Snow Day

No, these pictures are not from Christmas, we had a huge snow storm at the end of May! I had to drag out all the snow gear for the boys. They had a great time having a snowball fight, and jumping on the tramp with snow flying everywhere.

We ended the fun with hot chocolate by the fire. Crazy weather!

Preschool Graduation

Carter graduated from preschool! This is his second year but first year with his teacher Mrs. Marie. She was such a great teacher and Carter really enjoyed it. She had cute little graduation hats for all of the kids.
We also had some kids from the neighborhood who were in his class. We have carpooled all year together and Carter has loved being with his friends. On either side of him are Hailey and Jordan his two best friends.

Singing some fun songs


Some highlights of the graduation were:
*Olivia being asked what she wanted to be when she grows up and her response was "A mom with no kids!"
*Carter's answer for his favorite food was "lasagne, sausages, and shrimp"
*Carter shouting out every time a letter was in his name, what number it was for how old he is, how old he is going to be, etc.
*Hailey posing for pictures
*Us showing up an hour early-resulting in Carter getting a huge grass stain on his pants from playing on the playground to kill time.

I can't believe he is going to kindergarten! We are both so excited. Preston will be going to Mrs. Marie's class next year. So three days a week it will just be me and Claire for a few hours! My boys are getting so big!

In Loving Memory

Sean Michael Martella March 3, 1985-May 31,2010

For a perfect tribute from his wife Karen, go to his blog: seanmartella.blogspot.com

Please Pray

My cousin Sean has been battling testicular cancer for the past 2 and a half years. Now he has been diagnosed with leukemia as well and has been given 2-3 months to live. He and his wife Karen are expecting twins in November. Please pray for him and his wife and family. His wish is that he can live long enough to hold his babies. I know that prayer works, so the more the better! To read more about his journey go to seanmartella.blogspot.com

Baby Claire

Well Baby Claire was born on May 14th 201o at 2:24 PM. She weighed in at 6 lbs 9 oz and 19 inches long. She had a ton of hair and looks like her brothers, but in a girly way. Here are a few pics from birth to a few minutes ago.

Last Belly Shot

I know you are sick of seeing the same post for 2 months, so here are some new ones. Same shirt, bigger belly, new hair cut. 3 days to go!

Claire's room

The room is finally complete! It took us awhile, but we finally got it painted, bead board up, and furniture put together. Here is the start to finish...

The blue and brown had a it's day but it needed to go! Sorry the picture is turned.

We let the boys "help" with the painting. Bad idea. They did have a blast but we got some paint on the carpet from them stepping in the paint and trying to escape! Good thing the crib goes over it right?

James hard at work

And the finished product! I told you it was REALLY pink! It has definitely grown on me, and I like it now with all the furniture in the room.

We decided to do one wall with no bead board to add a little more color.

The crib and bedding set...I love it! Now I just need to find some cute things to put up on the walls. It might be awhile...she's coming in 3 days.

Baby Showers

Showers for a baby girl are so much fun! My friends and family went all out! Baby Claire is one spoiled little girl. I feel so blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life. My first shower was on April 24th at my neighbor Jill Hansen's house.

Is this decor Martha Stewart or what?! Pink cupcakes, Strawberries dipped in pink chocolate and sprinkles, homemade pink suckers...it was darling! I especially loved the Claire banner hung on the fence!

My friend Summer also helped organize the shower and made and delivered the invitations. We also played a fun baby game where you had to match the celebrity with the name of their baby. Right up my alley! I am so sad she will be moving to Texas at the end of the month. :(

Jill is on the left and she was in charge of the whole shindig. Thanks so much for all the hard work Jill! L to R Jill, Heidi, Stephanie, me, Chantille, Marcella

I had so many friends come! It was so fun to see friends I hadn't seen in awhile. L to R Helen, Kristen, Deirdre, and Julye.

Stephanie (winner of the celebrity baby name game), and Carrie

And my favorite picture of all-belly to belly. Adhis was so awesome to come ON HER DUE DATE and celebrate baby Claire with me. She had her baby Maya 4 days later...she was a whopping 9 pounds 8 ounces!! Good work Adhis! I just pray Claire isn't that big!! My camera died after this picture, so I didn't get any pictures of the presents I got, but believe me, they were all Darling! I got a baby sleep mask, bracelets, hair bows, outfits with tutus, a swimsuit, nail polish, adorable dresses, shoes, the list goes on and on. So girly! I love my friends!

