Addie's House

Mimi and Papa ventured down from Modesto to be some little elves and bring Addie an amazing birthday gift! Mimi found this cute house for Addie at Costco and it was a hit! Addie loves playing in "her house" and cooking with her mound of play food. The assembly was a family affair with Vance, Shelby, Papa and Chris all chipping in. Mimi and I were the store runners and Addie just...hung out. Thanks for the fun gift!...Addie loves it.

Jelso Boys and Addie in the tub

Addie had her wildest dream come true this past weekend...she spent all day with Jayden and Tanner. We joke that Jayden will be her husband some day. :) Luckily they are still young so a joint bath is ok. I have to admit, I am not used to "boy parts." Enough said. We love the Jelso Boys and had a great time watching them for the weekend.

Give me Four

Addie has always enjoyed music and singing...yes, she is a fan of Hannah Montana's "Hoedown Throwdown" as well as any of the Baby Signing Time songs. I joke with Chris that I only get to listen to "grown-up" songs when I am in his car since she is always voicing her opinion of the song selection in my car. Bedtime is another moment where Addie has the say in songs. She has now successfully persuaded Chris and I to sing her the following four songs before we can leave her room: Bay-Be-C's (ABC), Twinkle Twinkle (...little star), Jesus 'wuvs' (loves) Me, and Stomp Your Feet (If You Are Happy and You Know It). Her sweet little voice and how she asks us to sing the whole play list is irresistable.

Vegas Baby

Chris and I enjoyed a quick getaway from the girls this week! Chris's amazing sister watched Addie for us (she finally got to put pigtails on a little girl) and Shelby crashed at a friend's house while we headed out of town. We met up with my brother and his wife...it was a great trip! I have learned I am not a Vegas person however it was an incredible time to be with family, enjoy alone time with Chris and learn more about photography. I came back refreshed and jazzed in running by business...I am excited to see where God is going to take this.

As for our festivities in Vegas...the first night we flew in, got dressed up, went to an entirely to expensive dinner and saw "O". The things these performers/athletes can do with their bodies is truly amazing. The other days, we went out to eat, danced, laughed, played a few slot machines (lost all the money we put in), went up to the top of the Eiffel Tower (where one of the funny pics was snapped off), and much more. Being with Todd and Tara made us long even more so to live closer to them and their sweet family. Colorado huh? Just kidding. All in all, it was a great trip but when by too quickly. Thanks all who help make it possible by watching our beautiful girls.

Family Pictures

My assistant was gracious enough to snap a few family photos for us on Sunday. It is very odd to be on the other side of the camera but we disparately needed family pictures since we have yet to get some since Addie was an infant...embarrassing I know. We ventured to the fields behind our house since the rain has caused everything to be this brilliant green. We were covered in mud by the end of the shoot but all in all, it was a success!

It's a first...

So, we have had a potty for Addie since Christmas. Honestly, it sits in our bathroom where she will put her foot in it to make the music play. There is no desire or pressure to learn to use the thing. Lately, she has been wanting to sit on it (with her clothes on). On this day in particular, she was about to get a shower and decided to sit on it with diaper and all off. All of a sudden, I heard the music playing and it happened...Addie used the potty! Please note, she has not done it again since but it was a mile marker for the Blakes. :)




Here she is in all her glory...

Tahoe at the Mountain Lodge

Never a dull moment. After the trip to the Cranks, the Blakes and many other families and college kids ventured up to Young Life's Mountain Lodge for a long weekend up at the snow. The first day we took Addie and Shelby to the tubing hill...it was not the world's best but Addie sledded some and even tried skiing. Okay, she cried the ENTIRE time down the little hill but Chris and I got a kick out of it...I am sure we looked like abusive parents. The next day we went to Sugar Bowl for some snowboarding. Chris and I split the day up so we each could get some time in. Shelby became a professional snowboarder by the end of the day and wanted to go back the following weekend. :) It was fun to get away and play as a family with some of our YL family and friends.