Decorating for Christmas this year was a completely different experience. Izabella is in the "I do it" stage a wants to do everything mommy and daddy are doing. So this year she wanted to help with everything. At first I thought that this might cause some problems, but really she was a lot of help and quite a delight.
It was so much fun to make all the ornaments and to decorate the tree as a family. Izabella did it all. She is so curious and always wants to be involved. So we took a Saturday night, popped some popcorn and Bella and I started string popcorn and cranberries for the garland. Then we made gingerbread men and snowflakes. And she even helped me string the dried oranges and apples.
Then on Sunday afternoon Mike and Izabella set up the tree and fluffed it. It was great watching her help her daddy!
Then when night came we were all ready to decorate our tree. We warmed up some cocoa and put on some Christmas music, then the festivities began. Izabella did really well making sure the bottom of our tree was decorated with all the right ornaments.
We only had to help her space them out a few times.
Then when the bottom was all done Daddy helped her decorate the top of the tree too.
Here is our tree after all the homemade ornaments were put on them I love my old fashion Christmas tree!!
And her is our lead decorator posing with her beautiful Christmas Tree!!
Izabella loves her Christmas tree and for the most part has left it alone. I have noticed that a few of the candy canes have disappeared and Bella has to show everyone that comes over her special ornament, plus the doggies, and Daddies Star Trek ones. She has also been my little gift girl this year. Since I have a hard time getting under the tree I have been wrapping the gifts and she's been putting them under for me. She is mommy's big little helper. We hope you all are having a great holiday season so far, we sure are.
Wishing you all the best,
Mike, Stefanie, and Izabella
So we have just over a month left in waiting for our new little family member to join our family, and we just can't seem to find enough patience. I know that mostly I'm getting excited to be able to sleep again, or to be able to tie my own shoes, but Izabella and Mikey are getting anxious also. Izabella has decided in the last couple of weeks that she too has a baby in her tummy. We have tried to explain things to her, however whenever anyone asks her about the baby she pulls up her shirt and pats her tummy saying, "My Baby!" It really is too cute!
Last week I stayed home for a couple days and Izabella and I decided that it was time to start getting things ready for her new little sister. I was so proud of her as I watched her clean out one of her drawers in her dresser out and helped me but the baby clothes in it. I had so much fun telling her how she had warn all these little outfits herself only two years ago. We then pushed over all her clothes to one side of the closet and hung up the rest of the baby clothes. Izabella's favorite part was moving all her shoes to one side of the changing table bottom shelf to but the baby shoes on the other side. She loves shoes, and naturally she tries to but on the baby shoes from time to time.
Last week I stayed home for a couple days and Izabella and I decided that it was time to start getting things ready for her new little sister. I was so proud of her as I watched her clean out one of her drawers in her dresser out and helped me but the baby clothes in it. I had so much fun telling her how she had warn all these little outfits herself only two years ago. We then pushed over all her clothes to one side of the closet and hung up the rest of the baby clothes. Izabella's favorite part was moving all her shoes to one side of the changing table bottom shelf to but the baby shoes on the other side. She loves shoes, and naturally she tries to but on the baby shoes from time to time.Bella has also picked out two blankets, out of the hundred she has, that she will no longer use. Mike tried to give her one of them the other night and she pushed it away saying, "NO! BABIES!" I am so glad that we have talked about the new baby so much with her. I really feel that she understands what is going on. We'll just have to see!!
Mikes counting down the days, but he is under the impression that this little one is going to come early just like Izabella did. In fact, he believes that she will be exactly 20 days early, which means that she will be born Christmas Day! I really hope that doesn't happen. A couple days before or a couple days after is fine with me. I on the other hand keep having a reacquiring nightmare of my water breaking in the middle of sacrament. I mean what would I do! This meaning my guess would be the 27th of December. And since I was dead on with Izabella's date of birth my doctor has assured me that he will be available on that day. So do any of you have any guesses as to when Baby Plane will be here? Our actual due date is January 13th, however we are hoping for another tax deduction with this little one. Plus I would like to start my maternity leave before the new year.
As for a name Mike and I are still undecided, but don't worry we do have a couple in mind. We have decided that we want to see the baby before we get to set on a name.
