July 2013

First up 4th of July-
 Alamosa had there 100th anniversary celebration. There was a morning parade which Isabel was scared pretty much the whole time from the loud trucks. Otter pops seems to be the most common treat handed out. We were pretty sick of them by the time the parade was over. After the paraded we headed over to the fair at the park. Walked around a bit and then Isabel had to have ice-cream so she got that and Joe and I had some BBQ-- brisket,  pull pork, and a turkey leg. It was pretty yummy. As we were leaving Isabel wanted to stay and watch some Japanese drummers. It was really loud and she loved it. Which didn't make much sense to us, since she was scared from the parade which wasn't that loud. But she loves her music. The fireworks were cancelled from the fire banned which was disappointing but makes sense considering all the fires around here.

How Isabel looked during the parade

 Isabel started ballet class for the summer season. She was way excited for it! We weren't going to spend the money on it but she asks every other day if she can go to dance class so we figured we would give the summer season a try since nothing is going on. She pretty much loves it and talks about ballet all the time now. She is constantly showing me her moves from class and the stretches. One of her best friends from preschool is in her class too, Carson. They were really happy to see each-other. I was in class for Isabel's first day so Joe took some video for me, so here you go!

carson is the one in front sitting down waiting. 


Our 5th year anniversary was this month! We both can't believe it's been that long! Time has gone by so fast! Joe made a nice dinner for us and then realized we didn't have a table to eat at. He painted all our side tables he made and the kitchen table that he transformed from an old table. So a picnic was made which Isabel though was very fun! It was a nice quiet night in with the family. Which was nice since I was gone all day at class. We got each other a couch set for the family room, which came the next week. Which were loving so far! It's nice to be able to seat more than two people at our apartment now!  I also surprised Joe with a portable dishwasher delivered to our place when I  was in class. He had no idea and was very happy! I have been complaining about getting one for the past year and finally had the money to get one so I got the cheapest one I could find that had good reviews. So far its working amazingly! It's so worth having my kitchen clean every day and actually having a dish clean in the house! The dishes are Joe's chore since every time I would do them I would ended up in tons of pain from the belly and feel like passing out. As well as I had no time with school. Also I have broken many dishes from clumsiness.   Needless to say, the dishes got washed like every other week. Hence it wasn't really an option to get a dishwasher it was a mandatory thing for our family to be happy! When the mother is not happy, no one is happy! Plus now I have a prep station in the kitchen! love it!

Isabel took our picture

I finished my summer semester finally! A nice needed break for me is in order for sure! 6 weeks of torturous weeks of math is finally over and found out I passed with a C, which for me seems like a miracle. I am just thankful that the teacher gave out so much extra credit and an easier final exam than all the other tests! Plus i'm pretty sure my teacher felt really bad for me since it was my 4th attempt in passing a math class. but it feels amazing passing a class I never thought I would! Now here comes a year of first 400 level classes! I am so glad joe is going to be home with the kids most of the time! A class even opened up for spring semester for forensic psychology and part of the class is going to Europe for 2 weeks and seeing old prisons and a  Jack the Ripper Tour in London. I am seriously contemplating going since I will never have this opportunity again. Joe has made up his mind that I am going and that I will regret it if I don't take this opportunity when we can have him watch the kids and I can receive financial aid for the trip.  But I don't know yet, I have 4 months to think about it still. But exciting to think about.

Pioneer days or they call Manassa days has come and gone. It's a huge thing here. We went on the last evening on saturday. We walked around the carnival and Isabel was so excited about the rides. We ended up letting her go on the carrousel and a car ride. She really wanted to do more but luckily fireworks were about to start up. ;) We went over to one of joe's friends/co-workers house and had a prefect view of them. During the fireworks Isabel kept saying " Hey! I'm not scared of the fireworks AFTER ALL!" and apparently some of the fireworks look like the Hungry Caterpillar.

Isabel 4th birthday is here! First year of her actually excited for her birthday and a "party" meaning balloons and cake and ice-cream. Apparently as well as donuts and popsicles. She ended up getting all of that-- the spoiled girl!  We opened presents and she played for awhile and then we went to McDonald's for dinner. She was so excited to get french fries and go on the playground. Afterwards we had her Princess Barbie - rainbow ice-cream cake.  (She was very specific on the cake she wanted this year.) She has been telling random people about her birthday cake, so I guess she really liked it! After that she  was exhausted and crashed cuddling with me. Which is surprising since she says she can't cuddle with me because my stomach and the baby is in the way." Which is pretty much true. Grafton usually kicks her head the whole time she lays on me. The day was a nice relaxing day and it's so nice just to have our little family together. I can't believe our little girl is 4 years old already!

Video of Isabel's birthday won't upload so all i can do is a link.  

Isabel's 4th Birthday

Our little Princess

Family/Maternity Pictures 2013

Well, I thought I would dedicate a whole post to pictures because there are so many I love and just breaking down to this many was hard! Are pictures were so fun to do and turned out amazing! I give credit to the amazing photographer Rachael Van Schepen from Van Schepen Photography . If you live around colorado springs I would highly recommend her!

Enjoy!

I posted 3 new posts, so look at those too for more pics and videos!

June 2013 Highlights

The first week of June I had a couple of days off from school so we decided to go camping. I figured my pregnant body could handle 1 night for Joe and Isabel. =)

So we decided to head up to the Sand dunes campgrounds since Joe and Isabel have never been before.   We got there in the morning and set up camp. Had some watermelon and headed to the sand dunes. It was hot but no too hot. The water stream was pretty low but Isabel and Joe had fun making dams and formations to make a little type of pool with the water. Isabel really loved playing with the sand and water. Eventually she got tired and had a picnic. Afterwards Isabel was tucker out. At the same time a storm came in so we left just in time. =) Got back to the camp ground, took a nap in the tent since it was raining. Joe made Isabel and I walking sticks and then we headed out on a "bear hunt" as Isabel would say. Really hoping we wouldn't see any since we were in bear country. After our long walk we roasted some hot dogs and then Smores. Isabel was pretty much scared of the fire the whole time. Another storm was coming in so we didn't see any stars, which is what I was looking forward too. =( The wind was blowing hard all night so we really didn't sleep very well.

At the camp ground

Camp ground

Mine has a man and Isabel has a cat face

"Going on a bear hunt"

Isabel photo bomb

 In the morning we packed up and then went on a hike to Zapata Falls. It was very pretty and the water extremely cold which was nice for cooling off. After our hike we decided to go to the visitor center. We actually learned a lot about the dunes and they had some fun kid activities there. After the long 2 days I was glad it was only about an hour drive home. =)

At the beginning of the hike

She totally posed for the picture

We celebrated Father's day with a "Meat Cake" for Joe. He has been asking for one for a while. So I made him a meatloaf with glaze in the middle of the layers. Mash potatoes for icing and bacon for sprinkles. Isabel really thought it was a cake and was very disappointed when she realized it wasn't.  

Other than that the days have been just filled with me doing homework all day. Joe and Isabel hanging out.