Bella getting ready to 'perform'
This Thanksgiving was definitely different from the past Thanksgivings that we have had....that is because I was 8 months and 3 weeks pregnant and boy was I feelin it!!! My mom was nice enough to cook this amazing turkey dinner (with all of the fixings), plus this amazing Kahlua cake....YUMMY!!! After dinner we started singing on the good ol' karoake machine....Bella sang "Who let the Dogs out" and then Pete (with Bella as a backup singer) sang "You give Love a BAD NAME"....it was HILARIOUS!!!! After we all rested our vocals, we played Pictionary and Bella was awesome at this game (no joking!!). All in all we had a nice Thanksgiving and can't wait for next year with our new addition....Olivia!!!
Had to include this picture of me (posing with my sisters)...HUGE huh??!!!! I'm 8 months 3 weeks....YOWZER!!!!
YUP, that's Isabella sporting her Jersey before the game....isn't it the cutest??? Pete almost started tearing up when she put her uniform on. Bella's position is a 'full back' which blocks the block before it reaches the goal. Bella told us that 'blocking the ball is her passion'....so maybe she got her soccer skills from her Auntie Erin after all. GO BELLA GO!!!
Bella before her second game....which her team won!! They are 2-0, so far!!
Bella watching the goal with her pal Mia, GO WILD MUSTANGS!!!
So I realize that Isabella is getting older and coming into her own little person BUT AT 6 YEARS OLD REALLY??? 
The infamous 'twinkle toe' shoes....
Happy Labor 3 day weekend!! I know it's a little early to post (Sunday) but we are having such a relaxing family weekend, I can't help but to share.....
So our weekend started off with the blooming of our community garden. As I have previously posted that we now have a watermelon/pumpkin garden....well the watermelons are gone (season is over) and we now are enjoying sunflowers and hopefully (by October) we will have pumpkins. The sunflowers are so cute, plus they are as tall as Bella and she loves posing with them. 
While we enjoy the sunflowers during the day, at night we have been busy with family gatherings. We went to Visalia to see my aunts and uncles and we had so much fun!! Bella got to play with all of her cousins and boy did they play....so much so, that all of the cousins didn't want dessert (which is Bella's favorite part of any party). So this weekend has been a success.....with good family fun!!!
Pete and me at my Aunt & Uncle's house.....
There comes a point as a parent when you look at your child and think to yourself, "when did you start growing up so fast, where did the time go??". Well I have been thinking a lot about this for the past couple of days with Bella getting ready to enter the first grade. Plus with me being pregnant I can't help but to think about the day Bella was born (which seems like yesterday)...TEAR!! Now my sweet baby girl is 6 years old (she thinks she's 16) and is now in the first grade...HOW DID THIS HAPPEN??? 
The day started for us at 10am at the beach and eventually the whole family was at the beach. Everyone was getting reaquainted with one another and simply just enjoying each others company. Bella got to see her cousin Taylor and Peyton (the girls are around the same age), they hit it off quickly and played with each other most of the day. Pete and I were happy to see everyone too and we had so much fun hearing fun stories that have happened this past year. It is always good to see the family!!
Bella wasted no time putting her bathing suit on and playing in the sand!!
Here is Kenny with two 'hot ladies' (Auntie Mart and Meg)
Peyton, Taylor and Bella playing in the water.
Pete and Connor!! This pic was taken at Aunt Nancy's house the day before the beach festivities where Aunt Nancy fed us a yummy dinner!! Thank you Aunt Nancy!
Uncle Ed showing Bella his 'fruit garden'. Bella couldn't get enough of the apples and plums!!
Sweet Connor smiling at Grandma Janet.....I think we got a couple of smiles from Grandma Janet too!
Pete and I took Isabella to a sushi dinner (our favorite) but Bella was more interested in learning how to pick up food with chopsticks! The whole evening she practiced and when she finally picked up giner, it was as though she won a gold medal!! This is why I had to share Bella being able to use chopsticks....isn't she the sweetest???
Well the big day has come and we finally found out the sex of our baby....IT'S A GIRL!!! Bella had the pleasure of joining us in the ultrasound room and when the tech announced it was a girl, we were all happy and shocked!! Of course, I started crying (I'm very emotional these days) and Bella said "Daddy, thank you for giving me a sister"....so now Pete will be surrounded by girls!! Yay...GIRL POWER!!!
Yes, that is a real life watermelon growing on our yard!!!
This vision all started with our neighbor Jen who thought it would be fun for the kids to grow watermelons and pumpkins....since Pete and I are 'challenged' when it comes to gardening, we volunteered our house instead. The kids had to make sure our soil was nice and moist so they can plant the seeds....obviously, they had tons of fun getting wet and muddy!! Once the soil was ready Jen assisted the kids in planting mini-watermelons and pumpkins. 
Bella and her pal Kane watered the watermelon and pumpkin garden for weeks. Yup, we've got watermelons!! The pumpkins are not quite ready to show off yet....so stay tuned!!
At this time, there are about 5 watermelons sprouting.
Pete and Bella posing with another melon....we are so fascinated by the garden!! 
Well folks after much anticipation, Bella finally has lost her first tooth (July 30th)!!! Bella has been so excited about this day for months, so it was a BIG deal in our house. Pete was very cute about the whole thing and told Isabella that he called the tooth fairy....so that evening we left a window open 'to let the tooth fairy in our house' and Bella received $5 for her tooth!! Look at those chompers....brilliant!!!
My sweet Bella has been bummed out for months now because she was the only person in her kindergarten class and daycare without any loose or missing teeth. Well I am proud to announce that not only does Isabella have a loose tooth but it's hanging by a thread!!! Bella is so excited, it is all she talks about. Why my daughter wants missing teeth is beyond me but I guess that is part of growing up!!
Happy 4th of July!!! We had a semi-block party with our neighbors and tons of kids. Pete BBQ'd and set off the fireworkds without burning himself or anyone else (thank goodness)!! 
I can honestly say that I was VERY surprised and shocked when I found out that I was expecting another child but with the support from Pete and Bella, my fears have disappeared!! My first concern was Isabella and how she would take the news but when telling her that she was going to be a big sister, she started crying and said "I'm so happy".....so with those words my concerns were gone. I am so proud and grateful that we have such a great kid!!