I'm 35 weeks along!!PS: Both Bella and I were having really bad hair days. I had been sleeping all afternoon. I will get some better pictures posted soon!!
Love you all,
Mike, Stefanie, Izabella and Baby
I know I already posted on the amazing 50th birthday party we had for my dad, however I had to add another post to add these forgotten photos. I love my Dad and I am so grateful for all that he has done for me and my family. I remember when I went to college he use to call me at 5:30am every morning to make sure I was up and not getting lazy being away from the farm. I think my room mate hated it, but she never said anything. My father has been one of my greatest heroes and my best friends for as long as I can remember. I guess me being a daddy's girl is why I enjoy watching Izabella with her father. Dad worked so hard to support his family and teach all us kids the importance of hard work and dependability. Of course, along with the importance of hard work he instilled in us the joys of fun and laughter. Even though he is another year older, a little grayer and possible a little slower I love him just as much. And just for the record...I am sure AJ was who made you turn so gray because you didn't have any when I was living at home. Enjoy these pictures of my Dad, Joe Eldredge!!
This is my dad and I when I was 4 days old. Look how young he was!!
This is Dad and Izabella when she was about 5 months old.
Here's dad and Jeanna on their wedding day. Look how happy they are!!
+059.jpg)
This was the day Mike and I were married and I love this picture of Dad. It is one of very few that shows his true smile that is so much like my own.
And I have to add this picture. This was at Mike and My wedding reception in Twin Falls. Dad and Mark (Mike's best friend) really enjoyed watching and laughing the entire night.Love you dad and hope you had a great 50th!!
Mikey, Stefanie, and Izabella
It's that time of year again and I am really slacking!! It is Birthday time in our family. We have most of our family birthdays between the months of September and February. That means I have 6 birthdays to catch up on and another 9 coming up. I had better get a move on. Our first Birthday Spotlight is Russ Latimer, who turned a year wiser on September 25th of this year. It was great that we were able to spend this time with him since we were in Washington for Grandpa's funeral. I think sometimes he doesn't realize how much I love and appreciate all that he has done in my life. He is such a wonderful man and has done so much to make my mother so happy in the last 11 years. He has always been there when I needed him and I know I don't give him enough credit for the wonderful influence he is to my family. I love you and hope that you had a wonderful Birthday!!
Here are some pictures of Daddy Russ over the years:
Russ and mom at the Oregon coast a couple years ago.
Russ and Izabella the weekend of her blessing.
Hanging out after Thanksgiving a couple of years ago.
Love You,
Mikey, Stefi, and Izabella
Izabella was so excited for Halloween! She woke up Saturday morning singing "Candy, Candy, My Yummy Candy!" She defiantly has Mike's sweet tooth, lets hope his metabolism is a packaged deal.
Here are some pictures of our fun filled Halloween evening!
Here is Izabella outside our house with our pumpkins. She was a cute little Bumble bee for Halloween. Isn't she cute?
She was so happy to pose for pictures!
Here is a cute close up after we put her wings on.
Our original plan was to meet Katie and Rem at K-mart to go through there Trick or treat street, but by the time we got there there was a line of almost a 1000 people. So we went over to Mike's old neighborhood and trick or treated some of the homes we knew. We stopped at the Wilson's to decide what to do next and let the kids run around in the front yard for a while. I think they enjoyed this more then the Trick or treating.
They ran back and forth and all around. Izabella just followed where ever Colton went. She loves having friends to play with.
She wouldn't even hold still for a picture. Look at that little bee go!!After we let the kids wear them selves out a little Katie and Rem and their two kids, and Mark and Kat all came over to our house where we ordered dinner and played games until the kids were ready for bed. It was a wonderful night. Every time our door bell rang Izabella and Colton would run to the door to help hand out candy and see all the other kids costumes. They had so much fun!!
All in all a great Halloween!!
Love ya,
Mike, Stefanie, and Izabella
So we have had a busy couple of weeks at the Plane home. Last Saturday we had what has become our annual Pumpkin Carving party. Kat and Mark came over with their pumpkins and a health appetite. We started off the evening with Homemade Chili and corn bread. It was so good if I do say so my self. Then Mike and Mark started carving pumpkins! Katrina decided after almost cutting her finger off last year that she would supervise. So I put her and Izabella to work decoration sugar cookies. This was Izabella's first experience with decorating cookies, and I have to say that she rather enjoyed herself. Unfortunately most of the frosting ended up in her mouth and not much of it ended up on the cookies. It was a wonderful night full of fun and friends. We were very disappointed that Colten was sick and the Katie and Remington were unable to join us. Hopefully next year! Here are a few pictures of all our fun!!
