Fun with Family

My parents (Nana, Poppy, and Great Nana) came for a two-week visit, arriving just in time to celebrate Isabella's 2nd birthday. We had a wonderful time while they were here. Isabella was, of course, spoiled rotten. She definitely has her Nana and Poppy wrapped around her little finger! We had fun planting flowers along the walkway to our front door, blowing bubbles, playing with Isabella's new outdoor toys, and taking lots of nice walks when the weather would allow. We took a short three-day trip to Fredericksburg, San Antonio, and the outlet mall at San Marcos.

My Aunt and Uncle from Shreveport came for Easter weekend. We had a great time going to the museum Frontier Texas and to Perini Ranch for dinner. Unfortunately, the weather turned cold on Easter day, so Isabella's egg hunt took place in the living room. She received a bubble set in her Easter basket, so we blew a few bubbles in the house.

My parents helped out immensely while they were here. My dad didn't want to sit still for a minute! They helped us get the guest bedroom configured so that it could fit the baby crib and changing table. (I'll post some pictures of the room soon.) The baby won't have a true nursery until we move this coming October.

Isabella is saying more and more, and repeats everything. She has been showing more of a strong willed personality lately, but is also incredibly compassionate. It's amazing to me how complex a two year olds personality can be! One of her favorite things to talk about is her baby brother that is coming in July. She talks about being a big sister and LOVES saying the baby's name (we'll keep it a secret for now).



Another birthday picture.



Bella loves it when Daddy pushes her fast down the driveway!



Nana and Isabella playing at her new table.





Isabella loves watering the new flowers!




I think she watered the sidewalk more than the flowers!



I just love the expression on her face!



Daddy and his girl on Easter Sunday



Isabella is still deciding if she likes chocolate or not.



Blowing bubbles



Isabella loves it when the bubbles shower down on her.



At the water wheel in Fredricksburg. Isabella's favorite place is anywhere with water.



Let me out of this hotel room! We stayed at the Randolph AFB Inn and had beautiful suites just off the veranda. Isabella loved running up and down the large porch.

Happy Birthday Isabella!

It's so hard to believe that Isabella is already two years old!! She had a fun Veggie Tale themed birthday. We kept it low key this year, celebrating with Nana, Poppy and Great Nana. She loved her new gifts!

Then....

Now....

A good friend from church, Sarah, made a beautiful dress as a present for Isabella's birthday. She was having a two-year old moment, and did not want her picture taken, but you can see the dress is amazing!!

Some birthday party pictures...

Trying to wear her new backpack, sit on her new rocking chair and put a bow on her head.

Showing Nana her new gardening set.

Daddy putting the final touches on her new car.

Isabella running off her cake. The fact that she is running in the grass is amazing, since at this time last year she was terrified of grass. I guess it's just another way that she is growing up!

Ahhh, one of those moments...

Many of you know how much it has meant to me to have each of Isabella's milestones documented with pictures. We have some beautiful pictures of her from 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 1 year. We had some awesome pictures taken on the beach when we were in Florida last summer when she was 18 months. Well, with tomorrow being her second birthday I wanted to have her picture taken professionally again. We normally drive to Dallas, but we just didn't have the time this weekend, so we went to a local studio. It didn't turn out like I had imagined, of course, and by the end I was just hoping we'd have one of her not crying. Liz, you can come anytime to take her picture! You have a way of making her smile! Here are a couple of pictures....

Grams visits and other fun stuff!

This past week Grams, Steve's mom, came for a visit. Isabella loved having all the attention and enjoyed showing Grams all she can do and say. We had beautiful weather for most of the week so Isabella enjoyed playing outside as well. We had fun at the Grace museum, Perini Ranch and a quick trip to Dallas.

We have found that Isabella can be quite a sensitive little girl. Whenever anyone sings "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" or another nice soft lullaby she starts crying. She prefers all songs to be sung with a good beat and as loud as possible.

Below are some pictures highlighting a fun week.


Isabella and Grams in the morning. As you can tell Isabella is not a morning person!


"Higher Daddy, Higher!"

Isabella is finally getting use to West Texas grass. It's actually more like straw!


Isabella loves running from one end of the driveway to the other. She says, "Fast Mommy, fast."

Steve and Isabella going for a walk at Perini Ranch.

The noise wall at the Grace Museum. You’re suppose to place your palms gently on the center of each shape to hear a noise, but Isabella was more interested in trying to pry the shapes off the wall.



Playing with a toy in the children's section at the museum.




Isabella "driving" the ambulance at the museum.



Daddy and Isabella building a tower. I think Isabella had more fun knocking it over though.




Isabella didn't understand why the horse wasn't moving back and forth.



A nightly ritual of Isabella and Daddy wrestling.



Daddy says, "I give up!"



Yes, that's snow! The day after Grams left it turned cold enough for a dusting of snow.