Spring Time, Ice Capades & Gymnastics

Last week we had a fun Mommy Monday! We started with jumping on the bed and then headed to gymnastics and came home and played outside.

Papa and Nana took the girls and I to the princess ice capades. Of course they had to dress up as Jasmine and Cinderella. They had so much fun seeing all the princesses...Gabby kept waving to Jasmine and talking to her. They were so enchanted.

Saturday, Bella had her first gymnastics recital. She was so excited to get a trophy.

Gabby has been so funny lately...Daddy has taught her to fart when someone pulls her finger. The last few days she's come up to us and says "pull my finger" then she'll laugh and say I tooted.

Bella has been spelling everything. She'll spell words on coloring books, cereal boxes, magazines. She's doing well with her sight words. I'm torn to test her into Kindergarten early, but I think we'll just do private kindergarten at her school next year...I'm just hoping she won't be bored when she starts public school in a few years. She surprises her teachers with words she knows...guess all the reading at night has paid off.

I can't believe how much they've grown and how we now run around to activities for them. Having Jeremiah join the family soon should be interesting. The girls can't wait to help and I can't wait to not be pregnant anymore. If he's early like the girls we have about 10 weeks...which seems really soon but the next 5 weeks are busy with Easter, Mother's Day, finishing soccer, and getting ready for Gabby to turn 3. It will be here before we know it.

Bella lost her first tooth!

After her gymnastics recital today all the kids got Popsicles. Her bottom tooth had been wiggly since Monday, but as we were driving in the car. She handed me her tooth and said, "Mommy, this was hurting my mouth." I said Bella "That's your tooth, it came out." She got the biggest grin and said "The tooth fairy gets to come tonight!" She made an envelope and promptly put it under her pillow.

Bella's Soccer Team

Bella started soccer and had her first game was on Saturday. She was such a good listener at her practice. She was so intent and focused on what the coach said. Most of the kids just kept wanting snacks from their parents, but Bella just kept playing.
This Saturday at her first game, she was so cute. The rain held off, but the wind really kicked up. They practiced about 30 minutes before the game, so here's Bella kicking the ball into the net before the game.
Bella scored her first goal!!! In practice they only did drills, so once they started playing 3 on 3 none of the kids really knew what to do or which way to go! It was funny to watch...I'm sure once they have a few more games they will get the hang of it.

Joel's 2nd Mini

I figured I should post something since Christmas has since been long over. In January, Joel ran his 2nd mini. It was a beautiful day. The girls and got there about an hour and a half after we thought Joel had started. As we waited at the finish line, cheer leading outfits and signs ready, I started to black out. Luckily there were some nice ladies that had a protein bar, but I just kept wondering if they call the paramedics what will happen to Bella and Gabby. I sat for awhile and finally the world stopped spinning long enough to get to the family area. We sat there waiting for Joel to text and when he did, the poor guy who just ran 13 miles had to bring me his snacks and Gatorade. I felt horrible and it took us stopping twice to get back to the car even though Joel carried everything and the kids back...I was just in horrible shape and all I did was walk the girls a 1/2 mile to a finish line. Anyway we were so proud of Joel.

Christmas

I can't believe it's past the middle of January and I'm just posting Christmas. The girls LOVED Christmas this year, and I still can't believe there will be a 3rd little one this time next year.Gabby loves her pianobut her favorite thing was BUBBLES...she is obsessed with packing bubbles.Bella loved the Barbiesand Gabby loves her Barbie slippers she got at the family exchangeThey LOVE Papa and Nana's present of a swing set...and it wears them out so it's really a present for me I think.

After Christmas we headed to Ohio. We flew into Indy and stopped by Great-grandpa and Great-grandma Newells. They had quite a bit of snow. Bella tried a snow angel but it was on a hill so it ended up being more a butterfly.

At Granna and Pappa's house there wasn't as much snow, but they still made a snowman with corn for eyes and a carrot nose.The girls loved the dolls and the clothes that Granna made for them.They especially loved their cousins...and keep asking to go play with them.As my 2nd trimester begins I'm more exhausted. I'm not sure why, maybe because the girls are wearing me out. I'm not sure if they are acting out because of the baby, but it's exhausting. I'm hoping once we find out what we're having it might calm down. But of course they have been funny. Nana picked them up today for mani-pedis and Bella ran to get her friend Dazzer to introduce him to Nana. She said "This is Dazzer. Mommy says when I grow up and go to college I can marry Dazzer." Then Bella proceeded to pick Dazzer up off the ground. Just like my girl taking charge.

The other night Bella said "God I love you to the stars." Gabby says "I'm going to dream of pancakes, eggies, rainbows and unicorns." Tonight Bella said "I can't stay in bed I have ants in my pants."

Grandma Shotton

Grandma Shotton passed away early Monday morning. (12.13.10). She was two hours late to their 71st anniversary. To say she was amazing is an understatement. When I was little, Ryan and I would spend countless hours at their house with my cousins Les & Nate. We would have sleep overs and build tents. We'd wake up to Grandma making us the perfect animal pancakes...I still don't know how her animals came out so perfect no matter what animal it was. We'd play on her typewriter, ride her bike, help her with her strawberries and tomato garden, play in grandpa's old pick up, build tents, go on walks to the duck pond and look for baby eggs, walk and pick wild flowers in Pinetop, build forts, play her organ or her harmonica, road trips to Kansas, the memories could go on and on. She encouraged us to explore and be adventurous. Her face would light up when we'd walk into the room. Her family meant the world to her, but so did God. He always came first and she was a true prayer warrior. Her faith was unwavering and her service was steadfast. She and my grandfather were amazing examples and love and faith. I enjoyed reading her devotions to her and she would always say "that was a good one". She was beautiful and her eyes shined. Her wisdom always was true. Although I am happy she is back with Grandpa and both are with the Lord, it still leaves an empty space in all of our hearts. Grandma and Grandpa you will be missed and although I'm sure Nate is showing you

around...I can't wait to catch up with you in heaven where we will have eternity.

Getting ready for the holidays

Well I finally had time to sit down and catch up the blog. I know I haven't been so good about this, so hopefully everyone follows us on Facebook...it seems easier to put snippets about what is going on on there. So anyway here's a little catch up.

The girls in typical fashion have been funny. Their personalities are becoming more unique. You can tell in how they say good night. The other day Bella said "Mommy I love you all the way to Heaven" Gabby said "Good Night Toodles".

Bella is very sensitive. She'll say "I love you mommy" out of the blue, or come up and hug us. She gets worried people don't like her clothes, so I'm trying to instill that it doesn't matter as long as she does. The other day she wanted to buy presents for kids that didn't have any. It means a lot that she's learning the importance of giving at such a young age.

Her inquisitive little mind did get a rock stuck up her nose a few weeks ago. I had to go pick her up and then Papa had to get it out with forceps...pinchers as she called them. It took 3 of us to hold her down. I think she was for afraid of forceps than it actually hurt her.

Gabby is our little comedian. She seems to be okay with having a brother or a sister now. For awhile she would insist on only having a sister. We would try and tell her that Jesus would decide what we would have and we'll be happy with a brother or sister and she would reply "Jesus better pick a sister, a girl, girl, girl". Finally she has turned the corner when I explained she could play catch with a brother, since she loves sports and has quite an arm. I think she's just excited to be a big sister. She prays for the baby every night and hugs and kisses my tummy. She is still a little lover and definitely Daddy's girl. We are trying to discipline her more as we recognize she gets away with so much more than Bella.