Swimsuits and lipstick

Juliette is all about swimsuits and lipstick lately. She wears a swimsuit pretty much everyday. That's fine with me since it's easy on and off. The lipstick is the newest thing. She likes to put on my lipstick and isn't satisfied unless she can see it (meaning it's not just on her lips.)

Smile, and yes I do have hair

I love it when Ian smiles. His little dimple is adorable.


This second picture is just to show that he isn't really bald. I don't know why his hair doesn't photograph.

Aleah gets her ears pierced

Aleah decided that she wanted to get her ears pierced on Saturday. For the longest time she was too afraid, but finally got up the courage to just do it. I think that it was worth it, she looks so cute.

Apple Picking

Living in Arizona we don't get many chances to do normal fall activities because our seasons really aren't the same. Every year I feel bad that the kids don't get to experience some of these harvest related activities. So, I was excited when I learned that there was an apple orchard where you could go pick apples up near Wickenburg. We left early in the morning and were picking apples by 8 am. It really was a fun family outing.

Karate

Here is Alex, anxious to start karate.

Genevieve's 5th Birthday

All of the sudden it seems that Genevieve is a big girl. She looked forward to her birthday for so long, just waiting to turn 5. She had fun opening her gifts and blowing out the candles on her "Princess Cake."

First day of school

I'm so proud of my kids. They are great kids and great students. They are off on their first day of school right now getting used to new teachers and new routines. Genevieve was a bit nervous about starting kindergarten, but is more than ready. I know they will all do just fine and have so much fun.

Ian almost sitting

Not really sitting, but he can hold himself up for a second. He seemed so proud of this.

Juliette turns 3

Juliette turned 3 on July 25th. Her requests for her birthday included swimming, balloons, and ice cream. We went to grandma's house and went for a swim and then cake and ice cream.

New Clothes

Little Ian has finally grown into some of the clothes that Grandma Zollinger sent months ago. I think he looks like a real little boy.

Big sister, little brother

I like this picture because you can definitely tell that Aleah and Ian are siblings. They are both so cute!

Max

As you may know, we have not had much luck in the pet department, but I'm hopeful that our new dog Max will be just right for our family. He is a two year old male German Shepherd mix. I like Max already because he is already house broken, intelligent, very easy going, and gentle.

A Bunch of Firsts for Ian

At four months Ian has become strong and alert. He is now eating baby food and rolling over. He loves interacting with his siblings. It's also nice to be able to let him entertain himself for a few minutes so that I can get a few things done.

Go Ian

I know this picture looks kind of strange, but let me explain. Ian has found his thumb. After trying every pacifier known to man, Ian discovered that he prefers his thumb. I have mixed feeling about this. It will be harder to break him of this habit later on, but for now it is wonderful. When he is fussy and tired all that you have to do is to lay him down and he starts sucking his thumb and falls asleep almost immediately.

Memorial Day

This year on Memorial Day we all jumped in the car and headed across the valley to visit my grandpa's grave. He is buried in the Mesa City Cemetery. It was a nice, sunny, peaceful day to remember loved ones and those that have served our country.

I was glad to have the chance to relate to the kids my few memories of my grandfather. I think I was six when he died. I remember when he and grandma would bring their RV and come visit us, I would be so excited. I also remember sitting on his lap. Even though I wasn't able to get to know him well, I realize now that we are all connected. The choices that he made directly affect me and the person that I have become.



We also went to have ice cream at the old Dairy Queen in Mesa. Josh remembers going to this Dairy Queen after visiting his great grandfather 'Gramps' on Sunday afternoons.

Ian is 12 weeks old

I just think Ian gets cuter every day. I can't believe he's already 12 weeks old!

Easter 2009

Nap time

Sometimes I don't know why I bother with nap time. Juliette does anything but sleep. There are no toys in her room, but she still finds plenty to do. She tries on clothes and this time found candy and stickers in her sister's drawer.(she takes all of her bedding off and stacks it so she can reach up into this drawer) Since she had candy stuck in her hair I had to take her straight to the tub.