almost 3 weeks old, pictures (posted a week late. lol)

So, my favorite pictures are in true life and I do love taking pictures myself of our family, "at arms length". (though sometimes, only a professional can get the other look we need. grin). All of these were taken by me except the last one from Michael. Thank you for capturing a glimpse of the love I feel for our daughter and for our little growing family. I love you honey! xoxo

Father's Day shots for Daddy. We hope you like them. :)

look at the daddy loving his baby girl. grin.

one last shot, taken by michael...

Amazing Shannon Hairr Photography... :)

http://shannonhairr.blogspot.com/2010/06/beautiful-cora.html

quick note.

i have so many overwhelming feelings that i want to blog and share with all of you but i lack the time and energy till i get cora's room together completely and out of my living room and kitchen (almost there!). i'm still not sure what 'statement' i want to make in there but it's important to me to make one for her and not just throw something together since she was so "unexpected" for lack of a better term. anyway, I just want to put a HUGE thank you out there in cyber world (before i have time for formal ones) to everyone for their sweet comments, prayers, mailings, love, generosity of time/service or talent. we have had baby showers and individuals bring cora needed gifts (piled all over my house, he he), we've been showered with delicious meals (we are open to a full time position to prepare us breakfast, lunch and dinner. lol) and LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE. We give it right back. I was telling a friend today that I feel like cora has been with me all my life and i forget when someone comes up excited. i'm like, "Oh yeah, she's new here! yes, isn't it great!?" :) we are fans of what has happened in our family like everyone else and just feel Cora is so special in her own way. I'm just so glad she has quickly melted in with our family. Evan is getting used to her, knowing that when she cries it is because she wants a bottle or pacifier (if there's one of either laying around, he brings it to her). today i was in the kitchen finishing some lunch preparedness while she cried for her 1 minute overdue bottle. all the sudden it was quiet and I came in to see if she fell asleep or something and there was evan who found a pacifier somewhere and was reaching over her 'room' (the pack n play), dangling it over her head, lowering it to her mouth. UGH! heart melting! I'm so proud of him for adjusting so quickly to an unexpected sibling. I can't wait till he wants to cuddle her.
Anyway, in closing, I'd like to thank my friend Denise G and her daughter Allison who stopped for a visit and among other things brought.... popcorn and ovaltine! :) You must reeeeeeaaaaallly love me. lol. alright, good bye for now. xoxo

Helping?

Does this look like a 20 month old helping .... Or hindering? Lol

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

13 years!?

13 years ago today, I married a wonderful man. I fell in love with him because he holds the priesthood and honors it, because he has a strong testimony that Jesus Christ is our Savior (and even served a full-time mission to celebrate his knowledge), he glowed. Michael was/is charismatic, entertaining and so good to me! After meeting on our mission he came to see me for 3 days in California. I cannot explain it except to say it was Gods plan but we fell completely in love with eachother as if we'd known eachother 10 years already and had just reunited. Getting sealed in the Los Angeles temple was a dream come true and I thank Michael for helping us both be worthy of the sacred covenents we make there.
This year we had planned to go to Atlanta, even contemplated leaving Evan overnight with a friend but in the end we decided it would be more enjoyable to bring him with us and the best part... We planned to got to IKEA! Lol. As you all know a certain young lady inturrupted that anniversary plan and we were happy to take her official newborn shots (at 3 weeks old :( booo) with who else? Shannon Hairr, tonight instead. Thank you Meghan for sacrificing your FHE evening to help with Evan. We feel so blessed to have such generous friends who are a literal extension of family. This is the best kind of Anniversary we could ask for. We love all you, our friends. And Michael, I love you! Xoxo

