First Day of School!

 This week Everett started kindergarten at Perdew Elementary.  The transition to a new school was very smooth mostly because of the transitional kindergarten class Everett did last year.  He is so lucky to have a few of his favorite friends from last year in his class again this year.  His teacher's name is Mrs. Gaitan and seems very sweet.

 At home he is doing amazing academically.  We practiced sight words through the summer and now he can read!  He reads easy books and it takes a lot of prompting, but I am so proud that my kindergartener can read.  Everett and I made this list:

 I love the part about scratchy clothes, that is so him.  I also like the beach as something he wants to do.  He has always loved the beach.

 Hudson started Pre-K at Water of Life this week.  His transition was also very easy.  He is staying at the same school as last year and going on the same days.  The only thing different is his teacher.  Hudson is 3 years old and he was put in a class with 4 year olds that are turning 5, so I hope he can keep up!  He will have the same teacher that Everett had 2 years ago, Mrs. Anna.

 Hudson does amazing at home.  He knows all his letters and their sounds, numbers, shapes.  We are working on holding scissors and writing.  He recently told me how to spell his name and I was impressed!  We made this list recently:

I am sad that Kinslie, his good friend from school, will not be in his class this year.  They were best buddies last year and when she switched classes and the end of the year, he did not take it well.  I know he will make a lot of new friends this year though.  I love that he said he doesn't like "booty spankings" and that he is really strong.  He often talks about how strong or how fast he is or how high he can jump!
I hope my boys have an amazing time each and every day at school!

Chris and Jamie are married!

 We had an amazing time at the most beautiful wedding I have ever been to!  My brother married the love of his life Jamie last night and we gained a sister-in-law/auntie and FIVE new cousins for the kids!

 The ceremony and reception were at The Mitten building in Redlands.  It had the most beautiful old, historic, rustic look to it and made for the perfect back drop to my pictures.

 Inside, the reception had beautiful black tulle and black lanterns that completed that glamourus rustic look.  They also had an ice cream station, 3 cake flavors, and a photo booth.  Of course I didn't get any inside pictures....it's too hard to carry a camera and chase 3 children!

 The wedding party was huge, but everyone fit perfectly together. 

We had so much fun being part of their special day.  The kids had a blast dancing and were very well behaved throughout the wedding and reception.  Hudson's favorite part?  "Shaking my booty!"  That was my favorite part too! And I was very happy to see it rain on their wedding day.  It rained on my wedding day and Jeremy and I have been married for 12 years.  I know that rain brings good luck to a marriage.  Congrats Chris and Jamie!!

Ella's 1st Birthday!

 Someone pinch me...I can't believe my tiny baby is 1 already. 

 This sweet baby girl had an amazing 1st birthday.  She got to eat cupcakes and pizza for the first time and loved them both!

 We had a party at My Gym to celebrate her first year.  She had a great time exploring the gym and playing with all of her friends.

 Ella LOVES Bubble Guppies and was very excited to have them as part of her birthday.

Ella has been the best addition to our family and I don't think I could even say in words how grateful I am for her.  Since the day she was born we have all been head over heels in love with this brown-eyed beauty!  She is the sweet, snuggly, loveable baby that I dreamed she would be....she is wonderful!  Ella weighs 18 pounds and is 28 inches tall.  She has 8 teeth.  She has taken a few steps on her own, but prefers to be carried.  She has never even been a great crawler.  She is slow, and drags one leg and would much rather someone carry her around.  She points at what she wants.  She can sign more and all done.  She is very sweet and gives out lots of hugs and kisses.  She will eat almost anything we feed her, but still eats mostly baby food.  Recently I gave her a fork and she seems to be pro already.  She will happily go to almost anyone, but of course prefers her mom!  She has some really cute nick-names.  My boys both love her SO much.  Everett thinks she is amazing and says that the day she was born was his best day ever!  The two of them have a really special bond.  I can't say enough about this sweet baby.  She is really amazing!  Happy birthday Ella.

Our 2013 Holiday Season

 The Holidays were busy and fun this year.  I didn't take very many photos, but at least I got a few of my precious kids all dressed up!  This was Thanksgiving.

 I am so glad we decided to take family photos this year!  I just love how these pictures turned out!

 We had an amazing time at The Polar Express in Williams, Arizona.  The best part was sledding in the backyard of the amazing house we stayed in.  The boys did this for hours and had so much fun!

 Christmas celebrations were a blast as always!  The kids always get way too many gifts and this year was no exception.  They got remote control planes from the movie planes, lots of building toys, memory games, movies, stuffed animals, and lots of other things.

 I am going to dress them up in matching outfits as long as they will let me!  I love how Everett is holding Ella in the following picture, he loves her SO much!

And that is about it for our holidays.  The were wonderful and filled with lots of celebrations with family and friends!