Orchard Pictures

I have always wanted to take pictures out in the Almond orchards when all the trees are blooming. The problems is there is only a short window of time when you can do this. Jason got a new lens for his camera as a Birthday/Christmas present....the day was going to be overcast, the trees were blooming, and it was going to rain that weekend (and we weren't sure there would be any blooms left on the trees) which meant it was our opportunity to try out the new lens. Greg and Alyssa came too (on really short notice) so that we could get some pictures of the 4 of us! Thank you SO much Uncle G and Aunt Lulu. So I thought I'd share some of my favorites...

I love my family! The time that we are given to share on this earth is precious.

Aliyah's photo shoot!

A dear friend, Karen Newton, graciously took some pictures of our family and our newest addition!! She did a wonderful job! How precious these times are, even though at times they can be trying!!! We are so grateful that she captured the greatest blessings that have been bestowed upon us...here are a couple of the pictures she took...

"Children are a blessing and a gift from the Lord." Psalm 127:3

Our loves

Already a month old!

I am really glad that I found a tutorial on how to make a Moby wrap...it was really easy to make and very comfortable to put Aliyah (for me and her)...and frees up my hands for my other love!

18 month and she looks so grown up now that we have another one.

I made her some Valentine clips for her hair.

Grammie meeting her great granddaughter Aliyah!

some tummy time with Aliyah

Caelyn is "Happy"

Caelyn loves to say "happy" Anytime she sees something smiling she shouts out "happy"

Caelyns new room

Who knew that a month could go so fast! Yet here we are and Aliyah is 1 month old and we are having the time of our lives with our precious little girls. It has been an exciting adventure with some changes and schedule adjustments but we are all enjoying our newest family addition.

Here is "Big Sister" Caelyn holding her "Sissy"

During the day we keep music playing in our house even during nap time. Most always it is on one of our favorite Christian radio stations. We went in to check on Aliyah and a worship song was playing and with her eyes closed she had peacefully raised a hand in worship.

Great-Great-Grandma Luvena made this apron for Cheryl (Jason's mom) when she was a little one and before Caleyn was born she gave it to us. Caelyn is just now getting big enough to wear it and she looks sooo adorable in it. She likes to pretend that she is cooking - which usually involves making drum noises with whatever she can find. As soon as she discovers the pocket I am sure there will be things put there regularly for safe keeping!

After going to look at some bunk beds I (Jason) decided I could build something that was exactly what we wanted. After finding a free plan online we picked up the materials and I was off to build a dream bed for Caleyns new room.

After getting the base finished I moved it into the room to get a look at it. Of course Penny was excited to get up onto the top bunk and take a nap.

Now I must admit - I knew that I could build it, but I was unsure what the finished product would look like as I was taking a basic plan and improvising for decorative features like bead-board. In the end I am very satisfied with the bed. In reality this bed was much cheaper to build than any of the beds we were looking at so if you aren't afraid to try, anything is possible! For obvious reasons the ladder to the top bunk will not be built and installed until a much later date! Angela was greatly impressed and said that I am her "Ty Pennington" Caelyn loves the colorful bed and I think that has made the transition so easy! Angela sewed the bed skirt with the matching fabric to the dresser really tying the whole room together!

This is the toy box / window seat that I built to match the bunk bed. Also Angela sewed these curtains for the room and they have a blackout lining behind them so it can be dark during nap time! The only downside is that Penny loves to sunbathe in this window (she thinks the window seat is hers) so she isn't excited when nap time comes because she is moved from her location!

Angela painted this phrase to be the focal point over the window.

Some birds flying through the air - also seen is the painted trim and clouds.

This is a look at the tree that greets you as you enter the room. Caelyn loves looking at the birds and especially the tree. Everywhere we go she likes to point out trees - so imagine how much more excited she is that there is one in her room! Also the numbers on the tree mark the height and a lady bug will be painted each year for the girls marking their growth.

Here is the safety bed rail that we got for Caleyn. She has really done great and even when she is up and ready to get out of bed she waits for us to come in and get her. She really does love her "big girl" bed!

We truly have been blessed with these precious little ones and we are trying to enjoy each day together. We have also been blessed with great family and friends who provided meals for us for over 3 weeks while we were getting adjusted to our new routine. God is good and we are so thankful for you all!

Some new pictures!

Here are some shots of our girls at the same age...different coloring but they do resemble each other!! I love their nose's!

Caelyn Elise - 2 days old

Aliyah Noelle - 5 days old

So it has been awhile since we updated the blog but it is busy taking care of two little ones! The adjustment is going really well! Caelyn has started sleeping in her big girl bunk bed that daddy built and she loves it. She has had no problems adjusting! We will post pictures of her amazing room (I promise Aunt Leah). This weekend Jason and his dad installed fans with lights in both the girls rooms and I am so excited about having overhead fans and light...no more lamps!

We (the girls and I) didn't make it to church today because Caelyn has been coughing and had a very runny nose...I don't think she is sick just cutting at least 3 maybe 4 teeth all at the same time! So my prayer is they would come in quickly. I am loving being home with them...when my patience is running thin it seems like Caelyn does something to make me laugh... God is good! Today at lunch she was mimicking me laugh and squinting her eyes and I could hardly contain myself it was so funny...and our laughter kept egging her on...she is our ham! I have learned she is a very social creature and thrives by getting out of the house and interacting with people, which has been a bit more difficult for me while daddy is at work. I have been able to go to the Women's Bible Study at church on wednesday mornings (which I usually can't go to because I am working) and it has been a HUGE blessing, I think Caelyn probably LOVES sundays and wednesdays since she gets to play with her friends at church in the nursery!!

Life is good in our home, we have had many wonderful friends bring us meals throughout the past 3 weeks. We are richly blessed!

Aliyah is one week old in this picture. Caelyn is a wonderful big sister! She always wants to know where the baby is and kiss her or hold her hand!!

sweet moment

Family shot at an open house/shower that Alyssa and Grandma Pam threw for Aliyah! She is 2 weeks old in this picture.

Uncle G and Aunt LuLu

Caelyn and her "kitty-kitty"...love that sweet smile

My precious baby Aliyah with her bright eyes

Sleeping in Daddy's arms today...3 weeks 1 day old! She likes to keep her hands up while she sleeps, she is an excellent baby...great nurser, wonderful sleeper...I feel so lucky!

Here are some videos of the girls for family who live far away! Aliyah has the hiccups but it is fun to see her for those who can't in person! And Caelyn has just started saying "Happy"...she just started saying it out of the blue...you ask her "Caelyn are you happy?" and she'll say "HAPPY!", it will melt your heart it is so precious. So I was trying to get her to say it while I was videotaping...but she was a little camera shy, maybe next time!