Decorating Done?

Here are some current photos of the house...

Family Photos November 2009

In an effort to get a jump on the Christmas cards, I set us up to take portraits again this year with Nicole/Moonlighting Photography. Unfortunately, it was scheduled for a Sunday on which Heath works, so by the time we got there it was already dark outside. The kids were tired, I was tired, Heath was tired...needless to say, we hurried the session along. Fortunately, we got a few good shots from the magic that Nicole captures! We were probably in and out of there in about 45 minutes where as under normal circumstances she takes as long as needed to "get the shot" we want or need. She does a great job and I'm never disappointed. The kids could cooperate a little more, though...oh well, that's how it goes. I'm hoping we can do another session in March for Cole's 3rd birthday with the Razorback outfits I got the kids on our summer trip. They are cold-weather sports outfits, so hopefully it will still be cool/cold next March! If we can get the kids to pose together, too...

Our First Home

Oh yeah...so I keep forgetting to publish the photos of the house keeping up with FB and myspace (they're on there!)forgetting that FB copies what I have here so I would only have to write it once...HELLO! Anyway, we returned from our summer vacation to find out that we got the house of our dreams, the one we had been holding out for, praying for while we let all the other good ones, ready ones, for-sure ones go...worrying about whether or not we would have a place to live since the house we were renting was going into forclosure and the bank wanted us out so they could sell it...I prayed and prayed for this house and the Lord delivered! And what a blessing this year (past 12 months) has been with the house and Alora coming into our lives! It all worked out in the end and we got a great deal to boot! Enjoy the photos and I hope you can drop by sometime and see it for real...nevermind that I have to clean in shifts!...I'll burn a candle for you!

Halloween 2009

We took the kids to the District Trick-or-Treating this year and to their "Ghost Walk" hoping for something different and interesting. The District at Green Valley Ranch Hotel and Casino is an outdoor shopping mall, a true Mall in that it is a street that is blocked from cars and has shops on both sides of the street. It is a favorite shopping place of mine that I shopped regularly my first year of teaching when I was revamp my wardrobe from the Hawaii beach wear and lifeguarding job to becoming a teacher. Now, mind you, I have neither the funds nor motivation and still wear the wardrobe from five years ago! That's quality, folks! Also, I would rather spend my money on pink baby clothes! Remember, Cole's wardrobe has been provided by my generous coworkers and will last/have sizes up to 6! He's still in a 2-3! Off the subject...so the Ghost Walk was interesting with Circus tents and characters handing out candy. The shops side was reminiscent of the Galleria Mall last year with a line of people snaking and blocking all of the shops. We staying on the street catching sight of oddly placed merchants and Trick-or-Treated with them!
After all, there was no contest of obtaining the most candy that night. We just wanted Cole and Alora (Mommy and Daddy, too!) to see the costumes and experience the evening. But really, Mommy just wanted to show off her little Snow White!
The night ended well with a lollipop on the way home and then right to bed!

Summer Vacation

We took three weeks off from Vegas and drove to Arkansas to Michigan and back. This would be the first visit for Alora to meet everyone. It was a long, dreadful drive, but worth it. Heath and I took a combined total of over 400 photos of which I have sifted through and found the ones of family and my personal favorites. Those were posted on facebook and myspace. I have a few that could go up here...

Alora's First Summer

Since Alora sat up on her own on April 22nd, it's been nonstop entertainment! She has been trying to get Cole to play with her showing him toys, rattling them at him, following him, babbling at him...she started solid food and was reintroduced to formula on May 3rd. She shuddered at the first taste of the plain rice cereal. Since then, she has been eating well...eating anything! She seems to save her milk for naps and bedtime sipping on it throughout the day. Alora was still pushing backwards at the end of May in an effort to crawl, but did not take steps FOREWARD until July 2nd. She would only take two steps at a time for the first couple of days, then four steps, stop, sit up, and try two or four steps again a short while after. She started waving the first of June. She would also clap and babble in excitement!

She now crawls exploring all the edges of the house, following Cole, her beloved big brother only now he will play with her. Alora's face lights up, she smiles big for Cole. He says Hi to her, hugs her, gives her kisses (if you ask!), and brings toys to her. I was so hopeful and still am that they will grow close and stay that way as life-long friends. She cries when he leaves the room in a hurry and she can't follow quickly enough. She is pulling herself up getting ready to walk. Soon she and Cole will be running around together! She signals me when she's tired and ready for a nap by pulling on my leg or resting her head in my lap. When she wants to feed herself, she bangs on her tray. When she wants picked up, she holds out her hand. When she's thirsty, she'll crawl into the kitchen! What more can I say, but that I am truly blessed! I wouldn't be surprised if she was walking in the next couple months.

Crawling Soon...

Alora is just a little rollie-pollie! She definitely wants to play with Cole. I watched her yesterday, roll one way towards Cole on one side of the house, and then Cole was on the other side of the house, and Alora rolled in the other direction...and rolled and rolled! She is also asking for things. She will clap her hands on her pudgy thighs concentrating on what she wants as if to summons it. I tried it out...she was doing this with Cole's piggy and coin toy, so I brought her within reach and she grasped onto it as if trying to pick it up and examine it! It was adorable! TBC...