Blue reading me a book. Well...her own version.

Growing pains

At work the other day chatting with the owner. Blue was running around a little too loudly for that environment , so I hushed her. She looked at me, sighed, and said," Mommy, you're giving me a headache." Nice. Very nice. The owner cracked up.

A.I.D.S. Walk in San Francisco

Today I had the pleasure of doing the A.I.D.S. walk in SF Golden Gate Park. It was tons of fun and I walked with the Gap team so I got a cool T-shirt. This charity event raised 4 million dollars for A.I.D.S. research. They have people along side the road to keep you pumped and motivated. Here are some belly dancers. They also gave you lunch and snacks as you walked The park is lush and beautiful. I loved it. Everyone was in a fantastic mood.

Here are some of the quilts made for those lost to A.I.D.S.

Shannon came with me it was a great time. The only downside is that I managed to get a huge sunburn when it was freezing cold and overcast. D. cracked up when I got home and handed me the aloe.

Another friend I met along the way. There were so many happy people. I can't wait until next year.

It's my party and I'll eat if I want to.

Well it has been quite a celebration for little Blue. It started yesterday with visiting Nana and Papa's, and Grandma's house. The pics of Grandma's should be coming soon. She received wonderful gifts this year. She is a very lucky little girl to have so many who love her. This is a picture of Blue opening her gift from Nana and Papa. She loves pigs. I mean LOVES them. So instead of a dollhouse, Blue received a pigs house. It has lights that turn on and off and everything.

We went to the park for Blue's birthday today. It had a water area with a mushroom that shoots out water and a play creek. Very fun. Blue wore her more conservative suit.

Daddy having to tear her away to get back to the festivities otherwise she would spend her life in the water.

We had a water balloon toss. Much fun. Nana was my teammate. Ahem......we were out in the third round. It came down to Daddy and Aunt Karen with Aunt Karen proving that girls rule!

Grandma got right in the mix. Papa played ref along with Ellen, my and Blue's friend.

Me

Blue was on the go. She loves the outdoors and food, so combining them is perfect for her.

Time for cake! This year I made a butterfly out of flower cupcakes. The tips of each of the wings were ladybug cupcakes. I felt so creative because I couldn't find fondant to make the flowers so I used fruit roll ups. It was adorable. I proudly covered it with plastic wrap after Nana and i slaved for 3 hours to finish it. Today when i got to the park I pulled the plastic off and all of the tops of the cupcakes came right off with it. @$#!$!@!#! So i calmly regrouped and salvaged what i could. Here is what I learned. Icing makes fruit roll ups sticky and moist. Good to know for the future.

Nobody ending up caring and loved the cupcakes anyway. They're kids. Its cake.

Baby J was there too in all his glory. He was put side by side with Finnian, his 5 week younger cousin, and they cooed and drooled happily the whole time.

The other cousins, Carrick, Patrick, and Brenna were there as well. Blue loves them so much and it made her day that they were there. Gen and baby Eddie were also there, but had to go before a picture was snapped. Gen is a great and always is so wonderful to Blue.

Unfortunately there is no picture of the cake in its original glory. Here is what I made of it after the incident. The un-iced ones made a creative border upside down.

Happy birthday my sweet baby. You are 3!!!!

Happy Birthday Blue!!!

Blue is three and ready to party! More pictures as they come.

Get better Ryan!!!

Poor Ryan has been having seizures. We are thinking good thoughts so that he will feel better soon. We love you! My sister and her baby Ryan (Blue and baby J's cousin)

Baby J is 7 months!

Sorry I'm a little behind. July 12 baby J turned 7 monthes. He is 29 inches and right around 18 lbs. He can sit up with help and now eats a full jar of food at a time. (that's more for me to look back on someday)

Milestones

It seems to be a time for new milestones. Baby J said Mama! Technically he said it yesterday, but I just didn't believe it. And Miss Blue announced, "Look I can do a somersault!" umm yeah right. Then I looked over and she did it. Amazing. I love these kids.

Time to laugh

A very sad day.

These are from just a few days ago. They made each other so happy.

Today Arnold Graham Heard passed away. He was 82 and surrounded by his family. His last hours were filled with funny stories and laughter. It was truly a good way to go. Unfortunately, he was sick for quite some time. We are very sad to see him go. I have never been so proud of Baby J's name. This is their first few moments together. Baby J is named John Arnold. Blue and Grandpa had an exceptional bond. He absolutely adored her and she the same. Blue could never get enough of him and was constantly wanting to be near him.

Grandma and Grandpa are such a beautiful testament to what true love really means.

D I know that this is so heart wrenching, but I know that your dad has given you so much of his spirit that he will live on forever, plus you can always look at your little ones. They have your dad's ears! =)

Arnold responded and opened his eyes when Blue was brought up. It shows how much he really loved her so much. She managed to get this video message done for him shortly before he died. I played it in his ear.






D this is just for you from Blue. She understands that she has angel up in heaven just for her. She wanted you to have this message.

Rest In Peace Arnold. We will always love and forever be changed by you.

Burning down the house

Nana's nursing school, Alma College, burned down. It was over 100 years old and beautiful. The entire thing took 2 hours from start to finish and apparently there is some debate as to whether it was done intentionally. Anyway, poor Nana. At least she has her memories.

Going to the zoo, zoo, zoo...

Today Blue and Baby J got to got to the zoo with Nana, Papa, Uncle John and their cousins. It was so much fun. I have never seen a giraffe so close. Blue took her very first ride on a carousel. She loved being on a horse alone, and then it moved! She was in heaven.

This is my brother posing as a strange animal. Uncle John is Blue's new favorite thing to talk about.

Hannah and Zoe were given these pretty outfits by there mom AND Blue got one too. Thanks Aunt Jill! You are so sweet to think of her They were all so cute. Blue really felt like one of the gang.

An lastly, here is Blue and Andrew. They are approximately the same age (he is 2 months older) I love it because they look like little twins because they are the same size. This is one of my favorite moments of them. They were climbing through the meerkat tunnels and had a cute laughing moment.

Baby J cut his first tooth!

There are little teeth bumps that finally came out in the bottom front. Poor guy. That must really hurt. He is growing so fast!

Divalicious

She can't help herself. She just got a new swimsuit.