I just had another baby shower thrown by my sisters but did not have my camera out at all! I finally got out the video camera at the end. Bummer. So I am waiting to get pictures from others that were there, and I will post as soon as possible. It was also darling. I have decided everyone needs a party thrown for them every 5 years. It is so much fun! I loved getting to see so many people I love and feeling their support for me and my family.

Belly Picture

For all of you living far away, here is my big belly at 31 weeks (last week). Baby Claire is growing great and kicking me like crazy! The sleepless nights have already started, and I am ready to be done! 7 more weeks...I think I can...I think I can...I think I can.

St. Patricks Day/ Working Out

The boys woke up to a shamrocked door, green milk, green pancakes, St. Patrick's Day badges, and some yummy green truffle treats. Preston was literally shaking with excitement to see it all. It was so cute. I love doing making holidays fun for the kids, then it makes it fun for us.

These were just some cute pictures of my boys trying to work out with daddy while he does his "Insanity" workout. Preston is usually the one to start...

...then Carter joins in. Too cute! Look at my strong boys!

Idaho Trip

We took a trip up to Boise, Idaho to visit my brother Greg for his 35th birthday. My Uncle Mike lives about 20 minutes away from Greg in Melba and owns and runs a huge farm. I grew up LOVING to go to their house. So many memories of 4 wheeler rides, horses, open land for miles and miles, it doesn't get much better than that. We ended up staying at Uncle Mike's house while we were there so my kids got to enjoy all the fun I remember as a kid. I didn't see them all weekend! Is this little coonskin hat the cutest thing ever?! They had a ton of fun dress up clothes for them to play with.

Carter doing his best cowboy impression

We went out to Tucanos for Greg's birthday with all the adults and Greg got to bang the tambourine while we all sang to him. He enjoyed it a little too much I think!

Mel, Uncle Mike, Aunt Jill, Mom, and Dad

Kev and Beth and Scott and Lisa (no picture of them) sat with us at our table

Saturday they got all the horses out and took the kids for rides. So much fun!

They even have a mini horse. I have a picture of me riding one at their house at about this age. Oh the memories!

My kids spent hours climbing the haystacks and in the barns pretending they were the store, school, and jail. We had so much fun! My uncle took James on the grand tour of the farm (which took about 3 hours) and he was in heaven! His dream as a little kid was to be a cowboy in the wild west. He got to help herd some cattle and see how the day to day operations were run. He said it was one of his favorite weekends ever. Not too hard to please I guess! I just love being up there because I remember to simplify my life. Farm life is so much simpler and they are hard workers! Hopefully we can go up again soon.

Carter's Birthday Weekend

5 Years Old!! I can't believe it! His birthday was on a Monday this year, and we were going to be watching my sister's kids starting that day, so we decided to make a weekend affair of it. I was too tired and pregnant to do a big birthday party, so we just did fun things with the family. He wanted to go to Texas Roadhouse for dinner and for a fun ride on the saddle. He got this adorable birthday hat from preschool the day before and wore it for about 3 days straight.

I love my sweet boy!

James and Preston

YEEE- HAAAWWW!!

On Saturday we decided to take him bowling for the first time. We may be waiting another year to do it again. He enjoyed the first few times, but then got a little bored of it. He was also annoyed that he had to wait for each of us to have a turn. My dreams of him becoming a professional bowler have been crushed! haha

Preston loved it!

All ready for church on Sunday. He is starting to look so grown up!

He and Preston have been obsessed with looking at the cakes at Costco and Walmart as of late, so that is what he wanted for his birthday cake. No exceptions! He wanted a clown cake (not sure where that came from?)We celebrated at Grammy's house on Sunday with the cousins. I was too lazy to walk around the counter to take a picture of the cake right side up-can you tell I am pregnant??

Make a wish!

On Monday, his real birthday, we went to McDonalds playland for lunch with Grammy, Ryan, and Preston.

That night we rented Night at the Museum 2 and everyone got their own treat and drink. Carter couldn't ask for more than sleeping over at Aunt Mellie's house with his cousins. He got several Nerf guns, Legos, and a CD player from us to jam out in his room and have dance parties. Pretty spoiled! We love Carter so much and have been so blessed to have him as part of our family.