Happy Halloween!

We were afraid we weren't going to do anything for Halloween. We had a birthday to go to but we missed it since Madison was in desperate need of a nap. She has been sick with a fever and a bad cough these past couple of days. We have missed out on some other activities so I had to take them to something. Dan was working too. So we decided we would try the Trunk-or-Treat going on at the church and Madison did pretty well. She sounded terrible and hung out in the car for a bit but the girls made their round for candy and played the marshmallow game. Isabella was just there along for the ride....she's so good to take out. Hannah showing her moves...she really wanted me to include this picture.

Madison with her Isabella.

My girls....Hannah is such a poser.

Bat Girl!

My little bumble bee!

The girls in line waiting for root beer floats.

Madison going for the marshmallow....she was one of the few who followed the rule of not using their hands.

Hannah with her mouth stuffed with a pink marshmallow.

Hannah caught going through her bag....actually she had asked if she could eat some of her candy...such a good girl.

The girls after they made their candy round.

I would seriously LOVE to have her eyelashes.

The girls were done at around 5, so we packed the car up and headed home. Unfortunately, there was a car wreck and it took about an hour to get home. The round about was blocked up with ambulances and police. What was even worse was we knew one of the people involved in the wreck...so we drove back up to the church and told bishop. I hope everything is alright. So after that, we took the long way home, and came home and had trick-or-treaters instantly. One of our neighbors offered to take the girls around so I could stay inside with Isabella. So nice! Now the girls are playing, Isabella is asleep in my arms and I'm just waiting for Dan to come home.

I wake up so grumpy

This little girl keeps me up all night. She has been thinking she needs to play around 4 am again. But then we get up usually around 7 am and I'm in the worst of moods and then I see this face...

I almost caught her smiling. She is full of smiles all the time. It's an instant cheer up. Oh and it's the CUTEST thing, every time Dan comes home, he picks her up and she gives him her biggest smile. Yeah...she kind of likes her dad too.

I love this

My dad insisted Isabella was showing he was number 1....I will continue to believe she was stating her mom is.

You're very generous....

The tooth fairy came two nights ago. Madison lost her third tooth. She was all excited...it finally came out. So Dan knowing I am a little bit forgetful decided to do the tooth fairy thing just before he went to bed. It was so wonderful he did because I had already forgotten about it. So Madison woke up the next morning super excited. I asked her how much she got....£3!!! I was like "what a generous tooth fairy!"


She said, "I probably would have gotten £20 if I had washed the blood off my tooth."


I thought...seriously she just got $5 for a tooth! Geesh Dan! Don't complain ever again about Christmas again.


So Hannah cut her hair....here's her sporting her new fringe. Lovely....Monday it's a bob. No matter how many protests I get about her hair and how I should not cut it....she wants to. I'm not going to be the mom who won't let her decide for herself or see if she doesn't like short hair. She's a beautiful girl and will look adorable no matter what. It is kind of funny though....I'm not sure I remember Hannah without long braids ever. I can't blame the kid...she wants change. Who wants to have the same hair for years?

How excited am I?

Our check for the car has come in the mail. Now just have to get it to the dealership and they can ship my car on over! YAY!

OOOHHHHHHHH!

Mrs. Brown has brown hair now. Kind of crazy....still getting use to it. When I walk by the mirror I'm like, "oh yeah, I have brown hair now."

It's only hair....I can always change it back. My hair stylist about fainted when I told her I wanted to go brown when she asked what we were going to do today. When I came home Hannah looked at me and said, "MUM! Did you paint your hair brown? It's looks kind of funny actually." Then it was followed by a, "I want to paint my hair pink!" It is the day after and I'm still telling her she's not coloring her hair until she's at least 12. I so forgot to tell you...she decided yesterday she wanted short hair....so she started where she thought it needed to start...her bangs. So she has 1/2 inch bangs in the center of her forehead. We're getting it fixed on Monday....we're waiting until the girl who does my hair has time. Oh and we're chopping her hair off....Dan and I said she could do that instead of pink hair. I think at times I would rather have the pink hair then her beautiful hair cut. I think I'm going to cry.

