and as of tomorrow evening my garage will be cleaned out and CCA will come pick everything up for their resale shop. This is a sad and exciting time for me. I have never had this as "my" house.....which also means I have never lived here without Kati. It's exciting and busy right now getting things in order for company, but once I slow down in a few days, watch some TV and don't have Kati here it will be sad. I pray they make the second half of the trip in good time and without anything interesting happening. I look forward to seeing pictures of their new place and heading out for a visit at some point next year.

Love you sister! Will miss you bunches but am SO EXCITED for you! This is a super cool opportunity for you and Wade!!! Just get a blog and update it often so we can keep tabs on your new life together. Enjoy FINALLY being married and actually living together....in the same time zone, same zip code, under the same roof ;) Miss you already!

Princess Playdate

The toy of the day....the butterfly

Yesterday we drove out to Colin and Kinome's house so Lily and Stephanie could play. It was so precious! Stephanie is actually able to sit in my lap and watch what's going on. She played on the floor with Lily and they played ball (Stephanie actually reached out and grabbed it!) Stephanie also rolled over from her BACK TO HER STOMACH! A first for her to actually do it without any help.



Stephanie brought this fun light up book for Lily and a bag full of hair bows. Lily enjoyed trying to put the bows in her hair...and eating them ;) Then she was trying to share her book with Stephanie and clunked her on the head. Stephanie's second official boo-boo. She cried a little, but it was more of a scared cry and not so much a hurt cry. She stopped about as soon as I picked her up. She did end up with two little cuts on her forehead.....so cute! I took pictures....she's one tough cookie :)



A note from Stephanie: Thanks Auntie Kinome for having me out to play with Lily! I can't wait to come see you in your new house!! Thanks for my Dora ball.....I love it! and thanks for the pictures for me to send to my Daddy.....he was sad he couldn't come play. Love you!

Stephanie holding her butterfly....and almost sitting up on her own.

Lily's turn with the butterfly.....

Stephanie loved watching and talking to Lily......

Okay, Stephanie wants her butterfly back....Lily gave it right back to her.

Lily looking beautiful in one of her new bows.

Lily "making a phone call"

Kinome's pictures