Bella walking with Daddy in her new bath robe (and she stole her dolls binkie)
She thinks she is soooo cute!!
She had to turn and make sure that everyone was checking out her new Bath Robe.We just thought we'd share the fun.
Love,
Mike, Stefanie, and Izabella
She loves riding her horse!! It's the first thing she does in the morning when she wakes up and the last thing she does before she goes to bed. She must be mommy's little girl!!
Izabella loves her ducky, so we had a ducky party!
A duck cake, duck sugar cookies, and even ducks floating
in a blue pond of cool aid.
It was so much fun! I am so
grateful for all of our family and friends that made Bella's
first birthday so wonderful. Even for those who were unable
to come to her party made sure the called and even sent
gifts. Thank you so all of you that love this little girl so much.
She has truly been blessed with so many people to love!!
Mommy and Izabella pose
for the camera with her cake.
Daddy and the birthday girl.Steeling a piece of cake while everyone sings
Finally I get to eat...Yummy!!
Izabella was really good at opening presents, but mommy
and daddy still liked to help.
Colten enjoying himself at the party!A Murder Mystery New Years Eve!!
Past, Pistols, And Passion
We decided that this year we wanted to do something different
for New Years. So we thought that a murder mystery dinner
would be a fun way to start off the new year. So we invited some
of our dearest friends, and planner a four course Italian dinner,
and an evening full of fun!!
Our Italian restaurant setting
Me Preparing dinner!!
Kate and Mark dressed for their roles in
our murder mystery
Jett and Matt you to are so Cute
What's on the menu this evening!!
The whole group!I'm taking the picture and Mike was trying to put Izabella back
to bed. That didn't work and she ended up staying up with us
until 2:00am.
We all had so much fun and we just might have to
do this again!!
I know Izabella isn't quite old enough to understand about Santa, but this year we spent Christmas with Mikes whole family in Utah at the Hill Air force base. Randy and Debbie (Dad and Mom Plane, Jeff (Mike's older bother, however still younger then me), his wife Emily and their three kids, Justin (5), Hallie (almost 4) and Kara (8 mon) were all their to join in on the excitement. Just watching Justin and Hallie's expressions when they unwrapped their treasures really made me excited for many Christmas's to come. Izabella and Kara both enjoyed the mornings activities as well. By the end of the day Bella was really getting a hang of unwrapping her gifts. She was just more interested in everyone Else's gifts to play to much with her own. By that afternoon though I couldn't get her off her new rocking horse. She loved to ride it, and she loves to pet its soft nose.
Hallie with all her new Barbie furniture
Playing his new Nintendo DS game 
Our little Twins
Reading one of her new books.
Mommy made her a new stocking and I think she approves
Look another horse. You are one lucky girl!!
Izabella reading another book.
I know I am a little late on posting, but better late then never. Jessica Page and Carl Blackwood became parents at 1:38 am Dec 20th, 2008 and again at 2:30 am. I want to tell Jessica I am so proud of her, she is my Hero. I am so glad that everything went well and that finally my new neice and new nephew are here in this world with us. Also, you all need to know that everyone in our family now shares a birthday with someone else. Kira and I, Jessica and our cousin Rebecca, and now AJ gets to share his birthday with Randi Lynn and Ryan Lukas Blackwood.
Ryan Lukas Blackwood Born
Dec 20, 2008 @ 2:30 am
5lbs 15oz 19 ins long
They love being together.
Congratulations Jessica and Carl. Being a parent is the greatest thing in the world. I am glad to hear that the two of you are adjusting well. I can't wait to see them.
We Love You All,
Mike, Stefanie, and Izabella
I can’t believe that it has been 3 short years since Mike and I were married in the Bountiful temple. I was a beautiful winter day with snow on the ground and all our family and friends around us to keep us warm on this very cold afternoon. I don’t remember the cold though. 
What do I remember? Let me tell you.I remember the nerves that Mike was going to be late, or not show up at all, however, thanks to Lisa, Mike’s fiend Joel’s wife, he made it, even though he was running on Mike time. Late, that is. Not only that but when I gave him a hug I noticed that under his nice suit was a black shirt with hibiscus flowers printed on either side of the buttons. So Mike.I remember the look on his face the first time he saw me in my perfectly white dress. The most perfect moment is hearing the man you are going to marry tell you, you look beautiful.
