Blanket by T

I wanted to take this picture for you, Teren. I just love this blanket SO MUCH. Isabella does too :) It is adorable and looks perfect on her bed. Thank you for all the time, creativity and effort you put into this! Love you lots!

Splash Pad Fun!

Today we had to do a little Birthday shopping, so we took a trip to the "Shoppes". I have been wanting to hit the stores for weeks, but haven't had the opportunity. I didn't do much shopping today either, but we had a nice afternoon out. We got lunch, the kids played at the splash pad, and then we hit a few stores and got pinkberry for a treat. I think we will go again next week :) I haven't done as many fun activities with the kids as I would have liked this summer. I don't know whether it is just because I am exhausted all the time and being lazy, or what?! There always seems to be shopping, cleaning, birthdays to plan and things to be done! I am honestly looking forward to Bella going back to school so I can have that time to take a walk and do a few errands with only one child in tow! Plus I want her to wear all the fabulous new clothes she has hanging in her closet waiting. Ha-Ha!

5th Birthday - Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour

Sunday was Isabella's actual 5th Birthday! We woke up with our traditional Birthday Toast. She opened some presents and fielded phone calls from people singing Happy Birthday!

We then got dressed up in her most exquisite ensemble and went to the Mission Viejo Mall to meet family at Farrell's Ice Cream parlour. We stopped by at Build-a-Bear for a birthday treat, then rode the train around the mall and had a little snack!

We met our family at Farrell's where they had made special effort to be exquisite! So adorable. Grammy had on special jewelry, shoes and put a broach on her purse! Aunt Jenny and Taylor also put on some fabulous eye shadow and dressed fancy. Oh, even Rylie got in on the action! It was adorable! AND you see Daddy's Fancy Ensemble above. Swim trunks, white shoes and his white hat. Gotta love it!

We got a HUGE parfait for the family that was brought on a trough. Isabella opened some awesome presents, along with the present she has been dying for...Lelli Kelly shoes!

What a special, fancy, wonderful and fabulous 5 year old girl!

Party # 2 - Fancy Nancy Party/Sleepover

By popular demand, here are the pictures from Isabella's "Fancy Nancy" Sleepover! We spent the week preparing and making goodies, decorating and adding special touches. Isabella helped me all along the way!

We had 6 little girls come for the party plus Ms. Amanda, Caitlin and Jeri (Mikayla's Mom). The girls were to wear their most exquisite pajamas! They enjoyed their sandwiches in shapes, fruit skewers, pink fudge, heart shape cookies, pink milk and lemon cakes. They each got pink tiaras and wands at their place setting.

After the girls ate, they dressed up and put on a fashion show for us!

We then did Fancy Nancy activities, read books, sang Happy Birthday and opened presents. As night wore on, the only girl who ended up staying was Mikayla. This was the first time she and her Mom have spent a night apart in 5 years, but she did wonderful! The two of them stayed up way too late playing and watching a movie!

Isabella had a blast!! But was so tired the next morning/day for her 3rd and final party...those pictures to come! xo

Party #1 - Fun in the Sun

Thank you friends for joining us at Grammy & Popi's house for some Fun in the Sun! Isabella had a wonderful time swimming and playing. I was happy to see my wonderful girlfriends. It warms my heart to see all of the kids growing up together. Isabella absolutely loves all of her presents. Believe me, we don't let her forget how extremely lucky she is!

Love to all!

5 years old!

Miss Isabella Rose is turning 5 on Sunday. Where has the time gone? She is Fancy, Sassy, Stubborn, Sensitive, Determined, Smart, Loving, Sweet and touches the Hearts of most everyone she meets. She is a girly - girl, but can get down and dirty with the best of them. Our Rhinestone Cowgirl. She loves animals, movies, horses, barbies, dress-up, playing pretend, playing games, reading, and parfaits (ice-cream). I was unsure how to fit professional pictures into our crazy week, when Holly suggested I take pictures at the park. So we snuck the photos in this afternoon. These pictures will always make me laugh because she doesn't need much coaching - a natural 'poser'!

Fancy Nancy Isabella

I Carried A Cucumber...

This afternoon we were out weeding and gardening in the backyard. We found this Cucumber. It is in such a special and interesting shape! Who knew Cucumbers can curl?!

My First Bloom...

When we got back from Texas, I had all of these gorgeous roses on my bushes. I immediately snipped them all off and put them in a vase by my front door. Exactly what I was waiting to do. There are many more buds about to bloom...Makes me so happy!!!

Texas Life

A quick blog to say we are back from Texas! I will spare you the 300-some pictures I took and give you this small collage above. We had a great time becoming "Hicks"... we spent time with our family, woke up to the breakfast bell by Popi and ate outside, watched awesome fireworks on the 4th, rode horses, went to the Stockyards, had a baby goat born on the Ranch, visited with Steve and Elva at their new home, ate and drank too much and just relaxed ... I am very thankful for the time spent together! xo