6th

Moh tagged me.

I've done this before but with the 4th picture.

I actually don't mind getting tagged in this way because the pictures always bring back fun memories.

So, here's my 6th picture.

My 6th folder didn't have a 6th picture so I am posting my 6th picture in the random, unfiled pics.

Enjoy!

This is Richard and my engagement photo.

LOVE IT, but not as much as I LOVE HIM!!

I have fond, fond memories of this time---so much crazy excitement in my life at that time.

Remember how I was supposed to to be living in Utah, teaching in Lehi when this picture was taken in Santa Monica?! My belongings were already there and everything. For those of you not in the know, I met Richard the very day I accepted a job in Utah. My dad and I had moved my belongings weeks before. My friends threw me a fabulous going away party. But Richard stole my heart, and quickly I might add.

That's why California's lucky to still have me.

Here we are about 3 1/2 years younger...


P.S.---I uploaded all of my wedding and engagement pics to shutterfly and didn't save them to my computer, not thinking about the fact that I might want them on my computer one day. Shutterfly has it so you can't download your pics back from their site. I can pay money to have them send me a CD. Imagine that. I needed these pics for something awhile back and this is what I got when I tried; just the thumbnail print. That's why it's so tiny! :(
**If you feel like reminiscing, then I tag YOU!!!

Busy = TIRED, but I am not complaining!!!

we have been busy here in sunny southern cal and it sure has been great fun!

on thursday we went to an easter party and it was certainly a party. sarah had her first pony ride, played with bunnies (okay, she didn't really play with them much. she's not much of an animal person, which honestly is okay with this mom.), had an easter egg hunt, hung out and just had a blast! she loves her goody bag and still carries it around to show everyone her little trinkets. she's becoming quite the kazoo player.

friday we went to underwood family farm in moorpark, california and were there for over 3 hours. we picked berries and other fruit as well as lots of amazing veggies. YUM-YUM!! all the kiddos were covered in juice of every kind and dirt from head to toe. within 5 minutes of leaving, and with snacks in hand sarah passed out cold in the backseat.

sampling along the way

sarah loves to eat grapefruit

they really payed attention. while we were picking vegetables, ella and sarah were picking clumps of dirt and putting them in the strawberries cartons.

exhausted after a hard day's work on the farm

saturday we spent the morning with friends celebrating mckay's 2nd birthday. it was a cowboy themed party so i made sarah a 3 layered ruffle skirt (gathering is tricky). we tried desperately to have her wear some hand me down (thanks lauren) cowgirl boots but we still can't get her in shoes unless they are soft and super flexible so the boots stayed home much to my dismay. my favorite part was the wanted signs they made for each of the kids. it was a perfect way to spend our morning. i thought forsure she was going to have to wear her cowgirl hat to church today with her darling easter dress since the second she woke up she pointed to it and put it on.

to wrap up the weekend, today for easter and aunt elizabeth, uncle del, craig, and kelly came over for dinner. it was tasty if i must say so myself. especially elizabeth's rolls shaped like bunnies and dessert; chocolate dipped strawberries and strawberry shortcake, all handpicked myself on friday. the steele's have been busy and we haven't seen them in awhile. when sarah first woke up she was shy but it didn't take her long to remember how much fun they are. the afternoon was spent blowing and chasing after bubbles, rolling the ball, and dancing to the fun beats on kelly's cell phone. dancing is one of sarah's favorite past times lately. it's darling to watch.

sarah seems so grown up. she truly is not my little baby anymore and it makes my heart hurt a little. she interacts a lot more with her friends than she used to. her wobbly walk is looking more put together and she's getting fast. sometimes i think i might not catch up to her when she takes off. she's been mimicking us--for example if we're holding her and are rubbing her back, she'll reach over and rub ours. when she looks at us now there's something behind her face and we're not sure what it is, but we can definitely tell she's thinking something. she talks non-stop and it's not just jumble and sign language. just this evening she repeated us when we said, "thank you", "bubbles", and "purple".

where's my little girl gone?

An Ode to Sirri Marie and Meggers

Sirri Marie looking fabulous in a piggy-tail...

Meggers in none other than a piggy-tail...
You guessed it...Sarah Jane in a piggy-tail.

I did this for the first time on Saturday and boy did it ever make her seem grown up. She looks SO CUTE and it's my new favorite!! Sirri and Meg always wear pigtails and everytime I looked at Sarah I couldn't help but think of my darling nieces who are too far away.

Have I ever told you that I LOVE THIS GIRL!!!!!!!!!!

You're HOW Old?

Happy Birthday Richard! Wishing you a perfect day and a WONDERFUL year. We're all glad we get to spend it with you!

Growing up, Richard's mother or one of his sisters always made him a fun cake. He still talks about them today. A birthday is simply not a birthday without cake for my rockstar (it's true, he was in a band when i met him), so I whipped up a guitar cake in his honor.

WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Can anyone guess how old he is today?)

She Still Fits

I remember the days when Sarah fit nicely in the kitchen sink. It was as though it was meant to be; the perfect match.

Well, she still fits. (sortof)

One Sunday morning, a week or 2 back, we learned this while trying to rush around, getting ready for church. Sarah's like clockwork; food in, food out, which is how I think it should be, but anyway. In our rushed morning we fed her, immediately plopped her in the bathtub, and had to immediately remove her. Luckily she still fit in the kitchen sink and she really enjoyed it! We have since started bathing her Saturday night, which I know is standard but Saturday nights always seem just as rushed as Sunday mornings.

What's a busy family to do?! :)

HER WISH IS OUR COMMAND

in addition to answering this question EVERY time by signing yes, Sarah walks around the house pointing to pictures of babies and signs please!

Stitch is scheduled to arrive the end of September and we are excited! And yes, it will be a surprise again! Sorry to those of you who think we should find out beforehand but we loved not knowing until the big day!

For those of you thinking I was eating way too much and exercising way too little, now you know. The belly certainly appears more quickly the 2nd time around. I'm going to be pulling the maternity clothes out much sooner than planned.

Is it Just a Bigelow Thing?

HAIR. I hate it. Just about as much as I hate the word hate. Let's start over.

HAIR. I really, really, really dislike it! Are my sister Lisa-Marie and I the only ones who obsess over it constantly. C-O-N-S-T-A-N-T-L-Y!

I love my short hair. Yes, the short hair I don't currently have. (I know most of you would say my hair is short.)

I think it's sassy and makes my personality spunkier.

Does that sound weird. Hair dictating personality? Truly, it's true. I am more me, less frumpy-dumpy when it's short.

The problem is this. I always get a little itch to grow it out.

My fear; that I will always have short hair. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but sometimes I feel ready for a change so I make the attempt at growing it out. However, it gets close to my collar and that's it. I've had it and am more than ready for the short hair again.

Then the worries start about getting it cut just right.

Chunky, messy, easy to do, not too long in the back but not too short either. There is a happy medium. Definitely.

Today I found myself studying all the mom's hair at the park. Most are long and flowing.

A few were short. They weren't the styles I want for myself, but they sure appealed to me.

I think it's time to part ways with my hair. Especially since most days all I do is pull it back with a clippie. That is not cute, trust me. But required most of the time.

Does anyone else stress so much over their hair?

If not your hair, what then?!