Bella's 4th Birthday

Saturday June 21st Bella turned 4 and had a Peter Rabbit birthday party.

Birthday Girl

We played a game of rolling the cabbages.

After rolling the cabbages, the girls peeled off the leaves and threw them in the grass behind our house for the bunnies that live in the woods.

Time for the ice cream cake.

Doll house furniture from Grammy

Mermaid costume from Daddy and Mama

Bella's Ballet Recital

Bella had her first ballet recital on June 7th at the Victoria Theater in Downtown Dayton.

A quick picture at home

Bella and her classmates


Bella hugging her teacher Miss Ann after her performance

Alexander has arrived

Alexander Elijah Howell arrived at 10:30am on May 5th. He weighed in at 8lbs (1 week early) and was 21 1/4 inches long. I had a very short, easy and overall a pleasant delivery experience. As a result I was able to go home from the hospital a day early. Alexander is a very special addition to our familyand the girls adore him. Dan is a very proud Daddy.

Mommy and Alexander resting comfortably.

Proud Daddy holding his son.

The girls meeting their baby brother for the first time. Bella wanted to kiss him and Charlotte just looked at him suspiciously. Alexander gave both of his big sisters a present. Bella received a front carrier for her baby dolls and Charlotte received a baby doll in a Moses basket.

Our House is Built!

After 2 apartments, 3 moves, and 8 months of waiting, we closed on our house January 18th. The movers came on the 20th with all our stuff that had been in storage. We could finally sleep in our own bed again. That was what I missed the most. Five months have passed and we love our house and the space that we have. Our neighbors are very friendly and our neighboorhood is full of kids. When we are outside all we hear are birds and crickets; there is no highway noise.

We have jumped on...

...the blogging bandwagon. We hope that you enjoy our family story.