Sleeping Beauty aka Isabella

OK, I know I have a thing for taking pictures of the kids while they sleep but they are so cute, calm and peaceful I just can't help myself. With Izzy, I don' think I need much of a caption.

Gabriel's photos Part 2

Here are the rest of the photos that Gabriel took when he had the camera. Izzy was sleeping and Madison was hanging on the "dog rug" and you can see some of the artwork that Gabriel did on it a little while back. I think the photos came out pretty good for a 3 year old. No random finger in the lens.

Thomas through the eyes of Gabriel

Gabriel loves to see the images on the other end of the camera. I let him have the camera and walked away to let him do his thing. I could hear him snapping photos, but it wasn't until after I looked through the disk that I saw what he had taken photos of. These are most of the Thomas the Train photos. The next ones will be of the other photos that he took in between. He was so happy when I showed him the photos he took and I thought they belong on the blog for all to see and enjoy too!

Bathtime! Izzy had a bit of a blow out in the back. Eeewww!

Sleeping Beauty...almost wakes up.

Just woke up! Surprise!!!

N.C. Potato Fest and A Busy Greek Bee Weekend

The kids and I headed down to Elizabeth City, NC for their annual potato festival on Saturday. It was hot, but not as hot as last year. Gabriel cried the minute we got there and made for a miserable festival. I managed to get the photo at the very beginning. Then, on Sunday we hit the Greek festival for some yummies and of course I didn't take any photos since I was too busy eating and messing with the kids. Then it was off to the Stockly gardens art festival. It has been years since I was last there and Gabriel manage to stop his "art walk" hissy fit long enough for me to get a photo of him as a bee. I am sure if it was an acting festival he and I would have had better reception of his behavior. He was terrible and I needed all day today to sleep and get my energy back after that. Maybe next year I will be able to actually LOOK at the artwork and enjoy myself a little more. I did enjoy spending time with my friends this weekend so I had a decent time.

Pre-Portrait Pampering

We were waiting for JCPenny's to unlock their doors. It was cold out and she looked so cute all bundled up in her car seat/stroller. Izzy was so happy and full of smiles, but by the time the photographer was ready, she was sleeping.

Move over Lady Gaga!

As you can see from the photos, Gabriel and Marika were doing some creative posing for the camera. Gabriel has a few moves I like to call the "Zoolander Vogue" moves. It all started with me wanting a photo of Marika in the 80's-esque Flashdance outfit she wore to school...yes, she wore that to school. All she needs to do now is borrow Izzy's legwarmers and she is good to go.

I like how the bull horns fit right on top of Marika's head on the photo below.

The grande finale....Gabriel was always a dancer Papa. Here's the proof.

My Birthday Wish

I have been trying to get a decent photo of the 2 kids since Isabella came home. Guess who made that task difficult? GABRIEL! I got my wish, although Izzy doesn't look to thrilled.

Isabel is so cute. Here you can see her Asian side...all those Chins! Hahaha. She is at the age where she is giggling.

Yeah, that is what I think of my brother sometimes too.

Gabriel has always tried to be very sweet around her. There was the one time he whacked her on the face, but we won't talk about that.

Chocolate cake is YUMMY!

Spring Flowers

Here are a few photos I took for you Matthew. Proof that the house is still standing since you left. The front yard is looking nice and the trees and flowers are thriving in the warm sunny days and the cool nights. I was waiting for Gabriel to come home and decided to take a few photos for you to see. The Japanese maple tree is growing the leaves are turning from the bright green of new growth to the fiery red and yellows. The roses are blooming and this years color theme is purple. You can't see them but there are purple pansies in the hanging baskets. The grass looks pretty darn good too.

Happy BIRTHday Hayden!!!

Here is the newest addition to my family...Hayden! He was born to my brother on April 28th and came into this world at a whopping 9.8 pounds!( I can't figure out why the photos of him are sideways) As usual he looks like one of my kids...beautiful. My Dad is very very impressed with his great set of Buddha earlobes... Good fortune people. Baby Isabella and Gabriel both got to meet him a few minutes after he was born and the 2 babies got their first photos taken together. Isabella is 10 weeks older. Here's to "Double Trouble". Cheers.