Visits from good friends

This year we had some really good friends come and visit. The most recent was the Tamai family last month. Ryan and I have been good friends since our first year at BYU. For his 30th birthday he came with his wife and two darling daughters all the way from California to visit us. It was so fun to see them and get to know his wife and daughters better. Unfortunately, Charles was gone in India during their visit so he wasn't able to join in the fun times. We tried to pack a lot into the time they had here. We went to Wet 'n Wild, City Walk, Downtown Disney, and of course down to Vero Beach. But the best part was just visiting and catching up. It was fun to watch our girls play so well with each other and to see each other as parents.

Kaella, Ryan, me, and my mom

Me, Karen, Ryan and their newest addition, Kaella

Kianna (or "Banna" as Isa called her) and Isabelle, they got along so well.

The Schars

Earlier this year we had a great visit from the Schars. Raphael and Charles were mission companions and of course I knew him too on the mission. Raphi was also one of our groomsmen in our wedding. Raphi, his wife Annika, and their daughter Linea live in Switzerland, so it was a long trip over for them. We were so grateful that they made the effort to come and see us. It's hard to live so far away from good friends. This was our first time meeting Annika and Linea, but it felt like we had known them forever. It was wonderful to have them here.

Old mission comps and their daughters

Me and Annika

While the Schars were here we spent some time down in Vero Beach. My Aunt and Uncle took us out on their boat and we went and had a cookout on an island. It was a beautiful and fun night.

Isabelle loved little Linea!

We are so grateful for good friends and the joy they bring us. Our house is always open for anyone who wants to come and visit!

Papa is home!

After 6 long weeks in India, Charles finally came home last week! We are so excited to have him back home. Everything is back the way it should be! Isabelle gave him a great welcome at the airport. She didn't want to let go of him, she just kept hugging him and hugging him. It was really sweet. With not much time left till Christmas we are trying to immerse Charles in the season with music and decorations and of course Christmas shopping. Now that he is home I am ready for this baby to come join us. One more week till she is due, but who knows when she will decide to grace us with her arrival.

Holiday Fun

Isabelle has loved this Holiday Season. Everything that has to do with Christmas she calls "Christmas." She is especially fond of big Christmas trees. She gets so excited and dances all around while screaming "Christmas." She hasn't quite gotten the idea of Santa yet, she thinks he is a "snowman," but I am totally okay with that.

After lots of crazy Christmas shopping on Black Friday, Isabelle, Erin and I headed over to my Dad's house in Melbourne. We had a wonderful visit with him and Deana. On Saturday morning we went to the Brevard Zoo. Isabelle loved it of course.

Isabelle and Erin being silly!

Isabelle checking out one of the animals before brushing it in the petting zoo.

We brought a wagon to pull Isabelle around, but she preferred to pull the wagon herself.

Isabelle loved all the birds.

Watch out Erin!

Dad and Erin

Isa and Erin hanging out at Grandpa's house.

When we got back from my dad's house we headed out to pick out our Christmas tree. Usually I always get it the day after Thanksgiving, but since we were at my dad's we didn't get it till Saturday. Isabelle was a big help on picking out the tree.

Isabelle with her Nana.

We spent a day in Lakeland with Erin. Isabelle loved this Christmas tree! She couldn't get enough of it!

All decorated!

Last weekend my Dad and Deana came over from Melbourne. We had dinner and then went to see the lights at UCF. Of course the first thing Isabelle spotted when we got there was the carousel. She absolutely loves carousels so we had to take her on it. After waiting in line for almost a half hour just to buy a ticket for the carousel, Isabelle finally got to go for a ride.

Looking at the lights with Grandpa!

What a great Holiday Season it has been. It has been sad not having Charles here with us to enjoy it, but we are definitely looking forward to him coming home tomorrow and sharing a lot more holiday cheer.

It's party time! Isabelle is 2!

