Jacob = Joy

I just have to express how happy of a child Jacob is - Matthew and I say he is a jolly, joyful soul. It's almost as though he knows he was in an accident as a 10-week-old and he's decided to live each day as the gift that it is. Sure, he gets fussy and can even throw a tantrum or too but most of the time he is literally humming a tune (dee, doo, dee) or dancing and almost always smiling. And he loves to hug people, even strangers (he also likes to eat their food)! I told a friend the other day that I can already tell he is going to be the best, sweetest little grandpa ever. We are thankful for our ball of joy - I use the word ball because his rotund stature seems to fit his personality!

For Aunt Kristine

Once again, it's been way too long since I updated this old blog. A busy mom who doesn't like to upload pictures does not a good blogger make. Aunt Kristine told me it was time so this update is dedicated to her. We've been busy living life and loving on our babies. We are counting the days until the summer because that means we get to celebrate Ben and Hannah's marriage and meet little Josiah, the newest family member, along with lots of other fun summertime things. Here are some pictures from our family's adventures of late.

Julie (one of my oldest and best friends) and me with our baby boys, Hudson and Jacob. Hudson and Jacob must be focused on something more interesting on the ground. Sorry you miss out on seeing their precious faces:)

Friends + Helotes Cornyval = The best night of Abby's life!

We went to the Cornyval with some dear friends here in San Antonio and had a wonderful time. Abby is ready to go back, well she was never really ready to leave!

Sara Kate, Abby, Tyler and Naomi

These four met when they were two and have been best buddies ever since!

Daddy and Abby

Abby loves riding her new bike. This picture was taken on Easter as we were heading down the road to our friends' house for an Easter lunch and egg hunt. We had a wonderful time!

This picture was taken when we were in Temple over Easter weekend. I just love it because this is what Abby looks like when she is thinking. Abby is such a sweet and compassionate girl and we are blessed to call her our daughter.

Life

I can't believe I'm just now getting a moment to update the old blog. Life has just been so busy. So fun. So tiring. So wonderful. So crazy. So fast. So thankful. So blessed.
Here are some pictures from our recent adventures. Of course I have many more stuck in my camera that I am too tired/lazy to upload at the moment...

Well, I'm not in my twenties anymore. We spent my 30th birthday with some dear friends, the McHales. Matt and I share the same birthday so we hired a babysitter (something is wrong with us because we hardly ever do this and it is so wonderful and healthy!) and went out for dinner at Dough, a fabulous Italian restaurant. It was the perfect birthday. Thank you, sweet friends and thank you babysitter.

Reunited.

One of the greatest gifts in my life are my oldest friends. I cannot express how thankful I am to have grown up with such amazing, loving and loyal friends. We always pick up where we left off and it's so comforting to just know each other so well - I mean we have known each other since we were little girls. These girls (well, ladies I should say because we are now all officially 30 as of today - Happy Birthday, Kelly!) are my heart and I love them so very much. Thanks for another great reunion.

Abby and Annie. Seeing these two together brings my heart so much joy. Julie (Annie's momma) and I met each other when we were just a tiny bit older than these two. These girls love being together!

So happy.

Amanda, Chloe (Kelly's precious daughter), Heather, Kelly (with Daniel, our newest addition and miracle baby), Rachel, Me and Julie.
I love you girls and cannot wait to see you all again soon.

(We try to have as many reunions as possible.)

Birthday Boy! Jacob is one and as of this week is officially walking. One of the things stuck on my camera is video of this little man walking - it's adorable. Jacob is a blessing and just more fun than we could have ever imagined.

April 24th will mark one year since we were hit by the car. What a reminder that life is so fragile. We have spent the last year with thankful hearts that God protected our precious little guy that day. My cup overflows.

Jacob is about to be ONE!

So tomorrow is our little man's birthday - we cannot believe he is almost one! Wow, I thought Abby's first year went by quickly but Jacob's has gone by even faster. We feel so blessed to have Jacob David or "Bubba" (and man, he is bubba!) in our lives. He is so funny and he loves to snuggle. He can say some words, including Jakey, cheese, juice and light. Here are some recent pictures of our beloved little guy.

Our friends Steve and Liz with Jacob and Gabby (and their mullets:)

Post haircut (yes, we finally felt it was time to cut off Jacob's hair)

Jacob and Daddy playing the guitar.
(Please pretend like you don't see the laundry waiting to be folded on the couch in the background - those of you that know me well know that more often than not this is where the clean clothes can be found!)

p.s. Say a prayer for us tomorrow morning - we have Abby's 4 year check up and Jacob's 1 year check up, complete with shots.

Our Baby Girl is 4!

So I am more than a little late with this post... Abby turned 4 on January 12th! We cannot believe our baby is getting so big so fast. Here is a recent picture of Abby with her new hair do.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

We have had a wonderful couple of weeks celebrating Christmas and the beginning of 2010 with friends and family. Here are some pictures of our fun times.

Abby and Abram at the Great Wolf Lodge.

(This picture of out of order - this was after Christmas.)

Matthew and the kids at the McHale's on Christmas Eve. Those of us from our life group without family in town got together for a delicious dinner at the McHale's. Our friends are a blessing!

Please note Matthew's mustache. I think he thinks it is funny or something...

Once again, I think he thinks it's funny and apparently so does Matt McHale.

Our Christmas babies.

Me and Abby with Baby Rosa Madison, Abby's Christmas present.

Abby and Baby Rosa in their matching PJ's.

Abby playing in the snow in Dallas.

Aunt Mindy and our little Jakey.

Abby's first snowman.

Jacob playing with one of his Christmas presents.

The Thompson family came to visit us for New Year's.

Abby and Calli playing dress-up. Calli is Abby's first friend. They have known each other since Abby was three months old. As you can see in the pictures, they love each other.

Chris and Matthew playing Marbulous with Hudson.

Abby and Calli at the zoo.

And on the train.

Happy New Year's!

We are thankful for amazing friends and family and looking forward to what 2010 brings!

Abby & Matthew had a wonderful time on their first day in Disney World. Abby told me on the phone her favorite thing was seeing the fairies and her favorite ride was the Dumbo ride. Here are some pictures of Abby with the princesses. She didn't want to have her picture taken with Belle because she was not wearing her Belle dress yesterday - I think that's the dress she'll wear today.

Abby & Ariel

Abby & Sleeping Beauty

Abby & Cinderella