Never In A Million Years...

Miss Makena...

My daughter...a word I did not think I would ever utter. It is still beyond me how we got so lucky to experience the joy of having a girl! I enjoy my boys so very much and I knew that I would be ok to have another. But the moment the doctor told me "You now have a girl!" it put me in a tizzy. Besides the fact that I cried tears of joy all day long, made the doctor tell me numerous times throughout my pregnancy that it was still indeed a girl and again asked when she was finally born "It really is a girl???" I STILL find myself amazed that I have a daughter.

I am fully aware of the extra responsibilty this puts on me as a mother. But I am also aware of the special girly things we will share and cannot wait! I appreciate my own mom more and understand our relationship better. So yes, as Darren says...I do hold on to her a little tighter...cuddle her a little more...maybe because she is our last child or maybe because I want to ensure that she knows how very special she is. She is my partner in this family of boys and I love it!

I never thought I would have a daughter...never in a million years.....

Happy First Birthday Makena!!

She loves to laugh

Just because...

An Introduction

Recently we went to OC for a very special introduction. While there, Jake had a blast with his cousin Brooke (or Brookie, as he calls her.)

There was some swimming...

Some playing in the new play set....

Lots of swinging....

Silly face making....

And the practicing of applying chapstick.

But the real reason for our visit was to be introduced to the newest member of the Strong family....

Welcome Jack! SO nice to meet you :)

4 YEARS OLD!!

There are many reasons we love Jake....

His cool shirts...

His cute shoes...

And of course, that smile...

Most of all, we love him because he is OUR son! How did we get so lucky?

It is hard to believe 4 years have already passed. He has become such a little boy and no longer a baby! We have enjoyed watching him grow and look forward to many more years of laughter!

Happy 4th Birthday Jacob! We love you very much!

A day at the beach

A fun time was had by all...

:)

Just because...

Catch up...

I have been snapping away and we have been very busy lately, so here are some pics to catch you up on what has been going on :)

So, first Grandma Cindy came to visit and we went to the Strawberry festival (yum!)

Jake enjoyed the rides...

And slides...

And Makena enjoyed cuddling...

Andy graduated from 8th grade and let us take his picture with Grandpa...

Grandma...

And even his mama....

Makena thought Aunt Carly was funny with that baby doll!

Camille was loving having a real life baby to play with.

Look closely and you will see the white spot on her bottom gums. Yup, our first tooth!

Here is Jake's early b-day present from Papa, Grandma, GG and Aunt Suzi that Daddy and Papa spent HOURS putting together! Jake LOVES it :)

Makena thinks it is great too!

Just because I can't help it...

Sitting pretty these days :)

So, that is what we have been doing the past few weeks. Soon we have birthdays and vacations to look forward too!

Traveling girl!

First, I took a nap in the car. (Notice the tongue…she thought she still had her binky..lol):

Then, I had some fun in my stroller while waiting for the plane:

And then I chewed on a water bottle to make my gums feel better:


All in a day's travels! :)

Spring time in CA

Our roses are blooming quickly these days, so Jake and I took a field trip out to the front yard and this is what we found....

Beautiful!!