Graves Family...minus Daddy!

I got the honor of taking some pictures for a very good friend of mine and her boys about a month ago. I thought we were never going to get them done becuase of the crazy weather we were having. I am just now posting them because it was a gift for her husband for Fathers Day. She said he loved them, so my job was done! It was SO much fun. S-thank you for not going to Penny's or Sears, and I hope you are happy with your pics! Here are a few of the many I took.

Welcome home...finally!

Okay, so now that we are in the new house and somewhat settled, perhaps I can find a few minutes a week to write on the blog again! I has been a crazy and chaotic couple of months around here! The last few months at the apartment were insane. Daniel was traveling, I had to go through not one, but two surgeries. We had to be out of the apartment on the last day of March and the new house did not seem close to being done (but our builder did work a few miracles and we made it, although we had no yard and the paint was not completed on the outside on move in day). There were some tears shed the last few weeks, like when I realized the cabinets were not designed right in our master bath. The sinks and lights were not centered and we had a center cabinet on the wall between the sinks that was not going to fit once we put mirrors up. Daniel was gone and I came to the house to check everything out, FYI it looked like extreme makeover in my house. There were at least 20 workers here to get it all done for us to be out of the apartment. Anyway...I walked into our master bath and had to walk out because it was like a bad dream. Nothing was centered, and the granite was in with the sink holes cut out. I instantly started to freak. I grabbed Matt and Todd (aka the trim guys). We knew them fairly well because they were at the house everyday for about two weeks. They came in the bathroom, and they didn't have to say anything because the look on their faces said it all. I said "I just want to let you know I am going to cry." They were very helpful and we got it figured out (thank goodness). We had to take a cabinet down that was between the sinks and move some lights, but it all worked out.
Throughout this process I realized what little we need in order to survive. I wish Daniel had taken everything in our two storage units to the Goodwill instead of the new house, because now I have to find somewhere for all this stuff, and I am feeling a little overwhelmed. We have been here for over a month, and have put no decorations up because I'm afraid I'm going to change my mind, and if anyone has glazed walls you know they can't be touched up! Owen still wants to go back to the the "partment." I think it is because we were all so close. They have a play room upstairs, and I think they have played in it maybe 5 times. I think I'm going to give away all the toys too!
Easter was our first holiday at the new house and here are a few pictures! Yes that is a steri-strip on E's nose. Daniel and his cousin Clint were watching the kids when Melody and I went to pick up dinner (we were gone for literally 45 minutes) and Owen hit him in the nose with our bed rail. I also forgot to mention that the 3 year olds were playing with REAL darts while their daddy's were downstairs. That's what happens when you leave the two of them with the kids!

Save the Tatas

Save the Tatas...I love that phrase, I don't know why, but I just do. I have not had a loved one that has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and I hope I never do. My friend Erin's mom just got diagnosed with it recently, and has to have a mastectomy this week. A few of us girls got together tonight to make some meals for Erin's mom and dad to make their lives a little easier after the surgery. Erin made us all pink ribbon aprons, and they were super cute!

We had a great night spending some time together, and I know that we made Erin's day! Thank you Jaime for organizing it all, and hosting "cooking club" for the month...girls I am not kidding... we should do this monthly. I really think a cooking club would be a grand idea! We will just switch off houses?!?!

Erin, please know that your family is in my thoughts and prayers, your mom is such an amazing person and she will do great!

