Celebrate Good Times!!!!

What a weekend we had!
It started with the rehearsal and dinner for Jim & Allison's wedding! We dropped Bella Raye off with Grammy J and hit the road to drive to Decatur IL around 1pm on Friday! The rehearsal went smoothly and then it was off to the Beach House for a wonderful dinner and celebration hosted by Jim's parents, Jim & Joan Matusin. The dinner was delicious!!! Lots of personal stories were shared about Jim and Allison which made it a fun night of much laughter and a few sentimental tears too!
Tim was in the wedding party so Saturday morning he started out the day with shooting clay pigeons with all the guys and then we all met for lunch and they were off for the pictures!
Saturday I got you lounge around all day...didn't quite know what to do with myself since I am always on the go, go, go....but it was nice! I can't remember the last time I took 1 1/2 to get ready! I then met up with Doug, Angie, Amy and Scott and we headed to the wedding!
What a wedding! It was very elegant and classy with ivory and black colors and a few little touches of pink! BEAUTIFUL! The wedding was a very personal wedding with breathtaking soloist and trumpeter...Sweetness as Jim and Allison exchanged their vows and sealed it with a kiss! Allison and Jim both beamed with happiness all day! Did I mention that Allison was a stunning bride?!!
The reception was lovely! Sharon and Gary Morgan, Allison's parents, sure know how to throw a receptions....I am sure Jim and Allison had A LOT to do with it! Neat personal touches "M" ice sculpture, Colt's groom cake, and beautiful wedding cake, the favors were a donation made to a family whose children both have a rare form of anemia! (very neat idea) THEN the party began when Dave & Rae started the dancing....I think we danced for 4 hours straight! My feet are still sore!
It was a lot of fun for us personally because it was the first time in almost 2 years the the 6 pack (Doug & Angie, Scott & Amy, and Tim and I) had been out with no children or being pregnant! We all partied like ROCK STARS!!
Tim and I were up early so we could get back to Indy because he had a tee time and I was onto another party!
Tracey, Paige and I hosted MiMi's Big Debut Party for all of Ann's closest girlfriends! It was so much fun for Annie to show off her new little star, of course MiMi didn't understand what the big fuss was about and slept through most of it! MiMi, the food, and MiMi-tini's were all a big hit!
I met Tim at home and couldn't wait to get my hands on my little girl....it had been 50t hours since I had seen her and it was killing me! When I walked in the door she started crying...uhh not quite the welcoming I wanted but I scooped her out of her jumparoo and took her outside so we could enjoy the wonderful weather! With in minutes she was laughing at Peyton running all around! She become a little rolly polly at Grammy J and Papaw Stafford's this week...going all over the place! We could be in trouble....we better get on the baby proofing the house!
Anyways with in a hour she was ready for bed and a bottle so I am looking forward to all morning tomorrow with her until I go to work!
Thank you, mom and dad for watching Izabella this weekend so we could do all our celebrating! Between work and our social calendar lately I am not sure what we would do if we didn't have so much family and friends willing to help us with Izabella! We are truly blessed! THANK YOU!

Pictures to come of all the celebrating...I took way too many pictures so it will take a minute for me to organize and get them downloaded!

Cutie!!!

I love this sweet Bella face!!!
Bella laughing at mommy!

I just had to buy this shirt when I found it! Yes, it says Bella!

Ear Check!

Bella is so excited that "Aunt" Sara let her wear her beads!!!!
I think I need to see how these taste!

Yummy...just like I thought...Grammy J had some beads on too!

Today we went back to Dr Layman to make sure Bella's ear infection had cleared up! Her ears were not infected anymore but there was still some fluid behind her ear drum which the Dr was not worried about and said that with congestion there is sometimes residual build up and it should clear up! We will return for another check-up in 3 weeks! I also took Bella down to her birthday suit to she how much she weighed. She was 17lbs 4oz...a gain of a pound in a half in 5 weeks!

After the Dr Appt we shopped until we dropped with Aunt Rachel! Bella is such a good girl shopping like a champ...chillin' in her stroller with one leg up the whole time!

After shopping we went to Angie's for a Arbonne party...it was fun to spend an hour with all the girls and have some great munchies too! Angie always makes lots of yummy treats!

Then headed home for Ryan's birthday celebration!

Another busy but fun day for Bella and Mommy! Looking forward to a day of staying home and doing nothing...we might be able to do that later next week!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RYAN!!!!Last night we celebrated my brothers 23rd Birthday over a great dinner, lots of laughter and a beautiful evening outside! We were grilling the steaks out and decided it was nicer outside than in.... SO with every ones help quickly pulled out the patio furniture from the shed and ate out there!

It was a very nice night!!!

We hope that you have a wonderful Birthday, Ryan!

May all your wishes come true!!!
We love you,

Tim, Alli & Bella Raye

My Husband ROCKS!!!

