Celebrating the 5 Year Old!!

It's true, she's going to be 5 in just a few days. How could that be??

And in true Hunter fashion, we partied it up!  Julie asked for a "girl party" this year.  But we couldn't just leave it at that because we have so much amazing family who we LOVE to celebrate with.  So last night we had a pizza party for the family.

Of course there were cupcakes.

And a birthday girl in a pretty dress!  Memere curled her hair and painted her nails for the occasion.  She was in heaven!

This soon-to-be Memere was getting a little cuddle time in. Sadie didn't mind.  She was also wearing her party dress.

I LOVE this silly picture of Lauren and Memere!!! I can't believe she is going to be 1 this week!!!!  Such a sweet girl!

Candles!

The crowd, singing maybe?

Lauren got a bunch of cuddles from everyone.  She was a party girl!  Gearing up for her party tomorrow I think.

She got them all!

Everett and Christina cheering for Julie.

Loving the presents, of course.

Happy girl got her own wallet.  Notice her fingernails are different on each hand.

After lots of fun with the family, we came home to get ready for Julie's "girl party".  The table was set, we just needed some friends!

Sadie was ready to party.

Andy and one other brother (who was about 10 and a very good sport) were the only boys at the party.  As you can see, Andy is also a good sport.

The girls enjoyed their lunch.....mostly they ate Cheetos.

And they got to decorate their own cupcakes.  There is something fun about putting on your own sprinkles.  Most the girls made their mom's cupcake too, and dads, and one for their siblings at home.....way more fun than just eating them!

Audrey enjoyed hers....

Anna and Julie both eating candy (after their cupcakes) they got out of the pinata. 

Then it was present time again!

It was a group effort!

Julie has an awesome group of friends, most we have known since birth, but a few came from her school too. They are such nice girls and their parents are super sweet! I hope she continues to make such great friends.

I think we have sufficiently celebrated her birthday, but for an extra special birthday, and a family vacation, we will be going to Disneyland for a couple days this week!!! Yahooo!!!  I can't wait since the kids have never been and they have no idea what they are in for!

So Happy Birthday big girl!!  We love, love, love you!!!

Sadie Update

Sadie had her 2 month well check today (even though she is 9 weeks and 5 days).

She is weighing 11lbs 7ozs (59th percentile) and measuring 24.5 inches (over 97th percentile).

The Dr said she was great, very social, super smiley and overall a wonderful girl.  That is exactly what we expected.

So, more fun stuff coming up this week!! Our baby girl is turning 5!!!!

2 Months

 Two months already!!! She is such a big girl!!!

I know that is not true, but I just can't believe how much she is growing and changing.   And how smiley she is!!

 

Sadie is doing so well with holding her head up! She can pretty much do it on her own, you actually have to be really careful she doesn't flip right off your shoulder! Its funny though, she can't smile and hold her head up at the same time.  

Today she was smiling AND cooing at Daddy.  So sweet.

She is also a great sleeper!  She and Julie are already sharing a room.  She is sleeping soundly in her crib for a 6-7 hour stretch, then eats a bit and its right back down.  Many days we have to wake her up to get the big kids off to school.  But she doesn't mind, she goes right back to sleep in the car.

Her 2 month well check is next Tuesday.  I can't wait to see how much she's grown.

I think Andy said it best, "Sadie is our super baby!!"

11 Years, 8 Weeks, Day 1

 Today is our 11 year anniversary as a couple.  Look at how cute we were.  I love this picture, it is one of my all time favorites.  We have come a long way, but in many ways we are so the same.

For example, John could still totally rock the cloud pants. I love you Babe!

Also today, our little peanut is 8 weeks.  That time went so quickly, yet I can't remember what it was like without her.  She brings so much love into our house....and honestly, I didn't know there was any room left!

She is so sweet and peaceful. (there will be a full update on her 2 month, next Tuesday)

And lastly, John went back to work today after a glorious 8 weeks off. We did so many fun things while he was off, including getting to know Sadie. Today makes me reflect on how lucky I am to share my life with such an amazing father.  There is not a single aspect of our children's lives he is not involved with. Including late night feedings, diaper blow outs, gymnastics, princess birthday parties and class festivities.  We know how rare it is for a dad to get to take so much time off when a baby is born. But I know it is even more rare to find a Daddy like John.

Crack Up

These kids are cracking me up today!!

First this one.....

First thing this morning, we are cuddling in bed with Julie on one side of Sadie and me on the other.  I have my arms around both of them.

Julie starts being sweet on Sadie and I say, "I love my girls!"
Julie says, "I love you Sadie!"
Me: "hey?!?"
Julie: "Oh, I love you too Mom."

Then, just now in the car:

Me: "Andy, stop that please"
Julie: "How did you know what he was doing?"
Me: "I have eyes in the back of my head."
Julie: "Mom, are you imagining things??"



Then there is this boy....

We took my mom to the airport to fly off to Texas visit some friends and family. As she is leaving he says to her, "Memere, you are going on an airplane! You are going on vacation. And you are going to see lots of family. And you are going to miss me!!!!"

Love my silly kids!!

Beach Day

Yes, you read that right! We had a beautiful beach day on Sunday with the Cisneros Family!! The weather was amazing! We got there mid morning and were having so much fun we didn't leave til well after nap time. Whoops!!

I didn't get any good pictures of Everett and the kids.  This is what they were doing most of the time.  Everett had no problem splashing and running in the water.  He totally kept up with Julie and Andy!

I love the look on Andy's face here. "Mom, seriously? I'm workin' here!"

Julie didn't even bother looking up!

Sadie loved her first beach trip too! She ate, snoozed for a bit, smiled a bunch....

....enjoyed the view.... (yes, that's John, Julie and Andy.  I was enjoying the sun too much to get closer to take a picture!)

......and smiled some more!!

But by the end of the day, the beach got the best of her and she napped all the way home.

The whole time we were there we all kept saying how lucky we are to live here, where we can enjoy the beach in January with wonderful friends and are cool kids!  Wouldn't have it any other way.

Fresno Zoo

Wow, have to admit the week goes by a little faster with 3 crazy kids and all our fun outings!

That being said, on Wednesday we went over to Fresno and went to the zoo with Summer, Emmanuel, Joanne and Sophia.  We had never been there so we didn't know what to expect. It was a very cool zoo!

They had elephants! Andy was happy.  The both decided to wear their overalls. Aren't they cute!?

Sophia liked the elephants too!  She wasn't too sure about Julie and Andy at first, but she ended up warming up to them.  Cousin John, not so much.

Julie looking majestically at the giraffes.  In the same enclosure were ostriches as well. And next door, a camel!

Look Pop-pop! Andy is riding a rhino!  They had these all over the zoo.

The petting zoo was a big hit.  They even had brushes to brush the animals with. 

Julie liked the iguana (or whatever that is) statue better.

Andy the turtle.

My turtles hiding in their shell.

And my beautiful cousin with our baby!! Sadie slept most of the time in the Ergo, but she woke towards the end to say hello.

After spending a few hours at the zoo it was off to get some lunch and hang out some more. We had a blast with the family and can't wait to go back and spend more time with them. Or they can come here, whatever. But we absolutely need to spend more time with our fantastic cousins!