February's Treasures

Mommy's bed makes for the best snoozing...

She. Is. Gorgeous! 

Reading to daddy...

Didn't make it to his bed for nap time...

Josiah's first time, at 11 months old, falling asleep in a sitting position. So stinkin cute! 

Indoor snow play! 

Gabriella brought her monkey for his first park visit. They are both having a blast on the swing! 

Mikey put a pen behind his ear and kept saying "Look mommy!!! I'm Handy Manny!!" Funny thing is, I think he's only seen that show maybe twice! 

Just chillin...

Gabriella used Josiah's baby hair brush to write "5s" on the wall during bath time. They were really good looking fives!!!  

Oh Josiah! You have mastered the art of climbing this month. This was your first sneaky climb onto the kids table! 

Mikey's masterpiece. He titled it "Josiah"...

Peeking in on Mikey's quite play before bed time play. He's sitting at Gabriella's vanity watching himself blow bubbles with his spit. :)

Reading the bible...

Cousins, wonderful cousins...

Daddy playing a game at Ed and Tc's baby shower.  Who can changing the "dirty diaper" the fastest??? 

It wasn't daddy. :) 

Playing with blocks...

Complete! All five! :) 

Sleeping with scout...

Snuggles with mommy...

Painting with our feet...

Big sister love is the best love! 

Bath time cuteness!!! 

Kisses! 

One, two, three little monkeys sleeping in my bed! 

Chilly February afternoon...

Shadows :) 

Daddy's little brothers, Elias and Nathan. 

I caught Mikey in action while running! Hilarious! 

Gabriella made a LARGE pair of glasses with pieces from our letter construction set!

 

This picture also shows exactly how our living room has looked for the past few days, per Gabriella's request. She asks to assemble it (the tent) first thing in the morning and prefers it stay that way until evening, no mater how obstructive it is. :)

After bath yoga...

"Counting" story time at the library...

Business as usual :) ...

February, I'm so fond of you!  

The Big Acorn Park

Gabriella often greets me in the morning with a question...

"What are we going to do today mommy?" 

and by that she really means... 
"please, please take us somewhere fun today!" 

My usual response is something along the lines of, "Well, Gabby, we're going to have all kinds of fun at home today! We can do whatever you'd like!" I usually throw in a few ideas to get her little mind thinking about the day's possibilities; craft, read together, play outside, go to the park, bake together, build a fort, etc. 

Going to the park is always among their favorite of things to do. While we LOVE our neighborhood park, Gabriella will occasionally ask about going to "the big acorn park". Honeycutt Park (the acorn park) is across town so we don't get the opportunity to visit it much but when we do, we love it! 

Today we were out and about so we made reason to visit! The chilly, early morning provided us with the entire park to ourselves, not that we ever mind sharing. :) 

Climbing and hanging...

Following the leader...

He's so cute!

Beautiful Gabriella in the covered slide..

All three...

Weeeee...

Head first...

Pure joy..

Gabriella tried so hard to pull Mikey up the slide but it just wasn't working...

So she decided to try and pull him up with her legs.  It definitely gave her more length...

but still, no luck! 

A twig "T"...

A twig "Y"...

And my favorite of the day. 

One, two, three...

Until next time, Big Acorn Park!

Admiration

I admire you, husband of mine. 

Firstly, for loving me. You just do and I never have to question it. You love me and show that you do by being affectionate. You offer hugs and kisses on a daily basis. I may not say it or show you enough but I am grateful, I hope it never ceases. 

Secondly, for loving God. Before we were married you vowed to be a godly man and serve him with all of your heart. Our little ones need that kind of daddy and I need that kinda man. I'm thankful it's you.

