4 months old

Bella you are 4 months old today, I can't even believe it (I'm sure I'll say that evey month though). It's crazy how fast time goes, and how much growth happens in 4 short months.

You are such a happy girl. Every where we go, everybody always says, "does she ever cry?" "She is so calm" "What a happy baby". You've always got a smile for everyone, especially your brother. Whenever you are getting mad, all you need is one look from Connor and you are all smiles again. I think you could just sit and talk to him all day, or even just watch him play.

You have rolled over from your tummy to your back twice now, and I suspect any day you will make it the other way...you're so close. You love to play pat-a-cake, have your toes and tummy tickled, and just be talked to. You are full of smiles that break out into the cutest giggles.

The last few weeks you've been sleeping through the night 5 out of 7 days. And last night you even slept from 8:30 until 7:30 this morning!!!! You weigh 16 lbs (and have the cheeks to prove it) and are 25 inches long. You are already in size 3 diapers and have been for awhile now.

We are so blessed and thankful to have you and your brother in our lives. Daddy and I couldn't be any more proud of the two of you. You both make us smile and laugh so much. Our lives are so great because of the two of you. Thank you both for all that you have already given us.

Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. Enjoy it!

Here are a few photos of Bella I took this morning.

Weekend Getaway

This past weekend we went to Wisconsin Dells with our friends the Mattmiller's. When Ben was out in ND, I decided I wanted to surprise him with a trip to the dells for some much needed family time. Well so much for the surprise part as he figured out where we were going and who we were going with, and every little detail he could a long time ago. I'm not sure if I'm, just bad at keeping secrets or he is good at figuring them out, or a combo of both. Either way, there was no surprise, but we still had a lot of fun. (But there was a lot of convincing to do on my part as it is bow hunting season and I planned a weekend away with NO hunting....I've been told to NEVER do that again.) Anyways, we met our friends Brian and Terri in the dells with their 2 girls, Alexis and Laura. We stayed at the Chula Vista Resort (one I've never been to before) and we stayed in a condo...and it was gorgeous, pics don't do justice.

Here's the view from the front door.

The Bedrooms

The Kitchen

They have an underground walkway to the indoor waterpark. We were expecting it to be, well, pretty much a tunnel. Were we surprised to see how beautiful the walkway was. Here's a few family pictures we took on our walks to the waterpark.

Laura and Bella "playing" together

And a few at the waterpark....

Connor had an absolute blast. He was just tall enough that he was able to go on all the slides. He even went on the rollercoaster waterslide and just loved it. Saturday night I had to leave Ben and Connor at the waterpark because Connor didn't want to leave.....and neither did Ben, he had just as much fun. The two of them ran around the waterpark, running up the steps, sliding down the slides, spraying water at each other, and taking quick little breaks in the lazy river, ALL day long. When they finally came back to the room Saturday night, Connor said, "Mom...I'm just so excited to go back to swim tomorrow!" It was too cute. Bella also loved the water too. We floated around on the lazy river and swam around in the pools all day long and she just smiled and watch everything that was going on. It was such a great weekend and I can't wait to go back.

And here is the funniest part of the weekend. After many beers, the boys decided to get in the hot tub.....together....with little toy boats. Terri and I laughed so hard, it was so hilarious. I got some of it on video also, someday I'll figure out how to put video on here. Until then, here's a photo of the 2 of them......thoroughly enjoying themselves!

Rolling Over

Yeah that's right, my little baby has already rolled over...twice. Last week(at 3 1/2 months old) she rolled over from her tummy to her back two times. Unfortunately I didn't get to see either times. I'd lay her on her tummy, then when I came back to check on her, she was flipped over. And the question I've been asked..."Did Connor flip her over?" No, he's been at school both times she's done it. She's getting so big so fast, it's hard to believe it's almost been 4 months since she was born.

Here's a couple pictures from 2 weekends ago at grandma and grandpas house.

Connor built a fort and wanted Bella to join him in it.

BBD

Big Buck Down!

The boys have been waiting for this for a long time. And here it is. Last week Ben got the call that Dane had a Big Buck Down. Wish I could tell the story, but I'm not good with the hunting story telling. All I remember is that they went out to find it, walked right to where Dane thought it went down, and Ben spotted it and jumped on Dane and was screaming with excitement at how big it was.

Bella's Baptism

So I thought I had posted this a while ago, but I see I never did. So here are pictures from Bella's baptism (and Leyla's). We had her baptism on Monday night, November 2nd. Grandma Sandy had the honors of performing the baptism for the family. Thank you to everybody that came and celebrated with us. It was great to be together!

Connor got to help Grandma Sandy by pouring the water.

Here's Bella's turn. She loves water and didn't make a peep. Even though she was SO tired.

And Leyla's turn. She didn't mind it either.

My sister caught this nice face Connor was making

With the godparents, Ryan (Ben's BF) and Hailey (My sister)

My parents and sisters with us

The great grandparents. (except Grandma Toots who ended up in the hospital that day:(....Sad she missed the day, but glad she is better now)

With Ben's family

With Dane, Sarah and Leyla

My grandpa Jim and cousin Alisha with Bella
Dane and Leyla

Sugar, Candy, For Free!!

We started off Halloween by going to the pumpkin patch.....finally.

Connor either wanted to pick them all up, or kick his foot right through them.

Check out those muscles!

This was his pose with the pumpkins

Then we got ready to head to NR to go trick or treating, but first we stopped at Uncle Dane & Sarahs house and this is what we found.....Todd and Ryan trying on their costumes for the night. This is what they wear to pick up the chicks.....or try :)

Here is Connor, my cousin Andrew and Bella all ready to go trick or treating.

Andrew was an injured dirtbike racer

Connor was a ninja.....because he wanted to have a sword....however,he didn't even carry the sword to the first house. I even had it clipped onto his belt and he still didn't even want it. Go figure!

Bella and Laura in their matching Ladybug costumes.

Connor and Andrew had a blast trick or treating this year. They pretty much ran to each house with a light on. At one house they got pretty smart and rang the doorbell and then hid around the side of the door and yelled BOO when the little old grandma answered the door. I was so scared they were going to give her a heart attack, but it really was too funny.

After evey house they went to Connor came back YELLING, Sugar....Candy....For Me, or so I thought that was what he was saying. When we were done I asked him bout it and he told me he was saying, Sugar...Candy....For Free. It was too funny.

Then when they were at one house, we could hear them laughing and giggling, when they came back to us we found out what they were laughing at. The house left their candy outside in a bucket and Connor decided to help himself....to a whole lot of m&m's.....18 bags of them to be exact...check out his picture with all the m&m's. I always thought it was the big kids trick or treating that were the ones to take all the candy when it was left on the steps...turns out it is the 4 year olds that do it!

Bella had enough, bedtime on the chair.