Princess Cousins

Sutton played at cousin Reagan's house yesterday. They love to pull out all the toys and play with everything...including the princess dresses!

Easter 2011

He is Risen!

My girls!

The sleepy heads were greeted with easter goodies

All the cousins...minus reagan, who wasn't in the picture taking mood

Aunt Leslie, Bellen & Reagan

Jameson & Colton sorting thru their goods

After church we spent a relaxing day at Eric & Christina's with ALL the Neese/Torres/Sumwalt families. The kids had a blast! Candy-Egg Hunt-Food-Playing...and even though it was not even 70* the kids ended up in the pool by late afternoon!

More Spring Pictures by Rachael...

Spring Break 2011

too much sun

the little kids table

hunting for eggs

legoland!

may the force be with you

sutton driving daddy around

We spent the first part of Spring Break in Orange County, with my family. We dyed eggs, visited with cousin Addi and went to Legoland. It was a great time!

CVC Spring Program

The 2nd & 3rd Graders had their Spring Program...Meran, along with many other kids, recited a verse. Her friend Kayla had a solo.

Spring Pictures with Neese Cousins

the neese girls

the neese boys

Last Sunday the Neese cousins took their annual  pictures together...I wish I had all of the past years on my computer to compare how they have changed! We usually take them around Christmas, but this year we waited a few months so Bellen could be in them:). And next year we will add another Neese girl, that Than & Leslie are bringing into the world in August! More to come...

Snow in April?

We were at the outlet mall on Friday and it started to hail, which turned into what looked like snow! Trust me...I would have not taken Bellen & the 2 boys out (with myself dressed in flats-not exactly snow attire!) if I knew that was coming! We cut our outing short, dashing for the car. The boys got a big kick out of it!

Hiking With Dad

My kids relish their time they get to have alone with Jason. They are constantly asking him when they get to go somewhere with just him. Meran is currently trying to set a date with her dad for him to take "just her" to the movies. Nevermind that almost every Thursday her dad picks her up from school and takes her to Frozen Yogurt before dropping her off at home and heading back to work for awhile.
Last Saturday was Jameson's turn. They went on a hike with some people from Satellite Ministry. Here are some pictures:

So this is what Sisters are like!

I never, ever, can remember wanting a sister when I was growing up. I, very much, liked being the only girl in my family (and the oldest...I might add!). I have 2 brothers-one very close, who was my buddy and the other 9 years younger, who was like my real life baby doll. Life was good. I still, to this day, like having my mom all to myself (mostly-until Meran came along).
I have 4 fabulously fun, caring and darling sister-in-laws. So, I really didn't think Meran needed a sister. Well, I guess the Lord did...afterall, she admits to praying for a little sister. He answered, "yes" and we received Bellen! God is good, in more than a billion ways. But, he heard Meran's prayer and gave her the desire of her heart. It is so sweet to see her loving Bellen. She is a huge help with the boys and loves playing with her brothers (or shall I say "instructing"them). But to see her hold Bellen and talk sweetly to her, I see why sisters have such a special bond. It has been a joy to watch and I am sure there is much more to come!

bellen is held nightly by meran during prayer time

Happy Birthday Baby!

She is wearing Big Sister's Birthday Tiara:)

Bellen is 2 months old today!
On one hand, life without her with us is just a vague memory...on the other hand, it seems like it was just last week that she arrived!
She is a very sweet & happy baby. She is straight forward...she lets us know when she is hungry (or just wants to nurse, whether hungry, or not), sleepy, has a dirty diaper and can be very talkative(with her baby coos). Meran has gotten really good at calming her down and knowing what she might need. She loves to hold her baby sister at night when she is tucked in and we pray.
Not gonna lie, life can pretty crazy sometimes~and I am learning sometimes I just need to stay home and it is okay to say "no" . But being a family of a half dozen has been exciting, sweet, fun and tiresome...but a good tired! Happy Birthday Baby Sister!