Isabelle turned 2 on Thursday and it was quite the day! She has been waiting for her birthday for a long time! With my birthday in August and then Charles' in September, she kept asking me when it was going to be "Isabelle's birthday." So the countdown has been on for a while and boy was she ready for it to be her day. We were sad that Charles wasn't here with us to celebrate this special day. But we did get to talk to him on Skype several times, so hopefully he felt like he didn't completely miss out on the celebration. Charles had me pick up some roses just for Isabelle. Of course she loved them.

Originally I wanted to take Isabelle to Disney for her birthday. She absolutely loves Disney, I will post about our recent visits there soon. But, I didn't think I would be up to taking her there by myself with only 6 weeks left of my pregnancy. So I decided to have a little birthday party for her with her friends instead. Initially we planned to have the party at my house because the weather forecast called for rain. But when I checked the forecast two days before the party and it said clear skies, I decided to change the location and have the party at the park in my mom's neighborhood. That way there was more for the kids to do and less for me to clean up! I am so glad I changed it to the park, it made life a lot easier and the kids had a ball. We ended up with 11 kids there plus all the moms. It was a great turn out.

Isabelle loves the swing!

Isabelle and Addi thought it was so funny that they both could be in the swing at the same time.

Isabelle's best friend Kayla and Ruth

Roland stopped in and entertained the kids with juggling and some "dancing" or at least that is what he calls it. Isabelle thought he was so funny.

Isabelle is absolutely obsessed with all the Disney Princesses and Tinkerbell. So I decided to narrow it down and picked Tinkerbell as a theme for the party. It is amazing how well they market everything for kids. Disney sure knows what kids like.

Isabelle and Kayla, patiently waiting for food.

Me and my birthday girl!

Isabelle loves Chick-Fil-A, so we got a tray of nuggets from there and had some grapes, carrots, string cheese and Capri Suns for lunch.

After lunch it was cake time! Isabelle had been patiently waiting for her Tinkerbell birthday cake.

Having been to a lot of birthdays lately, Isabelle knew exactly what to do when the "Happy Birthday" song was over. She climbed right up and blew out the candle. It was like she had been practicing.

"Yummy, birthday cake!"

"Do you think this whole thing can fit in my mouth?"

Isabelle loved her Tinkerbell balloons.

After a little more playing on the playground it came time to open presents. Isabelle was absolutely spoiled with presents. She got lots and lots of princess stuff, which of course made her so happy, some clothes, a game and pretty hair bows. She loved it all. Thank you everyone!

Trying on some of her new Princess Aurora shoes (she calls them Aurora since they are pink of course).

Testing out her new Princess sleeping bag.

Princess Tea Set

New hair bows.

Isabelle loves to play dress ups. In fact, if we are home she rarely has normal clothes on, she always wants to be dressed up as one of the princesses or Tinkerbell. So Charles and I got her a new Aurora dress. Of course she wanted to put it on right away.

Reading her new Beauty and the Beast book!

The party was a hit. Isabelle had a great time and still talks about it everyday. Thank you to everyone who helped make it a special day for our darling girl. Happy Birthday Isabelle!

Cake Time

I decided to explore my domestic side and make a Tinkerbell cake for Isabelle's birthday. Since I had no idea where to start I called up my very talented friend Tanessa for help. She came and spent the entire afternoon with me, helping me create this magical Tinkerbell cake. Charles didn't believe that I could really make a cake, so I had to take pictures along the way documenting the event.

First I baked 4 cakes, two small round and two large round. I spread a layer of strawberry jam in between the layers.

We made our own frosting and Tanessa covered the cakes.

Then came time for the decorating. We made lots of leaves and flowers all along the cake. With that done, we put Tinkerbell on top and the cake was done. It sounds pretty simple, but the decorating took almost 5 hours alone. Now I know why they charge what they do for cakes at the store. In fact, I almost think they are under priced. But, there is nothing like the sense of accomplishment in creating your own masterpiece. Thanks Tanessa for teaching me!

The final masterpiece! Pretty good, if I may say so myself.

Here is a little video of the kids singing "Happy Birthday." Isabelle likes to watch this video over and over on our computer. Every time the end of the song comes she climbs up on the desk and tries to blow out the candle again. It is too cute!