Emma's First Birthday

Everything in pink

Happy Birthday Baby!

What a doll!

Homemade raspberry cupcakes

Emma turned one year old on May 18th!  I can't believe she is a year old already.  We had a little family birthday party for her to celebrate.  She loved being sung Happy Birthday to, and loved being the center of attention. (which she usually is, anyway) It was so fun to finally be able to decorate a birthday party with pink!  Since she loves raspberries, I decided to make and decorate her cupcakes myself.  It's been such a change to have little girl toys around here for once.  I've waited eight years for this, and am loving every moment.  Her brothers were very excited for her birthday, as well.  Caden helped her blow out her candle, of course.  They were both very attentive when it came time to open her gifts.  Lots of darling little outfits and her very first doll house.  She has been such a blessing for all of us this past year.  I don't know what I would have done without her.  She is standing on her own, now, but still prefers to crawl everywhere.  Daddy is very happy she is off of formula, and Mommy is very happy she gets to ride in the car facing forward now, in a new car seat.  She is definitely our little princess. 

Spring Break

                         We went to Mexico for Spring Break this year.  The kids had a wonderful time at the beach and couldn't get enough of it.  Even  Emma loved playing in the sand and the tide pools.   She kept crawling towards the ocean and reminded me of a little sea turtle.  She was so happy and it was so cute how she tried to bounce on the sand.    Cooper was so proud of the big trigger fish he caught out on the Sea of Cortez.  And I just love watching Caden run so freely on the beach, without a  care in the world.   It was the first time Emma wore her new swimsuit and it was so fun to pick out a little girl swimsuit with ruffles!   I loved seeing the children so happy and carefree.   We had a wonderful time!

Our Christmas card included our newest addition this year:  Emma!

Cooper was baptized last Saturday.  I could hardly believe my baby is old enough to be baptized!  Where did the past 8 years go?  His cousins and grandparents participated in the program and it was really nice.  He wore his suit coat for the first time and looked so handsome in it.  We were so proud of him! 

Baby Blues

Those blue eyes...

Halloween 2011

The Pirate, Obi Wan Kenobi, and the Fairy Princess

Emma's first Halloween!

Brothers and best friends

Mike

My brother, Mike, passed away 2 weeks ago on October 6, 2011. He was 47 years old. Mike fought a very couragious fight against brain cancer. He survived 21 months from the date of his diagnosis in January 2010. He leaves behind his wife and 5 children. It's still very hard for me to believe. He came to the hospital on his way home from work the day I had my baby girl in May. He came into the room with a big, pink teddy bear. We thought many times that he was actually going to win this fight. So many blessings given, so may prayers. He suffered through debilitating pain from the tumors and the chemo and never complained. He was a warrior, fighting until the very end. I've looked up to him my entire life. He was the only sibling I ever really had a relationship with, and he taught me so much about life. It was an honor to be his younger sister and I will miss him immensely.

Mike and I were the last surviving children of my parents, and now it's just me. I have lost my dad and all three siblings within the past six years.