Happy Birthday!

It really was only Isabella's 2 month birthday yesterday. I can't believe she is 2 months already! I know...so cliche. Anyways....so what does a 2 month old get on her birthday? Immunizations! 3 to top it off. Poor little girl...she's a little dramatic we know but seriously...she kept moaning 15 minutes later followed by the quivering sniffle. It was the saddest thing ever. The other girls would cry and then I would pick them up and they would be fine...not this one. She is still emotional about the whole thing. She just has been a very clingy baby and she's already a pretty clingy baby. Although...she did sleep 5 hours straight last night. Total HEAVEN! So our little baby now is

Weight: 11 lbs 1 oz

Height: 24 inches

Head: 16 inches (I think it's in inches.)

So my kiddo is still in the 78% for weight....smallest baby we've ever had. 99% for Height and 95% for head. It was funny...so I was talking to my sister, Christina, on the phone yesterday and we were talking about Isabella and her weight...and she kind of mentioned how she was still big. Then she said, "But then I was 10 lbs when I came out." I couldn't even imagine pushing a baby as big as Isabella out!

And YAY! My baby is smiling at me once again. I wasn't too sure how she was with this hair. She liked me holding her...but every time she looked at me...she kind of had this weird look on her face.

So she smiles like crazy....she loves her dad, sisters and myself. She does this silent giggle thing...so cute. She holds her head up like crazy. On her belly she picks completely up and holds it there. I'm thinking she's going to be pretty fast on some things...she does have older sisters she'll need to keep up with. She loves touching faces as well as holding on to a blanket. In the bath, she has to be holding on to her washcloth. She is cared for very well by her Madison. I seriously have never seen Madison move so fast when she hears Isabella unhappy. And she's learning...it's okay to be put down. We still have to be right there of course...but she's learning. She did just come from a tightly crammed place....what do you expect!

Fun times

We have been busy here...not like that has changed at all....visiting places all over, relaxing, eating good food (thanks mom!), enjoying family here and saying goodbye. Madison really bonded with my dad while he was here. They enjoyed doing math problems and writing notes back and forth to each other. Hannah and my mom have been super close and I will hate the day she leaves, Hannah is going to have a melt down BIG TIME! Isabella has enjoyed both, I mean, they held her and cuddled with her, fed her (Grandpa even snuck in a little extra so that was SUPER good) what else could she possibly want?! I could write a book and tell you all the fun times we have had and stories, but that would take forever and I have pumping to do and a baby who is about to wake up and start doing her hungry fuss (I mean it has been 3 hours so she's famished).

And now a confession...I started this blog post weeks ago and I seriously can't remember the order of the things we did. So I will try my best. And I will have to do another post to include the other fun happenings since I'm on the new computer and I haven't transferred all the pictures from my laptop. So here we go....a little out of order but I can now say half of it is done.
The Burghley House....we had a great time walking through. I had been there before with Dan but it was cool to see it again. My mom and dad kept giving me grief about my "hearse." Yes, I said I was never going to drive a station wagon but I never thought I would be living in England where they are "cool" to drive. At least I will keep telling myself that...since there are a bunch out on the road.

My mom and me being dorks...it's what we do.
My dad in front of one of his favorite garden structure (there were so many runner ups). My parents and I were so not impressed with the gardens....I didn't have a change of heart. It was a good laugh though....so it was worth walking through again.

My mom standing by her cousin that we found. Good times...some good laughs.
My three beautiful girls before church. We had the primary program that day. My mom was able to be there.

My dad blessed Isabella in our home Friday night before he left the next day. It was a special blessing. Thanks Dad!

My little angel.

Madison is a little mommy with her baby sister. She is such a big help.

Isabella is 3 weeks old here. In Aunt Shannon's dress.

Isabella still remembers my mom's voice I'm sure. They were buds all day and into the night. She looks around when my mom is on speaker phone.