Both Bella and I were thrilled to see Tim when he got home from Florida last night. Bella's face just glowed with a big smile when Tim opened the tailgate and said " hi baby"! We took advantage of the nice weather and enjoyed dinner outside on the canal in Broadripple at Canal Point Grill. Aunt Rachel joined us! We only got to spend a few hours with Tim and then he was off to work at the bar for the rest of the night! BOO

Anyways on with why my husband ROCKS...Bella was up at 4:30am with teething issue and then again at 8:30am. I know to many of you 8:30am is sleeping in...but we have gotten use to a routine that Bella doesn't usually wake up until 9:00-9:30am which works wonderfully with my schedule since nights I work I don't get to bed until 4:30am. Bella has also spoiled us since she was 9 weeks old with sleeping 10-12 hours and night and not waking up! Never-the-less...Tim got home from work at 4am and was up with Bella this morning when she got up, so I could sleep in. I know some of why he got up so quickly was because he was gone for the week and hadn't spent much time with Bella but the few extra hours of sleep I really appreciated! THANKS, TIM!!!
You ROCK as my husband and even more as Bella's Daddy!!!

We love you!

Rainbow Bright!!!

I LOVE these little tights I got Bella Raye!

Papaw M took lots of cute pictures of her in them!

She had lots of fun playing and spending time with Grandma & Papaw M

last night and this morning! We are sure thankful that they

were able to help us out!

Tim gets home tomorrow and we can't wait to see him!

We have missed having daddy around the house!

Busy Girls!

I love this Discovery box Grammy J got me for Christmas!

It has lots of animals in it that have different textures and sounds!
I love playing with my Bubby Peyton....he always is on my blanket with me!

We dropped Tim off at the airport after breakfast and started going full speed ahead with errands! Tim is off to Orlando for a business conference for the rest of the week...we hope he brings lots of warm weather home! We did lots of errands and Bella was soo good in the car and getting in and out! THANK GOODNESS! We made it home for lunch and nap.

Then we hit the monon again today since it was even nicer out! YEAH! We love weather like this

More errands after some exercise! We were out until almost 9pm but Bella hung in there with me the whole time!

I forgot to mention in yesterdays blog that Bella's 3rd(top left) tooth has cut through her gums...... white peeking through! Also when I say...YEAH...she has started clapping! It is very cute!

Tomorrow I have to work so Bella Raye is spending the night with Grandma and Papaw M...we know she will have lots of fun and might even get to Cousin Wyatt!

Going to try and pack it in for the night after our busy day...it sure is tons of fun spending the day with my little girl!!!

We miss you already, Tim!

Family Walk on a BEAUTIFUL Day!

We hit the monon trail once Tim got home from work tonight...

when we first got out for the Trailblazer we probably looked

like a three ring circus with both of the dogs and Bella!

The dogs were so excited to be out and on a walk

that they kept getting tangled up and they both have issues with being the leader.

Once we got them under control we enjoyed our walk and Bella loved it! We both love

her jogger stroller that Grand Aunt Sharon got her before she was here. She kept busy looking at everything and kicking her legs so she had her exercise too!

Pickles & Puffs!!!

She likes the Sweet Potato Puffs and has just as much fun playing with them!

Which allowed me time to get the vacuuming done!

Yes, It's a Dill Pickle and She LOVED it!!!!

We have had lots of fun testing out Bella Raye's little taste buds! There isn't a lot that she doesn't like! Thursday we tried Yo-Baby Yogurt and I couldn't get it in her mouth fast enough...she loved it! Saturday night we went to Mexican for dinner and she had some refried beans which she liked but she was even more excited about the guacamole! I hope she continues to have such a good appetite!

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY, Wyatt James!!!!

Blow out those candles, buddy! We hope all your birthday wishes come true!!!

Bella all geared up for Wyatt's Elmo party with her

"Elmo is my homeboy"

Shirt on!

We got Wyatt one too!!! When we got Wyatt a sandbox for his birthday we didn't think he would have to put is coat on to play with it!

Wyatt is going to be a very busy boy with all the new toys he got!!!

Crashed on Mommy after a Fun Birthday Party!!!!

Wyatt James, You have been a true joy to our family from the moment you arrived! Each time we are with you, you bring so much laughter and amazement to our lives!!! We look forward to many, many, more years of celebrations with you and watching you learn, grow and love! May you always know how much you are loved and enjoy all the wonders the world has to offer!

We love you TONS, buddy!

Uncle Tim, Aunt Alli & Bella Raye

Sitting Up Big At SEVEN months

She hasn't perfected sitting yet but getting pretty darn close!!!
She likes to stand for seconds at a time too! Building those leg muscles!!! Look at those Beautiful Blues!!!
We caved in and bought her a jumparoo...it has been the best thing we have spent our money on in a long time!
She spends hours in it!!
Jumping can be hard work though!!! Crashed on one of my best pals Addie!!!

I can't believe Izabella is 7 months old today! Where has the time gone? Ironically Dad M brought over the DVD of her birth today...it was amazing to watch and more amazing to think that it was 7 months ago we were blessed with our little girl who has changed our lives forever!!

HAPPY 7 Months Little Bella Raye!!!!!

