My Little Mustang

Millie loves her brothers

My Big Girl

I can't believe Amelia is already four months old. She is such a big girl and so different from the boys. She smiles all the time and just recently started laughing out loud. I also can't believe how much she talks. She has definitely found her voice and loves to hear it. She is sleeping thru the night...she goes down at 8:00 and will wake up anytime between 5:00 and 7:30! She has been sleeping in her crib since she was three months. She is rolling from her back to her tummy and she loves her exersaucer. She is even starting to play with some of the toys. I am also pretty convinced she is teething. She drools and chews on everything. I am thinking that she is ready to start on some solid foods as well. She is so observant and will focus on you when she hears your voice across the room. Obviously with three brothers, noise and chaos does not bother her a bit. In fact, I think she prefers the craziness.

I knew that it would be so much fun to have a little girl, but I wasn't prepared for how different it would be. I love my boys to pieces, but their is something different with a little girl. I am completely obsessed with her, as our her brothers, and dad. She is just so well natured, happy and content. I don't think she could be more perfect!

Amelia's First Party Dress

So my mom's best friends bought Amelia the sweetest little dress. It is so special, that I haven't found the right place for her to wear it. I tried to put it on her for church one Sunday and Patrick thought I was crazy. She is growing so quickly that I started to fear she would be out of it before she got to wear it...unfortunately, the only places I get to visit are the grocery store or Target. So when we had a little Leap Year dance for the Kindergarten students last week, I thought it would be the perfect place for Amelia to get dressed up and wear this special little outfit. I think she looks pretty gosh darn cute!

Blake's Church Project

This year Blake is preparting to recieve his First Holy Communion. It is so amazing to see how his faith has blossomed this year under the amazing grace of his wonderful teacher Ms. Martinez, or as those who have the priviledge of working with her like to call her...Saint Angela. The students just turned in their church diorama's. Blake and I had so much fun working together on this special project. He was so proud of how it turned out.

Amelia's Nursery

I finally finished Amelia's nursery. I have to tell you, decorating for a little girl is so much more fun than boys. I am just thrilled at how the room came out. I got really lucky out how well things came together. The beautiful bedding from Restoration Hardware was purchased for me by some amazing families from my class, the dresser my mom and I found at a consignment store and was a gift from my parents, the beautiful crib was loaned to me by a friend I teach with and the little cabinet has been passed around for years. I just changed out the knobs. My favorite part of the whole nursery is the beautiful quilt Georgie made for me. She could not have made a more perfect quilt for sweet Amelia....I love it more than words can express. The little pink dress hanging on the cabinet was mine and the cabinet is filled with my Beatrice Potter collection of books and figurines. As a child every Easter I recieved a new book and the figurine to go with it. I love that this room is filled with the love of so many amazing friends and family. She is one blessed little girl.

One of my favorites

My mom took this while watching Amelia one day while I was working. I just love this one! I sure hate to leave her, but she is in very good hands...GRANDMA'S!

Happy Valentine's Day

Look at those chubby legs...love it.

Amelia was exactly three months old on Valentine's Day. I couldn't resist buying her a special outfit. I think she looks pretty darn cute!

Swim Day in January

It was a beautiful winter day in the desert. We couldn't resist a pool day. This was Amelia's first time in the pool.

Amelia's First Christmas

Some of my favorite family pics from Christmas.

Introducing Amelia Ann

Our sweet baby girl...

Amelia Ann Forrest
Born November 14, 2011 at 6:01 p.m.
7 lbs 8 oz, 19.5 inches

We are so in love!

Date Night for Mom and Dad

Patrick and I at the Sacred Heart School Gala this year. It was so much fun to get dressed up and I thought Patrick looked pretty handsome in his tux. Evan told me I looked like Cinderella....so sweet!

Bush Speaks at SHS Gala

Wow, wow, wow is all I have to say. What an amazing evening! I still can't believe the President George W. Bush spoke at our school fundraiser. He was incredibly candid, very funny, and extremely likeable. You kinda want to go have a beer with the guy. I feel so incredibly lucky to have been in that ballroom that evening. The best part was the amount of money he helped our school to raise! Thank you and God Bless you President Bush!!

Christmas 2010

We had a very low key Christmas this year, which was such a blessing! Just Patrick's parents and Aunt Lucy, my parents, Patrick, I and the kids. Patrick's mom and Auntie Lucy did all of the cooking and it was absolutely delicious...shredded pork tacos and homemade tamales. We opened most of the gifts Christmas Eve since Patrick had to work Christmas day. On Christmas the kids woke to stockings and their Santa gifts. The boys and I stayed in our jammies all day and the kiddos had a Wii fest. Although we missed Patrick it was so nice to just stay home and let the kids enjoy their new toys.

Wild Lights at The Living Desert

The camel ride


Ev loved the s'mores


No we may not get a rat as a pet!


Over our Christmas break, my mom and I took the kids to Wild Lights at the Living Desert. The kids had so much fun riding a camel, making s'mores by the fire, playing on the hay stack and looking at all of the beautiful lights. It was a cold night which added to the festive feel of the evening.

Our Secret Garden

So this past week we spent a week in Cambria at Patrick's parent condo. We had such a wonderful trip exploring Patrick and my absolute favorite places on earth...the tide pools, moonstone beach, the east-west trail and more. One of the most special moments of our trip was taking the kids to the garden Patrick and I were married in seven and a half years ago. We were able to capture a picture of the kids in front of the fountain much like my favorite wedding photo.

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

So I thought I was so organized for Christmas this year. The Christmas tree was up and decorated before Thanksgiving, the rest of the house over Thanksgiving weekend, presents were purchased and wrapped weeks ago, I even had the Christmas cards purchased in October....so how is it I still feel like I have a million and one things to do?

Even though the holidays can be stressful and lot's of work....I still love Christmas. Seeing the joy in my boys eyes when they see Santa, Evan telling me the house looks beautiful, decorating Gingerbread houses, Christmas music in the background and the time spent with family make all the hard work and effort worth it!

Blake's Last Soccer Game

Blake had such a great time playing soccer this year. Saturday was his last game. Here are a few pictures of the boys.

Ry's Gingerbread Birthday

So this past weekend I had Ryan 5th birthday party at the house. Having your birthday a day before New Year's Eve can be a bit of a bummer. I wanted for him to have a special day with all of his friends from school. Seeing as I am obsessed with Christmas, I decided a Gingerbread birthday would be perfect. Ry must be a popular kid...or the mommy's wanted to check out their future teachers home : )...not sure which, but we had thirty kids at the house! Everyone had a great time decorating,eating tons of sweets, sipping hot cocoa and playing with the rocket in the backyard. It was a wonderful day!