Snow Day!

We got a LOT of snow yesterday! Here are some pictures and a video of Bella enjoying her first time playing in the snow!


First, Daddy had to measure the snow with Bella...we got about 22 inches!
"Splashing" in the snow!

Trying to kick the snow...

Sitting pretty on our deck

I think she likes the snow!

Christmas Dress

John and I took Bella to Montgomery Mall tonight to get her picture taken with Santa. She wouldn't smile, but she didn't cry either. It is not great and I think I will try again later in the week. Anyway, when we got home, Bella wanted to play with her little house. She turned on the little radio and started dancing in her Christmas dress. I only wish I had gotten my camera out sooner! Enjoy the video and the pics of Bella in her pretty dress!

It won't be long now...

I think this picture speaks for itself!

Bella's 1st Birthday Party!

I'm sorry it has taken me so long to get these pictures posted. Bella had a wonderful 1st birthday party...even if it was a week late. My Gigi and my mom made Bella's adorable pumpkin dress and headband to go along with her pumpkin patch theme. I made a pumpkin cake for Bella and dirt cake for the guests. She got so many nice presents from all of our wonderful family members and friends. We are so blessed to have so many great people in our lives. Here are some pictures from her party.


A family shot...Bella and Nena...Gigi, Aunt, and Bella


Bella got her very first rocking horse!
She loved her cake. It took her a while to "dive in,"
but then she got the hang of it.


Blowing out her candle and clapping with Jake.



Bella's pumpkin cake and her pumpkin puzzle. I put a milestone picture of Bella in each piece of the puzzle.

Our Baby is One!

Our baby girl turned one yesterday. Since she had been sick, we just had a little celebration at Red Robin in Lake Forest Mall with Mommy, Daddy, Nena, and Auntie Ish. We also went to Little Gym with Bella's friend, Avery, and made birthday cupcakes. No worries though, we took so many pictures, you all will feel like you were right there with us! I don't have new "stats" yet. Her one year appointment is this Friday, so I will share them at that time.


I can't believe it has been an entire year!

Cheers! It's my birthday today!

Bella wasn't so sure what to do with the "1" shaped pancake I made her for breakfast.

Our big one year old girl!

We went to visit Avery's Little Gym class and this is the attempt of trying to get a picture of the girls sitting together. They are definitely on the move!

My friend Tulasi gave me a great idea to let Bella help me make her birthday cupcakes. She loved it!

She did NOT love it when I took the bowl away to add more ingredients!

We made pumpkin cupcakes. Bella loved stirring the batter!

A very happy birthday girl with a little pumpkin batter on her chin!

Playing with Daddy while the cupcakes were baking.

The finished product!

Bella got three balloons and they all flew up to the ceiling of the restaurant...oh well!

"Daddy, can I tell you a secret? I love you and I love being one!"

Getting ready to enjoy her pumpkin cupcake!

Opening presents! She got a really cool puzzle and two books from Nena. Thanks, Nena!

She got her very own laptop from Mommy and Daddy. We were tired of her trying to play with our computers all of the time. She loves her new laptop!

Mommy and Bella on her big day! I love my baby girl!

Our one year old girl!

A close up shot of our Bella!

We finally got her to stay put for a picture.
She kept crawling away from the photographer!
It's a good thing she is so cute!

Happy Halloween!

Bella celebrated her first Halloween today!
I was a little sentimental because it is the last of her "first" holidays
as she will be one next week. :( But we had a great time and here are the pictures to prove it!

Bella was "practicing" her trick-or-treating before her friend, Noa, came over to go out.


It is hard to tell, but Bella's Halloween bag actually says her name on it.
I think she likes it!

Mommy (nurse), Bella (Piglet), and Daddy (Daddy) walking home after a fun-filled night of trick-or-treating. Bella was such a good girl!

Bella was doing "so big" in her Halloween onesie just before bed on Halloween night.

One last Halloween hug for Nena before bedtime!

Boo at the Zoo!

The Down Family headed to Boo at the Zoo this evening with Avery, Cate, Noa, and Wyatt (and all the parents, too!) It was very crowded, but a lot of fun. We tried to get a good shot of all the kids in their costumes, but we weren't very successful. :(

Cate, Noa, Bella, and the man of the evening...Wyatt
Wyatt and Bella holding hands

Group shot...Bella, Wyatt, Cate, Avery, and Noa

I love this picture of Avery's costume...the tail is my favorite part!

Bella, Cate, and Avery

Another group shot...at least they are all in the picture!

The highlight of Bella's evening was popping wheelies down the steps to get to the parking lot. She cracked up each time John popped the stroller up!

Happy Halloween from the Down Family!
(Thanks for taking this picture, Rob!)