Almost 6 years ago

On July12th, Sean and I will be celebrating our 6-year wedding anniversary! This might be a little premature in posting, but oh well..I actually have some free time! So here are just a few of my favorite photos from our awesome wedding! (you can click on them to make them larger) You've gotta love being a sandwich between 3 groomsmen! One of my favorite pictures of all time!
Umm....I think our cake tasted good?!?
We had a little fun with our wedding cake. Such a fun day! I love my hubby more and more each day!

Reno, NV

Last week Sean's company sent him up to Reno NV to work. We tagged along for the week! It was a pretty good trip! I got to spend a lot of 1 on 1 time with the kids, and Sean was off work by like 3:30 each day, so we got some good family time in too! The only thing that was hard were naps. They usually nap at the same time, but seeing as we were out a lot, Kaihla often fell asleep in the stroller..so by the time we got home, she would only stay asleep for another 1/2 hr or so..and trying to get Shad to sleep when Kaihla was awake..was pretty much impossible. One day he took a great nap though, so Kaihla and I played in the hallway. She went back and forth millions of times..each time stopping to give her signature pose, like the picture below! The pool was freezing and small..so most of our time spent at the pool was either putting our feet in, or watching the water..
We also went to Circus Circus....and Shad LOVED it. We let him play whatever game he wanted. His favorite game was trying to throw this wiffle ball in a certian color cup. He didn't win that one, but had a lot of fun trying...
Another fun one..with ping pong balls this time...

He actually won a stuffed dog, and a stuffed bear. He also won enough tickets that he was able to trade them in for a bear. He chose a green bear, and when we told him he was able to buy this with his tickets because he did such a great job at the games, he said " I'm so proud" Priceless!!

Ya, we were told this was not OK right after the picture was taken. We knew that, but it made a cute picture right?!

One year ago....

So this is a little late, but we've been out of town for a week...more on that later...

Our little girl has turned One. Time sure has flown by. What a year it's been. She has brought more joy to our home than I thought was ever possible. What a BIG personality she has!

I thought I would offer a little information on her birth.

The day before my due date, I had a doctor appointment. At that visit, we determined I was about 4-4.5 centimeters dilated..we were ready..just needed something to push us over the top. I had been at 3cm for a couple weeks. We walked, and walked did everything we thought would help us along. Finally about 10:00pm on June 6th, I started getting contractions..they weren't really painful, but pretty consist ant. I tried to sleep in between them, until about 12:00. Then they started to hurt a little. I was very hesitant to go to the hospital, because we had Shad, and my grandma was going to come watch him. The last thing I wanted was her to come in the middle of the night for nothing. So I think it was around 1:30am, I decided we should go to the hospital..they were starting to hurt pretty good. By the time we got there..I was in A LOT of pain. By this time it was about 2:30am. They admitted me and said I could go walk around. I really wanted them to check me to see where I was..reluctantly they did..and I was at 6! Yay! We walked a bit, and then took a shower..that felt nice. Sat on the big bouncy ball. They checked me again at like 4:00 and I was at 8. Now it really hurt. Luckily my contractions were not that long..they probably lasted about 30sec. So the nurses thought that they probably weren't doing that much since they weren't lasting that long. She checked me again, and I was at a 9. I immediately got scared..now I REALLY wasn't doing this with any drugs! She asked me if they could break my water, since it didn't on it's own. They did...I stayed at 9 for what seemed like forever..although it probably wasn't that long. I finally got the urge to push..I was almost 10..and they wanted me to wait until I was a 'complete' 10. I told them that wasn't going to happen..I needed to push. So push I did..then they said to stop again. The Midwife got there and explained that I could probably get her out in 1 or 2 pushes, but she didn't want me to tear (I tore REALLY bad with Shad) I was only allowed to push a little bit, then breathe thru the rest. That was extremely hard. Everything in my body wanted this baby OUT...NOW...I made lots of grunting, panting and lovely noises at the Midwifes request so I wouldn't push her with as much force. When she finally came out..it was total relief...no more pain at all. Just a beautiful baby girl with tons of black hair laid upon my chest. By far, the proudest moment in my life. Natural childbirth is something that is so special, I could never fully explain. The birth of Shadwic was amazing in on a different level. I had an epidural with him..pushing seemed so, so, so different. With Kaihla, I was just doing what my body wanted to do.

Happy Birthday to my baby girl. I love you more each and every day!

Kaihla's 1st Birthday Party

Kaihla's party was this past Saturday!  She had a great time and a lot of friends and family came to help us celebrate.  We can't believe our baby girl is ONE!  

AND...today she took her first steps!  

Cake faced princess!

Look at me and my presents!

My new princess ride!

Mommy and Me

'Kaihla Kisses' for grandma

Smoochies for our baby girl!

Our Family

The Cake!  Isn't it amazing???  And it tasted as great as it looked! 

WE LOVE YOU KAIHLA!

Pure Joy

Don't you wish sometimes that the simple act of being pushed on a swing could make you euphorically happy...I know I do

Discovery Kingdom

Last week my friend Lisa and I took the kids to Discovery Kingdom (aka Marine World). There was a special going, and if you got to the park before 9:00 it was only $9.73 to get in (normally $50) So we jumped on that, got up early and took the kids to the park! All three did great, and had a really good time. Next time we'll have to take more adults so we can go on some grown-up rides! Thanks Lisa, we had a great time :-)Kaihla on her first ride! She went on Harold the Helicoptor with her brother...
Shad actually held a fish to fead the seals. I was shocked..and anyone who knows Shad, knows he's really weird with texture and gross stuff...I was so proud of him!!

Discovery Kingdom

The Kiddos entering Discovery Museum..
Shad and Domonic had a lot of fun together...this is what they did while we waited in line
I can't remember what they're saying, but it looks like it's the same thing..I think "all abord"
We went to Thomas the Train Town, and got to ride in Thomas (well actually his two passenger cars, Clairabelle and..umm..I can't remember the other car's name..but Shad was SO SO excited!!)
And riding Harold the helicoptor was way too much fun too..we rode it like 3 times in a row....

Forgot to add...

I forgot to add this one to the pictures from when we went to my Dad's house. I love seeing Shad and Haidyn together. They are only 3 weeks apart, and they get along so great together. It's almost like having little blonde twins!