Isabella's first wedding

Isabella was in a wedding a couple of weekends ago. It was in Tulsa with the rehearsal and wedding on the same day. But we had hotel points and decided to go up the night before so we didn't have to be as rushed in the morning. I'd been wanting to try Andolini's since my sister had gone and told me about it. It was everything I'd hoped it would be!

It's a small, local place. The waiting area is by the kitchen that has a glass window so you can see the whole cooking process.

The guys tossed the pizza dough high in the air and once back and forth to each other.  It was really fun to watch and Isabella thought it was really cool. They handed over a plate of garlic knot bread for us to have while we waited, and also gave Isabella a dough ball to play with. She made all kinds of things and tried to toss it in the air just like they did. All of this made our wait time go by really easily.

It was a really fun night. Some times with little kids things can be stressful and even disastrous at times, but we laughed a lot at dinner and it was one of those times I kept thinking how grateful I am for my little family and how this is the good life.
We went back to the hotel and Michael took Iz swimming while I got Benjamin down for bed. And he thankfully slept better than he ever has at a hotel in a packnplay!
The next morning we had to grab some fruit loops from the hotel buffet, as those are Isabella's favorite hotel treat, and then headed to the wedding venue for the breakfast and rehearsal.
I wasn't sure how she would do at the wedding with all people she didn't know, and I wasn't sure what the expectations were for her as far as what she was supposed to do, how long she would be up front, and so on.

But she was just fine. Friendly and happy to do what they asked of her. They practiced the whole ceremony a few times, going in and standing, and dancing on the way out.
We had quite a bit of time til the wedding, so we went to a mall with a play area for the kids to play and eat lunch.

We rode the carousel but of course, had to be on the non-moving bench. :) 

 

Then we went back to the wedding location to get Isabella dressed. Benjamin stayed in the car and took a nap while Michael watched the OU/Texas game on his phone. I got her ready, then it was time for some of the pictures. After her part in those were done we had a while to hang out and entertain ourselves til it was time.

Heading down the aisle. 

She did so great. Stood still up at the front for the whole ceremony, which thankfully was only about 18 minutes. 

And then danced her way out with the wedding party. 

She loved the reception and was the life of the party! Haha! Dancing in a circle of all the college kids and loved the candy bar they had.

We took some photo booth pictures:

Which Benjamin was a little confused by! :)

Then we headed back to OKC! As I was buckling her in the car she said- "Oh mom! I never knew a wedding party would be so fun!"

17 months

17 months has continued to be a busy and into EVERYTHING stage.

 He loves his blue blanket and paci.

He loves peekaboo! 

Overall he has a easy going, content spirit. But that also makes it easy to tell when he is not feeling well as he has been pretty grumpy and fussy some days and then I'll find new teeth coming. At 17 months he finally cut through his last canine tooth. He says: Mama, OK, uh oh, all gone (when he means all done), no, more, and this month started saying Dad-dy but still sometimes says Dada.  He saw his first firework show and went to the fair where he was able to sample some food this year as opposed to last year. He likes shoes and has started bringing me shoes to put on him. I've been wondering if he just likes them or if that means he wants to go somewhere. He loves to splash in water- in the bath, the toilet (if the door is left open accidentally), and will often pour his water on his high chair tray or in a cup or pot in the play kitchen to play in it. He is an explorer and loves to check everything out, especially things he has been asked to leave alone. He has become even more adventurous at the park and loves having things that he can climb on. He and Isabella have been playing a little more together but she gets pretty frustrated still with him not understanding when she wants something set up a certain way. He is napping around 1-1:30 and sleeps anywhere from 1.5-3 hours. Usually 2-2.5 hours. It is an exhausting stage but also one of such rapid development it is fun to see his world changing.

Isabella's birthday

Happy 4th Birthday Isabella! You were so excited for your birthday this year and counting down the days. It was a little confusing having your birthday one day and the party on another. You came in our room the morning of your birthday and went back to sleep for a little while. When you woke up you gasped and the first thing you said was MOM?!?! Am I this many now?! (holding up 4 fingers) So exciting! :)

 She picked out some glittery jelly princess shoes that I thought would be for dress up, but she has wanted to wear them all the time. Haha!

 Number 4 sprinkle pancakes! 

Michael was really sick with shingles on the day of her birthday. We went to Walmart and Target looking for the elusive Elsa doll and finally found one at ToysRus. She had never been to toysrus before and that was interesting to see her take everything in. We had a simple dinner of some of her favorite foods, and Cappy and Nana came by for a visit. We had left over cupcakes from a family birthday celebration and just had those since I was planning on making a cake for her party.

She was so happy and enthusiastic all day about her birthday. I should have written down all of the things she said. She was hilarious!

Her party was the following Saturday. She wanted a princess/my little pony party. I tried to keep it small for another year since our family alone is several people. But I think this was the last year for that. She really wants a party with "lots and lots of my friends there and games and a pinata and pin the tale on the donkey".

I didn't take many pictures but there was a game of pin the cutie mark on pinkie pie.

Making a wish

 Happy 4th Birthday baby girl! You bring so much laughter and fun to our lives!

State Fair 2014

We love the State Fair! We went on Tuesday for $3 entry day. We shared a root beer, corn dog, and a cinnamon roll. Michael got some fried pickles, which Isabella loved. I'm not a pickle person, so I can't say how they were. Then we went to check out the AGtropolis.

Getting to play farmer 

 My mom got Disney on Ice tickets for Isabella for her birthday for that evening. My dad came to the fair and picked Benjamin up from us to take him home to bed. 

While Michael took Benjamin to meet Dad, Isabella got her face painted. She chose an Elsa design.

The wonder of it all. :)  (Thanks for the photo bomb, Michael;)

We had a great time at the show!
I didn't feel like we got to have our full "fair experience" this year with not having much time before the show. But Isabella got to go back the next day with Dad for senior citizen day and see the pig races and do some other things we usually do.

Meeting Jillian!

Happy 33rd birthday Michael!!! Which also turned out to be the day my niece Jillian was born! :)
(And peanut butter sheet cake might be one of my new favorites!)

 September 4th is a good day! I got to go up to the hospital in the day and then Michael went to meet her that evening after his birthday celebration.

 I took the kids up to meet her the next day. Isabella was excited as she had been waiting to meet Jillian for a LONG LONG time!

How sweet is she?!!

So happy and thankful for her healthy and safe arrival!

OKCCC Arts Festival

Our Summer begins with our family trip to South Padre and the book end to the Summer is the Arts Festival at OKCCC. We got a cinnamon ice cream dessert to share and Isabella got a snow cone.

 Isabella wanted to get her face painted again. It was the same guy who did it last year. He is really fast and good!

Waiting for the philharmonic to start.
They played one set, and Isabella loved the music and dancing with a little friend she made. The wind was so strong they stopped the show and waited to see if it would die down, but ended up having to cancel. The good thing was they moved up the time for the fireworks. I wasn't sure if we would make it to see them but since they were earlier we did! 

The last time Isabella saw some she thought they were scary, but this time she really liked them. Benjamin was pretty quiet but enjoyed his first firework show.  We had a great night!

Its always a big deal if she's going to wash off the "faint pace" or leave it on. This time she decided to wash off one side and leave the other.