We love you more and more each day,

Mommy & Daddy

Celebrating Scott's 34!!!

I think Scott's favorite presents came about a month early with the arrival of his baby girls,

Emily & Claire
Super Excited that there are only 9 candles on the cake...just a few short!
HaHa

Surrounded By the Girls!!!

I think this should be an annual pile on picture!

We had a wonderful dinner put on by Miss Amy Homemaker! She has twins that are a month old and is caring for them all by herself during the day AND still had time to make a wonderful birthday dinner, bake a cake and run out with both of the girls yesterday to get presents for Scott! BRAVO, my friend you are a fabulous mommy and you look amazing too!!!

It was fun to celebrate with Scott, Amy and the girls and Angie and Addie! Doug we missed you but CONGRATS on your first victory over Pike...12-2...Way too go!!! Doug is couching baseball for Hamilton Southeaster Freshman team!

Happy Birthday Scott!!!

Today is one of our best friends, Scott's, Birthday!

We have had years of fun with Scott and looking forward to

many more years of celebrating!

He is a great friend, and now daddy of his twin girls!!!

We hope you have a birthday full of lots of
fun, laughter and love!!!
May all your wishes come true as you blow out those 34 candles!!!!
Happy Birthday!!!

Reflections from my First Easter

Diggin' into my basket the Easter bunny left me!

Checking out my new Daisy Duckie Puppet that quacks as fast or as slow as you move her mouth...it is pretty funny!
Open it faster so I can play with it!!!
Aunt Suzi, Uncle Ernie and Cousin Wyatt hosted a wonderful Easter Dinner at their home! I tried some mash potatoes and wasn't too sure of them!
Having fun with Grammy J & Papaw Stafford
Having dessert with Grandma & Papaw M
"Uncle" Chip and Aunt Rachel enjoying Easter dinner and visiting.
Playing with my cousin Wyatt....do you like this Easter outfit my Grammy J got me?
"Aunt" Sara & Uncle Ryan with full bellies....
Relaxing after all the celebrating...we had to settle for this little DVD player since all the daddy's were watching the Masters.

Easter Greetings!!!

From Our Family to Yours

We wish you all a beautiful Easter full

of much joy, love and laughter!

Alleluia!!!

In Our Thoughts & Prayers

The Lebanon family has lost a friend this week.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Damon and Patty on the

loss of their youngest son, Grant. Also with Derk on the loss

of his brother!

This morning the family held a beautiful, touching service for

their loved one. There were lots of emotions shared... tears and some

laughter too in the celebration of Grant's life!

One of the messages brought through in the service was that Grant

was a man that was never afraid to tell you what he thought and felt

and that he loved you, or that you were his friend! For us to take time out and make sure you tell your family and friends how you feel because life is short and we never

know when it will be taken from us!

No words can express our sadness or what you are going through

but we pray that with God's grace you find comfort and peace

as you grieve your loss.

Indiana Weather.....

Today it was only 38 degrees outside and there were snow flurries!!!

Thank goodness I hadn't cleaned out Bella's closet yet and I still had some warm clothes to put on her!

We haven't had her warm "Bundle Me" fleece in her car seat for a month but it went back it today!

She is spending the night with Grandma and Grandpa Stafford tonight since I have to work and Grandma was on Spring Break! We know she will have lots of fun and probably get a little spoiled too!

Tim said he didn't know what to do without his girls home...I had many options for him...laundry, dishes and so forth....he is such a good husband and he did them!

Yesterday it was 70 degrees and we had some bad thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Bella was in a cute Spring outfit when we out to dinner!

Leave it to Indiana Weather!

Baby Girls

Emily 4 weeks
Claire 4 weeks

MiMi 5 weeks

Today I had the privilage of getting to watch sweet Emily Warner, one of the twins, when her mom took her sister, Claire Bear, to the doctor. Emily was a perfect little angel while she was at our house. Slept, ate and just checked everything out after her belly was full! I love that I got to see both of the girls awake for more than a minute! Bella loved watching her friend...she was a good girl when I fed Emily and then went down for her nap afterwards!

Made life easy for me!

You forget how little they are...it is just amazing how quickly they all change and grow!

Then Ann and MiMi came over to visit for awhile. MiMi was just precious and didn't make a peep while she was over! We then joined Tim and Warren for dinner at Kona Grill! It was Yummy...we love their sushi!

Bella loved having all her girlfriends over to visit tpday!

Getting Better!!!

This morning Bella Raye finally woke up for the first time in 3 days with no fever and "talking" instead of crying!

YEAH!

Our poor baby girl, had her first ear infection.

I wish that I could of been sick instead of her....I just felt awful there was nothing we could do

but hold her and try and comfort her.

We have been spoiled with a very happy and healthy child!

We are thrilled that she is getting better and back to her happy self again!

Tim gave her a bath today to hopefully get rid of any extra sick bugs that might have been hanging around!

He put her in this adorable robe that her great, great, great, Uncle Bob sent her from

California for her when she was born.