Thirdly, for working so hard for our family. He has provided you with a wonderful job and an incredible drive to provide. You want nothing more than the best for us and will stop at nothing less to provide it. God has blessed you with great talent and vision.  You are exactly where you should be, using your God given gift everyday. The scripture 1 Peter 4:10-11 reminds me of you…”Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen” 

Fourthly, for valuing my time with our little ones. After deciding on transitioning to a single income family, things naturally got a bit tighter financially. Your confidence in our "plan" has not wavered. That is so comforting to me. You not only see the value of my presence with the kids, you fight for it daily. You do not hesitate to tell friends and family, if and when they ask, how hard I work for our family. You are my biggest fan and I thrive with your support. 

Fifth, your heart...it's beautiful. You're a lover. Even when someone's done you wrong (really wrong) you don't and won't hold a grudge. It's just not in you to do. You always forgive. I have room to learn a few things from you. 

Sixth, your giving spirit. I love that about you! Yet another way you do as Christ commands us to do, give! Acts 20:35 "It is more blessed to give than to receive." 2 Corinthians 9:7 "Every man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 

Seventh, you're just so stinkin friendly. You never meet a stranger. I am secretly jealous of that characteristic of yours. You strike up a conversation easily with anyone. You fill an uncomfortable, awkward room with laughter. People are drawn to your friendly spirit, as am I. 

Eighth, you are goofy. So, so goofy! Always joking around and making others laugh. Yes, there are times I question your level of appropriateness but even so, all of those who surround you, love you even more for it!  

Ninth, I touched on this briefly in number three but it deserves it's own degree of admiration, you are a visionary. Your dreams and aspirations empower you. They keep you thriving, always happy but never content.  I see success in your eyes. I believe in you and your dreams. 

Tenth, most definitely not last on the list by intent and perhaps the most vain reason to love you, your quite the looker! I am so grateful that I'm the woman who's licensed to do the looking. ;) 

I love and admire you, Michael Joel Sanchez, for all of these reasons and many more. 

Josiah's Birthday Party

From the moment the sun rose this morning we have been so excited to celebrate you.

Gabriella came straight into our room as soon as she woke up and immediately informed us that it was your birthday! She crawled right up onto the bed where you were lying next to me, to wake you. She didn't care one bit if you weren't quite ready to greet the day. She was just so excited to love on you. She tickled your face with her hair and sweetly said Happy Birthday until you surrendered and opened those tiny little eyes of yours.

You weren't too happy about the abrupt good morning wake up but you eventually forgave her and got over it. :)

We decided on a 4 pm birthday party so that we'd have time to travel home from church, eat lunch and get everyone in beds for naps. 

You typically take your second nap about 2:30ish but today you weren't having it, you were just so full of energy. Your extra little snooze at church must have thrown you off.  I tried to lay you down again about 3:30ish but still, too excited. You had to have know your party was soon to begin. :) I tried to warn you and let you know that a nap was necessary to avoid birthday day crankiness but you didn't seem worried. 

Party time arrived and we enjoyed a wonderful time with family and friends who all came to show you just how much they love you. You are such a loved little boy! 

Your birthday menu consisted of vegetables, chips, cheesy chicken pasta, green beans, rolls and birthday cake. Your favorite part of the meal was green beans. 

This was your second serving of green beans. :) 

After a bit of food and fellowship it was time for cake! 

You, by far, tackled the cake more than both Mikey and Gabby did on their first birthdays. Gabriella and Michael we're not interest in the least bit with touching such things with their fingers. Perhaps it has to do with all the practice you've had with baby lead weaning. Whatever the case, it was a first for me and so fun to watch. 

You played around in your piece for a while and even shared a bit with me! It was so sweet! 

Here's my favorite of the cake eating pictures...

After cake and presents you were beyond exhausted and ready for that nap you should have taken at 2:30. :) You rarely fall asleep without nursing but you were too tired to care and passed out in daddy's arms. 

 

I laid you in bed and you slept from 7 to 8:30. I wondered if you were done for the night but no, you woke ready for another hour and a half for party time...and that was ok with me. :) 

I still have a hard time believing it but you're one now baby boy!  Thank you for providing us the opportunity to celebrate you in such a way today. You're milestone was so memorable and we'll look back on these memories for a lifetime. We love you oh, so much!

Happy Birthday sweet Josiah!