A BIG Weekend

So I am REALLY far behind on blogging. I actually started this blog in a timely manner but failed to finish it. I will do my best to catch up. The weekend of May 30 we made a trip up to Dallas for the second baby boy cousin's wedding. Christopher and Kilee are married (for over a month now). Kilee's brother did part of the service and Papa did the vows. Uncle Gary and Cali (his daughter) sang a beautiful duet while the Bride and Groom took communion. The wedding was beautiful but I had a hard time concentrating because of my precious, yet unruly, child. Cousin Blake ended up taking her out. Good times. After the ceremony we headed over to the reception.

The newlyweds in their first dance.

Mema and Papa with their potatoes.

Bella with the Bride.

This is my precious, yet unruly, child. She believed whole heartedly that the dance floor was there for her and that everyone was watching her. She kept spinning in circles on the floor on her bottom. I must admit, I was entertained.

Courtney helping Bella walk.

Us.

I love this picture. It is so sweet. She was leaning in for Papa to give her kisses.

I told you she stayed on the dance floor. I wonder where she gets that from.

Cousins

With the newlyweds.

This picture makes me laugh everytime I see it. Don't worry, it was apple cider.

Terry and I with our apple cider.

They played this little game where the DJ asked a question like "Who is the better cook?" and they had to hold up the Barbie doll that they thought best answered the question.

Dancin' with my daddy!

Bella dancin' with her daddy!

This picture makes me laugh. This is my great Uncle Squeaky and his 3 daughters. They were all holding hands and dancing together. It was greatness!!

Uncle Gary and Cali dancin'

Mema and Papa dancin' for what we found out was the 2nd time ever. Apparently they practiced in their kitchen a month or so before to prepare for the big event. I think they really did enjoy it!

Mom and Dad dancin'. I love this picture of my parents. They LOVE to dance. I remember them dancin' in the living room when I was a little girl.

And Tiffany caught the bouquet!!



As soon as the wedding was over we headed down to Wortham, Tx to our nephew, Justin's, high school graduation. There were 33 graduates in the high school gym. (I sure wish Deer Park's had have been that small.)

Bella with cousin Stephanie and Granny.

Justin and Randy

Siblings

Bella was over pictures by this time.

Justin and his Aunt Angie

Justin with the Richards'

Congratulations Justin!!

We had a great weekend that included LOTS of family. We actually headed back to Houston after the graduation so we were dead tired by the time we got home. But Bella did pretty good for that amount of time in the car!!

Happy Birthday Isabella!!

Our precious little princess is ONE!! This year with her has been so much fun. She has been such a blessing to us and has brought so much joy into our lives. It has been amazing to watch her learn and grow and discover.

I love:
the way she smells
the way she pats me on the back when I pick her up
the way she pulls the ribbon on her paci ALL the way out before she puts the paci in her mouth
the way she smacks before she puts the paci in her mouth
the way she loves her daddy
the way she gives VERY slobbery kisses
the way she puts her rear in the air when she sleeps
the way she can make me laugh with her funny faces
the way she laughs when I kiss all over her face
the way she gets so excited when I go to pick her up in the afternoons
the way she fusses until we pick her up (then pats us on the back)
the way she plays with Gabby (our puppy)
the way she plays so intently with her toys
the way she has learned to get down off the couch
the way she wrinkles up her nose and pants like a puppy
the way she feels when she falls asleep in my arms
the way she loves
the way she expresses her dissatisfaction
the way she stops what she is doing and stares at the TV when dancing shows are on
the way she grins when we say "No, ma'am"
the way she shows excitement with her WHOLE body
the way she is so beautiful on the inside and out
the way she screams in delight (even in church :)
the way she can make my heart melt when she looks up at me with those eyes
the way she entertains herself
the way she sighs
the way she points at everything and shows us she is one
the way she jabbers on and on
the way she has brought so much joy to Terry and me.

The list could go on and on. We love this baby girl so very much and can't even imagine what we would do without her. I can hardly believe that it took us almost 7 years to get her here and she has now been with us for a whole year. I still have days where I look at her and am in awe that she is OUR little girl. It still feels surreal sometimes!! We love you so much Isabella Grace and can't wait to watch you continue you to grow.

So we took the day off so we could dedicate the day to our birthday girl. I was a little worried that we may not be able to leave the house because Bella had her first fever on Tuesday night. She was only running 100 degree temp but she really did not feel good. We gave her Tylenol and she insisted on sleeping with us. She woke up about 2:00am still had fever so we gave her more Tylenol. Luckily by morning the fever was gone!! She still didn't feel all that great but we decided to go ahead and take her to the zoo. The weather was nice and we could always leave if we needed too.




I love this picture. She just couldn't stop looking at that elephant. I wonder what she was thinking!!





This is Toby the Red Panda. He was asleep so we didn't get to see him very well.


Bella finally tuckered out after we saw the monkeys. She was tired but seemed to enjoy the elephants and monkeys the best.

When we got home she lounged in her ball pit.

Happy Birthday, Angel Baby!! Here's wishing you many, many more. We love you!!

Bella's One Year Pictures

Abbey did it again!!! Click Here to see a sneak preview of Bella's one year photo shoot. She did an amazing job. AND Bella actually looked at the camera AND smiled!!!

Bella's First Birthday Party!

I cannot believe it has been a year since this precious little girl entered into our lives. She had a GREAT birthday party on Saturday. As far as I'm concerned everything went perfect. Bella had lots of people here to celebrate with her. She had family from Corsicana even drive in for the day to celebrate with her.

Granny Richards and Aunt Angie

Cousins

Cake time!! She wasn't real sure about it at first so I helped her taste it. She is sitting in the same high chair that I sat in to eat my first birthday cake and it is even the same recipe for the cake. Unfortunately something in the cake made Bella break out in hives. Luckily they went away as soon as she got in the water.

Bella with Granny and Paw Paw Richards

Nana and Papa Cox

Going in like a puppy dog. I think she has been watching Gabby eat.

Here you go Mema - you can see her teeth!!! She has 5 teeth now.

Water time!

Hugging on cousin Ryan

Crystal and Donald

Sweet Avery!

Bella had lots of friends with her.

Lexi

Cousin Taylor

Anthony and Lexi

Precious Baby Anthony

Bella and Aunt Inki

Kenzie

Old friends!!

Tiffany and me

Niki's new man Chris. Aunt Kay and Sandra had to play the 20 questions game with him to make sure he was worthy of our girl.

Tiffany and Bella

"I really like Kenzie's paci" - Bella

"I think I'll chew on it and make it my own." - Bella - the girl with a mind of her own.

Niki and Chris with Me and Terry

Cupcake balls

Tiffany got into town Friday night and we got right to work. THANK YOU for your help Tiff!!

I am so lucky to have this perfect little girl in my life. I can't believe Isabella Grace is ONE!! We love you!!