Happy 5th Birthday Ethan

Wow...how the years do fly. Today (I guess yesterday now)was my baby's 5th birthday. I remember the day I “knew” I was pregnant. Daniel and I lived in Washington, and we were out to dinner. I was one week away from graduating from the University of Washington, and so ready to celebrate. I said to Daniel, "I think I need to go get a pregnancy test before I go out tomorrow after class." He was like "whatever," but I did it anyway. We got home, and it said to do it in the morning, but I couldn't wait. So, I think it took like 5 seconds for it to show up. I wish I was not the only one who saw Daniel's face. He was on cloud nine, and I think that is one of the happiest moments of his life. We both looked at each other and started crying, for joy of course. Daniel went to every, I mean every, doctor appointment with me. He loved to hear the heartbeat. We wanted the gender to be a surprise, so we waited the whole nine months to meet “snickle fritts”. I vaguely remember him coming into the world. I was in labor for several hours, and ended up having an emergency c-section. When the doctor was debating on what to do, I remember seeing the fear in Daniel's eyes, but at that point I think he was more worried about me than the baby. I don't remember hearing Ethan cry, I do remember the doctor saying "it's a boy" and looking over at Daniel. He had the biggest smile on his face with tears rolling down his cheeks. They brought Ethan over to me wrapped up like a baby burrito and my heart melted. I was in love with this little man who looked just like his daddy, (actually those were the first words can came out of my mouth when I saw him). I could not wait to hold him. It seemed like an eternity because I had to spend awhile in recovery. I will never forget the first time I held him, it was the most wonderful experience of my life, knowing that this little person depended on you for EVERYTHING. He was the best little baby (well, almost, his baby brother is giving him a run for his money!) He smiled all the time, and with his eyes too. He loved to feel skin. It was so funny because I remember Jaime holding him one day, and Ethan kept putting his hand down her shirt and she said, “I feel like I’m being violated by a 6 month old!” As he grew older him and Emma would sit next to each other on the couch, and when he would get tired he would suck his thumb and rub her neck, she would look at him like…what are you doing? Emma and Ethan were best friends, and I am sure they still are (they did not have much choice since Jaime and I spent everyday together). Unfortunately, I don’t remember all the cute things he did in his earlier years (you were right mom…I hate saying that!).
Ethan, These are my most memorable things about you this year…
1) You have learned to read!
2) You still want to snuggle every night
3) You still call me mama
4) Your are extremely talented in sports (I think this is daddy’s favorite)
5) You stopped sucking your thumb
6) Sometimes you start laughing at silly things and can’t stop
7) It took you 30 minutes to come downstairs at Emma’s house because you put on her ballet leotard, and only because she wanted you to so bad. You were so embarrassed but let Mommy and Jaime take pictures anyway. (Daddy was not happy about this at all, and only said it was okay because a girl wanted you to do it
8) You started big boy school, and never looked back when I dropped you off, I cried
9) You give me a kiss and hug every morning when you get out of the car
10) It cracks me up when you say “what the…”
11) You are a great big brother
12) You are not a morning person like Mommy, and stubborn just like Daddy!
Here is my wish for you (with tears pouring)...
Ethan,
I love you more than words can say. I love being your Mommy. My goal is for you to someday be just like your Daddy.
He is an amazing man, and well respected. You have a great role model and I am greatful for that (thank you mom and dad #2 for raising such a wonderful man). He works hard, and loves, and respects his family…that is what you should strive for. He makes the right decisions with his life and I pray that you will too (I know you don’t understand these words, but someday you will). Grammy, Grumpy, Papa and Nana love you too, and would do anything for you…always remember that. Your grandparents are very important people in your life. You are blessed to have so many people that love you so much in your life.
So, these last words to you… Godspeed little man…I love you, and can’t wait to see what you grow up to be (well I can, because it is going so fast. It will be here before we know it, and my grandpa always said “don’t wish your life away”)! I already am so proud of you!
With all my love,
Mommy (and Daddy)
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Loving My New Christmas Presents!!!

Daniel got me some photography books for Christmas, and I bought a new lens with some of my Christmas money, and I absolutely love them, I can't get enough picture taking! I took some pictures of our niece on her first birthday. I could not choose which ones I wanted to post so these are my favorites! It was so hard to decide....isn't she adorable!!!

I think this is my favorite!

This is Daniel's favorite!

Pictures and the joys of "single" parenting

So, I am going to take the time to post some pictures of our California trip. I am doing this because I don't feel like doing anything else, and I am stuck in the apartment, due to the fact that I was up all night with a puking 7-month old, and then after three hours of sleep I was woken up by a puking 5-year old (well almost 5 he will let you know he is still 4 when he is getting into trouble, and I say you are 5-years old Ethan, you should know better. I know he gets his stubbornness from you Daniel!) You would think that an "almost" 5-year old could make it to the bathroom, but that is simply not the case when they are woken up from a sound sleep with an upset tummy. Not only was there a trail of puke from his bed to the bathroom, it was bright red because he had red pop with his dinner...so much for getting our deposit back on the apartment! Did I mention Daniel left for Chicago yesterday, so I was taking care of sick babies by myself...not fun. Thank goodness he is coming home tonight, because I am sure it is only a matter of time before I get it!

The walk down to the beach!

Grammy, Noah and Owen

Owen and Grammy Making sandcastles

Feeding the Seals

Doesn't he look so cute in those Uggs...Daniel hates them, I LOVE them!

Evy looking for crabs

Ryan and Erin with Eli...they are so sweet with him! Not sure who wins aunt of the year award...Erin went to Disneyland with us while have tonsillitis, but Lisa took Eli for two nights when we went. I think I am going to have to call it a tie!

Aren't they the cutest couple... ha ha...if I had to see any more PDA between them I was going to throw up!!! Would you propose all ready Ryan? But, seriously...I think you are going to make a great addition to our family and I am glad she found you!

A little beach football with the boys!

The Burkhart Family! What can I say...they are a beautiful family and I just love them all to pieces. They would do anything for us...Darren has offered to help us move when the house is done. He is the best and Lisa you are the best "big sister", I am so blessed to have the four of you in my life! I wish we were closer!

Running from the waves under the pier

Owie lost his "quab" (aka crab)

And that was our first trip to the beach since we've had kids, and they loved it! Pictures of Christmas are coming soon!