Isabella Marie is born!!

Isabella Marie was born on February 18th!!!!

Our new little niece is here!!! We are so excited. Here are a few pictures from Susie and Adam.

And what a cutie she is!!!

The proud mommy, Susie.

The proud daddy, Adam.




Linda and Dave got to fly up there to be with them.

Courtney turns 5!!!!

This thing is so hard to remember which order to upload the pics in to make them all in order. So, these will be out of order. Oh well.

Courtney turned 5!!! I can't believe it. How can she be 5 already. She is growing up so fast. She is a leader for sure. She is very social and makes friends wherever she goes. She loves all things glittery. Especially if it looks even remotely like something that Sharpay or Hannah Montana would wear. That's a huge bonus. She loves to accessorise as well. It's so hilarious to watch her singing/performing while watching High School Musical. She has those songs and choreography memorized and will do it for anyone who comes over. We even captured one on video. Unfortunately it was the non-digital video. Oh well. We didn't think to get the camera out to video it instead. Otherwise I would be posting it here. She loves all things crafty as well. She loves to create things. She is so thoughtful. She is constantly making gifts for people. I currently have a stack of art waiting for Charis, Aunt Susie, and Willow. So, be on the look out for that in your snail mail. She learned how to jump rope this year. She is constantly mastering new skills. She also started really learning reading this year too. Many words she can recognize now and sound out. We are always surprised with what she knows and is enlightening us with whatever new thing she just learned. Her current favorite colors are purple pink and blue. Purple is probably the ultimate #1 right now. Some of her favorite things to watch are: High School Musical, Hannah Montana, The Suite Life of Zach and Cody, Wonder Pets, Backyardigans, etc... She loves playing outside on her swingset or riding her bike, trike, or scooter. She's been really loving her Leapster lately too for car rides or just hanging out in the house. She brings a lot of love and life into our house.

This is Courtney trying on one of the outfits she got at her birthday party. Posing of course.

Courtney in the bouncer. She was doing toe-touches. I got a great picture of one, but can't post it cuz she was wearing a dress while doing it. ;)

Courtney blowing out her candles on the night of her birthday.

Blowing out her Hannah Montana candle on her cake. Surrounded by her friends.


Courtney immediately put this on after opening presents. It reminds me of one Sharpay wears. She loves it. Oh, with a bracelet Kate made her and the High School musical necklace we gave her.

Kate and Courtney playing outside.

She loved that Aunt Maureen gave her these Sharpay glasses. This will enhance her "Fabulous" routine where they use sunglasses.

Courtney at school on the day of her birthday. I made cupcakes for the class.

The class eating cupcakes. It was so cute because they all sang to her and kept telling her "I love you, Courtney." So cute!

We went to Disneyland on Courtney's birthday. For one so we could have fun. But two, because Disney was giving away funcards on your birthday. Plus, Courtney had been waiting for what seemed like forever to her to be able to wear the "Happy Birthday" pin (which she is proudly wearing below).

The Joels, Don, Amy, Kelli, and Alyce joined us for dinner and a ride. It was so special. I was a dork and forgot to take more pictures. And when I thought of it we were leaving and Amy was with Alyce somewhere. Oh well.

The joyous anticipation of us singing to her before she gets to divulge her cupcake.

We love you Courtney!!!!!!!!!

(And she is already talking about turning 6.)

18 lbs GONE

I lost 3 pounds this week!!!!!!!!!!! For a total of 18 pounds gone now. Seeing the weight come off really makes all of the gym work worth it. And that was with a party yesterday. And I am to how much I lost with Weigh Watchers long ago. So that's a pretty good accomplishment doing it on my own. It feels good.

Update

The weight loss journey is going well. I lost 2 pounds last week and 1 this week. So, the new total is 15 pounds gone. I've been exercising almost every day. It usually ends up being about 5 days a week.

I'm excited about the changes that I am already seeing. Clothing fitting better is a huge one. Another huge one is that my heart rate is doing really well when I'm exercising hard. It used to go too high with the same activity level. So, that is such a great thing, because that means that my heart/body is in better shape. I also have been able to hit a exercise goal. I was able to hit 180 (reps) and stay there during my 30 second sprint (at a resistence of 12 and a cross ramp of 10). Which is REALLY hard. But it's easier than ever before. So that's great. Also, this week at step class was the easiest it's ever been for me. It still was a hard muscle workout and I could feel that. But my heart wasn't pounding out of my chest and making me more out of breath. So, it felt easier.

I'm also excited that tomorrow is my birthday. :) I'm turning 31. Just when I got used to the big 30. Oh well. It's inevitable. We are celebrating by going to Disneyland. Then we will have some cake at night. Very low key, no party. We need to save what we can for Courtney's birthday party instead. It will be so fun.

Speaking of Courtney's birthday, hers will be on the 21st at 10am. She's having a Hannah Montana party. And she has already picked the theme for next year. Princess party. She keeps going back and forth between wanting Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty to come. She just went to her friend Jenna's birthday that had Cinderella come. It was a very fun experience for all of those girls. Courtney insisted that it be a girls only party. I then asked her if she was sure and reminded her of some of her very close boy friends. Which she said, "Oh, no. They need to come." I reminded her that they were boys. Then she changed her answer for her party. "Oh ok, boys and girls then." It was a hilarious conversation. So, we may or may not have a princess come next year instead of a bouncer. Depending on if we can get it to happen and how much it is. And if she changes her mind about what party she wants. lol By then she'll be in kindergarten. So, I'm assuming she'll want to invite all of her new classmates. Ahh..I can't wait for the smaller parties with just one set of friends or something like that. Or slumber parties. I remember that being such a blast.
Anyway, I'm sure pictures will be coming for my b-day at Disneyland shortly.