Kia's first dip.

Our brother had a birthday pool party for our nieces 4th birthday. Kia was able to experience her first dip in the pool! She loved it! It really doesn't surprise us because she loves to take baths. Ryley loves the water too...she stayed in the pool for hours! She stayed in the pool so long she was the last one left.

Swim Lessons

Ryley has been taking swim lessons at the YMCA in Redlands for a couple of months. She is learning how to float, use her "ice cream scooper's" and kick at the same time. They are teaching her the basic techniques so she can learn how to do the back stroke. These are the first swim lessons that we can truly say are teaching her something. Her instructor is amazing. They start by going over the rules of the swimming pool...no running, no eating, where's the lifeguard, and who to call for help...911 (At home every time she gets a hold of the phone she dials 911 on the key pad. She tells me and shows me 911...luckily she doesn't push the green button for dial tone, we do tell her constantly that she should only call if it is an emergency, like if mommy or daddy need help :)) We would totally recommend the YMCA to anyone who is looking for a place to take their kids to learn to swim.

Dave, How was the couch last night?

For those of you who know me best, know I can't sleep with my girls in our bed...All I can say is I was totally wiped out and was desperate to sleep in!

Thanks Dave for sneaking some pics!

See what I can do?

Kia is such a big girl! Our sister Isabel said, "what are you feeding her?" (She was so amazed at how big she has gotten, even though it's only been a few weeks since she saw her last) Kia is getting so big, they really do grow up fast!

She is reaching so many of her milestones. Holding her head up, rolling over, squealing, eating solids, and sitting up is one of her latest and greatest. We love the first year, their are so many "firsts" that our little ones encounter. It's simply a memorable year to say the least.

Two peas in a pod!

We love to pose and say cheese...check out our funny faces...pretty please!

Sisterly Love???

Ryley loves to tickle and make her sister giggle, she loves to cuddle (or should we say smother), and kiss her baby sister...or should we say...when she wants to. She can't help it...The big sister in her comes out at times and she feels the need to tell Kia what she is allowed to hold and what she can't. Ryley even tells her sister to close her eyes during prayers and to be quiet. What are big sisters for anyways?

Smiles!

Her smile melts our heart. Kia...aka Kai is such a great baby. Can you imagine if we were all guaranteed such happy, seldom fussy, just feed me and change my diaper babies? We would all have a dozen! We are keeping our fingers crossed that her personality will stay the same for a while. We have been blessed with a beautiful baby girl who loves to smile and giggle. She has been smiling since she was a few weeks old. She smiles so much we call her SMILES!

Kids being kids

These are a couple of Ryley's friends (Three little monkeys jumping on the bed...Ryley, Emma, & Caleb.

Why do girls love picking flowers? Do boys? Ryley and Emma love to pick flowers and make flower bouquets.

Kyle and Ry with their big cheesy grins!

Everything but the kitchen sink!

Shouldn't we be over this phase? Ryley has gotten back into taking out Tupperware, spoons, pots, pans, measuring cups, pastry cutter, cake tester and hand whip. She makes music with all these fun gadgets (at least that's what she calls it) and also takes them outside into her sand box to "make scrambled eggs".

Happy Anniversary!

Champ,

I just want you to know that I love you very much! I am so happy I met you! I can't believe we are celebrating our 7 Year Anniversary. WOW! It seems like yesterday even though seven years is a long time. You are a wonderful husband and father. I am a better person because of you. You mean the world to me. Thank you for the beautiful girls. Thank you for being you! May we grow old together and may we celebrate many more! I can't wait to celebrate our love for one another later this year! Just you and me baby!

Love you lots, your the best CHAMP!

Love you for all eternity!

Es

Ryley's Fishing Adventure

We took the girls to Yucaipa Regional Park for the day to go fishing. Our fishing trip was so much fun! I enjoy watching Ryley's every move. She is patient when she wants to be. She tried climbing a tree, went peeps in the bushes (they do have bathrooms, but for those of you who know Ryley...she'd never make it). On her very first cast she caught a fish. It was a good size fish too. David has taught us that if it's pan size then it's a keeper. We had it for breakfast the next day.

Pink Ice Cream Cones???

Who knew they made pink ice cream cones? Ryley of course! She loves pink! pink...pink...pink My prediction...Ryley will dislike the color pink for the rest of her life.

Cute dress!

I'm princess for a day...or a minute!

Big sister Ryley dresses up Kia, once again. Ryley loves playing with Kia, but unfortunately her way of playing with her (for now at least) is... let me put this on you for a minute before I want it back.

Our Kia looks so cute!!

What would you give to be able to do this again?

Kia has the foot in mouth syndrome. She loves to put her feet in her mouth, her hands in her mouth and really anything she can grab goes straight into her mouth.

Thanks MOM! That's delicious

Kia is now eating rice cereal, oatmeal, peas, and green beans. I'm surprised she likes green beans.

I must say that I have forgotten how time consuming it is to feed a baby and most of all how messy it is! She wants to hold the spoon, wants the bowl, then she puts her fingers or most of her fist in her mouth.

The one thing I really forgot about are sneezes. Two words...FOOD EVERYWHERE

Don't I look beautiful?

Ryley loves to watch mommy put on makeup (which is not very often these days). But when I do she will ask if she can put some on too. She will generally grab one of my makeup brushes and pretend she is putting some on. For Christmas, Tia Angela gave her a kiddy makeup kit of her very own. The kit has disappeared on many occasions because Ryley will ask if she can do her makeup too before we leave. As you can see she got a hold of it. May I present Princess Ryley...Look at the masterpiece she created or should I say monsterpiece...the funny thing is that she really thought she looked good.

Mom with her girls (Kia in the baby b'journ)

Life has a new meaning. My girls mean the world to me. I can't imagine life without them. I can't wait for my sisters to experience this part of life. It will change your life forever, but it's totally worth it!