Some day I'll finish with our other trips to London and Dover. Isabella has been around I must say....for being only 8 weeks old. Always a blast with my parents.

Why don't you just marry it?

So besides the song on my previous post....Madison LOVES the group JLS. We had 3 girls spend the night last night and they were listening to some music on the computer and Madison kept playing the song, Beat Again every time it was her turn to chose the song. Finally after 4 times, one of the girls said, "Why don't you just marry the song Madison since you love it so much?" I laughed...I remember that saying when I was younger. And I'm sure if Madison could marry a song, that song would be the song right now she would marry.

Madison, Hannah and I can't get enough of this Song. And I'm so not a Beyonce fan. It's super cute to listen to my girls sing it....so adorable.

And why did I buy those?

So I was so excited...I bought this super cool swing and super cool bouncer for Isabella and to be honest...she really could care less about both. She only will sit in either of them when she is in the mood. So yesterday I needed to fold some laundry that has been on my bed for ages and I had to put her down...I know...the nerve! So I put two blankets in one of the empty laundry baskets and I had the happiest girl ever! So after hundreds of dollars on items she isn't too happy about she is content in a laundry basket and blankets.

Look at those cheeks and those eyes!

I was busy playing on my new computer when I turned around to talk to Dan and this is what I saw:

Yes, that is my husband using the Boppy as a pillow.

Every night we usually read to the girls, I say usually since sometimes things happen and we don't. The girls have been super interested in space since that's what they have been talking about this first half of the term. Quick story....so the girls and I went to the commissary the other day after picking them up from school. I was in line putting the groceries on the counter and I look to see what my girls are doing and they are walking funny, making weird noises and kind of clapping their hands together. I was thinking....why are my kids acting weird??? So I ask them in a nice tone...what in the world are you doing??? Their response..."We're acting like aliens you silly mummy!" Silly me....I laughed and everyone around was like "oh how cute!" So from now on when I see them doing some crazy stuff...it's their imagination working. I love how their school goes all out with the creativity and imagination stuff. Both my kids are pros at naming the planets all in order and telling us a little about each planet. SUPER COOL!

Anyway...so this is Dan reading them the space book Madison checked out at the library. She is blown away with something Dan just read I think...

How does she know?

I opened up my email this morning...my mom wrote me a quick message.

"So how pretty that Isabella is, and Bob you are looking great, I hope you are getting enough rest, the dishes will wait and so will that carpet
I miss you and think and pray you are well.

love mom"

I needed that this morning.

Thanks mom!

Happy Birthday Dan!

This year, Dan had to work at night on his birthday so he was sleeping all day. Then he had to weigh in so he didn't want cake. So basically we ate an omelet on his birthday and he opened up his cards. He wanted to save his presents for when we had the cake. So two days later he was able to open his presents after he woke up...he's still working nights and eat his birthday cake. My "big" present was he could get a fish tank....we put a bid on Ebay but it fell through...so he bought me a new computer instead. What a sweet guy.

Isabella wasn't too happy we were postponing her bottle for a birthday cake....why wouldn't she be mad...it's not like she got to eat the cake.

Dan is always so funny when he opens up his presents....he has come a long way....he use to not show so much enthusiasm....

I've seen a lot of blogs that list how many things they like or love about the person with the amount being how old they turned...Dan turned 31...can I really think of 31 things???!!!

Just kidding....I love him and all his funny, annoying, sweet, thoughtful sporadic things he does for me and I love how he is a great father to his three girls....and a fabulous husband. After all, I am still married to him...so he's doing something right.

Isn't funny...

It was Dan's birthday earlier this week....and I got a new computer. He loves me.

The prettiest girls

Isabella had a porcupine on her shirt....so what did I decide to do....give her "porcupine" hair.

Hannah came home from our neighbors in Katie's clothes....she's been doing that a lot lately.

Madison keeping Isabella happy in her bouncer seat...we're slowly trying to get Isabellie to understand...it's okay to be put down.