Here is Izabella frosting some cookies!
Katrina decorating some cookies!
Smile Kat and Bella!
Mark cleaning Kat's pumpkin!
Mike just chillin'...doing what he does best.
Ok so I took Izabella's hair out and had her all ready for bed before I thought of taking pictures of our great pumpkins. So don't mind the model's hair and look at all our cool pumpkins.
She is cute even with her wild hair.
Here is Izabella frosting some cookies! Katrina decorating some cookies!
Smile Kat and Bella!
Mark cleaning Kat's pumpkin!Mike just chillin'...doing what he does best.
Ok so I took Izabella's hair out and had her all ready for bed before I thought of taking pictures of our great pumpkins. So don't mind the model's hair and look at all our cool pumpkins.
She is cute even with her wild hair.On Wednesday Izabella had a Halloween party at Day Care. She was so excited to were her cute little bumble bee costume. She had so much fun and brought home a ton of candy and little gifts. Kelly also gave her a cupcake when she left and Daddy thought it would be an OK idea to let Bella "hold" it on the way home. I don't know what made him think that this was a safe thing to do with our little eating machine. Needless to say Mike called me just before he pulled in and asked me to bring him a hose. Daddy had quite the mess to clean up, but Izabella seemed to have rather enjoyed herself.
The cup cake is gone, but there is plenty of orange frosting let over as evidence.
Kelly also let the kids make these cute little shirts. They used finger paints and their hands to make little spiders on either side of their shirts, then added a string for a spider web to dangle from and eyes. Bella loves her new little shirt.
The cup cake is gone, but there is plenty of orange frosting let over as evidence.
Kelly also let the kids make these cute little shirts. They used finger paints and their hands to make little spiders on either side of their shirts, then added a string for a spider web to dangle from and eyes. Bella loves her new little shirt.We will follow with a few actual Halloween pictures soon!
Thanks,
Mike, Stefanie, and Izabella
So here it is the 28 week tummy! I'm not sure if I can grow much more!
As far as I can tell our little girl is getting bigger everyday and is quite active. In fact, when I feel like my tummy is getting ready to burst somehow it finds room to grow a little more. The doctor says that she is in fact growing very well. She is a much bigger baby then Izabella was and has a very healthy sounding heart and he agrees that she is incredibly active making finding her heart beat for longer then a few minutes difficult. We'll keep you posted!
Love you all,
Stefanie
As far as I can tell our little girl is getting bigger everyday and is quite active. In fact, when I feel like my tummy is getting ready to burst somehow it finds room to grow a little more. The doctor says that she is in fact growing very well. She is a much bigger baby then Izabella was and has a very healthy sounding heart and he agrees that she is incredibly active making finding her heart beat for longer then a few minutes difficult. We'll keep you posted!
Love you all,
Stefanie
So Mike and I have been on the road a lot the last couple of weeks. First we were swept away to Washington when my grandfather passed away the end of September. It was nice to be able to take a whole week to go home and spend time with so much family. Even my brother-in-law Carl was allowed to come home from Afghanistan to be with the family through our lost. 
This is a picture of all the Grand kids just before the funeral. It is so hard to get five kids under the age of three to sit still long enough for a decent picture. Oh, well they are all so cute any way.
Papa Russ' birthday was that Friday while we were up there and Kira and Dayrk had brought donuts to celebrate. Papa Russ thought this orange frosted donut with sprinkles had Bella's name on it. Well, he was right, she rather enjoyed it, even though mommy didn't enjoy cleaning her up at all.
Nana and Papa also had kittens. Bella took every chance she could to go out side and sit on the grass watching them. She was very disappointed when Daddy told her she couldn't bring one home because mommy was allergic.
We were all patiently waiting for the guest of honor to show up. I love surprise parties, I just hate WAITING!
Izabella helped Grandpa open and read his birthday card! LOVE YOU GRANDPA!
Just a cute picture. I could resist posting it.
