Family Pictures Time!

It's that time of the year to get some family pictures done and we decided to make it all about Bella (like always:) and so we included Bella's favorite people, her grandparents. We went last Saturday and it was so fun! I asked my good friend Jammie to take them because I knew she'd do a wonderful job and that same day she put up some previews and I want to share:) Thank you so much Jammie!!

Boo at the Zoo

After family pictures on Saturday we went straight to boo at the zoo. We entered Bella in the costume contest and she did so good! I thought she'd be too shy to say anything or answer any questions but she wasn't. She told them her name and that she was a lady bug. She got to trick or treat a little and look at some animals but both Bella and I didn't last long. After almost 2 hours Bella and I decided we needed to go home and nap. We had a family dinner on the Simpson side too that night. It was fun and casual (my favorite kind.) Debbie ordered pizza and Doug and I got some cheesecake (yum!) and got to hang out with his brothers and sisters. Busy day but sure was fun!
i can't wait to move back home. Nights like these are what I miss the most. Just being able to be together.

SURPRISE!!

I am awful at keeping good news to myself but almost 3 months ago Doug and I planned on visiting our families in Idaho for Halloween but we decided to surprise them! It was so hard to keep this BIG secret from them especially since I talk to my mom almost every day, but we kept the secret.
I'm so glad we did! The look on my moms face was priceless! On everyone's face actually. I loved seeing everyone, I loved hugging everyone, I loved watching everyone's face when they saw Bella for the first time in months but the part I loved the most about coming home was squeezing, kissing and just loving on my brand new nephew and my livers (Olivia.)
I'm so happy!

Happy 2nd Anniversary to Us!

I have to admit last year For our anniversary Doug was just getting back to Iraq for R&R and we celebrated early so on the day of our anniversary I forgot...my poor tired husband called me late that night and apologized for waiting so long to say "happy anniversary" and I just told him it was fine and I understood that he must have been so tired heehee. I told him the truth when he came back so this year I knew the pressure was on for me to remember!
Unfortunately Doug and I were apart for our anniversary again this year. He was in the field for training but I made sure that the first thing I said when he called was "happy anniversary!" And he replied with "aww you did remember!" It was a good laugh:) but the best part was when he surprised Bella and I by showing up unexpectedly showing up at the door with flowers for both Bella and I and a card! I'm pretty sure Bella was more excited about the flowers an the card but it was so sweet! Our cards both had money since we both like shopping but mostly because my husband was in the field for 2 weeks and didn't have time to get us something but like I said we like shopping so it was perfect for us! He took us out to lunch and then shopping.
Doug also surprised me by arranging a babysitter for our own date night. He was so thoughtful:) it was an amazing anniversary for the three of us and I'm excited for the many more to come! (Hopefully ill keep remembering:)

Tie Dye Time.

 

One day out of no where Bella came up to me and said "mom i want to tie dye." So i thought why not? We picked out tie dye colors together and tie dyed. She is getting so big and i loved how she was really able to tie dye with me. We made shirts for a few of her friends and she loved giving them away. She was so proud of her shirts and wanted to wear her new tie dye shirt everyday. it was a successful day!

The only downside to all this fun was my hands. After you tie dye you have to let the shirts sit in the color for a few hours and after you are suppose to wash them and when i put the shirts in the wash i didn't think to put gloves back on so my hands ended up being dyed too. I tried to scrub the color of many times but the next day at church one of the 4 year old in my primary class asked me why hand were so dirty. my awesome husband also teaches with me and he only helped make sure that ALL the kids in our class teased me about my dirty hands. it was worth the fun with Bella at least:)

The Perks of being a girl.

Bella and I went to go get a mommy and me mani and it was Wonderful! She loves picking her own color (with sparkles) and i love getting my nails done with my favorite girl.

 

Happy 4th Of July!

This year is going by waaaay too fast. Probably because its been so fun. We had a very fun filled 4th of july and honestly having our family together makes every holiday so special. Last year doug was in Iraq for My birthday, mothers day, Bella's birthday, fathers day, the fourth of july, halloween, AND thanksgiving. Thats way too many holidays but i think it helped us feel more grateful for when we do get to spend these special days together.

This year the army threw an awesome carnival for FREE on post. All the rides were free and all we had to pay for was food and extra fun stuff we wanted. Bella is finally tall enough to ride some of the rides so that made it even more fun:) We hung out there pretty much all day and we stayed for the kelly Clarkson concert. It was so fun we brought lawn chairs and ended up running into some friends so bella got to shake her booty with one of her favorite friends Madaya and they even made friends while dancing. It really was such a fun day and night:) I love, love, love family time!

Bella on her first ride, how cute is this face? I wish we could all enjoy life as much as this little girl does:)