Being 0

So it's 12 pm and this has been our morning...things were cancelled what we were suppose to do so we cancelled a few things so we could stay in on this overcast day. The girls get a ride to school from our friends so yes, I am still in my pjs and not showered. This really never happens...I'm usually showered and out....but hey...it's okay to be lazy once in awhile....especially when you have a baby who thinks it is the end of the world if you put her down.

My life is like a Disney movie...

Dan loves to sing....I think at times he doesn't even realize he is singing until I give him "the look." Now it's not just normal singing...as in singing songs that are on the radio...it's songs he makes up as he is doing something. The other day after he had finished his song about changing Isabella's diaper while changing Isabella's diaper, he looked at me and said, "Bet you didn't think your life would be like a Disney movie?" I responded with a, "Yes, I actually did....you've done that since we dated." Songs from bathing the kids to making a PB&J sandwich. So while in the car....the same car ride as my previous story to this post, Madison was singing a song to Isabella and Dan of course joins in with his own....hmmmm I'm trying to think of the right description....his input of the song and I look at him...and we just laugh. I think the funny part was not what he was adding to the song, but the fact he doesn't even do it intentionally....it just comes out of his mouth automatically. Oh how I'm kind of laughing just thinking about it right now.

My green child

We went on a family car ride tonight...and we always get some random conversations. The girls had a sleep over at the neighbors two weekends ago so when Madison started her story of, "Mum and dad, when we slept over at the Isaacs the last time..." we told Madison how we didn't want to hear it....that was a long time ago. She insisted with, "I'm not going to tell her off but Hannah was not being very eco-friendly!" Dan and I busted up laughing with a, "what???" She then preceded to tell us how Hannah was not being eco-friendly by leaving the light on during the night. Seriously!!!??? The things they teach at school...I mean it's cool and as long as my Madison doesn't go a little overboard with the "green" thing....some of it is just a little too much for me. But it was a good laugh.

There are no Cowboys in England

Hannah and I were watching the Hannah Montana movie...so it's been more than just once but who's counting....so we're at the part where Miley's hair is blowing, you can hear a horse galloping and then whoosh....there is the cute cowboy to catch her horse that was running away. Hannah just makes a comment on how she's going to marry a cowboy....but she'll have to wait so not too worry...there aren't any cowboys in England so she won't be getting married that soon. Oh my Hannah....and the things she thinks about.

My little boogers

Apparently I need to find a better hiding place than what I was using for hiding Christmas presents....I woke up to two little girls playing with Barbie's hair styling salon and a new princess Barbie. As soon as I came in they were pleased to announce how they opened it all by themselves and that they were going to pick up the wrapper mess. I told them they shouldn't have opened the toys (I couldn't really say, "YOU JUST OPENED UP SANTA PRESENTS...NOW YOU ARE SO GOING TO HAVE NOT AS MUCH YOU LITTLE TURKEYS!) So I just explained how they need to ask, their reply I was sleeping and Hannah said it was okay. This is going to be one expensive Christmas if this occurs again...

Please time...

Could you just slow down a bit? I can't believe it's already October...where did September go? All this time going fast means I'm just getting older faster, my kids are growing up way too quickly....so please slow down!

On the upside....two weeks and my car is completed (that flew by and so excited...I can get rid of my "hearse")...now just having to wait for it's journey from Sweden to the UK.

I WON I WON I WON!!!!!

We are no longer getting the other bird. Yes, we lost a $160 deposit but it's so worth not having to worry about the bird. Dan was then trying to convince me he really needed a salt water fish tank since he was so sad about the bird (he realized we don't have time for a bird) but I held my ground and told him it really wasn't that great of an idea. YAY! We are petless! Just what I wanted.

Someday............

I will post what's been going on (my parent's visit, taking Isabella everywhere)....but right now it's 4:30 am, Isabella is finally asleep from waking up at 3 am since she was STARVING....and now I must go change since milk that was in her little tummy is now on my shirt and I smell of sour breast milk....NICE! But...she's still so stinking cute I forgive her....and it so helps she smiles at me....she has realized she doesn't need to be so serious.