After dad blew out the candles with Addy's help he taught all the grand kids to steal the icing off the cake. It was all fun and games until Doug tried to stick his fist in the cake. That's what you get for teaching your grand kids bad habits.
And here is Dad with three of his five grand babies. I can't believe in only a couple more months that there will be 6!
This is a picture of all the Grand kids just before the funeral. It is so hard to get five kids under the age of three to sit still long enough for a decent picture. Oh, well they are all so cute any way.
Papa Russ' birthday was that Friday while we were up there and Kira and Dayrk had brought donuts to celebrate. Papa Russ thought this orange frosted donut with sprinkles had Bella's name on it. Well, he was right, she rather enjoyed it, even though mommy didn't enjoy cleaning her up at all.
Nana and Papa also had kittens. Bella took every chance she could to go out side and sit on the grass watching them. She was very disappointed when Daddy told her she couldn't bring one home because mommy was allergic. Then only seven days after coming back to Idaho we found ourselves back in the car and on our way to Washington for Grandpa Eldredge's 50th Birthday party!! WOW, dad's getting OLD!!
We were all patiently waiting for the guest of honor to show up. I love surprise parties, I just hate WAITING!Izabella helped Grandpa open and read his birthday card! LOVE YOU GRANDPA!Just a cute picture. I could resist posting it.After dad blew out the candles with Addy's help he taught all the grand kids to steal the icing off the cake. It was all fun and games until Doug tried to stick his fist in the cake. That's what you get for teaching your grand kids bad habits.And here is Dad with three of his five grand babies. I can't believe in only a couple more months that there will be 6!For Dad's birthday gift we thought that it would be nice to have family pictures taken. So we all got together at the Freeman's farms before the party for pictures. Wow, it was great. We had a large group and everyone but Bella cooperated. Next time she is taking a nap.
I will have these family pictures soon and will post them for everyone to see.
It was great to see family, however I am glad to say that it will be after the new year before Mike and I travel again.
Love you all,
Mikey, Stefi, Bella and Baby Girl
Mike and I have been planning on taking Izabella to the zoo all summer, and I'm glad to report that we finally made it to the Boise Zoo.!! Izabella loves animals and I knew she was going to love see all the different animals the zoo would have to offer. Well, her reactions didn't disappoint. Just see for yourself...
This is one of the new baby giraffes that the zoo just got. They were so cute!
Bella couldn't wait to ride the carousal. It is only appropriate that she was riding the monkey.
Izabella and Daddy loved the penguins!
Even the fake ones where fun to climb on (even thought there was a sign posted saying not too.)
This was a playful little turtle that followed Izabella back and forth in the window. She loved being so close to the animals.
She even liked acting like she was a turtle. What a nice shell you have!
The zoo had a large Kamodo Dragon that Izabella wasn't too interested in, but she loved sitting on this statue.
Bella loved the tigers, even thought she just thought it was an extra large kitty. They had a little one just out side the exhibit for the little kids to sit on. I didn't think we were going to see the rest of the zoo after we found this.
Daddy and Bella in the tunnel looking for the prairie dogs, or maybe they were just trying to hide from mommy.
This is one of the new baby giraffes that the zoo just got. They were so cute!
Bella couldn't wait to ride the carousal. It is only appropriate that she was riding the monkey.Izabella and Daddy loved the penguins!
Even the fake ones where fun to climb on (even thought there was a sign posted saying not too.)
This was a playful little turtle that followed Izabella back and forth in the window. She loved being so close to the animals.She even liked acting like she was a turtle. What a nice shell you have!
The zoo had a large Kamodo Dragon that Izabella wasn't too interested in, but she loved sitting on this statue.
Bella loved the tigers, even thought she just thought it was an extra large kitty. They had a little one just out side the exhibit for the little kids to sit on. I didn't think we were going to see the rest of the zoo after we found this.
Daddy and Bella in the tunnel looking for the prairie dogs, or maybe they were just trying to hide from mommy.It was a great day to go to the zoo and we all had so much fun. I want to thank Grandma Plane for taking the day to go with us. It takes a lot to keep up with a 21 month old and I appreciated not having to run after her so much. An extra pair of hands made the day even better.
Love you all,
Mikey, Stefi, and Izabella
;;
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
