Malia and Santa!!

Malia went to see Santa today and it was wonderful. She literally RAN to him when it was her turn (no bashfulness in her) and climbed on his lap. When he asked her what she wanted for Christmas she said a bicycle. He told her she would have to keep her room clean and she just smiled at him. It was so adorable!!!

Here she is meeting Santa and telling him what she wants for Christmas.

Still talking to Santa...I think she forgot there was a line of people waiting. :-)

What a cutie...she did great!

SO EXCITED to be with Santa!

It is so hard to believe how much Malia has grown since last year. Not just her hair:-) but her personality as well. We included last years picture with Santa to remind everyone of Malia's changes. We feel so blessed to be starting this journey again with another baby as well.

24 weeks and growing...

24 weeks and growing!!! Baby, Malia, Aaron and I are enjoying the snow. I am a little antsy...not knowing the gender of our baby but appreciating the excitement of it all!

Here is where baby Ava Renee' or Ramsey Michael is developmentally:

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

Getting Ready for Christmas!

It was so fun getting ready for Christmas this year. We have a fake tree (at least until the kids are a bit older) and I never really thought about it until Malia said, "Daddy's building our tree!" Then I did feel kind of bad:-) Malia was pretty good about taking our holiday pic...Aaron wouldn't get his head in half the pics. Ahhhhhh....the joys of Christmas. We are looking forward to Christmas break to get ready for the baby and enjoy. My nesting has TOTALLY taken over. I went from relaxed and laid back TO...we need a nursery NOW! Thank God for my mom. Life is great.

Malia loved helping with the ornaments. There is no rhyme or reason to where the ornaments are on our tree....and that is how we like it. I guess the only reasoning is that the less breakable ones are the bottom. :-)

I love this picture. Malia is so excited to be a big sister. She goes back and forth between wanting a brother and a sister. We can't prepare her either way...because we are just not sure!

We found out we were pregnant with Malia on Christmas morning. This holiday is extra dear to us because of that. She is the best present we have ever received.

We owe my mom big for taking our pictures. I am so picky about them (I am a picture freak if you didn't notice) and I always want a ton. She is such a great sport...so is Malia and Aaron!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well...we have a lot to be thankful for this year. I see so many families struggling financially...losing their homes...and I am SO greatful for all that Aaron and I have. We are able to provide for our family, and we have a great home. We also have a wonderful family and fabulous friends. Here are some photos of our wonderful holiday!

Here are the pies that Malia helped me bake. We made them homemade and she had a blast. She is pointing to tell me that she wants apple pie.

What a cutie!!! She was so excited to go see her cousins for Thanksgiving!

She was fascinated by these.

Here is a pic of my bro. It is not the best quality(a pic of a pic) but he did such a fabulous job. He and my sis in law hosted Thanksgiving and the spread was delicious!

NKOTB....

So....I have been taking quite a bit of dogging because of my devotion to NKOTB (Uh...New Kids on the Block if you aren't in the know...they go by The Block now). Last night was the concert...to say it was amazing would be putting it mildly. It was everything and more. I think Jordan looked right at me.Prefunking before the concert in our hotel room. Yes, we really did stay at the Murano (Sheraton) because we thought they were staying there. And yes...that really is in Tacoma...10 minutes from my house:-)

The two mommas out for a night on the town. Our girls are only hours apart!

This was awesome...they moved to this stage in the middle halfway through the concert. Becky has her original t-shirt from the 1990 concert. That rocks. This time though...she could drink her beer.

All five are there!!! Jon, Jordan, Joey, Donny, and Danny!!!!!!!

Celebrating 20 weeks!! Baby Q loved the concert and danced the whole time!

My girls from college...gotta love them!!!!!
You probably can't tell but this is where Jordan pointed at me.

Maui Memories!!

What a wonderful birthday! We got the opportunity to spend time as a family in Maui. Since Mel has moved there it has been really hard. She is working her butt off in the police academy and is very busy. It was a dream come true to spend some time with her and the fam. My mom and Michelle came as well...my birthday included beach, golf, and good food....what more could I ask for???Malia and I....what a view from our place!

Nope...that is not a hat on his head.

Tiger Woods???? Nope....but a darn good swing nonetheless!!!
Good times! What a cool course! This is the third hole. This hole you get to choose which green to shoot for....awesome!

MAN....I MISS this girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just me and Baby Q!

The whole fam!

Happy Halloween!!!

Happy Halloween! We had a wonderful time this year with Chad, Keri, Makenzie and Claudia.
Malia was a giraffe and loved her costume. This is us with Makenzie...she is so great with Malia!

Here we are with Claudia! She was an 80's diva but TOTALLY looked like early Madonna.

Here they are...the three girls!

What a giraffe!!

Here is Malia saying "Cheese!". Also, here are our pumpkins (hers is the one made of potato head parts!)