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

Thank you cousin colby

Love, evan

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

the photo mom

My sister in law, Jennifer and I were going to take pictures of our girls, born on the same day, 4 hours apart at 8 days old. I wanted to find some tutu's and couldn't so when I reveiled my plan to Jen (a seamstress of sorts) she said, "I can make them!" So I got the fabric and we set the time for the next day for photos (keep in mind Jen had her baby by C-section a week before and now has 4 children yet she was willing to make the tutu's). The tutu's were a success and when Jen and her photographer neighbor Tara were discussing it, Tara said she wanted to come take some shots of the unexpected occurance of birthday twin cousins... in tutu's! :) So these are her shots for you to enjoy. I know we are enjoying them and are thankful for the time an effort she put in to making them. If you are in the Ventura County, California area and would like her to take your pictures, here is her site:

Tara Schields

http://www.thephotomom.net/

tales from our travels

Home Sweet Home. Ahhh... Now to get groceries & supplies. Never a dull moment. Lol.

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

Ummm...

Yeah. :( Welcome to Nashville rush hour.

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

Not much farther...

Now if it would stop raining on our stuff in the bed of the truck! :/

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

Approaching our final state of the 7 state 'tour'.... Officially in TENNESSEE! We love you Tennessee... :)

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

GOOD Morning!

What a difference 9 hours of sleep makes! :)

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

California to Arizona, AZ to New Mexico, N.M. To Texas, TX to Oklahoma, O.K to ARKANSAS! 6 states in 48 hours, ONE to go... It'll have to be tomorrow. Soon we will sleep in a real bed in Little Rock, ahhh....

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

Welcome to Oklahoma!

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

TEXAS! 'Need... Sleep' -mds

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

And a beautiful and godly morning it is...

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

New mexico, ahhh...

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

We just 'survived' a major diaper blow out from Evan. I almost bathed him in the gas station sink cause it came down his leg! Ugh!!!!!!!!! Gag. Good news: it did the trick to tire him out and he's sleeping soundly now as we drive through flagstaff and attempt an all nighter.... With NO caffeine folks!

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

Hellllloooo Arizona! :)

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

We are officially on I-40. All the way to TENNESSEE...

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

Rollin rollin rollin...

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

See ya Santa Rosa Valley, Good bye Moorpark... :)

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

Saying goodbye to the 'compound' for now.

We're packing up and heading out. My parents home is fondly referred to as 'the compound' as it is large & raised 11 children & hosts their families often. We have enjoyed getting to show and share our newborn baby with our Sacramento and Camarillo families & friends but we are soo ready to be in our own home. See you later California... We love you...

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

On the road again?

So, I'm losing my mind, being away from home! "Mean" Michael convinced me it is neccessary to stay one extra day to get more organized for the drive back home. So... this morning when Cora woke me early, I decided to use the morning before errands to add to the photo shoot from the other day. This is really all I got but it's cute. I was skeptical that I would like a big bow in her hair but it turned out pretty. I am certain that http://www.shannonhairrphotography.com/ would do a MUCH better job than me. So, here is 13 day old Cora Grace. We hope to see you all soon. :) ahhh... home....

Preview of impromptu photo shoot today

Cora & cousin Juliet born on the same day. :)

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

Daddy duty

:)

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

One week ago

Our little family of 3 became a family of 4! We have had a busy busy week but one of peace. We got to my parents house on Tuesday night then errands Wednesday, a baby shower today (thank you!) with all my ol' friends from church, tomorrow a photo shoot with my niece Juliet and Cora (oh, just wait! it's going to be the most adorable thing you've seen in I don't know how long). Saturday may turn into a beach day, Sunday is Church and family potluck and Monday is leave for HOME! We miss you Tennessee! :) We just hope a fairy godmother has come and removed, un needed furniture, cleared clutter and repainted the guest bed. Whew, I'm tired already. Not exactly looking forward to the drive but prefer it over flying right now any day.

I am grateful for the excitement of everyone, the love and support. The emotions are through the roof. It makes me giggle a little to think of how fast this all happened. I feel dizzy when I think about what is ahead as well! Anyway, thank you so much for your love and support. Cora is doing great, adjusting really perfectly. I can't wait to get her home to our own pediatrician too. 2 under 2 is going to be a challenge at the ped office. lol. Boy will SHE be surprised as well! :)

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

'I'm excited'

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi