Christmas till now.

Our mini Christmas tree and stockings at home. We didn't do much because were weren't going to be there for Christmas and we didn't want the kids to get into the tree stuff. I love having a home I can decorate. Last year I made a wreath for our door this year I decorated a garland for the kitchen. I love Christmas crafts.


It was a busy end to 2009. Thanks to our families were were able to go visit AZ. I can't believe how much stuff there is to pack with 2 kids. We had our friends the Cadenheads drive us in their big SUV and then Kandi and Mom had to pick us up from the airport. The kids were pretty good on the fight. I realized that there is no way one of us can fly with them alone.

Christmas was fun and we enjoyed getting together with all the cousins. The girls had a Girls Night out and went to Cheesecake Factory then back to Carol's to play Mexican Train. Isabella has a blast with her cousins too. We had a birthday BBQ for mom at Alaenya and Todds house where the kiddos got to spend more time with their cousins. Isaac seems almost as big as Travis. We got a few pictures. Its fun to watch them grow.

We were able to spend New Years in Las Vegas. We had fun visiting and once again the kids got to see their other cousins. We finally got to go the the Vegas temple. It was so fun!! George came with Stanley and I and we did sealing. Later that night we went down town and saw the Bellagio fountains. On New Years day Dan proposed to Devery! They took engagement pictures the next day because Jo was in town. It was a fun and busy week. Over all the trip was wonderful. Isaac and Isabella did get sick for several days but nothing too bad. Thankfully we didn't all get sick.

Isaac worn out from a busy day.
Isabella enjoying Oreganos pizza dough

George, Lucie, Isaac and Isabella

Isabella eating Christmas treats.

Isabella loved opening gifts on Christmas




Cody 4, Whittney 3, Isabella 18months, Travis 7months, Isaac 4months

Isabella and Isaac with their favorite Aunt Kyri

Grandpa and the kiddos

Luci and Robert /Mom and Dad

Since getting back we have had fun getting back together with our friends. We realized how much we love Portland and all the people we met. I felt like we were coming home rather than leaving home. We have made some amazing friends that we think of as family here. It makes me sad to think that in 2 yrs we will have to move again.

An update real quick on Isabella and Isaac. They are both growing so fast. Isabella is learning so much every day. We can almost always understand what she means either by what she is saying or signing or pointing at. She listens to directions really well and understands most everything. She loves her brother so mufh! He weighs almost as much as she does, regardless she still tries to pick him up. She has learned that she can't pick him up but she can roll him. She loves to have him lay on her then roll him over and lay on him and just keep rolling. He usually doesn't mind so I let her do it until he starts to fuss. Isaac is so sweet. He smiles all the time and is so happy and mellow. He is already learning to sip up and his hand coordination is getting better. He says ahgooo and other little baby words. Come times Isabella will go up to him and just start talking. It is so adorable. Through out the day she will come up and ask to hold him. I let her sit down then put him on her lap. She holds him like a doll and talks to him , kisses him and rubs heads with him. Then she is done and pushes him off. hahaha I try to catch him before that happens. Isacc is also great at tummy time. He loves it and will play with toys for a long time. He has rolled over a few times but mostly tries to get up on his knees. We think he will be moving much sooner than Isabella did. We love our kiddos and the little personalities they bring with them.

Stanley is really enjoying school. He finds it interesting and challenging. He is great at managing his time for his family callings and school. Stan was recently called into the Elder's Quorum presidency and I was called as Young Women's personal progress advisor. We are both enjoying our callings.

I have enjoyed making several friends that have kids Isabellas age and we get together about once a week for a playgroup. These ladies are so fun and really keep me sane, especially during Stan's finals.

More Thanksgiving

These were taken at Stan's cousins house. John and Julie Martin let us stay with them and their 5 kids for Thanksgiving. We had a blast. Isabella loved that there were so many kids around to play with. We had fun visiting and getting to know them better. Stan's cousin Mike and his wife were there along with Julie's mother and brother.

If you think something is missing at our Turkey Day feast.... it is. We skipped the Turkey and went for Steak. Much better choice in my opinon! Thanks Julie!!!

Isaac is 3 months old now and he and Stan have one matching out fit so I try and have Isaac match his daddy whenever I get a chance.

Washington and Thanksgiving..

