Fire safety and the no cavity club!

Last month Miss Bella had a field trip to the local fire station. She was so excited to go on the fire trucks and to find out if the firemen had a dog. The field trip started out with a video on fire safety. I have to admit that watching it made me feel like a bit of a slacker. There is just so much to teach my kiddos that sometimes obvious things completely slip my mind. Yes, B knows that fire is hot and to not get too close to flames or any hot surface. I just hadn't yet gone over what to do if our home was ever to catch on fire but now she knows the drill and we have a family plan established. Everett came along and he was so adorable. He sat right by all the big kids and did everything they did. The kids got to check out all the fancy equipment and watch one of the firefighters put on his gear. They loved every minute at the fire station!



Bella and Anna

Also last month Seth and I took Bella and Everett in for their dental checkups. I am very happy to report that they are both cavity free! They both did so well. Knowing all that Seth went through with his teeth and still deals with it is a main priority for us that our kids have good dental hygiene. We were completely impressed by this dental office. It is just for kids. Everything is tailored to them. They even had little sinks and toilets. There were huge fish tanks all over and flat screens playing Finding Nemo including some mounted on the ceiling so they could watch while being examined. They also had a pirate ship and row boat the kids could climb all over while waiting to be seen. Our kiddos were having so much fun they didn't want to leave! I'm pretty sure they both feel nothing but positive about going to the dentist.

Speaking of dental hygiene yesterday after breakfast I was cleaning up and realized that I hadn't seen or heard Ev for a few minutes. I then heard water running from a sink upstairs. I hurried up the stairs to find my little man on the bathroom counter brushing his teeth. He often climbs on the counter to wash his hands which drives me crazy because I fear he will someday fall. I guess this time he felt like he needed to brush his teeth. What will my 21 month old do next? I love this boy and love this age!

Cousin reunion!

This weekend our kids had a suprise little cousin reunion! The Huffaker kids and Kolbyn were all in town. Bella and Everett had a great time playing with all of their cousins even though it was short lived. We also finally got to meet little Paola Rose! She is such a doll. Everytime I looked at her she was all smiles.

Bella and her baby cousin Paola

While we were visiting Juliea asked if I brought my camera. You don't have to ask me twice. :) Of course I did. Even though it was dark out and the only lighting I had was from the ceiling fan and my on camera flash I couldn't pass up taking some pictures of sweet Paola.

Never a dull moment.... :)

1.13.2011

4 years ago we became parents for the first time when bringing one phenomenal baby girl into this world.

She was so tiny at just 5 lbs 10 ozs and everything was so amazing and new to us. I have always wanted to be a mother and we loved this little peanut from the moment we found out I was pregnant. I think I cried happy tears for a week straight. I also knew from that moment that she would be a girl. When she was placed in my arms for the first time almost every positive emotion rushed through my body. She was finally here, she was perfect and she was ours.

Not one day passes that I don't thank heavenly father for this precious child. Year after year she continues to teach me and helps me strive to be the best person I can be. Since becoming a mother I have learned and grown so much. I have become stronger and wiser in every sense.

And now she is 4!

Bella is quite the amazing 4 year old. She is caring and always looking out for others. She is funny and loves to tell jokes. She is smart and learns so quickly. She has the most amazing memory. This girl remembers EVERYTHING it's crazy! She is strong willed and will always try to get her way. She loves to be girly and truly is our little princess. She is creative and has imagination for miles. She can find a way to entertain herself in almost every situation. She is helpful and loves assisting in the kitchen and with household duties. She is the best big sister and takes such good care of her little brother. One of my favorite examples is that if Everett wakes up while I am in the shower Bella will climb into his crib and play with him, sing songs with him and do just about anything to keep him happy until I get there.

It is crazy to think she was just a little jumping bean on the ultrasound doing back flips in my belly. It has been the most amazing time raising a newborn baby into a toddler and now a young lady. I can't wait for all the new experiences we will have as she continues to grow. Isabella Grace Perry we love you forever!

Holiday leftovers...

Bella had her holiday ballet recital on the 8th of January. Things are always so crazy around the holidays so Miss Amber opted to have the recital after Christmas. The girls are required to wear make up as the stage lights wash out their faces. Bella just loves getting all dolled up for recitals. Her class performed to Silent Night and our little lady did a fantastic job! We are so proud of our little ballerina and my goodness she sure is a lovely little girl!

Christmas 2010

My amazing super hard working hubby had to work this Christmas Eve and day. It is the first time he has had to in our 10 years together so I guess I really can't complain. Even with his absence here and there we had a wonderful Christmas! Rick and Shelby came to town and as always we thoroughly enjoyed their company. My kiddos absolutely love their Uncle Rick and Aunt Shelby and are so excited that they are giving them a cousin to play with. We have since learned that they are having a girl! I love having a girl first and I think they will too. What an eventful Christmas we had. We saw the Radio City Rockettes in downtown Boise. Bella and Everett loved all of the singing and dancing in the show. We also went to the Botanical Gardens to see the forest of Christmas lights. The kids were able to pet a live reindeer and got another peek at Santa. Everett was much less upset this time. We also enjoyed a wonderful prime rib dinner prepared by my Mom and saw the new Chronicles of Narnia movie in 3D. We are so thankful for our wonderful family and the time we get to spend with them.

18 months!

Our baby boy is rapidly turning into a big boy. Everett is now 18 months well actually he will be 19 months come Saturday. At this age Bella seemed to grow in the blink of an eye. With Everett it seems to have gone by even faster. I am so glad that I have this blog to refer back to because I have a hard time remembering his itty bitty baby stage already.

1 week old

18 months old!

Everett is amazing! He is such a joy in our family! He has a killer smile and an infectious laugh.

I am convinced that music is going to be a huge part of his life in some way. He is one musically inclined toddler. He has been singing the melodies of songs since the age of 8 months, started playing a harmonica at 10 months and could whistle by 12 months. He loves everything about music whether it's singing, dancing to it or creating his own music on one of his instruments. .

He loves books and story time. Curious George, Clifford and Little Critter are a few of his favorites.

Much to his daddy's delight Everett LOVES football. He talks about it all the time and loves throwing his football around. When football is on the TV he makes sure to let everyone know.

Everett is our little love bug. Bella and I get many hugs and kisses from him throughout each day. He loves his big sister. They are best buds and play so well together. When Bella is at school Everett will look all over the house for her calling her name and asking me, Bella bye-bye?

He is talking more everyday and is starting to build quite the little vocabulary.

Everett is one curious boy and is into just about everything. He has to know what everything is and exactly what it does.

He now knows what goes in the potty and has been sitting on the big potty waiting for something to happen.

He is sweet. He is smart. He is silly. He is gorgeous! I love him and could never have dreamed of a more perfect little boy.