"The Graduate"

Call me a cynic (and I think most people would), but I think a cap and gown graduation for preschoolers is a bit much. However, it was a cute photo op, so here a couple pictures.

Housewife in Training

Shelby got this apron/oven mitt set for her birthday. This morning she decided to practice her cooking skills (pretending, and no, the oven is not on). What a cute little homemaker she'll be someday...curlers and all.

Happy Birthday, Shelby!

Gone are the days of calling her a baby, a toddler, or a preschooler! My big girl is now a 5 year old and a Kindergartener!Shelby chose a Hawaiian theme or her party.

The cousins decorated flip flops....

and she had her first pinata.

Shelby is such a blessing to us. She is so helpful, willing to lend a hand whenever possible. She is also very loving, an adoring big sister to both Jason and Ashley. It has especially been so encouraging to us to see her growth in knowledge of Christ and God's word this year and her soft heart as she prays for her friends and family. We truly treasure our big girl!

Welcome Ashley!

Ashley joined our family on May 18, 2009 at 9:46am,

weighing 7 pounds, 15 ounces, 20 inches long. This is the little baby we got to know the first night...she screamed all night!

Thankfully once she got adjusted to life outside the womb, she calmed down a bit.

Proud Mommy and Daddy hold Ashley (the name took a full day to be decided on).

The big kids meet their new baby sister. Jason keeps calling her "Suzie" and really only cares about her pacifier. When asked if he wanted to take Baby Sister home, his response was, "no." Now he seems to be fond of her and will give her an occasional kiss.

Our family of FIVE!

Shelby must be the most excited big sister ever! She is meticulous about washing her hands before she touches her and wants to hold her every chance she gets. The proud big sister got to name baby. Ashley was always her favorite name and it meant a lot to her that we use that name since Baby Girl looks a lot like Shelby.

Ashley Sharon is such a joy! She's a great eater and we are so blessed by her already! Praise God for a safe delivery, we love our baby girl!

Travel Town

Our last outing as a family of four. We went down to Travel Town in Griffith Park and walked around looking at trains. The kids like it and it was a beautiful day! It was much easier to handle than a day at Disneyland, at this stage in pregnancy.

April Pics

Apparently everyone except me is a photographer these days. This one is Daniel and Shelby at the park, thanks to the photography skills of Keri. Fun day, Keri!

Jason must be a taquito before Daddy leaves him to sleep at night. This takes being tucked in to a whole new level.

Jason recently finish his gymnastics class. He loved it. While Shelby had to learn to take turns and follow directions in her gymnastics class at 2, JD learned more independence and really came out of his shell. Of course...

...this is the reason I can no longer take him to gymnastics. I'm much to big, and SLOW-moving, to chase after him now that he's "out of his shell." This pic was taken at 36 1/2 weeks.

Easter- He is Risen!

This first picture is on Good Friday, with Jesus hanging on the cross, during our three hours of darkness. The single candle stayed lit until the three hours of darkness ended and Jesus "died". Shelby looks forward to this day all week.

He is Risen! Easter morning

Presley, Shelby and JD all dolled up.

March

So sorry to all you faithful bloggers. Really, I plan to update more faithfully, but well...it just comes down to laziness. I am growing a baby here! The pictures must be on the computer and not the camera for me to post them. We FINALLY downloaded pictures so I am FINALLY updating. The above pictures are from Shelby's crazy hair day at school. Man, that girl has a lot of hair!!!






This is Jason's "Fee, Fie, Foe, Fum" routine. He somehow picked up the giant's phrase...In case you can't understand it's, "Fee, Fie, Foe, Fumm....I smell....I smell.....MOMMY!"

Sea World Mini-Vacation

Sea World here we come!We decided to venture back to Sea World for a bit of family time. We spent a day and a half there. Both kids were a lot more adventurous and less scared this time.

Shelby thought she was so brave to hold the star fish (which I guess you're not allowed to do anymore..oops), but this time she ventured out to touch bat rays too. JD didn't seem to think star fish were scary, but most everything else was terrifying the first day.

The second day Jason was a lot less scared. He would say "look at dat!" and "oh a lil' baby" if he thought something seemed small.

We stayed at a beautiful Hilton right across the bay from Sea World. It was way nicer than places we normally stay thanks to Hotwire (I recommend you try it!).

