Evie is 2!

Wow, good morning sunshine.  This is what our beautiful 2 year old looks like in the morning! She is just checking out all of her balloons that were covering her floor and walls. 

When we first gave her her birthday doughnut, and we started to sing, she screamed and pushed it away! She wanted nothing to do with it. 

After a little coaxing from Ella and Kash, and much demonstrating of how to blow out the candles, she was ready.

And then she had fun blowing them out with her enormous cheeks.

She had even more fun digging into that doughnut!

Her favorite present was her stroller.  She loves pushing her babies around the house.

A few days later we celebrated both Evie and Kash's birthday at Bob and Dobo's house.

Evie enjoyed wearing Braden's sunglasses while opening her gifts.

Cousin Lauren helping her out.

Boy did she love her new dress ups!

What a little diva.

Kash loved his new cross bow!

Dad showing him how to use it.  This thing shoots FAR and HARD.  It is pretty scary!

Ella was a little upset that she was the only one not getting any presents so of course Dobo came to the rescue and put something together for her!

More California

 Ella was Papa's special helper and assisted him in the garage making bullets.  She was very good at it and did just what Papa told her to do.  I have memories of doing this exact same thing with Papa when I was a little girl. So cool!

 Here we are out to dinner to Papa's favorite place, La Paloma.

 And the best part of our trip? Getting to meet baby Beau Ryan Jackson!  We had to wait about 3 weeks to see this little guy, and he is just the sweetest. 

 Ella loved holding him and giving him kisses. 

Ahh what a fun trip.

Two Birthday Boys

 Kash and Papa were able to celebrate their birthday together.  Here is Kash showing off his BLUE cake, no more pink frosting for this guy.

 

 The birthday boys blowing out the candles together. 

 

 

 I love this handsome birthday boy.

 

 And then his dreams came true when Nana and Papa got him a new BIKE.

 

 

 He loves his bike and rides it all the time.  He has no fear which is very scary for a mom. Thank you Nana and Papa!

 

Boy or Girl?

 While we were in California we decided to get a 3D ultrasound to find out what we were having.  I was 16 weeks at the time and didn't want to wait until my 20 week appointment.  We thought it would be fun to take the whole family and find out together. 
  We all pile into the tiny room and Matt tells the technician to NOT tell us the gender.  Instead, she put it in an envelope for us to open at home.  I was so mad! It was torture to wait an hour more! My mom called the bakery and had a cake made, and had the technician get on the phone and tell them whether to put pink or blue frosting on the inside.
  Once I hit 6 weeks of my pregnancy, I knew it was a girl.  Why? I was SICK.  Probably the sickest I have been.  So Matt and I knew it was going to be a girl.  Kash and Ella however knew it was going to be a BOY.  That is what they had their little hearts set on.  Especially Kash, who REALLY wanted a brother. 
  Ella and Kash cut into the cake at the same time, and pulled out their knives and saw....PINK.  And then came the TEARS.  Pure devastation.  Inconsolable children.  Matt had to take them to the couch to calm them down.  They were so upset.  Ella actually said, "But Mom, what if she is just like EVIE?"  I felt so bad and worried that they would not love this baby girl!  After a couple days however they were completely over it and are now excitedly talking about their baby sister.  Phew. 

Here they are about to cut into the cake, still happy.

 Everyone is so excited...

 And then the horrific realization...How could this be?

 My sad babies. Sorry guys, we are not trying again for a brother!

The LA County Fair

It has become tradition to go to the LA County Fair every year.  For the past two years it has worked out perfectly to go to California for the fair, and to celebrate both Kash and my dad's birthdays, which are just three days apart.  We always have so much fun. 

Kash and Ella loved all the rides.

Evie loved going in the helicopter, Ella and Kash were not very impressed however.

Kash, Ella, and Nana about to go on the GIANT Ferris wheel.

Here they go..

When they got to the top Kash thought it would be funny to start shaking their seat, Nana was NOT happy about that.

Checking out the animals.

Feeding the goats.

Playing the games.

Liddy and Ryan trying to win some stuffed animals.

After much searching, we finally found the carousel for Miss Liddy.

We love the fair! Can't wait for next year.