Happy 9th Anniversary!

I just wanted to wish my man a very happy anniversary.  It hasn't always been easy, but the last 9 years have been full love, adventure, faith and, of course, humor. 

 Dave is gone today in Ohio, but we plan to celebrate in two weeks with a weekend away at my parents condo in San Diego.  Unfortunately, it was flooded on Monday due to a washing machine that got stock on a cycle from the neighbor above.  Hopefully all the damages will be repaired by the time we head down there. :)

Happy Birthday Jake - July 27th

Jacob David was born July 27, 2007 5:07 AM 8lbs 9oz

We spent the morning at Funderland celebrating the little man's 2nd birthday.
Showing off his new Superman PJs.
His new toy!
Chuck E Cheese for dinner. Oh, what a day!

I can't believe Jake is two!  I'll never forgot the day (well, the day before) he was born.  It was two weeks before his due date and wasn't quite sure what labor felt like since I never really had true contractions with the girls.  It was a regular morning,  but I was having a contraction every 10 minutes on the dot.  I went to Starbucks with the girls and some of my neighbor girlfriends still having contractions every 10 minutes.  I was in complete denial.  I just thought I would be having a c-section and Jake would make his arrival on my due date.  After coffee, we went to the park with all of our friends and my contractions came a little closer together. Called Dave...no answer. Called my mom....no answer.  Called my dad....no answer.  Oh no....these contractions are getting a little harder!  Finally, when we arrived home from our play date, Dave was in the driveway as he heard a little panic in my voice when I left a voicemail on his phone.  We had one last lunch as our current family at McDonald's and within 2 hours my contractions were 5 minutes apart and we were off to the hospital.  I was 5cm dilated when we arrived and 7 cm when I got my epidural. Before I got my epidural, my doctor realized that Jake was posterior (he was looking up at the ceiling).  In this case, pushing him out was going to be tough.  I pushed for 3 hours, which was the max for a VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section) and my doctor was giving me one last push before sending me to the OR.  I pushed with all my might and my OB pulled with all her might and seconds later my amazing Jacob David came in to this world.  Dave and I are blessed!  This little man is what we needed and always wanted.  He is sweet, loving, caring, fun, LOUD, friendly, super out-going, and ALL BOY.  He has balanced out our family and the girls adore him beyond belief.  We are BLESSED!

Summer Party for Jake

Tonight we had two great families over to celebrate our little man turning TWO!  I can't believe he is almost two (his birthday is tomorrow :) ).  We had a summer celebration with a mini pool, water table, and mini bounce house.  Dave BBQ'd a yummy dinner and we ended our night with a treat filled pinata.

The invitation-

Beach cupcakes
The men!

Our little monkeys jumping away!
"CHEESE!"
Jake's turn.
The daddies HAD to take a turn. :)
Go!

Friends Forever

A few weeks ago Dave and I were very blessed by the visit of two families that we would call our dearest, lifelong friends (we are missing the Ortiz crew out of the bunch).  We get to see them 2-3 times a year and every time my heart aches back to those good-ole college days. Those days were some of the best of my life.  My roomies were there for me through EVERYTHING,  stood by me as I married the man of my dreams and are inspirational and Godly mommies.  Anika, Kara, and Kat......you are amazing friends!!!!! 

All the kiddos!

Furnishing the House.......VERY SLOWLY

We FINALLY moved the piano out of the dining room and got a new table. :)  Yeah! It's been a SUPER slow process furnishing this home (it's literally 4Xs the size of our home in Mountain View, plus we sold most of our furniture since it had to be stored in 2 PODS for 3 months until we moved). Ugh!  Someday Dave and I will agree on what dining room chairs we should buy and that will be a new post. ;) (Can you tell there is nothing new with the Winter Clan????)

Hanna and the Whisperer

Poor Hanna......I'll never forgot the day when our "baby" was sent outdoors the evening two out of the three girls were brought home from the hospital.  Now that we are in the new home, Hanna is officially an outside dog. I have ALWAYS felt guilty about our neglected "baby" and Dave and I have even thought of new homes for her.  Well.......a few months back our amazing neighbor came to the rescue.  We, the Wisteria neighbors-with neglected dogs, have been ever so grateful for our new dog walker.  He is now known in our neighborhood as the dog "Whisperer."  Here is a picture his sweet wife gave to us (it hangs over Hanna's bed :) ).  He is pictured walking SIX dogs (missing one dog in the picture below) from our neighborhood.  You know when the "Whisperer" is approaching the house because of the barks filling our street. He walks the dogs 2-3 miles and lets them run in an open field for some time.  He has been a blessing to us and our pup.  Thanks Whisperer!!!!!

Happy Hanna Dog!

Whoa....I'm on a blog roll!!!!!

Dave is playing for our neighborhood softball team, Wisteria Weasels!  Brooke HAD to bring her pom poms, the kids enjoyed Cracker Jacks and Jake SCREAMED, "GO DADDDDDDDY."  We had a great time!!!!

Double Picture Post. :)