Dusting of Snow

We got a little more snow last week. Shelby doesn't look forward to it anymore because she just thinks it's cold and wet. But this time Andrew was over, so they had lots of fun running around while the flakes came down. It didn't stick, but it sure was pretty while it lasted.

Disneyland Once More

Our passes expired this month and it will be awhile before we return to Disneyland. It was fun to go one last time with our friends, the Amandus Family. Shelby and Conner had so much fun showing each other their favorite parts of Disneyland and CA Adventure. Thanks, Brittany, Steve, and Conner for sharing the day with us, one last outing for you as a family of three!

Detective Case

The family at Jeff's badge ceremony. As of January 5th he is now a detective! We're so proud.

Officer Case, Detective Case get into a "use of force" with Suspect Case.

Tom with his LAPD children...Jeff, Amy, and Ryan.

Goodbye to Grammy

One week ago today we lost Grammy. Yesterday we said goodbye at "Grammy's Celebration." Here is what we will remember about Grammy. She LOVED her grandkids. To say she was generous and thoughtful is an understatement. There was never a month where the kids went without some sort of gift from Grammy. Whenever she went shopping, her grandkids benefited. She was always willing to watch the kids, even at a moment's notice. She just loved spending time with them. She LOVED us very much and we take comfort in knowing the joy she is now experiencing in the presence of our Savior.

Blessings: there is never a time that shows God's blessings more than tragedy. We look back at the last month and see 100 blessing God gave us just before this tragedy and in the midst of it...things we would have taken for granted without it. The huge turnout at the memorial--300+ people--was another blessing. Seeing how close the Case family is and the love they share is another blessing. And seeing the way our church body rallied around to serve our family is still another one. What a gracious, loving, faithful God we serve.

We still miss Grammy, but we do not mourn without hope that we will see her again in glory.

Happy Birthday, JD!

My little boy is two today! He is so much fun and I enjoy him much more than I thought I could ever enjoy a boy! He's still sweet and cuddles often and says the funniest things-- "Licious" (while rubbing his tummy) or "grave, Mommy!" (wanting to sing Low in the Grave before bed).

For his birthday we got him a scooter so he doesn't have to commandeer his sister's anymore. We had a fun lunch with friends, where plenty of boys taught JD how to play in the snow. Then we went to the mall where he did everything he always asks to do, but the answer is always no...candy, ice cream, riding the electric rides, and getting a ball from the toy machine...what else could a boy ask for? Dinner? Pizza and french fries, followed by, what will most likely be, a Mickey Mouse movie and a bath. It's fun being two!

Snow, Snow, Snow!

I know, most people say, "what's the big deal?" But when we get snow here, we all jump outside with cameras and take pics before it all disappears. I even woke Shelby up early so she would be sure not to miss it. Of course, that was before I realized it would snow for more than 12 hours nonstop and we'd get just over a foot of snow! So the initial pictures really aren't worth much.

The kids mostly lasted about five to ten minutes at a time before appendages were too cold and the whining began. I don't know how often people let their kids play out in the snow, but it sure is a lot of work!

Snow Angels from my Snow Angel was a highlight.

Snow makes any place beautiful! What a great picture of God covering our sin and making us pure and clean. It sure was quiet and beautiful!

Having to shovel the driveway and help neighbors with cars that were stuck was the other side to our snow experience, not to mention sliding around the roadways. I'm not sure I'm ready to live in it yet(sorry, Jess), but we sure had a blast! And I hear more may be coming!

Christmas Festivities!

This is how Shelby helps Daddy put lights on the house. (No, I do not condone this one bit)

I know it's blurry, but this is how JD helps me do my Christmas baking.

We took the train ride in Filmore known as the Polar Express. Shelby was relieved that we didn't go across ice or up and down mountains. It was a fun time with Nema and Poppi. And hearing Jason call, "All Aboard!!" like 20 times was priceless too.

Christmas tree hunting was quite the chore this year. After 10 tree lots we settled for a tree that we didn't particularly love, but it was all worth it, not having to tell Shelby she would not be able to get her tree that day (the tears were starting to well up). Now I like our tree and hopefully next year we won't be as picky.

We went to an LAPD family Christmas party with Aunt Amy. It was fun with the cousins and Shelby was excited to wear her Christmas dress, which she wants to wear every day. Jason got a train whistle from Santa and you'd think he struck gold. I love that the little things are so amusing to a two year old.