I know this is long overdue so it will just be quick. We camped at Ensign ranch and were lucky enough to get to ride the horses there. This was Isabella's first time riding a horse. She loved it. This is the place Stan spent 5 summers growing up working. He had a great time telling me all the things they used to do and showing me his old stomping ground. We can't wait to go back during the summer.

Tis the Season

Yes as you may have guessed I am already in the Christmas mood. I have listened to Christmas music already and want to decorate the house. Usually I don't do this till mid December. However I think the fact that I have actually seen the change in seasons and it is getting cold makes me think about Christmas. So this year I think I am going to have my house decorated for Christmas before Thanksgiving. Yes I will be one of THOSE people. :) Merry Christmas!!

What we have been up to...

We found this slide on craigslist for $20 bucks so that Isabella can have something to do inside while it is raining this winter. It took her a total of 2 tries before she had it all figured out. She loves it!









For our play group with the ward this week we went to this island that just has a bunch of farms on it. There are several farmers markets and during the fall there are pumpkin patchs and hay rides and all sorts of animals to see. We had such a good time! I loved being able to use her rain jacket and her rubber ducky boots.

The pictures at the park are of Isabella and Abby her new best friend. I met her mom at the park and our girls are only a few days apart. So we get together several times a week and let them just play. They are so sweet!

The last photo is why I love the fall. That is a look down one of the streets in my neighborhood. Ahhh I love having 4 seasons!!!

Sorry my photos and text aren't matching up.... not sure why.

Finally an update!

Life has been busy. I finally feel like we are starting to get a routine down. It's nice to feel like things aren't always chaotic. Isaac and Isabella are both growing so fast. Isabella is such a helper. She tries to help whenever Isaac is fussy. When he is crying she points to where he is and heads that way. If she sees his pacifier she picks it up and brings it to us, and when he cries she goes to him and pats his head or tummy and talks to him. It is so adorable. He usually will calm down if she is next to him....well until she tires to sit on him or poke his eyes or nose. :) Isaac has a very different temperament than Isabella did. He is more fussy unless you are holding him. He loves to cuddle. He has started to mimic some facial expressions if you are up close and have his attention, and he has started to smile at us. I love his smile!! It reminds me of Harrison Ford for some reason.

We try and stay active and get out of the house several times a week. The community center by us has an indoor gym with lots of toys for kids Isabella's age. Its fun to go to that a few times a week so that Isabella can play with new things and meet new kids. My ward has a play group that meets once a week that we go too. I love getting together with other moms and having some adult conversation while our kids entertain themselves!

We are really enjoying Portland. I feel like the Lord has really blessed me. I am a social person and need friends to hang out with. Since we have moved here I have made so many friends! I have a few girlfriends that I can go shopping with or just hang out and chat with . I have the moms from the ward. Just recently I started taking the kids to a new park where I met lots of women with young kids. I met 2 in particular that had kids Isabella's exact age. We started chatting and soon decided to try and get together on a regular basis. We met a few more times at the park and became fast friends. Now I have another play group for Isabella and friends to go do stuff with . They are active as well so we have lots of fun trips to the Children's museums and zoo planned. They know all the good stuff to do while the rainy season is here. I feel so so blessed because the Lord knew that I needed friends especially while Stan was so busy. All these ladies have been an answer to wishes from the heart. I love when the Lord blesses you even before you think to ask.

Last weekend we were lucky enough to have ALL of Stan's family and my mom here for Isaac's blessing. We had a fun weekend listening to conference and visiting. We had a chance to go see the Rose Gardens but like a typical fall day in Portland got rained out at the end. Isabella and cousin Emma loved playing in the fountain. I had so much fun watching these to interact. I just wish lived closer to cousins so they could know each other better.

Saturday night was a blast. The guys stayed home and cooked dinner and watched all the kids while the girls went shopping. It was so fun shopping with Jo and both mom's. I miss having my sisters around to go shopping with. Well since this is the first time we had all been together for a while Jo took pictures. It was a blast. Check them out on her blog www.photographybyjo.com Stanley gave Isaac a wonderful blessing on Sunday. There was such a sweet spirit in our home (yes we blessed Isaac in our home.) We are so blessed to have wonderful children who help bring us closer to the Lord.

School is going well for Stanley and he is already beginning to study for his board exams next summer. Crazy! Fall has begun here so the trees are starting to turn beautiful yellows and oranges. I love living where there are actual seasons.

Isabella is getting so big and getting quite the personality. She always sticks her tongue out when she is concentrating.... just like Stan. She is so much like him!