Friday, September 3, 2010

Even tough we're still a few days away, I HAD to...

Post these pictures. They mean so much to me, and remind me of his story, and how he was perfectly weaved in to my life. The first picture is a couple weeks before I had Nolan(those Lovenox injection sites are something =) The rest, well they are seconds after he was born, hours, and a couple days thereafter. There are also a few of my favorites from his 1st, & 2nd bIrThDaY! My little guy, still a baby boy in my eyes, just barely 3! Which reminds me, neither of my children went through the terrible 2's~both hit their naughty stage at 3~good times! More to come after we celebrate his 3rd!!!

I have Colbie Caillat Bubbly on my playlist. Literally EVERY time I hear it, it reminds me of my labor/delivery with Nolan. I made a CD to bring in to the hospital and play while I was in labor(not surprising to those of you who know how much I love music!) Bubbly was playing as NJP was entering this world...So that song is very special to me.























Saturday, August 28, 2010

Summer Brings So Many of Our Favorite Things~



I can't believe summer is just about over =( It went by way too fast this year!!! I think maybe that's the case when you have kids in school, It seems as though Liv just finished Kindergarten. She starts 1st grade in 4 days, WHOA!

I came across this picture of Nolan(my sweet & spicy, almost 3 year old) when I downloaded pictures from the camera. Shane must have taken it. It just reminded me of the goodness of summer. Here are a few of our favorite summer things~

  • Bike rides, walks in the evening after dinner(it stays light out for so long!)

  • Parks, splash pads, swimming pools, and lakes

  • Fun summer treats

  • Warm sun and breeze

  • No set bedtime

  • IcE CrEaM, LOTS of it

  • 2 very special bIrThDaYs to celebrate
    • Tuesday, August 24, 2010

      NO TRAINING WHEELS!!!

      A week ago we were on a family walk and Liv said "when we get home I want you to take my training wheels off my bike!" For a minute I thought, really?(I'm a little selfish I guess, not wanting her to grow up.) It reminded me, again, what a "big girl" she's becoming. So, we took them off, Shane followed her around the cul de sac a few times, and she took off! She figured it out so quickly, she's got great balance and that was in her favor. So here she is, flying around the neighborhood on her bike. She LOVES riding her bike, one of her favorite things to do each day. Enjoy!

      Sunday, August 22, 2010

      "Welcome to Starbucks"


      Oh my, how I love, Love, LOVE the animation of this little lady. She has me rolling when she's in her dramatic play bubble. *I should mention that Olivia really enjoys pretending to drink coffee, and everytime we go to a coffee shop wants a to go cup to take home.She was thrilled to get a tiny little Starbucks apron from Tabitha for her birthday. It's exactly like the one's the Barista's at Starbucks wear. Tabitha is one of those super creative people(who I SO WISH I WAS,) and put together a really darling gift for Liv. So, she came over the other day to make crafts with Olivia and they had a little extra time to play "coffee at Starbucks." Olivia set up the mock Starbucks station at the window. She had all kinds of props~I small coffee pot that really sucked up water and poured it back out into the coffee pot, Starbucks to go cups, Starbucks gift card, fruit snacks(in case there were little one's in the car with customers.) She would ask Tabitha questions like "do you have any kids?, would they like some water?" When Tabitha played the role of the Barista she asked Olivia if she worked and what she was up to. Liv's response "I work at Nordstrom, and a baby hospital." Then she went on about how she liked her job but not really because she couldn't be home with her kids. Whenever Olivia is pretending to be a mom she has this high pitched voice & fake laugh that makes me laugh so hard my belly hurts. She is so funny! Tab and I were laughing so hard we had tears in our eyes. Not laughing at Olivia of course, we just couldn't believe how animated she was/IS!





      Saturday, August 7, 2010

      pUrE bLiSs

      Olivia's 6! The other day my mom said "Now she has to count her age on both hands, not just one." I told her to stop saying that! Those are the simple realities that make me teary eyed! Not to mention 1st grade~which I WON'T talk about yet. So back to Liv's bIrThDay. The night before her birthday I asked her what she wanted for breakfast on her birthday. She asked for pancakes, & fruit. When we came down to the kitchen birthday morning there was a white paper bag with a little note on it for Olivia. Shane had stopped by Donuts to Go(one of Olivia's favorite places,) on his way to work and picked out a strawberry, pink frosted/sprinkled donut for Liv. He got one for NJP too. So that's how she started her day, a yummy donut & milk.

      Olivia wanted The Princess & the Frog theme this year. So that's what we did. When my friend Siri heard the news she immediately thought of a doll cake she wanted to try. In case you don't know, Siri has become "the cake lady" of Spokane. You will see lots of pictures of the cake, it was really amazing! I think she's replaced Stefanie! Another request of Liv's, to rent a HUGE water slide for her 6th birthday. We did that too, and had the party out at Shane's parents on the lake. Such a perfect setting...huge yard, water, cool breeze, an awesome zipline made by Papa Walker, pinata, treats, lots of family, friends, it was great! Olivia is so blessed to have so many people around her who love her so much. Everyone was beyond gracious/generous and she was very thankful for all of them all!

      I love her so much, and wish I could just catch up with how fast her years are going by. I am excited to see how she flourishes, and all the blessings that will come along this year for her. I know she had such a blast on her birthday. During her party she told me "Mom, this is the best birthday ever, and I'm never going to forget my 6th birthday."

      A special thanks to everyone who helped make her day so special~especially to our friends who are our family! Whether you brought plastic forks to the party, helped frost/decorate cupcakes, picked up pizza's, let me borrow things for the party, made an amazing princess & the frog cake ;) I'm thankful & grateful for it all! XxOo
      HaPpY BiRtHdAy breakfast!
      I'm 6 now!
      Cupcakes!
      Isn't Tiana perfect?!
      Nolan got a little crazy with the sunscreen!
      Nolan & Daddy go down the slide 1st!
      Splash!


      The Princess & Frogs
      Make a WiSh!

      The Wells Bros

      E & O
      She was so excited to open gifts
      I got her a white watch~she's always trying to wear my white one =)

      Sweet little girls
      Pinata Time!



      I LOVE THIS picture of all the kids!




      Yay Nolan
      CUTE

      Olivia with her cousin Evan

      LOVE this picture of Gam, Liv, and cousins!