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I remember being surrounded with family and friends. Not being able to control my joy or my huge smile for that matter. And all the photographers that we had. Let’s just say that I had about 500 photos to choose from for this post, but I think I picked out most of my favorites.I have to say that I met and married my perfect companion. When they say opposites attract they couldn’t have been more right, however I think it is our differences that bring us closer together. And the fact that Mike never ceasing to amaze me helps too. It seems that He is always going out of his way to find a way to lighten my load and to make me smile. He had been my best friend since the day of our first date. He has supported me and comforted me, encouraged me when I felt like I couldn’t do something and appreciated all the little things in life that I seen to focus on.
Not only is he the perfect husband but he is an even better father. Izabella is his pride and joy! I love watching him play and teach Izabella to be just like him. It is no wonder that she is such a daddy’s girl.
I love you Mike! Happy Anniversary and here’s too many more happy years!
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We started our trip at about 10:00 pm on the Friday before Thanksgiving, when we left Twin Falls and headed out as far as Nampa, where we stayed the night with Mike's parents. Izabella had so much fun entertaining Grandma.
Then the following day we made a stop in Tri Cities were we spent the evening with some friends. Thank you Amanda and Joe for letting us stay with you. The kids had so much fun playing with each other, and Conner was so enthusiastic about showing Izabella all of his cool toys.
This stand up piano was Bella’s favorite toy! She danced and sang and played even up till 2:00am. We tried to put the kids to bed, but they had plans to play all night long right along with their parents. Who stayed up just as late playing games. Thanks again Joe for being so patient with my peenuckle playing.
Amanda and Conner
Isn't he so cute, and he's growing up so fast!
Finally on Sunday we made our destination to Royal City, WA, my home. It was great to be able to see my family and there really isn’t anything like being home. I was so excited to spend so much time in Washington. I guess you could say that I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful job, and a job that has a corporate office in Moses Lake. This will allow me to be able to come home and visit any time I have to do training, which was the case this trip also. So Monday and Tuesday I spent in at work but Wednesday the fun really began.
Thursday was one of the greatest Thanksgivings I have ever had, even thought I really over ate. That morning we start off the day with biscuits and white country gravy. As soon as I was done making breakfast (with Russ) I moved into making things for the big dinner. My additions included, homemade gluten free Dressing, Rolls, and two pies, chocolate French silk and sour cream and lemon. Everything turned out wonderful and no one even said anything about the gluten free food. No one but Jenna who insisted that the gluten free rolls were the best she had ever had.
Izabella had so much fun playing with her cousins: Addilynn (Addi) and Douglas (Dougy) Kira’s kids. Unfortunately Jessica was the only one missing, but I guess being 8 months pregnant with twins is a pretty good excuse. We Missed You!!
After all this, the fun was just beginning! Dad was married on Friday and we were off to Hayden Lake, Id to enjoy the wedding and some family fun. The wedding was simple and perfect for Dad and Jeanna. And I truly enjoyed the presents of family. That evening dad and Jeanna volunteered to watch Izabella while Mike and I went swimming in the hotel pool. You may think this wouldn’t be any big deal, but this was no usual pool, that’s because we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Hayden Lake. This hotel is the home of Raptor Reef, a pool play land including slides and a play land, and the Triple Play including, miniature golf, bowling, a full arcade, wall climbing, laser tag, and I can remember if there is something else or not. It was awesome!
After 10 days away from home we were anxious to get home. There’s no place like home. It was great to see family and to spend so much time with them. We are so glad that Izabella had the time to get to know everyone and for all the love that she experienced. Mike and I have been truly blessed to have such a wonderful little girl who is so happy and playful. We have been blessed with wonderful, loving extended family, a great friends, all whom we love very much. Thank you for your friendship and your love. We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that your Holidays will be Wonderful also.
Merry Christmas to all…. (To be continued)
