Halloween (better late then never)

Halloween this year was a lot of fun. Ryan had a blast, Alexis was something other then a princess (which made mommy happy) and we all had a lot of candy to share! Julia enjoyed the walk in the stroller and seeing all the kids walking around.

Kids ready to go!

Julia's picture time!

Out in the neighborhood!

Ryan loved the deecorations.

Julia relaxing in her strollerAfter trick or treating its snack time!

Loving the hat, did not want to take it off!

Miss Julia

My little girl is 2 months old today!! (8/19/09) We am so very blessed to have her in our lives and I can't believe how fast she is growing! I have to admit we all agree that she is a great addition to our family!

Julia watching daddy play Guitar Hero

Miss Julia

My pretty little girl!

Watching daddy

Clean baby!!

The new addition in the household

That would be baby Guitar Hero! Not only is it fun but it is an awesome Daddy sitter =). Raf is like a kid in the candy store, It is so awesome to see him actually enjoying something so much lately! It brings a smile to my face =).

We all wanted seconds!

HERE I AM!! I have been missing in the blog world but I am here to say I am back in action! I have a lot of catching up to do! I can't think of a better way to get back in the motion of things then to post about food!

So I was sitting here the other day thinking I needed to spice up dinner once again and I was searching the Internet for some yummy recipes and I decided to take a look at this website called Home Ec 101, its a website I have been very fond of for some time now. They have some awesome recipes!! I once used their weekly planned out recipes and they were all a hit with me and the kids, Raf didn't care for some of them.(then again hes harder to please then the rest of us) I came across some similar planned meals that they were suggesting with great feedback- Check it out here. The first one I tried which went over great was "Quick Pasta Carbonara" and we all wanted seconds, it was absolutely delish! I cant wait to pick another one and give it a shot!

38 Weeks and still Pregnant!

Today I am 38 weeks, which to some isn't so bad, but since Ryan was born at 37.2weeks I just KNEW I wouldn't make it this far this time.. I am now realizing how Ryan's pregnancy was a fluke and this baby may never come out! I was 3-4 cm at my appointment last Wednesday but I am not having strong or regular contractions so we have not made a trip to the hospital yet. I really want to meet this little boy or girl. I bet this stubborn baby is a little girl since Alexis was stubborn and born at 38.5 weeks. I was sick at the beginning of this week so I have been playing catch up with house work. Besides the kids room the house is baby ready. We even have all our bags packed. Now its just a sit and wait game, Hopefully I can post soon with a birth story!

Little Update

I have been slacking on updating so here is what is new with us. My Maternity leave from work officially starts on Monday, which means tomorrow will be my last day. I am super excited to be home with the kids, and doing some last minute things before the baby arrives. Alexis is very excited to see if this baby is a boy or girl, She has been hoping for a girl the entire time! Ryan has enjoyed kissing my belly and saying "baby". We have been teaching him how to be nice to some of the dolls around the house also, I'm very excited to see exactly how he will react! I have some pictures from Memorial Weekend, the kids had a blast swimming and playing with their cousin!

RYAN'S ROAD RASH

ALEXIS ENJOYING THE WATER

RYAN HUNTING FOR ANTS

SWIMMING LIKE A BIG BOY

CHILLING IN THE SPA

ALEXIS AND RILEY--BEST COUSINS

Dear Mom,

There isn't a day that goes by that I do not think of you or miss you. I wish you were here with me so I could come to you with questions about my own kids. I know God has a plan but he took you to soon from us and for that my Kids will never meet their "Grandma Carleen". I pray that you are watching over me everyday, I have noticed I have picked up some of your parenting habits(both good and bad).

Holidays are just not the same anymore--Not having you here to buy a gift for or to celebrate is very hard for me to handle. Some holidays are harder then others but NONE are easy. Alexis is a wonderful child, from what I have heard she is very much like me, I know you would adore her! Ryan is a pistol all in his own world, nothing can slow him down. Alexis knows that you are in Heaven now and that you are God's Daughter, she very much wants to grow old so she can meet you (bless her heart).

I don't want to dwell on the things that can't be, I want to celebrate the life that you lived and the 3 beautiful children you birthed! I want to laugh about the good times we had, the moments that I will always remember, I want to pray that I will leave these memories in the minds of my children. I want to have hopes and dreams that I can see them through life even when they are grown. I have these hopes and dreams because of the mother you were. We did not always see eye to eye, we did not always get along but we always had that bond that you cannot break between a mother and a daughter! I will be eternally grateful for the years we did get to share and the many memories I will carry with me for the rest of the my life. I am Thankful that you are my Mother, My very own mother!!

Carleen Ann
Loving Daughter, Mother Sister and Women
March 18th 1965-June 9th 2003